Sheet dispenser

Abstract

To provide a desktop sheet dispenser which is excellent in sheet drawing property and prevents a bundle of sheets from dropping.SOLUTION: The case main body has a bottom plate part inclined downward from the back surface side toward the front surface side, a front plate part erected on the front surface side of the bottom plate part and inclined forward, and a take-out port provided in the front plate part and communicating the inside and the outside for pulling out the paper towel, at least the front plate part is formed of a microfiber cellulose composite resin having a resin and microfiber cellulose, wherein the microfiber cellulose specks are formed, and the outlet port has an elongated portion along a width direction of the front plate portion, and a pair of ridge portions are provided on an inner surface side of the front plate portion, the ridge portions being positioned along a lower edge of the elongated portion of the outlet port and spaced apart from each other in the width direction with the center of the outlet port interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet dispenser that stores a stack of folded and stacked sheets such as paper towels and dispenses them one by one from a dispenser opening, and particularly to a tabletop sheet dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known stationary and tabletop dispensers for paper or nonwoven fabric sheets, sometimes called paper towels, such as kitchen paper and cleaning wipes. Some tabletop sheet dispensers have an outlet that opens obliquely downward, allowing the sheet to be pulled out downward (see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 below).

[0003] This type of tabletop sheet dispenser has an outlet facing downwards, making it difficult for water and dust to enter through the outlet. Also, when pulling out a sheet with wet hands, droplets from the hand do not get on the next sheet or splash onto the stack inside the outlet, making it hygienic.

[0004] On the other hand, if there are a large number of sheets inside, the load on the entire surface where the outlet is located increases, which tends to increase the resistance when pulling out the sheets.Also, if there are a small number of sheets inside, the stack itself tends to move or bend easily inside the dispenser.

[0005] The tabletop paper towel dispensers shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with a pressure plate that maintains contact between the stack and the front panel where the outlet is located, preventing the stack itself from moving or bending inside the dispenser when the number of sheets inside becomes low.

[0006] The tabletop paper towel dispenser shown in Patent Document 3 has a pair of protrusions extending from both ends of the outlet toward the center, thereby reducing the contact area between the stack and the front panel where the outlet is located, thereby reducing the resistance to withdrawal when there are a large number of sheets.Furthermore, when the number of sheets decreases, the stack is curved so that the front panel of the stack becomes convex, making it less likely for the stack to move or bend inside the dispenser. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-27601 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-058327 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-135772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2 require a separate presser plate, which requires complicated operations for setting the stack, and do not adequately address the problem that when there are many sheets inside, there is a tendency for resistance to increase when pulling out the sheets.As a result, when there are many sheets inside, the pinched portion of the sheet may tear when pulling out the sheet, especially with wet hands.

[0009] In the technology of Patent Document 3, when the number of sheets decreases, depending on the physical properties and size of the sheets, the stack may not be sufficiently curved, causing the stack to fold or move, or an excessive number of sheets may be unintentionally pulled out from the outlet at one time. Also, in the technology of Patent Document 3, the stack may unintentionally curve even when there are sufficient sheets remaining in the stack, causing excessive resistance to pulling out, and as with the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the sheets may tear, particularly when pulled out with wet hands.

[0010] Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 3 has the problem that the size of the sheet is limited because the distance between the protrusions is determined by the protrusion length of the protrusions. For example, when a stack of small-sized paper towels is placed in a dispenser for medium-sized paper towels, the stack may not be sufficiently supported by the protrusions and the protrusions may not function.

[0011] Furthermore, many of these dispensers are made from AS resin or acrylic resin, which are easy to process. Resin is not only easy to process, but some types have excellent transparency, making them suitable as dispenser materials. On the other hand, dispensers made from conventional resins are transparent or monochromatic, and have an artificial, inorganic design that can sometimes give the impression of not matching with other furnishings. There is also a risk of breakage if they are accidentally dropped from a table.

[0012] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a tabletop sheet dispenser that has a unique color, is strong, and prevents the stack from moving or bending even when the number of sheets in the stack is small, has excellent sheet extraction properties regardless of the number of sheets in the stack, and can also accommodate sheets of different sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The first means for solving the above problem is: A tabletop sheet dispenser having a case body that stores a stack of paper towels inside and a base that supports the case body at a predetermined height, The case body has a bottom plate portion that slopes downward from the rear side to the front side, a front plate portion that slopes forward and is erected on the front side of the bottom plate portion, and an outlet provided on the front plate portion that communicates with the inside and outside for pulling out paper towels, At least the front panel portion is formed of a microfiber cellulose composite resin having a resin and microfiber cellulose, and spots made of the microfiber cellulose are formed, The outlet has an elongated portion along the width direction of the front plate portion, and a pair of protruding strips are provided on the inner surface of the front plate portion, the protruding strips being located along the lower edge of the elongated portion of the outlet and spaced apart in the width direction across the center of the outlet. This is a tabletop sheet dispenser characterized by the above.

[0014] A second aspect is the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the first aspect, wherein the length of the ridge portion is 12 to 32% of the width of the outlet.

[0015] The third method is The microfiber cellulose composite resin is a tabletop sheet dispenser according to the first aspect, which contains a lubricant.

[0016] The fourth method is per unit area, area 0.1mm 2 The number of spots above this is 10 to 12,000 per 100 cm of board. 2 The tabletop sheet dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention is as follows:

[0017] The fifth method is In the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the first means, the microfiber cellulose composite resin has a flexural modulus of 1.0 to 3.0 GPa.

[0018] The sixth method is In the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the first aspect, the microfiber cellulose has an average fiber diameter of 1 to 19 μm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tabletop sheet dispenser that has a unique color, is strong, and is less likely to move or bend the stack even when the number of sheets is reduced, has excellent sheet extraction properties regardless of the number of sheets in the stack inside the dispenser, and can also accommodate sheets of different sizes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a case main body of a tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a view of the inner surface side of the front plate of the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a view of the outer surface side of the front plate of the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel portion of the tabletop sheet dispenser according to the present invention, taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the front plate portion according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a view of the inner surface side of the front plate portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram of spots formed on the surface of a sheet dispenser according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. The dispenser X1 of this embodiment is a stationary, tabletop sheet dispenser X1 (hereinafter simply referred to as dispenser X1) in which a case main body 10 for storing a stack of sheets 1 is supported at a predetermined height by a base 20, and is used by placing it on a kitchen counter, bathroom counter, hand washing counter, work counter, floor, etc.

[0022] This sheet dispenser is characterized in that at least the front panel 11 constituting the case main body 10 is formed from a microfiber cellulose composite resin containing resin and microfiber cellulose, and has spots made of the microfiber cellulose, and the outlet 16 has an elongated portion along the width direction of the front panel 11, and a pair of protruding ribs 60 are provided on the inner surface of the front panel 11, along the lower edge of the elongated portion of the outlet 16 and positioned spaced apart in the width direction across the center of the outlet 16.

[0023] (Example of dispenser shape) First, an example of the shape of the dispenser X1 of this embodiment will be described. This dispenser X1 has a case body 10 composed of a front panel 11, a bottom panel 12, a back panel 13, side panels 14A and 14B, and a top panel 15, and has a storage space 10A larger than the size of the stack 1 that can be stored. In the illustrated form, the dispenser X1 has a generally rectangular box-like appearance, but the appearance of the dispenser X1 can be designed as appropriate as long as it does not interfere with the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, the storage box of this embodiment does not have a pressing member that presses the stack from the back side. This storage box of this embodiment can prevent the stack itself from moving or bending inside the dispenser when the number of sheets inside becomes low.

[0024] The case body 10 has, in particular, a bottom plate 12 that slopes downward from the back side to the front side, a front plate 11 that slopes forward and is erected on the front side of the bottom plate 12, and an outlet 16 that communicates with the inside and outside and is provided on the front plate 11 for pulling out sheets. In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate 11 is erected perpendicular to the bottom plate 12, and the case body 10 is fixed to the base 20 at a predetermined height so that the front plate 11 slopes forward when installed, so that the bottom plate 12 slopes downward from the back plate side to the front plate side, and the outlet 16 opens diagonally downward toward the front side. In this dispenser X1, the outlet 16 faces downward, making it difficult for dirt and dust to enter through the outlet 16.

[0025] Furthermore, because outlet 16 faces diagonally downward toward the front, a portion of the sheet exposed therefrom hangs downward. Therefore, when pulling out the sheet by hand, the sheet is grasped from below outlet 16, so even if the sheet is pulled out with wet or dirty hands, water or dirt on the hand will not fall and enter case main body 10 through the outlet, preventing the sheet stack 1 inside case main body 10 from being contaminated with water or dirt, allowing for hygienic use.

[0026] The stack 1 of sheets targeted by this dispenser X1 is made by folding multiple square sheets in half and stacking them alternately so that the edges of each folded piece are positioned on the inner fold of the adjacent sheet above and below, and when one folded piece at the top or bottom of the stack is pulled, the folded piece of the adjacent sheet is pulled and pulled out due to friction on the sheet surface, etc. Such a stack is also called a pop-up stack. The stack 1 according to the present invention is not necessarily limited, but preferably has a basis weight of 20 to 100 g / m 2The bundle 1 is a stack of multiple rectangular paper or nonwoven paper towels. In particular, it is a stack of paper paper towels. Such a pop-up bundle 1 can be produced by a folding machine called an interfolder, and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, although there is some misalignment due to stacking. In this embodiment, either the top or bottom surface of the stack of sheets 1 from which the sheets are pulled out may be referred to as the pull-out side 1A.

[0027] In this dispenser X1, a stack is placed inside the case body with the surface 1B on which the folded edges are aligned facing the bottom plate 12. Because the bottom plate 12 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side, when sheets are pulled out from the outlet 16 provided in the front plate 11, the stack 1 is pulled along the downwardly inclined bottom plate 12 so that the pull-out side surface 1A of the stack 1 faces the inner surface of the front plate 11.

[0028] The back plate 13 is positioned with an appropriate gap between it and the front plate 11 so that the stack 1 can be placed therebetween, and this gap is approximately 50 to 110 mm, taking into consideration the thickness (height) of a typical commercially available stack 1. In the illustrated example, the case body 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, so the back plate 13 is arranged parallel to the front plate 11 as a whole, but the back plate 13 does not necessarily need to be inclined; for example, the back plate 13 may be vertical or closer to vertical than the front plate 11.

[0029] Top plate 15 is positioned with an appropriate gap between it and bottom plate 12 to allow stack 1 to be placed between them. If top plate 15 and bottom plate 12 are substantially parallel and the gap between them is approximately equal to the depth of stack 1, that is, within 30 mm, excessive movement of stack 1 in the vertical direction is restricted, making it difficult for stack 1 to collapse or tip over inside the case body.

