Fibrillation method and fibrillation apparatus

Abstract

Provided are a fiber loosening method and a fiber loosening device capable of loosening entanglement of fibers in a fiber bundle containing a plurality of fibers. 【Solution means】The fiber loosening method includes a conveying step and a fiber loosening step. The conveying step conveys a fiber bundle containing a plurality of fibers in a first direction. The fiber loosening step loosens a plurality of fibers in a third direction by a brush provided in a second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The fiber loosening step includes a first fiber loosening step and a second fiber loosening step. The first fiber loosening step loosens a plurality of fibers in a third direction by a first brush provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The second fiber loosening step loosens a plurality of fibers in a third direction by a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The fiber loosening device includes a conveying mechanism and a brush. The brush includes a first brush and a second brush.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for untangling a plurality of fibers in a fiber bundle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a checking feed mechanism of a carding machine. In the carding machine, a fibrous material such as cotton is supplied. In the front stage of the carding machine, a pair of first guide rolls, a pair of second guide rolls, a spike roll, and a brush roll are arranged close to each other. The first guide roll bites the fibrous material to be fed in. The second guide roll is arranged below the first guide roll. The spike roll is arranged below the second guide roll. The spike roll crushes the fibrous material. The brush roll is paired with the spike roll. The fibrous material is transferred in the duct by an air transport means and introduced into the checking feed mechanism body. The duct is connected to the top surface of the checking tank. The fibrous material introduced into the checking tank is stored at the bottom of the tank. The fibrous material led out from the bottom of the tank by the first guide roll is immediately introduced into the second guide roll. In the second guide roll, if there are agglomerated lumps in the fibrous material, they are flattened. The fibrous material is guided downward by the spikes while being carded by the tips of the spikes of the spike roll and dropped. The short fibers remaining attached to the spikes are peeled off by the side brush.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a non-twisted spun yarn and a method for producing the same. The non-twisted spun yarn can be formed by removing soluble short fibers from a non-twisted yarn-like spun yarn and then performing heat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than the heat fusion temperature of the heat-fusible short fibers. In the non-twisted spun yarn, the short fibers serving as the main constituent fibers are at least partially bonded by a heat-fusible resin. In the non-twisted yarn-like spun yarn, the spun yarn for non-twisted yarn and the thick yarn are spun in a non-twisted yarn shape. The spun yarn for non-twisted yarn and the thick yarn are twist-spun in the direction opposite to the twist direction of the spun yarn and are fine-spun and cross-twisted. The spun yarn for non-twisted yarn is composed of short fibers serving as the main constituent fibers of the final spun yarn and heat-fusible short fibers composed of a heat-fusible resin. The thick yarn is composed of short fibers made of a soluble raw material.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a paper yarn, a method for manufacturing the paper yarn, and a manufacturing apparatus for the paper yarn. The paper yarn is composed of a plurality of fiber materials and a plurality of binder materials. The fiber materials are oriented so as to be aligned and overlap in a state inclined in the thickness direction with respect to the axis in the longitudinal direction of the paper yarn.

[0005] The method for manufacturing a paper yarn makes a papermaking stock liquid containing a fiber material and a binder material into a paper yarn using a papermaking wire. The papermaking wire is provided with stripe-shaped masking along the papermaking direction. The manufacturing method has an adsorption step, a fixing and cleaning step, and a drying step. The adsorption step adsorbs one end of the fiber material in the papermaking stock liquid onto the mesh portion of the papermaking wire where masking is not applied. The fixing and cleaning step sequentially tilts, aligns, and overlaps the fiber materials adsorbed on the mesh portion and washes away the masking portion. The drying step partially fixes the fiber materials to each other by heating and dissolving the binder material remaining between the fiber materials in the mesh portion together with moisture.

[0006] The manufacturing apparatus for a paper yarn is a Fourdrinier paper machine including a wire part and a dryer part. The wire part lifts a papermaking stock liquid containing a fiber material and a binder material onto a papermaking wire provided with stripe-shaped masking along the papermaking direction. The dryer part dries the papermaking stock liquid on the dehydrated papermaking wire. The wire part has a headbox and a papermaking wire. The headbox is filled with the papermaking stock liquid and white water. The papermaking wire is inclined with respect to the ground and approaches the headbox. In the manufacturing apparatus for a paper yarn, an adsorption part and a fixing and cleaning part are formed at the proximity part of the headbox and the papermaking wire. The adsorption part adsorbs one end of the fiber material in the papermaking stock liquid onto the mesh portion of the papermaking wire where masking is not applied. The fixing and linear part sequentially tilts, aligns, and overlaps the fiber materials adsorbed on the mesh portion and washes away the masking portion. In the adsorption part, the papermaking stock liquid flows in the same direction with respect to the papermaking wire. In the fixing and cleaning part, white water flows in the opposite direction with respect to the papermaking wire. A drying part is formed in the dryer part. The drying part partially fixes the fiber materials to each other by heating and dissolving the binder material remaining between the fiber materials in the mesh portion together with moisture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Fabric products using untwisted yarns have been put into practical use. Examples of such fabric products include towels. By forming this fabric product using untwisted yarns, it has the following excellent properties. Examples of such properties include touch and water absorbency. From the experience of developing the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, the inventor knows that the use of a paper-making machine facilitates the production of untwisted yarns. Furthermore, the inventor knows that in the production of untwisted yarns using a paper-making machine, it is important to disperse a plurality of fibers in a liquid without the fibers getting entangled. Therefore, the inventor has studied a technique for untangling the entanglement of a plurality of fibers in the state of a fiber bundle before dispersion. Examples of fibers include cotton. In this case, examples of fiber bundles include cotton bolls.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber-opening method and a fiber-opening device capable of untangling the entanglement of fibers in a fiber bundle containing a plurality of fibers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] One aspect of the present invention includes a conveying step of conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction, and a defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and a second direction by a brush provided in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The defibering step includes a first defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a first brush as the brush provided on a third side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction, and a second defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a second brush as the brush provided on a fourth side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. In the first fiber loosening step, a first receiving plate provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and facing the first brush on the fourth side in the second direction of the first brush and the plurality of fibers are brought into contact with each other, and the plurality of fibers are loosened in the third direction by the first brush provided on the first side in the first direction from the second brush. In the second fiber loosening step, a second receiving plate provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and facing the second brush on the third side in the second direction of the second brush and the plurality of fibers are brought into contact with each other, and the plurality of fibers are loosened in the third direction by the second brush. It is a defibering method.

