Sheet manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet manufacturing apparatus that prevents the mixture, which is a fiber-containing material, from clumping or becoming unevenly distributed due to swirling flow in the internal flow path of a pipe through which the mixture is transported. [Solution] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a defibration section 13 for generating defibrated material M3, a web forming section 19 for generating a web M8, a supply pipe 8 for supplying a mixture M7 together with air, and a sheet forming section 20 for pressurizing the web M8 to generate a sheet S. The supply pipe 8 is provided with a substantially trapezoidal first rectifier plate 900 that extends along the supply direction of the mixture M7. The first rectifier plate 900 is characterized in that the first bottom angle A1 formed by the lower bottom in contact with the inner wall 910 of the supply pipe 8 and the first leg 912 located on the upstream side in the supply direction is 25° or more and less than 45°, and the second bottom angle A2 formed by the lower bottom and the second leg 913 located on the downstream side in the supply direction is 55° or more and less than 85°.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there has been disclosed a sheet manufacturing apparatus having a tube for supplying a material containing fibers, a deposition unit for depositing the material containing fibers to form a web, and a forming unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=2I]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in the internal flow path of the tube for transporting and supplying the material containing fibers, a swirling flow may occur, causing the material to be unevenly distributed in the deposition unit. If the material is unevenly distributed, the quality of the sheet formed from the web may vary.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrating unit that defibrates raw materials to generate a material containing fibers, a web forming unit that deposits the material to generate a web, a supply pipe that supplies the material from the defibrating unit to the web forming unit together with air, and a forming unit that pressurizes the web generated in the web forming unit to generate a sheet. On the inner wall of the supply pipe, a substantially trapezoidal first flow rectifying plate extending along the supply direction of the material is disposed. In the first flow rectifying plate, the first bottom angle formed by the lower bottom contacting the inner wall of the supply pipe and the first leg located on the upstream side in the supply direction is 25° or more and less than 45°, and the second bottom angle formed by the lower bottom and the second leg located on the downstream side in the supply direction is 55° or more and less than 85°. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic side view showing a sheet manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 2] Side view of the supply pipe and web forming section. [Figure 3] YZ cross-sectional view of the supply pipe. [Figure 4] YZ cross-sectional view of the supply pipe. [Figure 5] YZ cross-sectional view of the supply pipe. [Figure 6] Experimental results showing the first bottom angle of the rectifier plate, the rectification effect, and the material deposition state. [Figure 7] Experimental results showing the second bottom angle of the rectifier plate, the rectification effect, and the material deposition state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0008] For the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, the three mutually orthogonal axes shown in Figures 1 to 5 will be referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The XY plane containing the X and Y axes is the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is vertical. The direction in which the arrows on each axis point is referred to as "+", and the opposite direction as "-". In Figures 1 to 5, the upper side is referred to as "up" or "upward", and the lower side as "down" or "downward". In each figure, the direction in which the material, including raw materials and fibers, flows with the air, i.e., the direction in which it progresses over time, is referred to as the "downstream side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "upstream side".

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply unit 11, a defibration unit 13, a sorting unit 14, a mixing unit 17, a supply pipe 8, a dispersion unit 18, a web forming unit 19, a sheet forming unit 20, a cutting unit 21, a stock unit 22, a recovery unit 27, a humidification unit 232, and a control unit 28. Furthermore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the raw material supply process, defibration process, sorting process, mixing process, dispersion process, web formation process, sheet molding process, and cutting process are executed in this order.

[0010] The following describes the structure of each part. As shown in Figure 1, the raw material supply unit 11 has an input port and receives the raw material M1. After receiving the raw material M1, the raw material supply unit 11 is the part that performs the raw material supply process, supplying the raw material M1 to the defibration process via the chute 122. As the raw material M1, a sheet-like material consisting of fiber-containing material including fibers can be used. The fibers may be any of the following: plant fibers, animal fibers, synthetic fibers, metal fibers, etc. Also, the form of the raw material M1 is not limited to cotton, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, etc. Furthermore, the raw material M1 may be used or unused, for example, recycled paper manufactured by defibrating and recycling waste paper. In this embodiment, the raw material M1 is used or unwanted waste paper.

[0011] Furthermore, a humidifying unit 231 is positioned above the chute 122. The humidifying unit 231 humidifies the raw material M1 inside the chute 122. This humidifying unit 231 has a filter (not shown) containing moisture, and is composed of an evaporative, specifically a warm-air evaporative, humidifying air that is supplied to the raw material M1 by passing air through the filter to increase humidity. By supplying humidified air to the raw material M1, it is possible to suppress the raw material M1 from adhering to the chute 122 and other parts due to electrostatic force.