[0030] The side plates 14A, 14B are located on the widthwise sides of the case body and are spaced apart at a predetermined interval to restrict the widthwise movement of the stack 1 stored in the case body, contributing to smooth sheet removal through the outlet 16 and protecting the stack 1 from contamination such as sewage, dust, and dirt. In the illustrated embodiment, the case body is composed of a lower side plate 14A connected to the front plate 11 and bottom plate 12 and an upper side plate 14B connected to the top plate 15 and back plate 13. The upper edge of the lower side plate 14A overlaps the lower edge of the upper side plate 14B to form the side plates 14A, 14B of the case body. The distance between the side plates can be appropriately designed depending on the size of the sheets to be stored. However, the storage box of this embodiment does not have protrusions protruding from the side plates. The storage box of this embodiment can prevent the stack itself from moving or bending inside the dispenser when the number of sheets inside becomes small, even without the protrusion causing the stack to bend widthwise, and can also prevent excessive resistance to pulling out even when the number of sheets inside is large.

[0031] Here, the illustrated case body 10, particularly the back panel 13, top panel 15, and upper side panel 14B, form a lid that is a separate body that can be easily separated from the front panel 11, bottom panel 12, and lower side panel 14A of the case body 10 and the base 20, and as shown in Fig. 3, by lifting the lid, a bundle 1 can be stored inside the case body 10. However, the structure for storing bundles in the dispenser of the present invention is not limited to this example. Although not shown, for example, the lid, back panel, or top panel may be hingedly connected to the respective connecting panels to form a lid that can be opened and closed freely.

[0032] The front panel 11 has an area larger than the drawer-side surface 1A of the stack 1. The specific size of the front panel 11 is not necessarily limited, but this type of dispenser X1 is often used for medium-sized paper towels with a stack width of about 210 to 230 mm, oval paper towels with a stack width of about 210 to 230 mm, and oval paper towels with a stack width of about 155 to 165 mm, so that stacks of these sizes can be stored, the width L1 of the front panel is preferably 210 to 250 mm, more preferably 229 to 233 mm. Furthermore, since the depth direction length of the stack 1 is about 85 to 115 mm regardless of the size, the height direction length L2 of the front panel is preferably 90 to 130 mm.

[0033] The outlet 16 is located slightly below the center in the height direction of the front panel 11 and has a narrow opening 16A extending in the width direction. By locating the outlet 16 slightly below the center in the height direction of the front panel 11, it becomes possible to accommodate the withdrawal of two sizes of paper towels, for example, medium size and small size. The outlet 16 also has an expanded portion 16B, where the lower edge of the center in the width direction is curved downward to widen the opening. Having the center in the width direction widened in this way is desirable because it makes it easier to pick up the center of the exposed portion of the sheet.

[0034] The widthwise length L3 of the outlet 16 is preferably 90 to 120% of the width of the stack 1 intended to be stored. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided across almost the entire width of the front panel 11. If it is less than 90%, the sheets may rub excessively against both ends of the outlet 16 when being pulled out, preventing smooth pulling. In addition, the distance from the lower edge 16U of the outlet 16 to the bottom panel 12 is preferably 20 to 50 mm. This makes it easier to position the folded-over portions of the sheets that make up the stack 1 near the outlet when the stack 1 is placed on the bottom panel 12.

[0035] The width L4 of the outlet 16 is preferably 5 to 15 mm at the narrow opening, and is preferably 35 mm or less even at the widest point of the widened portion. If the width L4 is too narrow or too wide, the resistance to withdrawal may increase or multiple sheets may be withdrawn at once, which may prevent the desired effect of the present invention from being achieved. Note that the width L4 of the outlet 16 in the present invention refers to the opening width indicated by the symbol L4 in the drawing, and is different in meaning from the width of the case body 10 or the front panel 11 in the direction perpendicular to the width of the case body 10 or the front panel 11.

[0036] Here, this dispenser X1 is characterized in that a pair of ridges 60, 60 are provided on the inner surface of the front panel 11 along the lower edge 16D of the elongated portion 16A of the outlet 16 and spaced apart across the widthwise center of the outlet 16. The upper edge 16T side of the elongated portion 16A of the outlet 16 is flat and has no ridges. The widened portion 16B of the outlet 16 preferably widens downward between the ridges 60, 60. The ridges 60 preferably extend convexly from a position at least 5 mm away from the edges 16T, 16D of the elongated portion 16A of the outlet 16. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the ridges 60 preferably extend convexly continuously from the lower edge 16D of the elongated portion 16A of the outlet 16.

[0037] In this dispenser X1, the surface 1B along which the folded edges of the stack 1 are lined up is placed on the bottom plate 12, and the inclination is utilized so that the drawer side surface 1A of the stack 1 is brought into contact with the protruding rib portion 60 so that some of the sheets are exposed to the outside of the case body from the drawer side surface 1A through the outlet 16. To withdraw a sheet, one of the sheets exposed from the outlet 16 is picked up and pulled upward, downward, forward, or in a direction perpendicular to the front plate 11.

[0038] If there were no convex rib portion, the stack of sheets would rest against the entire inner surface of the front panel, and particularly when there are a large number of sheets in the case main body or when the sheets are pulled out forcefully, friction with the inner surface of the front panel would be high, causing the sheets to wrinkle or tear or requiring excessive force, making it difficult to pull out smoothly.However, in this embodiment of the dispenser X1, the convex rib portion 60 prevents the pull-out side surface 1A of the stack 1 from coming into contact with the entire inner surface of the front panel 11, and when the sheets are pulled out, they rub against the convex rib portion 60, reducing the resistance to pulling out the sheets and allowing them to be pulled out smoothly.

[0039] Here, in the dispenser of this embodiment, one ridge portion 50 may be provided along the upper edge of the outlet 16 on the upper edge side, as shown in Figure 7. When providing the ridge portion 50 in this way, the width of the ridge portion 50 is more preferably 57 to 68% of the width of the outlet 16, and particularly preferably 59 to 65% of the width of the outlet 16.

[0040] However, if a ridge 50 is also provided on the upper edge of the outlet 16, the following problem may occur, particularly in combination with the material of the front plate 11 described below. Specifically, if a ridge 50 is also provided on the upper edge of the outlet 16, when a sheet PS is being pulled from the outlet 16 in direction D, the next sheet SS to be pulled is pulled out of the stack inside the dispenser due to friction with the preceding sheet PS. In this case, the next sheet SS to be pulled would normally follow the preceding sheet PS toward the outlet 16 in direction C. However, if a ridge 50 is provided on the upper edge, the momentum of the sheet as it is pulled out and the direction W when it overcomes the ridge 50 can cause the leading edge of the sheet SS to get caught between the ridge 60 and the stack. Furthermore, if a ridge 50 is also provided on the upper edge of the outlet 16, the stack of sheets will be separated from the inner surface of the front plate at the upper edge of the outlet 16, which is expected to reduce resistance during pulling. However, the resistance during pulling may be higher than when a pair of ridges is provided only on the lower edge. This is particularly noticeable when the outlet 16 is located slightly below the center of the height of the front panel 11 to accommodate both medium and small sizes. It is thought that the protruding ribs on the upper edge make it easier for the load to be applied, increasing resistance.

[0041] The above phenomenon tends to be improved by making the height of the ridges 50 provided on the upper edge of the outlet 16 lower than the height of the pair of ridges 60 on the lower edge. Also, the above phenomenon tends to be improved by making the width of the ridges 50 provided on the upper edge narrower than the width of the outlet 16. Therefore, when providing ridges 50 on the upper edge of the outlet 16, it is desirable to make their height lower than the height of the pair of ridges 60 on the lower edge. Also, when providing ridges 50 on the upper edge of the outlet 16, it is desirable to make their width narrower than the width of the outlet 16. An especially preferred form of the front panel 11 is one in which there are no ridges 50 on the upper edge, and the upper edge is flat.

[0042] On the other hand, it is desirable that the edges of the ridges 60, particularly on the top and bottom sides of the front plate, are rounded to form curved surfaces, as shown in Figure 6. This reduces the resistance to pulling out the seat, allowing it to be pulled out more smoothly.

[0043] Furthermore, in this dispenser X1, the inner surface of the outlet 16 and the protruding length of the convex rib portion 60, particularly the drawer side surface 1A of the stack 1, are positioned at a distance near the outlet, so that when the number of sheets in the stack decreases, the stack 1 tends to curve slightly in the vertical direction, making it less likely for the stack 1 to slide down onto the bottom plate portion 12.

[0044] The length of protrusion of the ridge portion 60 from the base end on the front plate side is not necessarily limited, but when using sheets of the aforementioned medium, oval, or extra-oval paper towel sizes, the length of protrusion of the ridge portion 60 from the base end on the front plate side is preferably 3 to 10 mm. As described above, the stack 1 is likely to be slightly curved in the vertical direction. In addition, the load of the stack 1 is more likely to be received at a position below the outlet 16, making it difficult for multiple sheets to be ejected in a stacked state when pulling out the sheets, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, the widthwise length L8 of the ridges 60 is preferably 12 to 32% of the width of the outlet 16. This makes it easier to pull out sheets regardless of the size of the stack 1. Furthermore, the widthwise length L8 of the ridges 60 is preferably 17 to 28% of the width of the outlet 16, and particularly preferably 20 to 24% of the width of the outlet 16. Furthermore, the length of the ridges 60 along the widthwise direction of the front plate 11 and the length along the vertical direction of the front plate are not necessarily limited. However, when using sheets of the aforementioned medium, oval, and oval paper towel sizes, the length L8 of the ridges 60 along the lower edge 16D of the outlet is preferably 40 to 80 mm. The distance between the ridges is preferably 80 to 120 mm, particularly 90 to 110 mm.

[0046] 4, it is desirable that the angle ∠B between the imaginary line connecting the lower edge of the outlet at the width center of the first ridge portion 50 and the upper edge of the outlet at the width center of each second ridge portion 60 is 155 to 165 degrees, and that the angle ∠C between the imaginary line connecting the lower edge of the outlet at the width center of the first ridge portion 50 and the upper edge of the outlet at the width center of each second ridge portion 60 and an imaginary line along the width direction of the front plate portion 11 is 7.5 to 12.5 degrees. The stack of sheets 1 is supported by the side surface 1A in an appropriately distributed manner, which improves sheet extraction and reduces the likelihood of problems such as folding of the stack 1.

[0047] Furthermore, this dispenser X1 desirably has an outer surface ridge 70 provided on the outer surface of the front panel 11 of the case body 10 along the lower edge 16D of the elongated portion 16A of the outlet 16. As described above, in this dispenser X1, the outlet 16 faces diagonally downward toward the front, so that a portion of the sheet exposed therefrom hangs downward. Therefore, by providing the outer surface ridge 70, the portion of the sheet exposed from the outlet 16 rests on the outer surface ridge 70, and the edge of the sheet is positioned further toward the front, thereby improving ease of withdrawal in particular.