[0011] According to this defibering method, in the first defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered in the third direction on the third side of the second direction of the fiber bundle by the first brush. In the second defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered in the third direction on the fourth side of the second direction of the fiber bundle by the second brush. By dividing the defibering step into the first defibering step and the second defibering step, the number of fibers to be defibered by each of the first brush and the second brush can be reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be defibered by the first defibering step and the second defibering step. In the first fiber loosening step, the first receiving plate can receive the fiber bundle on the fourth side in the second direction. In the first fiber loosening step, the first brush can loosen the plurality of fibers in a state where the fiber bundle is received by the first receiving plate. In the second fiber loosening step, the second receiving plate can receive the fiber bundle on the third side in the second direction. In the second fiber loosening step, the second brush can loosen the plurality of fibers in a state where the fiber bundle is received by the second receiving plate.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention includes a conveying step of conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction, and a defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and a second direction provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The defibrating step includes a first defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a first brush as the brush provided on a third side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction, and a second defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a second brush as the brush provided on a fourth side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction. The first defibrating step includes a third defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in a fifth side of the third direction by a third brush as the first brush, and a fourth defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in a sixth side of the third direction by a fourth brush as the first brush provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on the sixth side of the third direction of the third brush. The second defibrating step includes a fifth defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in a fifth side of the third direction by a fifth brush as the second brush, and a sixth defibrating step of defibrating the plurality of fibers in a sixth side of the third direction by a sixth brush as the second brush provided adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on the sixth side of the third direction of the fifth brush. It is a defibrating method.

[0013] According to this Defibrating method , In the first fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the first brush. In the second fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the second brush. By dividing the fiber-opening step into the first fiber-opening step and the second fiber-opening step, the number of fibers to be opened by each of the first brush and the second brush can be reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be opened by the first fiber-opening step and the second fiber-opening step. In the third fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened from the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle to the fifth side in the third direction by the third brush. In the fourth fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened from the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle to the sixth side in the third direction by the fourth brush. In the fifth fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened from the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle to the fifth side in the third direction by the fifth brush. In the sixth fiber-opening step, a plurality of fibers can be opened from the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle to the sixth side in the third direction by the sixth brush. By dividing the first fiber-opening step into the third fiber-opening step and the fourth fiber-opening step and dividing the second fiber-opening step into the fifth fiber-opening step and the sixth fiber-opening step, the number of fibers to be opened by each of the third brush and the fourth brush as the first brush and the fifth brush and the sixth brush as the second brush can be further reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be opened by the third fiber-opening step, the fourth fiber-opening step, the fifth fiber-opening step, and the sixth fiber-opening step.

[0014] The first defibering step includes a third defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers to the fifth side in the third direction by the third brush as the first brush, and a fourth defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers to the sixth side in the third direction by the fourth brush as the first brush provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on the sixth side of the third brush in the third direction. The second defibering step includes a fifth defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers to the fifth side in the third direction by the fifth brush as the second brush, and a sixth defibering step of defibering the plurality of fibers to the sixth side in the third direction by the sixth brush as the second brush provided adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on the sixth side of the fifth brush in the third direction. It may be configured in this way.

[0015] According to this configuration, in the third defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered to the fifth side in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the third brush. In the fourth defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered to the sixth side in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the fourth brush. In the fifth defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered to the fifth side in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the fifth brush. In the sixth defibering step, the plurality of fibers can be defibered to the sixth side in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the sixth brush. By dividing the first defibering step into the third defibering step and the fourth defibering step and dividing the second defibering step into the fifth defibering step and the sixth defibering step, the number of fibers to be defibered by each of the third brush and the fourth brush as the first brush and the fifth brush and the sixth brush as the second brush can be further reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be defibered by the third defibering step, the fourth defibering step, the fifth defibering step, and the sixth defibering step.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention Furthermore is a conveying mechanism for conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction, and a brush provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction for defibering the plurality of fibers in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. a receiver provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and facing the brush in the second direction; including a first brush provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and untangling the plurality of fibers in the third direction, and a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and untangling the plurality of fibers in the third direction The receiver includes a first receiving plate provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and facing the first brush on the fourth side in the second direction of the first brush in the second direction, and a second receiving plate provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction and facing the second brush on the third side in the second direction of the second brush in the second direction. The first brush opens the plurality of fibers in the third direction with the first receiving plate and the plurality of fibers in contact therewith, and the second brush opens the plurality of fibers in the third direction with the second receiving plate and the plurality of fibers in contact therewith. It is a fiber disentangling device.

[0017] According to this fiber disentangling device, a plurality of fibers can be untangled in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the first brush. A plurality of fibers can be untangled in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle by the second brush. The number of fibers to be untangled by each of the first brush and the second brush can be reduced. The entirety of the plurality of fibers can be untangled by the first brush and the second brush. The fiber bundle can be received on the fourth side in the second direction by the first receiving plate. The first brush can untangle a plurality of fibers in a state where the fiber bundle is received by the first receiving plate. The fiber bundle can be received on the third side in the second direction by the second receiving plate. The second brush can untangle a plurality of fibers in a state where the fiber bundle is received by the second receiving plate.

[0018] Still another aspect of the present invention is a defibrating device including a conveying mechanism that conveys a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction, and a brush provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction, the brush untangling the plurality of fibers in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, the brush including a first brush provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction, the first brush untangling the plurality of fibers in the third direction, a second brush provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle conveyed in the first direction, the second brush untangling the plurality of fibers in the third direction, the first brush including a third brush that untangles the plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction, and a fourth brush provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the third brush, the fourth brush untangling the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction, the second brush including a fifth brush that untangles the plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction, and a sixth brush provided adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the fifth brush, the sixth brush untangling the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction.