[0012] The chute 122 is connected to the defibration section 13 via the pipe 241. The raw material M1 collected in the chute 122 is transported to the defibration section 13 by passing through the pipe 241.

[0013] The defibration section 13 is the part that performs the defibration process in which the raw material M1 is defibrated in the air, that is, dry. Through the defibration process in the defibration section 13, defibrated material M3 can be produced from the raw material M1. Here, "defibration" means separating the coarse fragments of the raw material M1, which are made up of multiple fibers bound together, into individual fibers. The material containing these separated fibers then becomes the defibrated material M3. The shape of the defibrated material M3 is linear or strip-like. Furthermore, the defibrated material M3 may exist in a state where they are intertwined and form clumps, that is, in a state where they form so-called "clumps".

[0014] The defibration section 13, in this embodiment for example, is composed of an impeller mill having a high-speed rotating rotor and a liner located on the outer circumference of the rotor. The raw material M1 that flows into the defibration section 13 is sandwiched between the rotor and the liner and defibrated.

[0015] Furthermore, the defibration unit 13 can generate an airflow, i.e., an air current, from the chute 122 towards the sorting unit 14 by the rotation of its rotor. This allows the raw material M1 to be drawn from the pipe 241 into the defibration unit 13. After the defibration process by the defibration unit 13, the defibrated material M3 can be sent to the sorting unit 14.

[0016] The sorting section 14 is the part that performs a sorting process to sort the defibrated material M3 according to the length of the fibers. In the sorting section 14, the defibrated material M3 is sorted into first sorted material M4-1 and second sorted material M4-2 which is larger than the first sorted material M4-1. The first sorted material M4-1 is of a size suitable for the subsequent manufacture of the sheet S. Its average length is preferably between 1 μm and 30 μm. On the other hand, the second sorted material M4-2 is unsuitable for the manufacture of the sheet S, for example, it contains material that has not been sufficiently defibrated or material in which the defibrated fibers have excessively aggregated.

[0017] The sorting unit 14 has a pipe 172 for supplying the first sorted product M4-1 to the mixing unit 17 and a pipe 242 for accommodating the second sorted product M4-2 in the recovery unit 27. A blower may be additionally installed in the middle of the pipe 242. By adding a blower, the second sorted product M4-2 can reach the recovery unit 27 more easily and be recovered.

[0018] In the middle of the pipe 172, that is, between the fiber disintegration unit 13 and the supply pipe 8 described later, the mixing unit 17 is connected. The mixing unit 17 has a screw feeder 174. By rotationally driving this screw feeder 174, the binder P1 can be quantitatively supplied into the pipe 172 as powder or particles. The binder P1 supplied to the pipe 172 is mixed with the first sorted product M4-1 sorted in the sorting unit 14 at a desired ratio to form a mixture M7. By mixing the binder P1 with the first sorted product M4-1, in the sheet forming unit 20 described later, the binder P1 melts, and through this melted binder P1, the fibers are bound to each other, making it possible to maintain the shape of the sheet S in a desired form.

[0019] The binder P1 is not particularly limited. For example, starch, dextrin, glycogen, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyamide, etc. can be mentioned, and one or more selected from these can be used in combination.

[0020] In addition to the binder P1, for example, a colorant for coloring the fibers, an aggregation inhibitor for suppressing the aggregation of the fibers and the binder P1, a flame retardant for making the fibers, etc. difficult to burn, a paper strength enhancer for enhancing the paper strength of the sheet S, etc. may be included in what is supplied from the mixing unit 17. Or, a composite in which they are previously included in the binder P1 may be supplied from the mixing unit 17.

[0021] A blower 173 is installed downstream of pipe 172. That is, the downstream end of pipe 172 is connected to the intake port 175 of blower 173, as shown in Figure 2. When blower 173 is operated, the fibrous material, i.e., the mixture M7 of the first sorted material M4-1 and the binder P1, is sent downstream through pipe 172. A supply pipe 8 is installed downstream of blower 173. As shown in Figure 2, the upstream end of supply pipe 8 is connected to the discharge port 176 of blower 173. Blower 173 has a motor that is driven by the power supply and blades that rotate due to the drive of the motor, and generates an airflow by the rotation of the blades, and discharges the air drawn in from the intake port 175 from the discharge port 176.