[0048] Furthermore, it is desirable that outer surface ridge portion 70 is provided so as to connect to ridge portion 60 from the upper edge of ridge portion 60 via lower edge 16R of outlet 16. Sheets located on drawer side surface 1A of stack 1 stored in case body 10 are pulled out from ridge portion 60 via lower edge 16D of elongated portion 16A of outlet 16 while being continuously rubbed along outer surface ridge portion 70, allowing sheets to be pulled out more smoothly.

[0049] Here, the preferred inclination of the front panel 11 is such that, when the dispenser X1 is placed on a horizontal surface via the base 20, the inclination angle ∠A of the front panel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably 30 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, and more preferably 35 degrees or more and 42 degrees or less. This inclination angle is more forward-inclined than that of conventional tabletop sheet dispensers of this type, and is within a limited range. In particular, with the dispenser of this embodiment, such an inclination of the front panel 11 makes it less likely for the stack 1 to bend inside the case body 10, even without a pressing member that presses the stack from the rear side. Furthermore, the stack 1 is positioned so that it rests on the ridge 60, which allows for a suitable vertical curvature. This makes it less likely for multiple sheets to be dispensed at once, even when the stack contains only a small number of sheets. Furthermore, the appropriate stack load on the ridge 60 allows for smoother dispensing. The terms "inclination" and "angle" in the present invention are based on the case where the dispenser X1 is placed on a horizontal plane via the base part 20 as shown in FIG.

[0050] As described above, the material of the case body 10 must be a microfiber cellulose composite resin containing resin and microfiber cellulose for the front panel 11, but the materials other than the front panel 11 are not particularly limited. In the dispenser shown in the figure, the base and the rest of the case body 10 are integrally molded, and the entire case body 10 is made of a microfiber cellulose composite resin. When the rest of the case body 10 is made of a different material, appropriate materials can be selected, such as synthetic resins such as acrylic resin, urea resin, ABS resin, and polypropylene resin; metals such as stainless steel and aluminum; paper materials such as corrugated cardboard and coated cardboard; and wood. Synthetic resins with excellent water resistance and moldability are particularly preferred. In particular, when the lid is made of a transparent ABS resin or AS resin, a portion of the case body 10 becomes transparent, allowing the interior to be seen, allowing the status of the stack 1 inside the case body 10 to be understood and the appropriate time to replenish the stack 1 to be determined.

[0051] On the other hand, the base 20 constituting the dispenser X1 of this embodiment is a part that supports the case body 10 at a predetermined height while maintaining the inclination of the front panel 11 in particular, and allows it to be placed on any surface such as a workbench. The shape of the base 20 is not particularly limited. However, since the dispenser X1 is operated by grasping a portion of the exposed sheet from below the outlet 16, it is desirable that the base 20 be shaped to support the case body 10 so that the height position L9 of the outlet 16 is 90 to 120 mm when the dispenser is placed on the base 20. A height of 90 to 120 mm ensures sufficient space below the outlet 16 to insert a hand.

[0052] The base 20 in the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of base side plates 21, 21 extending downward integrally from each lower side plate 14A of the case body 10, and a reinforcing plate 22 connecting the base side plates below the case body 10. This configuration is desirable because it creates a large space between the base side plates, making it easier to pull out the sheet. Although the base 20 in the illustrated embodiment is integrally molded with the case body 10, the base 20 may also be formed separately from the case body 10. For example, the lower side plate 14A can be fixed to the base side plates 21, 21, and the lower part of the case body 10 can be fixed to the reinforcing plate 22. In this manner, when fixing the case body 10 to the base 20, appropriate fixing means such as adhesive or a known locking structure can be used. The material of the base 20 is not particularly limited, but can be selected from the same materials as those used for the case body 10 described above.

[0053] (Microfiber cellulose composite resin) Next, the microfiber cellulose composite resin constituting the front panel 11 will be described. The sheet dispenser X1 of this embodiment is constructed of a microfiber cellulose composite resin except for the lid, but this is not limited thereto. The microfiber cellulose composite resin includes a resin and microfiber cellulose. The resin is made from resin pellets and resin powder, which will be described later. The resin pellets are used solely to adjust the blending ratio of the resin contained in the microfiber cellulose composite resin, and the resin powder is used solely to suppress the aggregation of the microfiber cellulose, which has a tendency to aggregate. Since both the resin pellets and the resin powder melt due to the heat applied during the kneading process, it is difficult to isolate each component from the microfiber cellulose composite resin once it has been formed. Furthermore, the resin pellets and the resin powder may be different substances or the same substance. If the resin pellets and the resin powder are different substances, the resin component derived from the resin powder may be visually recognized as a streak-like pattern in the microfiber cellulose composite resin, which is dominated by the resin component derived from the resin pellets, which may result in an aesthetically pleasing dispenser.

[0054] (microfiber cellulose) Microfiber cellulose, the raw material for microfiber cellulose composite resin, is described in detail below. When a cellulose raw material (hereinafter also referred to as "raw material pulp") is defibrated (refined), it becomes fine fibers with a fiber diameter shorter than that of the raw material pulp. The diameter of the fine fibers can be adjusted depending on the degree of defibration, for example, to cellulose fibers with an average fiber width of 19 μm or less. Among these, microfiber cellulose with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 19 μm can be distinguished from cellulose nanofibers, which are defibrated to an even shorter average fiber diameter. Because cellulose nanofibers have a relatively small average fiber diameter and a large aspect ratio, they have many hydrogen bonding points per unit cellulose fiber and tend to form a dense three-dimensional network structure. However, when kneaded with a resin to form a composite resin, significant strength improvement is not expected. Furthermore, in the washing process performed after the carbamate reaction described below to remove unreacted residual urea, etc., if the fibers to be washed are cellulose nanofibers, they have very poor dehydration properties. In contrast, microfiber cellulose has a relatively large average fiber diameter, so although the three-dimensional network structure formed is less dense than that of cellulose nanofibers, a significant improvement in strength can be expected when it is made into a composite resin. Furthermore, microfiber cellulose is easier to modify with carbamate groups (carbamation) than cellulose nanofibers, which are also fine fibers, from the perspective of dehydration. Furthermore, because microfiber cellulose has a relatively large average fiber diameter, the presence of microfiber cellulose can be visually confirmed even when it is made into a composite resin. Therefore, the present invention is a preferred selection of microfiber cellulose from among the cellulose fibers obtained by defibration, and the inclusion of this material results in an appearance that harmonizes with other furnishings and exhibits excellent strength effects.

[0055] The microfiber cellulose has an average fiber width of, for example, 1 to 19 μm, preferably 5 to 17 μm, and more preferably 10 to 15 μm. If the average fiber width of the microfiber cellulose is less than 1 μm, it becomes no different from cellulose nanofiber, and there is a risk that the effect of improving the strength of the resin (particularly the flexural modulus) will not be sufficient. In addition, the defibration time will be longer, requiring a large amount of energy. Furthermore, dehydration will be impaired. If dehydration is impaired, a large amount of energy will be required for drying, and this large amount of energy may deteriorate the microfiber cellulose and reduce its strength. On the other hand, if the average fiber width of the microfiber cellulose exceeds 19 μm, it becomes no different from pulp, and the reinforcing effect will be insufficient, and the impression given by the external color and pattern when used as a sheet dispenser may not be as expected.

[0056] As the raw material pulp for microfiber cellulose, one or more types can be selected and used from, for example, wood pulp made from hardwood, softwood, etc., non-wood pulp made from straw, bagasse, cotton, hemp, bast fiber, etc., and decomposed paper pulp (DIP) made from recycled waste paper, broke, etc. Note that the above-mentioned various raw materials may be in the form of a pulverized material (powdered material), for example, known as cellulose powder.

[0057] However, in order to minimize the contamination of impurities, it is preferable to use wood pulp as the raw material pulp. As the wood pulp, for example, one or more types can be selected from chemical pulps such as hardwood kraft pulp (LKP) and softwood kraft pulp (NKP), and mechanical pulp (TMP), etc.

[0058] The hardwood kraft pulp may be bleached hardwood kraft pulp, unbleached hardwood kraft pulp, or semi-bleached hardwood kraft pulp. Similarly, the softwood kraft pulp may be bleached softwood kraft pulp, unbleached softwood kraft pulp, or semi-bleached softwood kraft pulp.

[0059] As the mechanical pulp, for example, one or more types can be selected and used from stone ground pulp (SGP), pressurized stone ground pulp (PGW), refiner ground pulp (RGP), chemi-ground pulp (CGP), thermo-ground pulp (TGP), ground pulp (GP), thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP), chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), refiner mechanical pulp (RMP), bleached thermo-mechanical pulp (BTMP), etc.

[0060] For the microfiber cellulose, it is preferable to use pulp with a lignin content of 1.0% or less as the raw material pulp, and more preferably pulp with a lignin content of 0.8% or less. When carbamate-treated microfiber cellulose is used, for example, heat-treating the cellulose fibers so that the carbamate group substitution rate is 2.0 mmol / g or more tends to cause discoloration. However, if the lignin content of the raw material pulp is within the above range, discoloration caused by lignin can be suppressed, and discoloration can also be suppressed when the microfiber cellulose composite resin is produced. Furthermore, when the cellulose raw material is carbamate-treated, carbamate-treatment also occurs for the lignin coexisting with the cellulose. Thereafter, when the cellulose is washed, the carbamate-treated lignin flows out and is removed, which may result in a decrease in the carbamate-treatment rate of the cellulose remaining in the fiber. If the lignin content in the microfiber cellulose solid is within the above range, the amount of carbamate-treated material that flows out and does not contribute to fiber reinforcement can be suppressed, resulting in excellent strength when the composite resin is produced. Furthermore, if the lignin content of the raw material pulp exceeds 1.0%, the surface of the sheet dispenser of this type may fade or yellow over long-term use.

[0061] The lignin content is a value measured in accordance with the Lignin Content Test Method (JAPAN TAPPI No. 61 (2000)).

[0062] From the viewpoint of preventing discoloration, the kappa number of the raw material pulp is preferably 2 or less, and more preferably 1 or less.

[0063] The kappa number is a value measured in accordance with the kappa number test method (JIS-P-8211(2011)).

[0064] The lignin content and kappa number can be adjusted, for example, by selecting the raw pulp, cooking, bleaching, etc.

[0065] In this embodiment, the whiteness of the raw material pulp is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 82% or more. If the whiteness of the raw material pulp itself is less than 50%, the whiteness of the composite resin itself will be low.

[0066] The whiteness is a value measured in accordance with JIS-P-8148:2001.

[0067] The raw material pulp can be defibrated by beating the raw material pulp using, for example, a homogenizer such as a beater, a high-pressure homogenizer, or a high-pressure homogenizer, a grinder, a millstone-type friction machine such as a grinder, a single-screw kneader, a multi-screw kneader, a kneader refiner, a jet mill, etc. However, it is preferable to use a refiner or a jet mill.

[0068] The average fiber length (average length of single fibers) of microfibrous cellulose is preferably 1.0 mm or less, preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 0.8 mm, and particularly preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm. Microfibrous cellulose with an average fiber length of more than 1.0 mm is prone to aggregation and may not be sufficiently dispersed. On the other hand, an average fiber length of 0.1 mm or more facilitates the formation of a three-dimensional network between fibers, which has the advantage of improving dispersibility.