[0019] This Defibrating device According to The first brush can untangle a plurality of fibers in a third direction on a third side of the fiber bundle in a second direction. The second brush can untangle a plurality of fibers in a third direction on a fourth side of the fiber bundle in a second direction. The number of fibers to be untangled by each of the first brush and the second brush can be reduced. The first brush and the second brush can untangle the entire plurality of fibers. The third brush can untangle a plurality of fibers on a third side of the fiber bundle in a second direction to a fifth side in the third direction. The fourth brush can untangle a plurality of fibers on a third side of the fiber bundle in a second direction to a sixth side in the third direction. The fifth brush can untangle a plurality of fibers on a fourth side of the fiber bundle in a second direction to a fifth side in the third direction. The sixth brush can untangle a plurality of fibers on a fourth side of the fiber bundle in a second direction to a sixth side in the third direction. The number of fibers to be untangled by each of the third brush and the fourth brush as the first brush and the fifth brush and the sixth brush as the second brush can be further reduced. The third brush, the fourth brush, the fifth brush and the sixth brush can untangle the entire plurality of fibers.

[0020] The first brush may include a third brush that untangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction, and a fourth brush that is provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on a sixth side in the third direction of the third brush and untangles the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction. The second brush may include a fifth brush that untangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction, and a sixth brush that is provided adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on a sixth side in the third direction of the fifth brush and untangles the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction.

[0021] According to this configuration, a plurality of fibers on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle can be untangled to the fifth side in the third direction by the third brush. A plurality of fibers on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle can be untangled to the sixth side in the third direction by the fourth brush. A plurality of fibers on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle can be untangled to the fifth side in the third direction by the fifth brush. A plurality of fibers on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle can be untangled to the sixth side in the third direction by the sixth brush. The number of fibers to be untangled by each of the third brush and the fourth brush as the first brush and the fifth brush and the sixth brush as the second brush can be further reduced. The third brush, the fourth brush, the fifth brush, and the sixth brush can untangle the entire plurality of fibers.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a fiber untangling method and a fiber untangling device capable of untangling the entanglement of fibers in a fiber bundle containing a plurality of fibers can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0024] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the configurations described below, and various configurations can be adopted under the same technical concept. For example, some of the configurations shown below may be omitted or replaced with other configurations. The present invention may include other configurations. The drawings are explanatory diagrams for understanding the present invention and are different from design drawings. Therefore, each drawing may not be accurate in correspondence with other drawings or the numerical values described later. The dashed line is a hidden line, and the dash-dotted line is a center line.

[0025] <Fiber Disintegrating Device 10> The fiber separation device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In the embodiment, the fiber separation device 10 and the fiber separation method are specified by a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The third direction is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. One side of the first direction is referred to as the "first side", and the other side of the first direction is referred to as the "second side". One side of the second direction is referred to as the "third side", and the other side of the second direction is referred to as the "fourth side". One side of the third direction is referred to as the "fifth side", and the other side of the third direction is referred to as the "sixth side". The first direction and the third direction are horizontal directions, and the second direction is a vertical direction. The third side of the second direction is the lower side in the vertical direction, and the fourth side of the second direction is the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0026] The fiber separation device 10 implements the fiber separation method (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8). The fiber separation method separates a plurality of fibers of the fiber bundle 70 (see FIG. 2). In the fiber bundle 70, a plurality of fibers are intertwined (see the upper part of FIG. 2). The fiber separation device 10 unravels the entanglement of the plurality of fibers by implementing the fiber separation method with the fiber bundle 70 as the processing target (see the lower part of FIG. 2). The fiber separation method will be described later. An example of the fiber bundle 70 is cotton (see FIG. 2). In the embodiment, cotton is exemplified as the fiber bundle 70. Therefore, the fiber bundle 70 includes cotton. In FIGS. 1, 3 to 6, the illustration of the fiber bundle 70 is omitted, and in FIGS. 7, 8, the illustration of the fiber bundle 70 is simplified. When the fiber bundle 70 is cotton, the aforementioned fiber is cotton. Cotton is also referred to as cotton fluff or cotton fiber. Cotton includes seeds, and the seeds are covered with a plurality of cottons (see the upper part of FIG. 2). In cotton, a plurality of cottons are intricately intertwined while attached to the seeds. The fiber separation device 10 uses the cotton in which a plurality of cottons are attached to the seeds as the fiber bundle 70 as the processing target when implementing the fiber separation method. The cotton as the fiber bundle 70 may be subjected to the following treatment before implementing the fiber separation method. This treatment removes the oil content adhering to the cotton. An example of this treatment is a method of boiling the cotton as the fiber bundle 70 in a liquid. An example of the liquid is an aqueous solution containing caustic soda. The fiber separation device 10 unravels the entanglement of the plurality of cottons by implementing the fiber separation method for the cotton (see the lower part of FIG. 2).

[0027] The fiber loosening device 10 includes a conveying mechanism 15, a brush 30, and a receiver 50 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 8). Further, the fiber loosening device 10 includes a support frame 60 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8). The conveying mechanism 15 conveys the fiber bundle 70 in the first direction. In the embodiment, the conveying mechanism 15 conveys the fiber bundle 70 from the first side to the second side in the first direction. The conveying mechanism 15 includes a guide 20 and a pusher 26. The guide 20 forms the conveying path of the fiber bundle 70. The end on the first side in the first direction of the guide 20 forms an entrance to the conveying path, and the end on the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 forms an exit from the conveying path. The guide 20 includes a first guide 21 and a second guide 22. The first guide 21 forms the first range of the conveying path, and the second guide 22 forms the second range of the conveying path. The first range of the conveying path forms the first side in the first direction of the conveying path, and the second range of the conveying path forms the second side in the first direction of the conveying path. The second range of the conveying path is continuous with the end on the second side in the first direction of the first range of the conveying path at the end on the first side in the first direction.