[0022] The first sorted material M4-1 and the binder P1 inside pipe 172 are introduced into the blower 173 by the airflow generated by the action of rotating blades installed inside the blower 173 and mixed. The blower 173 also discharges airflow downstream from the discharge port 176 by the action of its rotating blades. That is, it generates airflow toward the dispersion section 18, which will be described later.

[0023] (Explanation of the supply pipe) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the supply pipe 8 has a first section 81, a second section 82, and a third section 83 that connects the first section 81 and the second section 82. The interiors of the first section 81, the second section 82, and the third section 83 are in communication with each other and constitute an internal flow path 800. The airflow generated by the blower 173 transports the mixture M7 through the internal flow path 800 to the first dispersion chamber 3 which constitutes the dispersion section 18.

[0024] The first part 81 is located on the +Y side of the first distribution chamber 3, which will be described later, and extends linearly along the Y-axis. The first end 81A of the first part 81 is connected to the connection port 54 of the first distribution chamber 3. The second end 81B of the first part 81 is connected to the third part 83.

[0025] The second section 82 extends linearly along the Z-axis. The third end 82A of the second section 82 is connected to the third section 83, and the fourth end 82B of the second section 82 is connected to the outlet 176 of the blower 173. The second section 82 of the supply pipe 8 corresponds to the first pipe.

[0026] The third part 83 is located between the first part 81 and the second part 82 and is a curved or bent portion that connects the first part 81 and the second part 82.

[0027] The first part 81, the second part 82, and the third part 83 are each composed of separate components, and the supply pipe 8 is formed by connecting them by methods such as welding, brazing, adhesive bonding, fitting, and crimping. However, the structure is not limited to this, and all or part of the first part 81, the second part 82, and the third part 83 may be formed integrally.

[0028] It is preferable that the first part 81, the second part 82, and the third part 83 are connected so that no steps are created on the inner wall surface near their respective boundaries. This allows the flow resistance of the internal flow path 800 to be kept low, and the mixture M7 can be efficiently supplied and conveyed to the first dispersion chamber 3.

[0029] The constituent materials of the first part 81, second part 82, and third part 83 that make up the supply pipe 8 are not particularly limited and include, for example, various metal materials such as iron-based alloys such as stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum-based alloys, copper or copper-based alloys, and various resin materials. The resin material may be hard or flexible.

[0030] Furthermore, the supply pipe 8 has a first rectifier plate 900 and a second rectifier plate 901 on the inner wall 910 of the second section 82. The configuration of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 will be described later.

[0031] The dispersion unit 18 performs the dispersion process of the mixture M7 supplied from the supply pipe 8. As shown in Figure 2, the dispersion unit 18 has a first dispersion chamber 3, a second dispersion chamber 4, and a third dispersion chamber 5. The dispersion unit 18 is a device that disperses the mixture M7 into the air in the order of the first dispersion chamber 3, the second dispersion chamber 4, and the third dispersion chamber 5. As the mixture passes through the first dispersion chamber 3, the second dispersion chamber 4, and the third dispersion chamber 5 in sequence, the degree of dispersion of the mixture M7 in the air, that is, the degree to which the air containing the mixture M7 becomes uniform and homogeneous, progresses. The configurations of the first dispersion chamber 3, the second dispersion chamber 4, and the third dispersion chamber 5 will be described sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side below.

[0032] The first dispersion chamber 3 is located above the third dispersion chamber 5. The first dispersion chamber 3 utilizes the airflow that has changed speed as the mixture M7 supplied from the supply pipe 8 passes through the connection port 54 to diffuse the mixture M7 within the first dispersion chamber 3, and then supplies it to the second dispersion chamber 4 through the opening 55.

[0033] The second dispersion chamber 4 has a rotatable rotor blade 61 and a porous screen 43 that separates the second dispersion chamber from the third dispersion chamber 5. The mixture M7 supplied from the first dispersion chamber 3 to the second dispersion chamber 4 collides with the rotating blade 61 that rotates directly below the opening 55. This collision with the rotating blade 61 further promotes the dispersion of the mixture M7. In particular, if the opening 55 is located on the +Y axis side of the rotation axis O of the rotating blade 61, and the rotating blade 61 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the -X side, the mixture M7 passing through the opening 55 and moving downward will collide head-on with the rising rotating blade 61. Therefore, dispersion by the rotating blade 61 is carried out efficiently and effectively, and the dispersion effect of the mixture M7 is further enhanced. The mixture M7, whose dispersion has been promoted by the rotating blade 61, passes through the numerous discharge ports 44 opened in the porous screen 43 and is supplied to the third dispersion chamber 5.