[0069] The average fiber length of the cellulose raw material used to make microfiber cellulose should be 5.00 mm or less, preferably 0.50 to 5.00 mm, more preferably 1.00 to 3.00 mm, and particularly preferably 1.50 to 2.50 mm. If the average fiber length exceeds 5.00 mm, there is a risk of being disadvantageous in terms of production costs during defibration. On the other hand, if the average fiber length of the cellulose raw material is 0.50 mm or more, there is a possibility that an excellent reinforcing effect of the resin can be obtained.

[0070] The average fiber length of the microfiber cellulose can be adjusted as desired by, for example, selecting the raw material pulp, pre-treating it, defibrating it, and the like.

[0071] The fine A ratio of the microfiber cellulose is preferably 5% or more and 80% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 70% or less, and particularly preferably 15% or more and 60% or less. When the fine ratio is 5% or more, the proportion of homogeneous fibers is high, making it difficult for the composite resin to break down. However, when the fine ratio exceeds 80%, the strength may be insufficient. Furthermore, when the fine ratio exceeds 80%, it is thought that some fibers are too low molecular weight, and these fibers are prone to producing oligosaccharides and monosaccharides that cause discoloration when exposed to heat.

[0072] Furthermore, when the fine A ratio of the microfiber cellulose is set within the above range, the fine B ratio of the microfiber cellulose is preferably 15 to 50%, more preferably 16 to 40%. When the fine B ratio is within the above range, the strength of the composite resin is further increased.

[0073] The above is the fineness ratio of microfiber cellulose, but it is more preferable if the fine A ratio of the cellulose raw material used as the raw material for microfiber cellulose is also within a specified range. Specifically, the fine A ratio of the cellulose raw material used as the raw material for microfiber cellulose is preferably 1% or more, more preferably 3 to 20%, and particularly preferably 5 to 18%. If the fine A ratio of the cellulose raw material before defibration is within the above range, it is thought that even if the microfiber cellulose is defibrated so that the fine A ratio is 30% or more, there will be little damage to the fibers and the reinforcing effect of the resin will be improved.

[0074] The Fine A ratio can be adjusted by pretreatment such as enzyme treatment. However, enzyme treatment, in particular, may cause the fiber itself to become tattered, reducing the reinforcing effect of the resin. Therefore, from this perspective, the amount of enzyme added is preferably 2% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 0.5% by mass or less. Not performing enzyme treatment (addition amount of 0% by mass) is also an option.

[0075] In this specification, "Fine A rate" refers to the percentage of the total mass of pulp fibers with a fiber width of 75 μm or less and a fiber length of 0.2 mm or less relative to the total mass of pulp fibers. "Fine B rate" refers to the percentage of the total mass of pulp fibers with a fiber width of 10 μm or less and a fiber length of 0.2 mm or more relative to the total mass of pulp fibers.

[0076] The aspect ratio of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 5 to 1000, more preferably 10 to 200, and even more preferably 20 to 100. If the aspect ratio is less than 5, a three-dimensional network cannot be sufficiently constructed, and even if the average fiber length is 0.1 mm or more, the reinforcing effect may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the aspect ratio exceeds 1000, the microfibrous cellulose may become highly entangled with each other, resulting in insufficient dispersion in the resin.

[0077] The fibrillation rate of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 0.1 to 3.0%, more preferably 0.3 to 2.8%, and particularly preferably 0.5 to 2.5%. If the fibrillation rate exceeds 3.0%, the contact area with water becomes too large, which may make dehydration difficult even if the microfibrous cellulose is defibrated to an average fiber width of 1 μm or more. On the other hand, if the fibrillation rate is below 1.0%, there may be few hydrogen bonds between fibrils, making it impossible to form a strong three-dimensional network.

[0078] In this embodiment, the fibrillation rate refers to a value obtained by disintegrating cellulose fibers in accordance with JIS-P-8220:2012 "Pulp - Disintegration Method" and measuring the resulting disintegrated pulp using a fiber analyzer "FS5" manufactured by Valmet Co., Ltd. The average fiber length and Fine A rate of cellulose fibers can also be measured using a fiber analyzer "FS5" manufactured by Valmet Co., Ltd.

[0079] The crystallinity of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 55% or more, and particularly preferably 60% or more. If the crystallinity is below 50%, the strength of the fiber itself decreases, which may make it impossible to improve the strength of the resin. On the other hand, the crystallinity of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 95% or less, more preferably 90% or less, and particularly preferably 85% or less. If the crystallinity is above 95%, the proportion of strong hydrogen bonds formed within the molecule increases, making the fiber itself more likely to become rigid and aggregate, and resulting in poor dispersibility in the resin.

[0080] The crystallinity of the microfiber cellulose can be adjusted as desired by, for example, selecting the raw material pulp, pre-treating it, and pulverizing it.

[0081] The pulp viscosity of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 2 cps or more, more preferably 4 cps or more. If the pulp viscosity of the microfibrous cellulose is less than 2 cps, it may be difficult to suppress the aggregation of the microfibrous cellulose.

[0082] The freeness of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 500 ml or less, more preferably 300 ml or less, and particularly preferably 100 ml or less. If the freeness of the microfibrous cellulose exceeds 500 ml, the effect of improving the strength of the resin may not be sufficiently obtained.

[0083] The zeta potential of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably -150 to 20 mV, more preferably -100 to 0 mV, and particularly preferably -80 to -10 mV. If the zeta potential is below -150 mV, compatibility with the resin may be significantly reduced, resulting in insufficient reinforcing effect. On the other hand, if the zeta potential is above 20 mV, dispersion stability may be reduced.

[0084] The water retention of the microfibrous cellulose is preferably 80 to 400%, more preferably 90 to 350%, and particularly preferably 100 to 300%. If the water retention is below 80%, the microfibrous cellulose is no different from raw material pulp, and the reinforcing effect of the composite resin due to the inclusion of the microfibrous cellulose may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the water retention exceeds 400%, dehydration tends to be poor, making it difficult to obtain a homogeneous composite resin. On the other hand, if the water retention of the microfibrous cellulose is within the above range, dehydration is easy and the fibers are less likely to be damaged, which contributes to improving the strength of the composite resin. Note that the water retention of the microfibrous cellulose can be further reduced by substituting the hydroxy groups of the fibers with carbamate groups, thereby improving dehydration and drying properties.

[0085] The water retention of the microfiber cellulose can be adjusted as desired by, for example, selecting the raw material pulp, pre-treating it, defibrating it, and the like.

[0086] Microfibrous cellulose does not require any particular modification treatment, but in order to improve water repellency and dispersibility, it may be modified by substituting all or part of the hydroxy groups of cellulose fibers with carbamate groups to produce modified microfibrous cellulose. The timing of substituting the hydroxy groups of microfibrous cellulose with carbamate groups is not particularly limited. For example, a carbamate reaction may be carried out on a cellulose raw material before defibration to obtain microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups, or a carbamate reaction may be carried out on microfibrous cellulose (a cellulose raw material defibrated) to produce microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups.

[0087] "Having a carbamate group" means that a carbamate group (an ester of carbamic acid) has been introduced into the microfiber cellulose. The carbamate group can be represented by the following structural formula (Chemical Formula 1), for example, -O-CO-NH-, and examples thereof include -O-CO-NH2, -O-CONHR, and -O-CO-NR2.

[0088] [ka]

[0089] Here, n represents an integer of 1 or greater. Each R is independently at least one of a saturated linear hydrocarbon group, a saturated branched hydrocarbon group, a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group, an unsaturated linear hydrocarbon group, an unsaturated branched hydrocarbon group, an aromatic group, and a group derived therefrom.

[0090] Examples of saturated linear hydrocarbon groups include linear alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups.

[0091] Examples of the saturated branched hydrocarbon group include branched alkyl groups having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as an isopropyl group, a sec-butyl group, an isobutyl group, and a tert-butyl group.

[0092] Examples of the saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group include cycloalkyl groups such as a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, and a norbornyl group.

[0093] Examples of the unsaturated linear hydrocarbon group include linear alkenyl groups having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as ethenyl, propen-1-yl, and propen-3-yl, and linear alkynyl groups having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as ethynyl, propyn-1-yl, and propyn-3-yl.

[0094] Examples of the unsaturated branched hydrocarbon group include branched alkenyl groups having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as a propen-2-yl group, a buten-2-yl group, and a buten-3-yl group, and branched alkynyl groups having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, such as a butyn-3-yl group.

[0095] Examples of the aromatic group include a phenyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, and a naphthyl group.

[0096] Examples of the derivative group include groups in which one or more hydrogen atoms of the above-mentioned saturated linear hydrocarbon group, saturated branched hydrocarbon group, saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group, unsaturated linear hydrocarbon group, unsaturated branched hydrocarbon group, and aromatic group are substituted with a substituent (for example, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a halogen atom, etc.).

[0097] In microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups (carbamate groups introduced) (also called modified microfibrous cellulose), some or all of the highly polar hydroxyl groups are substituted with carbamate groups, which have relatively low polarity. Therefore, microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups has low hydrophilicity and high affinity with resins and the like having low polarity. As a result, microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups has excellent uniform dispersibility with similarly hydrophobic resins. Furthermore, a slurry of microfibrous cellulose having carbamate groups has low viscosity and good handleability.

[0098] The substitution rate of carbamate groups relative to the hydroxyl groups of the microfiber cellulose is preferably 0.1 to 2.0 mmol / g, more preferably 0.2 to 1.8 mmol / g, and particularly preferably 0.3 to 1.6 mmol / g. When the substitution rate exceeds 2.0 mmol / g, the hydrogen bonds between cellulose fibers caused by the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose are weakened (agglomeration alleviation effect). Furthermore, the introduction of carbamate groups, which are more hydrophobic than hydroxyl groups, increases the affinity with the resin (affinity improvement effect). As a result, the resin and the microfiber cellulose become entangled with each other, and the microfiber cellulose fibers are less likely to aggregate, thereby reliably fulfilling their role as resin reinforcement. On the other hand, when the substitution rate of carbamate groups is high, especially above 2.0 mmol / g, the heat resistance of the composite resin decreases. In this regard, when cellulose fibers are exposed to heat, elimination of hydroxyl groups typically occurs, and the molecular chain can shorten from the site of elimination. Furthermore, when some of the hydroxyl groups are modified by carbamate or the like, elimination of hydroxyl groups becomes more likely to occur. Therefore, if the substitution rate of the carbamate group is too high, the molecular chain becomes too short, which lowers the decomposition temperature and reduces heat resistance. Furthermore, if the substitution rate of the carbamate group exceeds 2.0 mmol / g, the average fiber length of the pulp is shortened by carbamateizing the cellulose fibers. As a result, the average fiber length of the microfiber cellulose tends to be less than 0.1 mm, which may result in insufficient resin reinforcement. Furthermore, if the substitution rate exceeds 10.0 mmol / g, the cellulose fibers will no longer be able to maintain their fiber shape.