[0028] The first guide 21 and the second guide 22 are formed by one first guide bar 23 and two second guide bars 24, 25 (see FIGS. 3 to 5, 7, 8). In the first guide 21 and the second guide 22, the first guide bar 23 and the second guide bars 24, 25 are provided along the first direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5). In the first guide 21, the first guide bar 23 is provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the second guide bars 24, 25 (see FIGS. 3, 7, 8). In the second guide 22, the first guide bar 23 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the second guide bars 24, 25 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8). That is, in the first guide 21 and the second guide 22, the arrangements of the first guide bar 23 and the second guide bars 24, 25 in the second direction are opposite.

[0029] In the first guide 21 and the second guide 22, the second guide bars 24, 25 are provided spaced apart in the third direction, and the position of the first guide bar 23 in the third direction is set at the center in the third direction between the second guide bars 24, 25 (see FIGS. 3 to 5, 7, 8). The dimension in the third direction between the second guide bars 24, 25 (the interval in the third direction between the second guide bars 24, 25) is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. When the fiber bundle 70 is cotton, it is preferable that this dimension corresponds to the size of the cotton seeds. Considering the size of the cotton seeds, this dimension may be set to a predetermined value of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. For example, this dimension may be set to about 7 mm.

[0030] The pusher 26 moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction along the guide 20 (see FIGS. 3 to 5). In FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, the middle part of the pusher 26 is shown omitted, and in FIGS. 7, 8, the illustration of the pusher 26 is omitted. The movement of the pusher 26 in the first direction may be performed automatically or manually. Assume that the movement of the pusher 26 in the first direction is performed automatically. In this case, the movement of the pusher 26 in the first direction may be performed by a known linear motion mechanism. An example of the linear motion mechanism is an air cylinder. When the linear motion mechanism is an air cylinder, the pusher 26 is attached to the rod of the air cylinder. However, in the conveying mechanism 15, a known linear motion mechanism different from the air cylinder may be adopted. The linear motion mechanism adopted in the conveying mechanism 15 is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. In the embodiment, the illustration of the linear motion mechanism is omitted.

[0031] The pusher 26 contacts the fiber bundle 70 with the tip surface 27. The tip surface 27 of the pusher 26 is formed by the end surface on the second side of the pusher 26 in the first direction (see FIGS. 4, 5). In the embodiment, the pusher 26 moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction with the tip surface 27 facing the cotton seeds as the fiber bundle 70. The pusher 26 moves while pushing the fiber bundle 70 from the first side to the second side in the first direction.

[0032] The fiber bundle 70 is pushed by the pusher 26 and enters the conveying path from the inlet at the end on the first side in the first direction of the guide 20. Subsequently, the fiber bundle 70, while being pushed by the pusher 26, moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction in the first state in the first range of the conveying path, and further moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction in the second state in the second range of the conveying path. In the first state, the fiber bundle 70 is supported by the first guide bar 23 and the second guide bars 24, 25 of the first guide 21. In the second state, the fiber bundle 70 is supported by the first guide bar 23 and the second guide bars 24, 25 of the second guide 22. Thereafter, the fiber bundle 70, while being pushed by the pusher 26, passes through the outlet at the end on the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 and is sent out from the conveying path. Although details will be described later, the fiber bundle 70 passes through the installation range of the brush 30 during the movement from the first side to the second side in the first direction.

[0033] The brush 30 includes a first brush 31 and a second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The first brush 31 includes a third brush 33 and a fourth brush 34, and the second brush 32 includes a fifth brush 35 and a sixth brush 36 (see FIGS. 1, 6 to 8). In the embodiment, when the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 are not distinguished or are collectively referred to, it is called the first brush 31, and when the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 are not distinguished or are collectively referred to, it is called the second brush 32. When the first brush 31 and the second brush 32 (the third brush 33, the fourth brush 34, the fifth brush 35, and the sixth brush 36) are not distinguished or are collectively referred to, it is called the brush 30.

[0034] The length of the bristles of the brush 30 may be 2 mm or more. The length of the bristles of the brush 30 may be 2 mm or more and 100 mm or less. For example, the length of the bristles of the brush 30 may be 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. In the brush 30, the length of the bristles is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. The defibrating device 10 employs the same brush 30 as the third brush 33, the fourth brush 34, the fifth brush 35, and the sixth brush 36. However, some or all of the third brush 33, the fourth brush 34, the fifth brush 35, and the sixth brush 36 may be different brushes 30. The first brush 31 and the second brush 32 may be different brushes 30. In this case, the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 may be the same brush 30, and the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 may be the same brush 30.

[0035] The brush 30 is provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, and 8). The first brush 31 is provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The second brush 32 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The first brush 31 is provided on the first side in the first direction from the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). In other words, the second brush 32 is provided on the second side in the first direction from the first brush 31.

[0036] In the first brush 31, the fourth brush 34 is provided adjacent to the third brush 33 in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the third brush 33 (see FIGS. 1, 6, and 7). In other words, in the first brush 31, the third brush 33 is provided adjacent to the fourth brush 34 in the third direction on the fifth side in the third direction of the fourth brush 34. That is, the third brush 33 is provided on the fifth side in the third direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction, and the fourth brush 34 is provided on the sixth side in the third direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction.

[0037] In the second brush 32, the sixth brush 36 is provided adjacent to the fifth brush 35 in the third direction on the sixth side of the fifth brush 35 in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 6, and 8). In other words, in the second brush 32, the fifth brush 35 is provided adjacent to the sixth brush 36 in the third direction on the fifth side of the sixth brush 36 in the third direction. That is, the fifth brush 35 is provided on the fifth side in the third direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction, and the sixth brush 36 is provided on the sixth side in the third direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction.

[0038] In the first brush 31, the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 are adjacent to each other in the third direction, and the tip portion of the bristles of the third brush 33 enters the fourth brush 34, and the tip portion of the bristles of the fourth brush 34 enters the third brush 33 (see FIG. 7). However, in the first brush 31, the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 may be in a state where the tips of the bristles are in contact with each other, or the tips of the bristles may be separated from each other. In the second brush 32, the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 are adjacent to each other in the third direction, and the tip portion of the bristles of the fifth brush 35 enters the sixth brush 36, and the tip portion of the bristles of the sixth brush 36 enters the fifth brush 35 (see FIG. 8). However, in the second brush 32, the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 may be in a state where the tips of the bristles are in contact with each other, or the tips of the bristles may be separated from each other.