[0034] The third distribution chamber 5 has a housing 31 and a lower opening 312. The mixture M7 dispersed from the outlet 44 of the second dispersion chamber 4 enters the third dispersion chamber 5 and descends due to gravity. In addition, in the third dispersion chamber 5, an airflow toward the lower opening 312 is formed by the operation of the suction unit 193, and the mixture M7 descends along with this flow. In this way, the mixture M7 that enters the third dispersion chamber 5 via the outlet 44 descends toward the web forming unit 19 at a suitable speed due to gravity and the downward airflow.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the web forming section 19 is a deposition section that deposits the mixture M7 dispersed by the dispersion section 18, and is the part that performs the web forming process of forming a web M8 from the mixture M7. The web forming section 19 has a mesh belt 191, a tensioning roller 192, and a suction section 193.

[0036] The mesh belt 191 is an endless belt, and the mixture M7 accumulates on the mesh belt 191 to form a web M8. This mesh belt 191 is wrapped around four tension rollers 192. The rotational drive of the tension rollers 192 then transports the web M8 of the mesh belt 191 downstream.

[0037] Furthermore, most of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 is larger than the mesh opening of the mesh belt 191. This restricts the mixture M7 from passing through the mesh belt 191, and thus it can accumulate on the mesh belt 191. In addition, as the mixture M7 accumulates on the mesh belt 191, it is transported downstream along with the mesh belt 191, forming a web M8.

[0038] The suction unit 193 is a suction mechanism that draws air from below the mesh belt 191. That is, the operation of the suction unit 193 creates an airflow in the -Z axis direction near the upper part of the mesh belt 191 and near the lower opening 312 of the housing 31. This allows the mixture M7 to be drawn onto the mesh belt 191, thereby promoting the accumulation of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191.

[0039] A pipe 246 is connected to the suction unit 193. A blower (not shown) is installed along this pipe 246. The operation of this blower generates suction force in the suction unit 193.

[0040] A humidification unit 232 is located downstream of the web forming unit 19. The humidification unit 232 is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier. This allows moisture to be supplied to the web M8, thereby adjusting the moisture content of the web M8 to an appropriate level. This adjustment suppresses the adhesion of the web M8 to the mesh belt 191 due to electrostatic force. As a result, the web M8 is easily detached from the mesh belt 191 at the point where the mesh belt 191 is folded back by the tension roller 192.

[0041] Downstream of the humidification section 232, a sheet molding section 20 is located. The sheet molding section 20 is the part that performs the sheet molding process, in which a sheet S is formed from the web M8. This sheet molding section 20 has a pressurizing section 201 and a heating section 202.

[0042] The pressurizing section 201 is a pressurizing roller, and the heating section 202 is a heating roller. The pressurizing section 201 and the heating section 202 function as a pair of rollers, acting as a heating and pressing roller. The pair of heating and pressing rollers place the web M8 between them and heat and pressurize it. Due to this heating and pressing, the binder P1 inside the web M8 melts, and the fibers are bound together via this molten binder P1. This forms a sheet S. This sheet S is then conveyed toward the cutting section 21. One of the pair of heating and pressing rollers is a driven roller driven by a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller. Depending on the type of binder P1, the fibers may be bound together by other methods without heating.

[0043] A cutting section 21 is located downstream of the sheet forming section 20. The cutting section 21 is the part that performs the cutting process for cutting the sheet S. This cutting section 21 has a first cutter 211 and a second cutter 212.

[0044] The first cutter 211 cuts the sheet S in a direction intersecting, and especially perpendicular to, the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0045] The second cutter 212 is located downstream of the first cutter 211 and cuts the sheet S in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S. This cutting removes unnecessary portions from both ends of the sheet S, i.e., the +X and -X directions, thereby adjusting the width of the sheet S.

[0046] Cutting by the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 212 in this manner yields a sheet S of the desired shape and size. This sheet S is then transported further downstream and stored in the stock section 22.

[0047] Each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 28. The operation of each component is controlled by the control unit 28.

[0048] The control unit 28 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 281 and a storage unit 282. The CPU 281 is, for example, an example of a processor that can make various decisions and issue various instructions according to various programs, and other processors may also be used.

[0049] The memory unit 282 stores various programs that are loaded into the CPU 281 and run, such as a program for manufacturing sheet S, as well as various calibration curves, tables, and the like.