[0099] In this embodiment, the carbamate group substitution rate (mmol / g) refers to the amount of carbamate groups contained per gram of cellulose raw material containing carbamate groups. The carbamate group substitution rate is calculated by measuring the N atoms present in the carbamate-modified pulp using the Kjeldahl method and calculating the carbamate conversion rate per unit weight. Cellulose is a polymer with anhydroglucose as a structural unit, and has three hydroxyl groups per structural unit.

[0100] <Carbamate formation> Examples of methods for obtaining carbamate-modified microfibrous cellulose include a method in which a cellulose raw material is subjected to a carbamate reaction and then finely divided (defibrated) to obtain carbamate-modified microfibrous cellulose, and a method in which the cellulose raw material is finely divided (defibrated) and then subjected to a carbamate reaction to obtain carbamate-modified microfibrous cellulose. Here, the defibration of the cellulose raw material is explained first, followed by the carbamate reaction (modification). However, either the defibration or the carbamate reaction can be carried out first. In particular, it is preferable to carry out the carbamate reaction first, followed by defibration. This is because the cellulose raw material before defibration has high dehydration efficiency and the cellulose raw material is easily defibrated by the heating associated with the carbamate reaction.

[0101] The process of carbamate-modifying microfiber cellulose (which may be a cellulose raw material as mentioned above; the same applies below) can be mainly divided into, for example, a mixing treatment, a removal treatment, and a heat treatment. The mixing treatment and the removal treatment can be collectively referred to as a conditioning treatment for preparing a mixture to be subjected to a heat treatment. Furthermore, carbamate-modification has the advantage that chemical modification can be performed without using an organic solvent.

[0102] In the mixing treatment, microfiber cellulose or the like and urea or a derivative of urea (hereinafter simply referred to as "urea or the like") are mixed in a dispersion medium.

[0103] Examples of urea and urea derivatives that can be used include urea, thiourea, biuret, phenylurea, benzylurea, dimethylurea, diethylurea, tetramethylurea, and compounds in which the hydrogen atoms of urea are substituted with alkyl groups. These ureas and urea derivatives can be used alone or in combination. However, it is preferable to use urea.

[0104] The upper limit of the mixing mass ratio of urea etc. to microfiber cellulose etc. (urea etc. / microfiber cellulose etc.) is preferably 20 / 100, more preferably 17 / 100, and even more preferably 15 / 100. On the other hand, the lower limit is preferably 3 / 100, more preferably 5 / 100, and even more preferably 7 / 100. By making the mixing mass ratio 3 / 100 or more, the efficiency of carbamate formation is improved. On the other hand, even if the mixing mass ratio exceeds 20 / 100, carbamate formation is not further promoted.

[0105] The dispersion medium is usually water, although other dispersion media such as alcohols and ethers, or mixtures of water with other dispersion media may also be used.

[0106] In the mixing treatment, for example, microfibrous cellulose etc. and urea etc. may be added to water, microfibrous cellulose etc. may be added to an aqueous solution of urea etc., or urea etc. may be added to a slurry containing microfibrous cellulose etc. Furthermore, stirring may be performed after addition to achieve uniform mixing. Furthermore, other components may be contained in the dispersion containing microfibrous cellulose etc. and urea etc. When the microfibrous cellulose etc. is a sheet-shaped cellulose raw material, a method may be adopted in which the cellulose raw material is impregnated in a mixed liquid of urea etc. and a dispersion medium and mixed. When the cellulose raw material is in sheet form, heat is easily conducted within the sheet, which is expected to allow for lower heating temperatures and shorter heating times in the heat treatment.

[0107] In the removal treatment, the dispersion medium is removed from the dispersion liquid containing the microfibrous cellulose etc. and urea etc. obtained in the mixing treatment. By removing the dispersion medium, the urea etc. can be reacted efficiently in the subsequent heat treatment.

[0108] The dispersion medium is preferably removed by volatilizing it by heating, which allows efficient removal of the dispersion medium while leaving behind components such as urea.

[0109] When the dispersion medium is water, the lower limit of the heating temperature in the removal treatment is preferably 95°C, more preferably 100°C, and particularly preferably 105°C. By setting the heating temperature to 95°C or higher, the dispersion medium can be efficiently volatilized (removed). On the other hand, the upper limit of the heating temperature is preferably 140°C, more preferably 135°C, and particularly preferably 130°C. If the heating temperature exceeds 140°C, the dispersion medium and urea may react, resulting in the urea decomposing independently.

[0110] The heating time in the removal treatment can be adjusted appropriately depending on the solid content concentration of the dispersion, etc. Specifically, it is, for example, 6 to 24 hours.

[0111] In the heat treatment following the removal treatment, a mixture of microfibrous cellulose and urea is heated. During this heat treatment, some or all of the hydroxy groups in the microfibrous cellulose react with urea and are converted to carbamate groups. More specifically, when urea is heated, it is decomposed into isocyanic acid and ammonia as shown in the following reaction formula (1). Isocyanic acid is highly reactive, and, for example, carbamate groups are formed on the hydroxy groups of cellulose as shown in the following reaction formula (2). NH2-CO-NH2→ HN=C=O + NH3…(1) Cell-OH + HN=C=O → Cell-O-CO-NH2 …(2)

[0112] The lower limit of the heating temperature in the heat treatment is the melting point of urea (about 134°C) or higher, more preferably 150°C, and particularly preferably 200°C. By setting the heating temperature to a temperature higher than the melting point of urea, the urea becomes molten and easily comes into contact with the cellulose fibers, thereby efficiently carrying out carbamate formation. The upper limit of the heating temperature is preferably 300°C, more preferably 280°C, and particularly preferably 260°C. If the heating temperature exceeds 300°C, the microfiber cellulose and the like may decompose, resulting in insufficient reinforcing effect.

[0113] The lower limit of the heating time in the heat treatment is preferably 1 second, more preferably 5 seconds, and particularly preferably 10 seconds. By setting the heating time to 1 second or more, the carbamate reaction can be carried out reliably. On the other hand, the upper limit of the heating time is preferably 5 minutes, more preferably 3 minutes. A heating time of more than 5 minutes is not economical, and 5 minutes is sufficient for carbamate formation.

[0114] However, prolonged heating time leads to deterioration of the cellulose fibers. Therefore, the pH conditions during heat treatment are important. The pH is preferably 9 or higher, more preferably 9 to 13, and particularly preferably 10 to 12 (alkaline conditions). Alternatively, a second-best option is acidic or neutral conditions of 7 or lower, preferably 3 to 7, and particularly preferably 4 to 7. Neutral conditions of pH 7 to 8 may shorten the average fiber length of the cellulose fibers, potentially resulting in poor resin reinforcing properties. In contrast, alkaline conditions of pH 9 or higher enhance the reactivity of the cellulose fibers, promoting the reaction with urea and other compounds, resulting in efficient carbamate formation, thereby ensuring a sufficient average fiber length of the cellulose fibers. On the other hand, acidic conditions of pH 7 or lower promote the decomposition of urea and other compounds into isocyanic acid and ammonia, promoting the reaction with cellulose fibers, resulting in efficient carbamate formation, thereby ensuring a sufficient average fiber length of the cellulose fibers. However, if possible, heat treatment under alkaline conditions is preferred. This is because acidic conditions may cause acid hydrolysis of cellulose.

[0115] The pH can be adjusted by adding an acidic compound (eg, acetic acid, citric acid, etc.) or an alkaline compound (eg, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, etc.) to the mixture.

[0116] As the heating device in the heat treatment, for example, a hot air dryer, a paper machine, a dry pulp machine, etc. can be used.

[0117] The mixture after the heat treatment may be washed. This washing may be carried out with water or the like. By this washing, unreacted urea and the like remaining can be removed.

[0118] (slurry) If necessary, the microfiber cellulose is dispersed in an aqueous medium to form a dispersion (slurry). It is particularly preferable that the aqueous medium is entirely water, but other aqueous media that are compatible with water can also be used. Examples of other liquids that can be used include lower alcohols with 3 or less carbon atoms.

[0119] The solid content of the slurry is preferably 0.1 to 10.0% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by mass. If the solid content is less than 0.1% by mass, excessive energy may be required for dehydration and drying. On the other hand, if the solid content is more than 10.0% by mass, the fluidity of the slurry itself may decrease, making it difficult to uniformly mix the slurry when a dispersant is used.

[0120] (resin powder) Depending on storage conditions, microfiber cellulose may aggregate with other particles, making redispersion difficult. Mixing resin powder with microfiber cellulose can prevent aggregation and facilitate redispersion. Mixing microfiber cellulose with resin powder keeps the microfiber cellulose stable and less prone to aggregation. Microfiber cellulose tends to aggregate, particularly when dried. Mixing resin powder can prevent aggregation. Examples of resin powders that can be used include polyolefin resins, epoxy resins, styrene-based elastomer resins such as polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene resins (AS resins), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS resins). Polyolefin resins are particularly preferred.

[0121] As the polyolefin component, for example, one or more types can be selected from polymers of alkenes such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, isoprene, etc. However, it is preferable to use a polypropylene resin, which is a polymer of propylene.

[0122] The resin powder can be preferably an acid-modified resin powder in which a portion of the main chain or side chain of the resin powder is substituted (modified) with an acid group. In the acid-modified resin powder, the acid groups ionically bond with some or all of the carbamate groups of the microfiber cellulose. This ionic bond improves the reinforcing effect of the resin.

[0123] Examples of the acid-modified resin powder include polyolefin resins, epoxy resins, and styrene-based elastomer resins each substituted with an acid group, i.e., acid-modified polyolefin resins, acid-modified epoxy resins, and acid-modified styrene-based elastomer resins. Among these, acid-modified polyolefin resins are preferred. Acid-modified polyolefin resins are copolymers of an unsaturated carboxylic acid component and a polyolefin component.

[0124] As the unsaturated carboxylic acid component, for example, one or more selected from maleic anhydrides, phthalic anhydrides, itaconic anhydrides, citraconic anhydrides, citric anhydrides, etc., can be used. However, it is preferable to use maleic anhydrides, and it is suitable to use a maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene resin.

[0125] The resin powder to be mixed with the microfibrous cellulose may be a mixture of an acid-modified resin powder and a non-acid-modified resin powder, or the entire amount of the resin powder may be an acid-modified resin powder, or the entire amount of the resin powder may be a non-acid-modified resin powder. When a mixture of an acid-modified resin powder and a non-acid-modified resin powder is used, the amount of the non-acid-modified resin powder mixed is preferably 0 to 200 parts by mass, more preferably 1 to 100 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 10 to 70 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the acid-modified resin powder.