[0039] The brush 30 untangles a plurality of fibers of the fiber bundle 70 in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and the lower part of FIG. 2). The first brush 31 untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction (see FIGS. 1 and 7). That is, in the first brush 31, the third brush 33 untangles a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction, and the fourth brush 34 untangles a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction. The second brush 32 untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction (see FIGS. 1 and 8). That is, in the second brush 32, the fifth brush 35 untangles a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction, and the sixth brush 36 untangles a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction.

[0040] The brush 30 is provided on the rotating shaft 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The defibrating device 10 includes four rotating shafts 40. The four rotating shafts 40 respectively correspond to four brushes 30, namely, the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 as the first brushes 31, and the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 as the second brushes 32. The brush 30 rotates as the rotating shaft 40 rotates. In FIGS. 1 and 6, the dashed-dotted line shown near the end face on the second side in the first direction of the rotating shaft 40 indicates the rotation center of the rotating shaft 40, and the arc-shaped arrow shown on the outer periphery of the dashed-dotted line indicates the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 40. In the embodiment, the two rotating shafts 40 for the two first brushes 31 rotate in opposite directions, and the two rotating shafts 40 for the two second brushes 32 rotate in opposite directions. That is, the rotating shaft 40 for the third brush 33 rotates counterclockwise, and the rotating shaft 40 for the fourth brush 34 rotates clockwise. Accordingly, in the first brush 31, the third brush 33 rotates counterclockwise, and the fourth brush 34 rotates clockwise. The rotating shaft 40 for the fifth brush 35 rotates clockwise, and the rotating shaft 40 for the sixth brush 36 rotates counterclockwise. Accordingly, in the second brush 32, the fifth brush 35 rotates clockwise, and the sixth brush 36 rotates counterclockwise. The aforementioned clockwise and counterclockwise are based on the state of viewing the brush 30 and the rotating shaft 40 from the second side to the first side in the first direction.

[0041] A rotation mechanism is connected to the rotating shaft 40. However, in the embodiment, the illustration of the rotation mechanism is omitted. The rotation mechanism rotates the four rotating shafts 40 in the above-described rotation direction. In this case, it is preferable that the rotation mechanism rotates the two rotating shafts 40 for the two first brushes 31 at the same rotation speed, and it is preferable that the rotation mechanism rotates the two rotating shafts 40 for the two second brushes 32 at the same rotation speed. Further, the rotation mechanism may rotate the four rotating shafts 40 at the same rotation speed. The rotation speed is defined by the number of rotations per unit time. In the embodiment, the rotation speed is regardless of the rotation direction (clockwise and counterclockwise). The rotation mechanism includes a rotating machine. An example of the rotating machine is a motor. In the rotation mechanism, a power transmission mechanism may be adopted for connecting the motor and the rotating shaft 40. An example of the power transmission mechanism is a gear. In addition, the power transmission mechanism may be a combination of a pulley and a timing belt. The rotation mechanism and the power transmission mechanism have already been put into practical use and are well-known. In the fiber-opening device 10, a well-known rotation mechanism can be adopted, and a well-known power transmission mechanism can be adopted. Therefore, other explanations regarding the rotation mechanism and the power transmission mechanism are omitted.

[0042] The receiver 50 is provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the brush 30 in the second direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, and 8). The receiver 50 includes a first receiving plate 51 and a second receiving plate 52 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, and 8). The first receiving plate 51 and the second receiving plate 52 have a flat plate shape. The first receiving plate 51 is provided on the first side in the first direction and the fourth side in the second direction from the second receiving plate 52. In the receiver 50, the first receiving plate 51 and the second receiving plate 52 are integrally formed by two connecting members 53. The two connecting members 53 are respectively provided on the fifth side and the sixth side in the third direction. The connecting member 53 on the fifth side in the third direction is connected to the portion on the second side in the first direction of the side surface on the fifth side in the third direction of the first receiving plate 51 and is connected to the portion on the first side in the first direction of the side surface on the fifth side in the third direction of the second receiving plate 52. The connecting member 53 on the sixth side in the third direction is connected to the portion on the second side in the first direction of the side surface on the sixth side in the third direction of the first receiving plate 51 and is connected to the portion on the first side in the first direction of the side surface on the sixth side in the third direction of the second receiving plate 52.

[0043] On the plane of the third side in the second direction of the first receiving plate 51, in the central region in the third direction, the second guide bars 24 and 25 of the first guide 21 are provided along the first direction while being separated from each other by the dimension described above in the third direction. The central region in the third direction of the plane of the third side in the second direction of the first receiving plate 51 includes the central position in the third direction of this plane. On the side surface of the second side in the first direction of the first receiving plate 51, the end on the first side in the first direction of the first guide bar 23 of the second guide 22 is connected to the central position in the third direction. On the plane of the fourth side in the second direction of the second receiving plate 52, in the central region in the third direction, the second guide bars 24 and 25 of the second guide 22 are provided along the first direction while being separated from each other by the dimension described above in the third direction. The central region in the third direction of the plane of the fourth side in the second direction of the second receiving plate 52 includes the central position in the third direction of this plane. On the side surface of the first side in the first direction of the second receiving plate 52, the end on the second side in the first direction of the first guide bar 23 of the first guide 21 is connected to the central position in the third direction.

[0044] The support frame 60 supports the two first guide bars 23 of the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 together with the receiver 50 (see FIGS. 3 to 5). The support frame 60 includes a first support frame 61 and a second support frame 62. The first support frame 61 is provided along the edge on the first side in the first direction in the plane of the third side in the second direction of the first receiving plate 51. The end on the first side in the first direction of the first guide bar 23 of the first guide 21 is connected to the first support frame 61. The second support frame 62 is provided along the edge on the second side in the first direction in the plane of the fourth side in the second direction of the second receiving plate 52. The end on the second side in the first direction of the first guide bar 23 of the second guide 22 is connected to the second support frame 62.