[0050] Furthermore, this control unit 28 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, or it may be provided in an external device such as an external computer. The external device may communicate with the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via a cable, wirelessly, or a network such as the internet may be connected via the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the CPU 281 and the memory unit 282 may, for example, be integrated and configured as a single unit, or the CPU 281 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and the memory unit 282 may be provided in an external device such as an external computer, or the memory unit 282 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and the CPU 281 may be provided in an external device such as an external computer.

[0052] Next, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 provided in the supply pipe 8 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the inner wall 910 of the second section 82, which is the straight portion of the supply pipe 8. The second rectifier plate 901 is arranged opposite the first rectifier plate 900 in a line symmetrical manner with respect to the center line along the supply direction of the mixture M7 in the supply pipe 8. It can also be said that the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are spaced apart so as to overlap with a plane containing the center line along the supply direction of the mixture M7 in the supply pipe 8.

[0053] The supply pipe 8, having a first rectifier plate 900 and a second rectifier plate 901, rectifies the airflow containing the mixture M7 flowing through the internal flow path 800, suppressing the generation of swirling flow. By suppressing the generation of swirling flow, the uneven distribution of the mixture M7 is reduced, making it possible to maintain a consistent quality of the sheet S. In this embodiment, "rectifying the flow" means suppressing swirling flow within the internal flow path 800.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are plate-shaped vanes extending in the direction of supply of the mixture M7, and have a substantially trapezoidal shape in the YZ plane. The first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 consist of a lower base 914 in contact with the inner wall 910 of the supply pipe 8, a first leg 912 located on the upstream side in the direction of supply of the mixture M7, a second leg 913 located on the downstream side, and an upper base 915. In this embodiment, the length K1 of the lower base 914 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 is longer than the length J1 of the upper base 915 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901, such that K1 > J1.

[0055] The angle formed by the lower base 914 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 and the first leg 912 is called the first base angle A1, and the angle formed by the lower base 914 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 and the second leg 913 is called the second base angle A2. In this embodiment, the first base angle A1 is 30°, and the second base angle A2 is 60°.

[0056] The suppression effect of the swirling flow generated in the internal flow channel 800 changes depending on the angles of the first bottom angle A1 and the second bottom angle A2. In addition, the mixture M7 may accumulate on the surfaces of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 depending on the angles of the first bottom angle A1 and the second bottom angle A2. If the mixture M7 accumulates on the surface, the accumulated mixture M7 may later peel off. The peeled-off clumps are not completely dispersed in the dispersion section 18 and are supplied to the web forming section 19, which adversely affects the quality of the sheet S.

[0057] Figure 6 is a table showing the effect of suppressing swirling flow and the deposition results of mixture M7 when the angle of the first bottom angle A1 in the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 is changed. Note that the significant figures of the first bottom angle A1 are one digit. In the diagram, "×" indicates that the desired effect was not achieved, "〇" indicates that the desired effect was achieved, and "◎" indicates that a better effect than "〇" was achieved. As shown in the evaluation results in Figure 6, good effects were obtained in both suppressing swirling flow and reducing the likelihood of mixture deposition at 30° and 40°. Assuming that equivalent effects can be obtained within a range of ±5°, the first bottom angle A1 is preferably 25° or more and less than 45°, and more preferably 25° or more and less than 35°.

[0058] Figure 7 shows the results of the evaluation when the angle of the second base angle A2 in the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 is changed. Note that the significant figures of the second base angle A2 are one digit. In the diagram, "×" indicates that the desired effect was not achieved, "〇" indicates that the desired effect was achieved, and "◎" indicates that a better effect than "〇" was achieved. The evaluation results in Figure 7 showed that good effects were obtained in both suppressing swirling flow and reducing the likelihood of mixture deposition at angles of 60°, 70°, and 80°. Assuming that equivalent effects can be obtained within a range of ±5°, the second bottom angle A2 is preferably 55° or more and less than 85°, and more preferably 55° or more and less than 65°.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, the distance D between the upper base 915 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the upper base 915 of the second rectifier plate 901 is preferably 20 mm or more. By having the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 face each other while maintaining a distance D of 20 mm or more, it is possible to keep the flow resistance of the airflow containing the mixture M7 in the internal flow path 800 low and prevent a decrease in flow rate. Furthermore, even if the mixture M7 accumulates on the surfaces of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the internal flow path 800 becoming blocked.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, it is more preferable that the relationship between the length K1 of the lower base 914 of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 and the length L1 of the second portion 82 in the supply pipe 8 is K1 / L1 = 1 / 2 or more and 2 / 3 or less. By satisfying these relationships, it is possible to further suppress the swirling flow generated in the internal flow path 800.