[0126] The ratio of the average particle size of the resin powder to the average fiber size of the microfibrous cellulose to be mixed (average particle size of the resin powder (μm) / average fiber size of the microfibrous cellulose (μm)) is preferably 12 to 200, more preferably 25 to 100. If the ratio is less than 12, the resin powder will be too small relative to the microfibrous cellulose, and the fibers may come into contact with each other during the drying process, which may prevent the aggregation prevention effect of the resin powder from being exerted. If the ratio is more than 200, the resin powder will be too large relative to the microfibrous cellulose, and the resin powder may not be able to penetrate between the fibers during the drying process, which may prevent the aggregation prevention effect of the resin powder from being exerted. In the microfibrous cellulose of this embodiment, the average particle size of the resin powder is preferably 1 to 2000 μm, more preferably 10 to 1500 μm, and even more preferably 100 to 1000 μm. This range is preferable because it can suppress aggregation of the dried microfibrous cellulose.

[0127] The weight average molecular weight of the maleic anhydride modified polypropylene is, for example, 1,000 to 100,000, and preferably 3,000 to 50,000.

[0128] The acid value of the maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene is preferably 0.5 mgKOH / g or more and 100 mgKOH / g or less, and more preferably 1 mgKOH / g or more and 50 mgKOH / g or less.

[0129] Furthermore, the MFR (melt flow rate) of the acid-modified resin powder is preferably 2000 g / 10 min (190°C / 2.16 kg) or less, more preferably 1500 g / 10 min or less, and particularly preferably 500 g / 10 min or less. If the MFR exceeds 2000 g / 10 min, the dispersibility of the cellulose fibers may decrease.

[0130] The acid value is measured in accordance with JIS-K2501 by titration with potassium hydroxide, and the MFR is measured in accordance with JIS-K7210 by placing a load of 2.16 kg on the sample at 190°C and measuring the weight of the sample that flows out in 10 minutes.

[0131] The resin powder used to mix the microfiber cellulose for dispersing it and the resin pellets mixed with the microfiber cellulose when kneading the microfiber cellulose have different average particle sizes, and the resin powder preferably has a smaller average particle size than the resin pellets. The resin powder and the resin pellets may be made of the same resin compound or different resin compounds.

[0132] (white pigment) Sheet dispensers processed using only resin as a raw material, without microfiber cellulose, are transparent or bluish-transparent, and may appear out of place when installed in a room with other furnishings. Furthermore, the microfiber cellulose composite resin processed into the boards that make up the sheet dispenser is opaque, depending on the thickness of the board, and exhibits a pulp-derived amber color. This color blends in with other furnishings, furniture, and walls, creating a harmonious impression. To achieve even greater harmony, the dispenser can be processed using a microfiber cellulose composite resin containing a white pigment. In other words, if the board is formed from a microfiber cellulose composite resin containing resin, microfiber cellulose, and a white pigment and is opaque, the microfiber cellulose composite resin's appearance will take on a stone-like texture, blending in better with other furnishings, furniture, and walls.

[0133] Before the microfiber cellulose is composited with the resin pellets, the microfiber cellulose may be dried so that its moisture content falls within a predetermined range. However, during drying, the cellulose may irreversibly aggregate due to hydrogen bonding, potentially preventing the fiber from fully exerting its reinforcing effect. Therefore, the inclusion of a white pigment together with the microfiber cellulose has the advantage of physically inhibiting the hydrogen bonding between the cellulose fibers in the microfiber cellulose. Furthermore, the inclusion of a white pigment in the microfiber cellulose composite resin also enables the resin to be reinforced.

[0134] The use of a white pigment facilitates the formation of a composite with a matrix such as a resin. Furthermore, because white pigments are general-purpose inorganic materials, they have the advantage of being less subject to limitations on their application. Furthermore, white pigments are particularly preferred for the following reasons. When using a white pigment, it is easier to control the size and shape of the powder to a consistent level. Therefore, the size and shape can be adjusted to match the size and shape of the cellulose fibers so that they penetrate into the gaps and more easily exert the effect of suppressing the aggregation of the cellulose fibers, making it easier to achieve a pinpointed effect. Furthermore, even when fibers of various sizes are present in the slurry, the white pigment has the advantage of being able to penetrate into the gaps and suppress the aggregation of the cellulose fibers during the process of fiber aggregation during the removal of the aqueous medium.

[0135] The white pigment can be added to the kneaded microfiber cellulose composite resin, heated and melted again to mix homogeneously, and then processed into the shape of a dispenser. Alternatively, the white pigment can be supplied to a kneader together with the resin and microfiber cellulose and kneaded to obtain a microfiber cellulose composite resin containing the white pigment, which can then be processed into the shape of a dispenser.

[0136] Examples of white pigments that can be used include kaolin, clay, engineered kaolin, delaminated clay, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, talc, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, zinc oxide, silicic acid, silicates, colloidal silica, satin white, etc. In particular, the microfiber cellulose composite resin obtained by mixing titanium dioxide exhibits a color that combines the white color derived from titanium dioxide with the amber color and speckles 41 derived from microfiber cellulose, so that even when a sheet dispenser made with this composite resin is installed indoors, it blends in well with the surroundings and is unlikely to feel out of place.

[0137] The amount of white pigment relative to 1 part by mass of microfiber cellulose is preferably 2.0 parts by mass or less, more preferably 0.01 to 1.5 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 part by mass. If the ratio of white pigment relative to 1 part by mass of microfiber cellulose exceeds 2.0 parts by mass, the spots 41 derived from the microfiber cellulose may become difficult to see, and the whiteness may become too strong.

[0138] The average particle size of the white pigment is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 5 μm, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 1 μm. If the average particle size exceeds 10 μm, unevenness in the white color may occur, which may cause problems in appearance. On the other hand, if the average particle size is less than 0.01 μm, the finely divided white pigment particles may aggregate, resulting in poor dispersion of the white pigment and unevenness in the white color, which may cause problems in appearance.

[0139] In this specification, the average particle size of the white pigment is a median diameter calculated from the volume-based particle size distribution measured by removing only the resin from a white pigment masterbatch in a masterbatch state with a resin using hot xylene or the like, and measuring the removed powder either as is or in the form of an aqueous dispersion using a particle size distribution measuring device (for example, a laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measuring device manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.).

[0140] (Kneading) The kneading is performed by feeding a mixture containing microfiber cellulose and resin powder into a kneader. Here, to adjust the amount of microfiber cellulose contained in the final microfiber cellulose composite resin, it is preferable to feed and knead additional resin pellets in addition to the mixture. The resin pellets used in the kneading process preferably have an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 mm, more preferably 2 to 5 mm. If the average particle diameter is less than 1 mm, the resin may melt before reaching the kneading shaft in the kneader, adhering to the wall, etc., and obstructing the supply of subsequent resin pellets, resulting in a risk of not being kneaded quantitatively. Furthermore, poor thermal conductivity between the resin pellets results in a large amount of energy being consumed before melting. If the average particle diameter exceeds 10 mm, poor thermal conductivity between the resin pellets results in a large amount of energy being consumed before melting, difficulty in feeding the resin to the kneader, uneven heat conduction, and a long melting time may occur. The white pigment described above can be fed into the kneader together with the mixture and resin pellets.

[0141] The temperature for the kneading treatment is equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the resin pellets, and varies depending on the type of resin pellets, but is preferably 100 to 220° C., more preferably 130 to 210° C., and particularly preferably 160 to 200° C. In the kneading treatment, not only the resin pellets but also the resin powder contained in the microfibrous cellulose solid material melts.

[0142] For the kneading treatment, for example, one or more types of kneaders can be selected from a multi-screw kneader having a single kneading shaft or two or more kneading shafts, a multi-screw kneading extruder, a mixing roll, a kneader, a roll mill, a Banbury mixer, a screw press, a disperser, etc. Among these, it is preferable to use a multi-screw kneader having two or more shafts. Two or more multi-screw kneaders having two or more shafts may be used in parallel or in series.

[0143] As the resin for the resin pellets, it is preferable to use at least one of a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin.

[0144] As the thermoplastic resin, one or more selected from polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), polyester resins such as aliphatic polyester resin and aromatic polyester resin, polystyrene (styrene resin), polyacrylic resins such as methacrylate and acrylate, polyamide resin, polycarbonate resin, polyacetal resin, acrylonitrile-styrene resin (AS resin), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin), etc. can be used.

[0145] However, it is preferable to use any one of polyolefin and polyester resins, acrylonitrile-styrene resin (AS resin), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin), and polystyrene resin. Furthermore, it is preferable to use polypropylene as the polyolefin. Furthermore, as the polyester resin, examples of aliphatic polyester resins include polylactic acid and polycaprolactone, and examples of aromatic polyester resins include polyethylene terephthalate, but it is preferable to use a biodegradable polyester resin (also simply referred to as "biodegradable resin").

[0146] Examples of thermosetting resins that can be used include phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, furan resins, unsaturated polyesters, diallyl phthalate resins, vinyl ester resins, epoxy resins, urethane resins, silicone resins, thermosetting polyimide resins, etc. These resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0147] The resin pellets may contain an inorganic filler, preferably in a proportion that does not interfere with thermal recycling. Examples of the inorganic filler include simple substances, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, silicates, sulfites of metal elements in Groups I to VIII of the periodic table, such as Fe, Na, K, Cu, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ba, Al, Ti, and silicon, as well as various clay minerals formed from these compounds.

[0148] Specific examples include barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfite, zinc oxide, silica, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, aluminum borate, alumina, iron oxide, calcium titanate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium silicate, clay wollastonite, glass beads, glass powder, silica sand, silica stone, quartz powder, diatomaceous earth, white carbon, glass fiber, etc. A plurality of these inorganic fillers may be contained. Also, those contained in recycled paper pulp may be used.

[0149] The blending ratio of resin pellets to microfiber cellulose is preferably 5.0 to 9.0 parts by mass, more preferably 5.5 to 8.5 parts by mass, and even more preferably 6.0 to 8.0 parts by mass, of resin pellets per 1 part by mass of microfiber cellulose. If the blending ratio is within the above range, the strength of the microfiber cellulose composite resin, particularly the bending strength and tensile modulus, can be significantly improved, and the color inherent in the microfiber cellulose will appear in the composite resin, allowing it to harmonize with the interior.

[0150] The blending ratio of the microfiber cellulose and the resin contained in the finally obtained microfiber cellulose composite resin is usually the same as the blending ratio of the microfiber cellulose and the resin (resin powder and resin pellets).

[0151] In addition, the strength of the microfiber cellulose composite resin is improved by dispersing the microfiber cellulose in the resin, and the contribution to the improvement in strength is largely due to the physical properties of the microfiber cellulose rather than the physical properties of the resin itself. In other words, for the types of resin powders and resin pellets listed above, the resin strength can be expected to be improved by kneading at least the microfiber cellulose to form a composite resin.