[0045] The first guide bar 23 of the first guide 21 is provided along the first direction while being connected to the second receiving plate 52 and the first support frame 61. Further, this first guide bar 23 is provided parallel to the plane on the third side in the second direction of the first receiving plate 51 in the aforementioned state. The first guide bar 23 of the second guide 22 is provided along the first direction while being connected to the first receiving plate 51 and the second support frame 62. Further, this first guide bar 23 is provided parallel to the plane on the fourth side in the second direction of the second receiving plate 52 in the aforementioned state.

[0046] The first receiving plate 51 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the first brush 31 on the fourth side in the second direction (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The first brush 31 untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction with the first receiving plate 51 and a plurality of fibers in contact therewith. That is, the first receiving plate 51 faces the third brush 33 in the second direction with the first part of the first receiving plate 51 being on the fourth side in the second direction of the third brush 33. The first part of the first receiving plate 51 forms the fifth side in the third direction from the first guide 21 (second guide bar 24) on the first receiving plate 51. The first receiving plate 51 faces the fourth brush 34 in the second direction with the second part of the first receiving plate 51 being on the fourth side in the second direction of the fourth brush 34. The second part of the first receiving plate 51 forms the sixth side in the third direction from the first guide 21 (second guide bar 25) on the first receiving plate 51. The third brush 33 untangles a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction with the first part of the first receiving plate 51 and a plurality of fibers in contact therewith, and the fourth brush 34 untangles a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction with the second part of the first receiving plate 51 and a plurality of fibers in contact therewith.

[0047] The second receiving plate 52 is provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the second brush 32 on the third side in the second direction of the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The second brush 32 untangles the plurality of fibers in the third direction with the second receiving plate 52 and the plurality of fibers in contact therewith. That is, the second receiving plate 52 faces the fifth brush 35 in the second direction with the third portion of the second receiving plate 52 being on the third side in the second direction of the fifth brush 35. The third portion of the second receiving plate 52 forms the fifth side in the third direction from the second guide 22 (second guide bar 24) by the second receiving plate 52. The second receiving plate 52 faces the sixth brush 36 in the second direction with the fourth portion of the second receiving plate 52 being on the third side in the second direction of the sixth brush 36. The fourth portion of the second receiving plate 52 forms the sixth side in the third direction from the second guide 22 (second guide bar 25) by the second receiving plate 52. The fifth brush 35 untangles the plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction with the third portion of the second receiving plate 52 and the plurality of fibers in contact therewith, and the sixth brush 36 untangles the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction with the fourth portion of the second receiving plate 52 and the plurality of fibers in contact therewith.

[0048] In the fiber disintegrating device 10, the second structure coincides with the first structure when rotated 180° about the following axis. In other words, the first structure and the second structure have a symmetric (two-fold symmetric) relationship. The first structure is formed by a combination of the first guide 21, the first brush 31, the first receiving plate 51, and the first support frame 61. The second structure is formed by a combination of the second guide 22, the second brush 32, the second receiving plate 52, and the second support frame 62. This axis passes through the central positions in both the first direction and the second direction of the receiver 50 and extends along the third direction.

[0049] <Fiber Disintegration Method> The defibering method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, and 8. The defibering method includes a conveying step and a defibering step. The conveying step conveys the fiber bundle 70 in the first direction. The conveying step is carried out by the conveying mechanism 15 (see FIGS. 3 to 5). When the conveying step is carried out, the conveying mechanism 15 conveys the fiber bundle 70 from the first side to the second side in the first direction as described above. The defibering step unravels a plurality of fibers in the third direction by the brush 30 provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and the lower part of FIG. 2). The defibering step is carried out by the brush 30.

[0050] The defibering step includes a first defibering step and a second defibering step (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The first defibering step unravels a plurality of fibers in the third direction by the first brush 31 provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIG. 7). The first defibering step uses the first receiving plate 51. That is, in the first defibering step, a plurality of fibers are unraveled in the third direction by the first brush 31 with the first receiving plate 51 and the plurality of fibers in contact. The second defibering step unravels a plurality of fibers in the third direction by the second brush 32 provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIG. 8). The second defibering step uses the second receiving plate 52. That is, in the second defibering step, a plurality of fibers are unraveled in the third direction by the second brush 32 with the second receiving plate 52 and the plurality of fibers in contact.

[0051] The first fiber loosening process includes a third fiber loosening process and a fourth fiber loosening process (see Fig. 7). The third fiber loosening process loosens a plurality of fibers to the fifth side in the third direction by the third brush 33 as the first brush 31. The third fiber loosening process uses the first receiving plate 51. That is, in the third fiber loosening process, a plurality of fibers are loosened to the fifth side in the third direction by the third brush 33 with the first part of the first receiving plate 51 in contact with the plurality of fibers. As described above, the first part of the first receiving plate 51 forms the fifth side in the third direction of the first receiving plate 51 from the first guide 21 (second guide bar 24). The fourth fiber loosening process loosens a plurality of fibers to the sixth side in the third direction by the fourth brush 34 as the first brush 31. The fourth fiber loosening process uses the first receiving plate 51. That is, in the fourth fiber loosening process, a plurality of fibers are loosened to the sixth side in the third direction by the fourth brush 34 with the second part of the first receiving plate 51 in contact with the plurality of fibers. As described above, the second part of the first receiving plate 51 forms the sixth side in the third direction of the first receiving plate 51 from the first guide 21 (second guide bar 25).

[0052] The second fiber loosening process includes a fifth fiber loosening process and a sixth fiber loosening process (see Fig. 8). The fifth fiber loosening process loosens a plurality of fibers to the fifth side in the third direction by the fifth brush 35 as the second brush 32. The fifth fiber loosening process uses the second receiving plate 52. That is, in the fifth fiber loosening process, a plurality of fibers are loosened to the fifth side in the third direction by the fifth brush 35 with the third part of the second receiving plate 52 in contact with the plurality of fibers. As described above, the third part of the second receiving plate 52 forms the fifth side in the third direction of the second receiving plate 52 from the second guide 22 (second guide bar 24). The sixth fiber loosening process loosens a plurality of fibers to the sixth side in the third direction by the sixth brush 36 as the second brush 32. The sixth fiber loosening process uses the second receiving plate 52. That is, in the sixth fiber loosening process, a plurality of fibers are loosened to the sixth side in the third direction by the sixth brush 36 with the fourth part of the second receiving plate 52 in contact with the plurality of fibers. As described above, the fourth part of the second receiving plate 52 forms the sixth side in the third direction of the second receiving plate 52 from the second guide 22 (second guide bar 25).