[0061] The constituent materials of the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are not particularly limited and include, for example, various metal materials such as iron-based alloys such as stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum-based alloys, copper or copper-based alloys, and various resin materials. The resin material may be rigid or flexible. The first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are connected to the inner wall 910 of the supply pipe 8 by methods such as welding, brazing, adhesive bonding, fitting, and crimping.

[0062] This embodiment is based on the above configuration, but it is possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, this embodiment and the modifications described below can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict the technical aspects. The modifications will be described below.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 are arranged in the second section 82 of the supply pipe 8, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 may be arranged in the first section 81. Alternatively, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901 may be arranged in both the first section 81 and the second section 82.

[0064] In the above embodiment, two rectifier plates, the first rectifier plate 900 and the second rectifier plate 901, are provided, but a configuration in which only one of the rectifier plates is provided is also possible. Furthermore, in a configuration in which rectifier plates are provided in both the first section 81 and the second section 82, the number of rectifier plates provided in the first section 81 and the number of rectifier plates provided in the second section 82 may be different.

[0065] The supply pipe 8 in the above embodiment is not limited to a configuration provided in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, but may also be provided in other manufacturing apparatuses. For example, the supply pipe 8 may be provided in a filter apparatus that manufactures filters from inorganic fibers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1…Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 3…First dispersion chamber, 4…Second dispersion chamber, 5…Third dispersion chamber, 8…Supply pipe, 11…Raw material supply section, 13…Fibre section, 14…Sorting section, 17…Mixing section, 18…Dispersion section, 19…Web forming section, 20…Sheet forming section, 21…Cutting section, 22…Stock section, 27…Recovery section, 28…Control unit, 31…Housing, 43…Porous screen, 44…Discharge port, 54…Connection port, 55…Opening, 61…Rotating blade, 81…First section, 82…Second section, 83…Third section, 81A…First end, 81B…Second end, 82A…Third end, 82B…Fourth end, 122…Cute, 173…Blower, 174…Screw feeder, 175…Inlet, 176…Discharge Outlet, 191...Mesh belt, 192...Tension roller, 193...Suction section, 201...Pressurization section, 202...Heating section, 211...First cutter, 212...Second cutter, 231,232...Humidification section, 172,241,242,246...Tube, 281...CPU, 282...Memory section, 312...Lower opening, 800...Internal flow path, 900...First 1 Current plate, 901...Second current plate, 910...Inner wall, 912...1st leg, 913...2nd leg, A1...1st base angle, A2...2nd base angle, L1...Pipe length, K1...Lower base length, J1...Top Bottom length, M1...raw material, M3...defibrated material, M4-1...first sorted material, M4-2...second sorted material, M7...mixture, M8...web, O...rotating shaft, P1...binder, S...sheet.

Claims

1. A defibration section that defibrates raw materials to produce a material containing fibers, A web forming unit that deposits the aforementioned material and generates a web, A supply pipe for supplying the material from the defibration section to the web forming section along with air, The system includes a molding unit that pressurizes the web generated in the web forming unit to produce a sheet, A substantially trapezoidal first rectifier plate is provided on the inner wall of the supply pipe, extending in the direction of material supply. A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that, in the first rectifier plate, the first bottom angle formed by the lower bottom in contact with the inner wall of the supply pipe and the first leg located on the upstream side in the supply direction is 25° or more and less than 45°, and the second bottom angle formed by the lower bottom and the second leg located on the downstream side in the supply direction is 55° or more and less than 85°.

2. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the first bottom angle is 25° or more and less than 35°.

3. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the second bottom angle is 55° or more and less than 65°.

4. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, A substantially trapezoidal second rectifier plate is provided on the inner wall of the supply pipe, extending in the direction of material supply. A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the first rectifier plate and the second rectifier plate are arranged so that their upper bottoms face each other.

5. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the distance between the upper bottom of the first rectifier plate and the upper bottom of the second rectifier plate is 20 mm or more.

6. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the first rectifier plate is arranged in a straight first pipe among the supply pipes, and the length of the lower base is 1 / 2 or more and 2 / 3 or less of the length of the first pipe.

7. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized by further having a mixing section between the defibration section and the supply pipe for mixing a binder that binds the fibers together with the material.

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