[0152] Solubility parameters (cal / cm) of microfiber cellulose and resin 3 ) 1 / 2 The difference in SP value can be calculated as follows: SP value difference = SPMFC value - SPPOL value, where SPMFC value is the microfibrous cellulose and SPPOL value is the resin. The SP value difference is preferably 10 to 0.1, more preferably 8 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 5 to 1. If the SP value difference exceeds 10, the microfibrous cellulose may not disperse in the resin, and the reinforcing effect may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the SP value difference is less than 0.1, the microfibrous cellulose will dissolve in the resin, will not function as a filler, and the reinforcing effect will not be obtained. In this regard, the smaller the difference between the SPPOL value of the resin (solvent) and the SPMFC value of the microfibrous cellulose (solute), the greater the reinforcing effect.

[0153] The solubility parameter (cal / cm 3 ) 1 / 2 The SP value is a measure of the intermolecular force acting between a solvent and a solute, and the closer the SP values ​​of the solvent and solute, the greater the solubility.

[0154] (α-olefin copolymer) The microfiber cellulose composite resin of this embodiment may optionally contain an α-olefin copolymer. An α-olefin copolymer is a polymer obtained by copolymerizing an α-olefin (an olefin having a terminal carbon-carbon double bond) with a monomer such as ethylene or propylene, and contains an α-olefin with a long side chain. Microfiber cellulose composite resins containing this α-olefin copolymer have polymer chains that are less likely to align, and therefore do not crystallize or rigidify. Therefore, unlike polyethylene or polypropylene, this can impart flexibility to the composite resin and improve the flexural modulus.

[0155] Examples of α-olefins include linear units such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, and 1-eicosene, and cyclic units such as cyclopentene, cycloheptene, norbornene, 5-methyl-2-norbornene, tetracyclododecene, and 2-methyl-1,4,5,8-dimethano-1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydronaphthalene.

[0156] When an α-olefin copolymer is contained in the microfiber cellulose composite resin, the blending ratio of the α-olefin copolymer is preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 1 to 13 mass%, and particularly preferably 3 to 10 mass% of the total amount of the composite resin. If the blending ratio exceeds 15 mass%, excessive flexibility is imparted, and even if compatibility with the fiber is high, the reinforcing effect of the fiber cannot be fully exerted, resulting in insufficient rigidity.

[0157] (lubricant) The microfiber cellulose composite resin of this embodiment preferably contains a lubricant. The lubricant is not necessarily limited. It may be an external lubricant or an internal lubricant. An external lubricant is preferred. Specific examples of lubricants include hydrocarbon-based lubricants such as low-molecular-weight polyethylene and paraffin, fatty acid-based lubricants such as stearic acid and behenic acid, fatty acid alcohol-based lubricants such as stearyl alcohol, fatty acid amide-based lubricants such as stearic acid amide, fatty acid ester-based lubricants such as stearic acid stearate and butyl threate, and fatty acid metal soap-based lubricants such as calcium stearate and zinc stearate. Fatty acid amide-based lubricants such as stearic acid amide are preferred. The lubricant can be selected appropriately depending on the resin. Particularly preferred examples of commercially available lubricants include Novatec PPMBS10B(N) manufactured by Japan Polypropylene Corporation, Reido SG-170P manufactured by Riken Vitamin Co., Ltd., and equivalents thereof.

[0158] (molding process) The microfiber cellulose composite resin, which is a kneaded product produced by kneading, can be molded into a desired shape after being kneaded again if necessary. The size, thickness, shape, etc. of this molded product are not particularly limited, and can be, for example, sheet-like, pellet-like, powder-like, fibrous, etc. The white pigment may be mixed when the microfiber cellulose composite resin produced by kneading is kneaded again.

[0159] The temperature during the molding process is equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the resin, and varies depending on the type of resin, but is, for example, 90 to 260°C, preferably 100 to 240°C.

[0160] The kneaded material can be molded by, for example, mold molding, injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, foam molding, etc. Alternatively, the kneaded material can be spun into fibers and mixed with the above-mentioned plant materials to form a mat or board. The mixing can be performed by, for example, simultaneous deposition by air laying.

[0161] As the apparatus for molding the kneaded material, for example, one or more selected from an injection molding machine, a blow molding machine, a hollow molding machine, a blow molding machine, a compression molding machine, an extrusion molding machine, a vacuum molding machine, a pressure molding machine, etc. can be used.

[0162] The above molding can be carried out following kneading, or the kneaded mixture can be cooled, crushed into chips using a crusher or the like, and then the chips can be fed into a molding machine such as an extrusion molding machine or an injection molding machine.

[0163] In the dispenser of this embodiment, at least the front panel needs to be made of a microfiber cellulose composite resin, but the other parts can also be made of a microfiber cellulose composite resin. The microfiber cellulose composite resin is molded into the shape of each part using the molding machine described above. Each part is mainly plate-shaped, and spots 41 can be seen on the surface with the naked eye. The spots 41 are formed by agglomerates of microfiber cellulose that have aggregated together through hydrogen bonding and entanglement, and are brown or black in color. The shapes of the spots 41 vary from one another. This is because the microfiber cellulose aggregates are aggregated to different sizes. Of the agglomerates scattered throughout the microfiber cellulose composite resin, those on the surface can be seen as spots 41.

[0164] When manufacturing a composite resin containing cellulose fiber and resin, it would seem possible to use cellulose nanofiber, which has a shorter average fiber diameter than microfiber cellulose, or conversely, pulp, which has a longer average fiber diameter, instead of microfiber cellulose. However, in a composite resin made of cellulose nanofiber and resin, the average fiber diameter of the cellulose nanofiber is relatively short, making the spots 41 difficult to see with the naked eye when processed into various parts of a dispenser, and in terms of color, cellulose nanofiber has a lighter amber color than microfiber cellulose, exhibiting a transparent or almost white-transparent color, which may make it difficult to harmonize with other interior goods.

[0165] Furthermore, in a composite resin made of pulp and resin, no spots 41 visible to the naked eye are seen, and the color of the pulp is strongly displayed, resulting in an appearance different from that of the embodiment of the present invention and possibly no strength-reinforcing effect.

[0166] However, this does not exclude the microfiber cellulose composite resin of the embodiment that does not contain either or both of cellulose nanofiber and pulp, and as long as it has an appearance that harmonizes with other interior goods, even a microfiber cellulose composite resin that contains either or both of cellulose nanofiber and pulp can be used in the dispenser of this embodiment.

[0167] If the microfiber cellulose composite resin contains microfiber cellulose, it will have a amber-colored appearance and will have improved strength compared to the resin itself. In particular, the blending ratio of microfiber cellulose in the microfiber cellulose composite resin is preferably 1 to 20 mass%, more preferably 3 to 18 mass%, and even more preferably 5 to 15 mass%. With this blending ratio, the dispenser will have a vivid amber color in appearance, which will harmonize with other furnishings and also improve the strength reinforcement effect.

[0168] Furthermore, while conventional dispensers are made of resin, the dispenser of the present invention has all or part of each component of the dispenser made of a microfiber cellulose composite resin, and because the microfiber cellulose composite resin itself has high strength, the thickness of each component can be made thinner than that of conventional dispensers. Furthermore, because the dispenser of the present invention replaces part of the resin with microfiber cellulose, the amount of resin used can be reduced by preferably 1 to 15%, more preferably 3 to 12%, compared to conventional dispensers made only of resin, making it environmentally friendly.

[0169] The appearance of spots 41 formed on a plate made of microfiber cellulose composite resin is shown in Figure 9. The spots 41 formed on a plate made of microfiber cellulose composite resin only need to be visible, and the area of ​​the spots 41 is not strictly limited. In addition, the area of ​​the spots 41 per unit area of ​​the plate is 0.1 mm 2 The number of the spots 41 is not limited. However, the number of spots 41 with an area of ​​0.1 mm or more that are visible on the plate is not limited.2 The number of spots 41 is preferably 10 to 12,000 per 100 cm of the plate. 2 , more preferably 20 to 6000 pieces / 100cm 2 , and more preferably 50 to 3000 pieces / 100cm 2 Exists. Area 0.1mm 2 10 spots above 41 / 100cm board 2 In this case, the spots 41 are easily visible on the white resin dispenser, and the dispenser has an excellent design. 2 If it is below this value, the spots 41 will be moderately noticeable against the white background, and the appearance will give a good impression.

[0170] Microfiber cellulose generally has a tendency to aggregate. This is due to the fact that, microscopically, the numerous hydroxyl groups on the surface of the microfiber cellulose form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of other microfiber celluloses or aggregate due to intermolecular forces acting between the microfiber celluloses. To produce a microfiber cellulose composite resin with consistent strength, it is important to knead the microfiber cellulose with the resin in a state where it is as dispersed as possible. In this regard, the degree of dispersion of the microfiber cellulose is affected not only by thoroughly mixing the mixture containing the microfiber cellulose and the resin, but also by the balance between the size of the microfiber cellulose and the size of the resin, the affinity between the microfiber cellulose and the resin (e.g., mutual hydrophobicity is sufficient), and the combination and blend ratio of the microfiber cellulose, resin, and white pigment. On the other hand, cellulose nanofibers have a shorter average fiber diameter than microfiber cellulose, resulting in a higher number of hydroxyl groups per unit surface area of ​​the cellulose fiber. This means that cellulose nanofibers have more hydrogen bonding sites, which makes them more likely to aggregate through hydrogen bonding between cellulose nanofibers. Therefore, even when cellulose nanofibers are mixed with resin, they are not as easily dispersible as microfiber cellulose, and even when made into a composite resin, localized unevenness in strength and color is likely to occur. Furthermore, cellulose nanofiber aggregates formed by aggregating cellulose nanofibers have a smaller average diameter than microfiber cellulose aggregates, and when made into a composite resin, they are difficult to see with the naked eye as spots 41.

[0171] The area per unit area of ​​the plate is 0.1 mm 2 The number of spots 41 or more (number / 100cm board) 2 ) can be measured in accordance with JIS-P-8146. The area per spot (41) is not particularly limited, but the upper limit is 2.0 mm 2 In this case, each speck is recognized as a dot rather than a pattern, and the speckles 41 are scattered randomly across the entire board, which is desirable from a design perspective.

[0172] The density of the spots 41 can be adjusted by changing the blending ratio of the microfiber cellulose contained in the microfiber cellulose composite resin that forms the dispenser.

[0173] The microfiber cellulose composite resin forming the dispenser of the present invention has higher strength than the non-composite resin. For example, when the resin is polypropylene, the flexural modulus of the microfiber cellulose composite resin is 1.1 to 1.7 times higher than the non-composite resin.

[0174] Furthermore, the microfiber cellulose composite resin forming the dispenser of the present invention may have a flexural modulus of 1.0 to 3.0 GPa, more preferably 1.5 to 2.8 GPa, when the resin is polypropylene. The flexural modulus is measured at 23°C in accordance with JIS-K7171:2008.