[0053] By the defibering method, in the fiber bundle 70, a plurality of fibers are fed out from the first gap in the second direction to the fifth side in the third direction and from the second gap in the second direction to the sixth side in the third direction (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The first gap is formed by a first guide bar 23 and a second guide bar 24 that respectively form the first guide 21 and the second guide 22. The second gap is formed by a first guide bar 23 and a second guide bar 25 that respectively form the first guide 21 and the second guide 22.

[0054] As described above, the fiber bundle 70 is sent out from the conveyance path through the outlet at the end on the second side in the first direction of the guide 20 while being pushed by the pusher 26. Along with this, the defibering method ends. In the fiber bundle 70, a plurality of fibers are in a state where the entanglement is resolved (see the lower part of FIG. 2). When the fiber bundle 70 is cotton, a plurality of fibers are separated from the seeds in a state where the entanglement is resolved. The separation of the plurality of fibers and the seeds can be performed by a known cotton-reeling method. Therefore, the description regarding this separation is omitted. For example, a plurality of fibers form a non-twisted yarn. For the production of a non-twisted yarn using a plurality of fibers obtained by the defibering method as a raw material, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be applied.

[0055] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0056] (1) The defibering device 10 implements the defibering method (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, and 8). The defibering device 10 includes a conveyance mechanism 15 and a brush 30. The conveyance mechanism 15 conveys the fiber bundle 70 in the first direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5). The fiber bundle 70 includes a plurality of fibers (see FIG. 2). The brush 30 is provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction, and untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and the lower part of FIG. 2). The brush 30 includes a first brush 31 and a second brush 32. The first brush 31 is provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction, and untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The second brush 32 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction, and untangles a plurality of fibers in the third direction (see FIGS. 1 and 8).

[0057] According to the fiber loosening device 10, a plurality of fibers can be loosened in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 by the first brush 31. A plurality of fibers can be loosened in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 by the second brush 32. The number of fibers to be loosened by each of the first brush 31 and the second brush 32 can be reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be loosened by the first brush 31 and the second brush 32. The entanglement of the fibers in the fiber bundle 70 including the plurality of fibers can be resolved.

[0058] The fiber loosening method includes a conveying step and a fiber loosening step (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8). In the conveying step, the fiber bundle 70 is conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5). In the fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers are loosened in the third direction by a brush 30 provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction (see FIGS. 1, 7, 8 and the lower part of FIG. 2). The fiber loosening step includes a first fiber loosening step and a second fiber loosening step (see FIGS. 7, 8). In the first fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers are loosened in the third direction by the first brush 31 (see FIG. 7). In the second fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers are loosened in the third direction by the second brush 32 (see FIG. 8).

[0059] According to the fiber loosening method, in the first fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers can be loosened in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 by the first brush 31. In the second fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers can be loosened in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 by the second brush 32. By dividing the fiber loosening step into the first fiber loosening step and the second fiber loosening step, the number of fibers to be loosened by each of the first brush 31 and the second brush 32 can be reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be loosened by the first fiber loosening step and the second fiber loosening step. The entanglement of the fibers in the fiber bundle 70 including the plurality of fibers can be resolved.

[0060] (2) The fiber loosening device 10 includes a receiver 50 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, and 8). The receiver 50 is provided in a second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in a first direction and faces the brush 30 in the second direction. The receiver 50 includes a first receiving plate 51 and a second receiving plate 52. The first receiving plate 51 is provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the first brush 31 on the fourth side in the second direction of the first brush 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The second receiving plate 52 is provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the second brush 32 on the third side in the second direction of the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The first brush 31 is provided on a first side in the first direction from the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The first brush 31 loosens a plurality of fibers in a third direction with the first receiving plate 51 in contact with the plurality of fibers (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The second brush 32 loosens a plurality of fibers in a third direction with the second receiving plate 52 in contact with the plurality of fibers (see FIGS. 1 and 8).

[0061] According to this configuration, the fiber bundle 70 can be received on the fourth side in the second direction by the first receiving plate 51. The first brush 31 can loosen a plurality of fibers with the fiber bundle 70 received by the first receiving plate 51. The fiber bundle 70 can be received on the third side in the second direction by the second receiving plate 52. The second brush 32 can loosen a plurality of fibers with the fiber bundle 70 received by the second receiving plate 52.

[0062] In the fiber loosening method, the first fiber loosening step and the second fiber loosening step are carried out as follows. That is, in the first fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers are loosened in a third direction by the first brush 31 with the first receiving plate 51 in contact with the plurality of fibers (see FIG. 7). In the second fiber loosening step, a plurality of fibers are loosened in a third direction by the second brush 32 with the second receiving plate 52 in contact with the plurality of fibers (see FIG. 8).

[0063] According to this configuration, in the first fiber separation step, the first receiving plate 51 can receive the fiber bundle 70 on the fourth side in the second direction. In the first fiber separation step, the first brush 31 can separate a plurality of fibers while the fiber bundle 70 is received by the first receiving plate 51. In the second fiber separation step, the second receiving plate 52 can receive the fiber bundle 70 on the third side in the second direction. In the second fiber separation step, the second brush 32 can separate a plurality of fibers while the fiber bundle 70 is received by the second receiving plate 52.

[0064] (3) In the fiber separation device 10, the first brush 31 includes the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34, and the second brush 32 includes the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 (see FIGS. 1, 6 to 8). The third brush 33 separates a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 7). The fourth brush 34 is provided adjacent to the third brush 33 in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the third brush 33 and separates a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 6, 7). The fifth brush 35 separates a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction (see FIG. 1, 8). The sixth brush 36 is provided adjacent to the fifth brush 35 in the third direction on the sixth side in the third direction of the fifth brush 35 and separates a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction (see FIGS. 1, 6, 8).