[0175] The microfiber cellulose composite resin preferably has a static friction coefficient of 0.20 to 0.50 and a dynamic friction coefficient of 0.15 to 0.35 with respect to the sheet placed inside. Furthermore, it is desirable that the difference between the static and dynamic friction coefficients be 0.10 to 0.20. Within these ranges, the sheet can be removed smoothly. The static and dynamic friction coefficients here are values ​​measured in accordance with JIS P 8147. The moving speed of the weight (lower movable beam) is 50 mm / min. The microfiber cellulose composite resin is attached to a horizontal plate used for measurement. A sheet is attached to the bottom of the weight so that it comes into contact with the resin. The sheets used were 200 sheets of Elveir Paper Towel Eco Smart Single, oval (recycled paper towel, basis weight 29 g / m), manufactured by Daio Paper Corporation. 2 The measurement is performed using a paper sheet having a thickness of 157 μm, a number of plies being 1, and dimensions of 170 mm x 210 mm width) or an equivalent product. [Example]

[0176] Example 1 Test pieces were prepared to form the plates of the dispensers, and the flexural modulus and the presence or absence of spots were evaluated. The microfiber cellulose used had an average fiber diameter of 14 μm and an average fiber length of 0.38 mm. The microfiber cellulose was made from pulp with a lignin content of 0.1%.

[0177] (Test Examples 1 and 2) 2650 g of microfiber cellulose with a solids concentration of 3.5% by mass was mixed with 46.4 g of maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene (MAPP) powder. This mixture was dried in a dryer heated to 130°C and compressed using a compressor (TS-55 manufactured by Tosa Tech Co., Ltd.) to obtain a compressed solid (compressed microfiber cellulose solid) formed from resin and microfiber cellulose. The compressed microfiber cellulose solid was kneaded in a twin-screw kneader at 180°C and 200 rpm to obtain a microfiber cellulose composite resin masterbatch. The obtained microfiber cellulose composite resin masterbatch was dry-blended with polypropylene pellets and an α-olefin copolymer (Tafmer DF640 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) in the specified ratio and then kneaded in a twin-screw kneader at 180°C and 200 rpm to obtain a microfiber cellulose composite resin. The microfiber cellulose composite resin was cut into cylindrical shapes with a diameter of 2 mm and a length of 2 mm using a pelletizer, and then injection molded into rectangular specimens (length 59 mm, width 9.6 mm, thickness 3.8 mm) at 180°C. The blending ratios of polypropylene pellets, α-olefin copolymer, and microfiber cellulose were adjusted to be as shown in Table 1.

[0178] (Test Examples 3 to 6) Test Examples 3 to 6 were produced in the same manner as Test Example 1, with the following exceptions: A titanium oxide masterbatch as a white pigment and polypropylene pellets were added to the same compressed solid as in Test Example 1, and the mixture was kneaded in a twin-screw kneader at 180°C and 200 rpm to obtain a microfiber cellulose composite resin masterbatch. The blending ratios of the polypropylene pellets, α-olefin copolymer, microfiber cellulose, and titanium oxide masterbatch were adjusted to be as shown in Table 1.

[0179] (Test Examples 7 and 8) Polypropylene pellets, α-olefin copolymer, and titanium oxide masterbatch were dry-blended in the specified ratios and kneaded in a twin-screw kneader at 180°C and 200 rpm to obtain a composite resin. The composite resin was cut into 2mm diameter, 2mm long cylinders using a pelletizer and injection-molded at 180°C into rectangular specimens (59mm long, 9.6mm wide, 3.8mm thick). The blending ratios of polypropylene pellets and titanium oxide masterbatch were adjusted to the values ​​shown in Table 1.

[0180] The presence or absence of spots was evaluated as follows. The area per unit area of ​​the test piece is 0.1 mm 2 The number of spots exceeding 10 / 100cm 2 If it was above that, it was marked as "◎". Although spots can be seen on the test piece, the area per unit area is 0.1 mm 2 The number of spots exceeding 10 / 100cm 2 If it was less than this, it was marked as "Good." Test pieces in which no spots were observed were marked "X".

[0181] The results are shown in Table 1. [Table 1] Example 2

[0182] Sheet dispensers were produced with different front panel materials, different ridges, and different arrangements of the ridges, and the pulling load was measured and confirmed.

[0183] The "pulling load" was evaluated by placing an opened stack of 200 sets in the dispenser, pulling out the first four sets, and then measuring the "pulling resistance" for sets 5 to 10. The "pulling resistance" was measured by connecting a push-pull gauge (Imada Co., Ltd. Z2-20N) via a clip (KOKUYO Co., Ltd. Kuri 33) to the center of the width of the paper towel exposed from the outlet, and pulling parallel to the floor and horizontal plane until the paper towel was completely pulled out of the case body. The evaluation was the average of five sets (five times).

[0184] The paper towel used in the test had a basis weight of 29 g / m 2 The paper was a medium-sized product with a paper thickness of 157 μm, one ply, and dimensions of 170 mm x 210 mm width (manufactured by Daio Paper Co., Ltd.: Elveir Paper Towel Eco Smart Single 200 sheets, medium size).

[0185] First, the arrangement of the ridges was tested. The results are shown in Table 2. The configuration of the front plate used in the test is shown in Fig. 8 (A) to (E). As shown in the plan view and cross section V, (A) to (E) have the same configuration of the outlet 16. All have a pair of ridges 60 on the lower edge side, which is also the same. (A) is a configuration in which the upper edge side of the outlet 16 is flat; (B) is a configuration in which a wide convex rib portion 50 is provided on the upper edge side of the outlet 16 and the height of this convex rib portion 50 is slightly lower than the convex rib portion 60 on the lower edge side; (C) is a configuration in which a pair of convex rib portions 50 is arranged on the upper edge side of the outlet 16 opposite the convex rib portion 60 on the lower edge side; (D) is a configuration in which a convex rib portion 50 is arranged along the upper edge of the outlet 16 across almost the entire width of the front plate portion 11; and (E) is a configuration in which a convex rib portion 50 is arranged along the entire upper edge of the outlet 16 and three pairs of small convex rib portions 50 are further provided above that along the vertical direction.

[0186] [Table 2]

[0187] As shown in Table 2, (A) which has no convex strips on the upper edge and (B) which has convex strips on the upper edge that are lower than the convex strips on the lower edge have lower towing loads than the other (C) to (E).

[0188] Next, the materials were examined. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4. In Tables 3 and 4, Conventional Example 1 uses polypropylene (PP) for the front panel, and Conventional Example 2 uses acrylic resin for the front panel. Conventional Example 1 does not have a ridge on the inner surface of the front panel, and Conventional Example 2 has the inner surface structure of the front panel shown in FIG. 8 (B). Example 1 uses a microfiber cellulose composite resin that does not contain a lubricant for the front panel, and Examples 2 to 4 use microfiber cellulose composite resins that contain a lubricant. Examples 1 to 4 have the inner surface structure of the front panel shown in FIG. 8 (B). Example 5 uses a microfiber cellulose composite resin that does not contain a lubricant for the front panel, and Examples 6 to 8 use microfiber cellulose composite resins that contain a lubricant. Examples 5 to 8 have the inner surface structure of the front panel shown in FIG. 8 (A). The microfiber cellulose composite resin in Examples 1 to 8 was the same as that used in Test Example 4 above. The lubricant used in Examples 2 and 6 was Novatec PPMBS10B(N) (manufactured by Japan Polypropylene Corporation), and in Examples 3, 4, 7, and 8, it was Reaid SG-170P (manufactured by Riken Vitamin Co., Ltd.) The blending ratios of the lubricants are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

[0189] [Table 3]

[0190] [Table 4]

[0191] As shown in Tables 3 and 4, Conventional Example 1, which has no ridges and is made of PP, showed tearing of the sheets and a problem with the drawing ability itself. Furthermore, Conventional Example 2 had an excessively small pulling load, and as drawing continued, the pulled sheet became caught between the stack and the ridges, as shown in Figure 7.

[0192] Looking at Examples 1 to 8 of the present invention, the configuration (A) in which a pair of ridges is provided only on the lower edge of the outlet has a lower pulling load than the configuration (B) in which a ridge is also provided on the upper edge, and it is also clear that the pulling load tends to be lower when a lubricant is added.

[0193] From the above, it can be seen that by making the front panel of the present invention from a microfiber cellulose composite resin and providing a convex strip on the lower edge of the outlet, a particularly favorable pulling load can be achieved. It can also be confirmed that it is particularly desirable to make the upper edge flat and to incorporate a lubricant. [Explanation of symbols]

[0194] X1...desktop sheet dispenser, 1...sheet stack, 1A...drawer side of sheet stack, 1B...surface where the folded edges are lined up and that comes into contact with the placement surface, 10...case main body, 10A...internal space of the case main body, 11...front plate, 12...bottom plate, 13...back plate, 14A...lower side plate, 14B...upper side plate, 15...top plate, 16...outlet, 16A...slender portion of outlet, 16B...widened portion, 16U...lower edge of outlet, 16T...upper edge of narrow portion of outlet, 16D...lower edge of narrow portion of outlet, 20...base, 21...base side plate, 22...reinforcing plate, 23...rib plate, 60...ridge portion, 70...outer surface ridge portion, L1...width of the front plate portion, L2...height length of the front plate portion, L3...width length of the outlet, L4...width of the outlet, L6...protrusion length of the convex rib portion, L8...width length of the convex rib portion, L9...height position of the outlet, ∠A...inclination angle of the front plate portion, ∠B...angle between imaginary lines connecting the upper edge side end of the outlet at the width center of each convex rib portion 60, ∠C...angle between imaginary lines connecting the upper edge side end of the outlet at the width center of each convex rib portion 60.

Claims

1. A tabletop sheet dispenser having a case body that stores a stack of paper towels inside and a base that supports the case body at a predetermined height, The case body has a bottom plate portion that slopes downward from the rear side to the front side, a front plate portion that slopes forward and is erected on the front side of the bottom plate portion, and an outlet provided on the front plate portion that communicates with the inside and outside for pulling out paper towels, At least the front panel portion is formed of a microfiber cellulose composite resin having a resin and microfiber cellulose, and spots made of the microfiber cellulose are formed, The outlet has an elongated portion along the width direction of the front plate portion, and a pair of protruding strips are provided on the inner surface of the front plate portion, the protruding strips being located along the lower edge of the elongated portion of the outlet and spaced apart in the width direction across the center of the outlet. A tabletop sheet dispenser characterized by:

2. 2. The tabletop sheet dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the length of the ridge portion is 12 to 32% of the width of the outlet.

3. The sheet dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the microfiber cellulose composite resin contains a lubricant.

4. Per unit area, area is 0.1 mm ２ The number of spots exceeding this limit is 10 to 12,000 per 100 cm of board. ２ 2. The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein:

5. The flexural modulus of the microfiber cellulose composite resin is 1.0 to 3.0 GPa; 2. The sheet dispenser of claim 1.

6. 2. The sheet dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the microfiber cellulose has an average fiber diameter of 1 to 19 μm.

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