[0065] According to this configuration, the third brush 33 can separate a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70. The fourth brush 34 can separate a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction on the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70. The fifth brush 35 can separate a plurality of fibers on the fifth side in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70. The sixth brush 36 can separate a plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction on the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70. The number of fibers to be separated by each of the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 as the first brush 31 and the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 as the second brush 32 can be further reduced. The third brush 33, the fourth brush 34, the fifth brush 35, and the sixth brush 36 can separate the entire plurality of fibers.

[0066] In the fiber separation method, the first fiber separation step includes a third fiber separation step and a fourth fiber separation step, and the second fiber separation step includes a fifth fiber separation step and a sixth fiber separation step (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the third fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers are separated by the third brush 33 to the fifth side in the third direction, and in the fourth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers are separated by the fourth brush 34 to the sixth side in the third direction (see FIG. 7). In the fifth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers are separated by the fifth brush 35 to the fifth side in the third direction, and in the sixth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers are separated by the sixth brush 36 to the sixth side in the third direction (see FIG. 8).

[0067] According to this configuration, in the third fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers can be separated by the third brush 33 from the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 to the fifth side in the third direction. In the fourth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers can be separated by the fourth brush 34 from the third side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 to the sixth side in the third direction. In the fifth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers can be separated by the fifth brush 35 from the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 to the fifth side in the third direction. In the sixth fiber separation step, a plurality of fibers can be separated by the sixth brush 36 from the fourth side in the second direction of the fiber bundle 70 to the sixth side in the third direction. By dividing the first fiber separation step into the third fiber separation step and the fourth fiber separation step and dividing the second fiber separation step into the fifth fiber separation step and the sixth fiber separation step, the number of fibers to be separated by each of the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 as the first brush 31 and the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 as the second brush 32 can be further reduced. The entire plurality of fibers can be separated by the third fiber separation step, the fourth fiber separation step, the fifth fiber separation step, and the sixth fiber separation step.

[0068] <Modification Example> The embodiment can also be as follows. Some of the configurations in the following modification examples can be adopted in appropriate combinations. Hereinafter, the points different from the above will be described, and the descriptions of the same points will be omitted as appropriate.

[0069] (1) In the embodiment, one side in the first direction is defined as the first side of the first direction, the other side in the first direction is defined as the second side of the first direction, one side in the second direction is defined as the third side of the second direction, the other side in the second direction is defined as the fourth side of the second direction, one side in the third direction is defined as the fifth side of the third direction, and the other side in the third direction is defined as the sixth side of the third direction. In the embodiment, the first direction and the third direction are horizontal directions, and the second direction is a vertical direction. The third side of the second direction is the lower side in the vertical direction, and the fourth side of the second direction is the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0070] The first side and the second side in the first direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the first side in the first direction may be the other side in the first direction that is defined as the second side in the first direction in the embodiment, and the second side in the first direction may be the one side in the first direction that is defined as the first side in the first direction in the embodiment. The third side and the fourth side in the second direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the third side in the second direction may be the other side in the second direction that is defined as the fourth side in the second direction in the embodiment, and the fourth side in the second direction may be the one side in the second direction that is defined as the third side in the second direction in the embodiment. Similar to the embodiment, assume that the second direction is a vertical direction. In this case, the third side in the second direction may be the upper side in the vertical direction, and the fourth side in the second direction may be the lower side in the vertical direction. The fifth side and the sixth side in the third direction may be opposite to those in the embodiment. That is, the fifth side in the third direction may be the other side in the third direction that is defined as the sixth side in the third direction in the embodiment, and the sixth side in the third direction may be the one side in the third direction that is defined as the fifth side in the third direction in the embodiment. The first direction and the third direction may be vertical directions, and the second direction may be a horizontal direction.

[0071] (2) The fiber loosening device 10 includes the third brush 33 and the fourth brush 34 as the first brush 31, and includes the fifth brush 35 and the sixth brush 36 as the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). In the fiber loosening device, the number of the first brushes may be one, and the first brush may be arranged such that the position in the third direction coincides with the first guide 21. The number of the second brushes may be one, and the second brush may be arranged such that the position in the third direction coincides with the second guide 22. The first receiving plate 51 faces the first brush in the second direction across the first guide 21 on the fourth side of the first brush in the second direction. The second receiving plate 52 faces the second brush in the second direction across the second guide 22 on the third side of the second brush in the second direction. In the fiber loosening process, the first brush and the second brush loosen all of the plurality of fibers of the fiber bundle 70 to the fifth side in the third direction, or loosen all of the plurality of fibers of the fiber bundle 70 to the sixth side in the third direction.

[0072] (3) In the fiber loosening device 10, the first brush 31 is provided on the first side in the first direction from the second brush 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The fiber loosening device 10 includes a receiver 50, and the receiver 50 includes a first receiving plate 51 and a second receiving plate 52 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, and 8). The first receiving plate 51 is provided on the fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the first brush 31 in the second direction on the fourth side of the first brush 31 in the second direction (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The first brush 31 loosens the plurality of fibers in the third direction with the first receiving plate 51 and the plurality of fibers in contact with each other. The second receiving plate 52 is provided on the third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction and faces the second brush 32 in the second direction on the third side of the second brush 32 in the second direction (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The second brush 32 loosens the plurality of fibers in the third direction with the second receiving plate 52 and the plurality of fibers in contact with each other.

[0073] In the fiber disintegrating device, the receiver 50 may be omitted. In this case, in the fiber disintegrating device, the position of the first brush in the first direction is the same as the position of the second brush in the first direction. That is, the first brush and the second brush are provided adjacent to each other in the second direction. Assume that the fiber disintegrating device has the following specifications. In this specification, similar to the brush 30 of the fiber disintegrating device 10, the first brush includes the third brush and the fourth brush, and the second brush includes the fifth brush and the sixth brush. The fifth brush is provided adjacent to the third brush in the second direction on the fourth side of the third brush in the second direction. The sixth brush is provided adjacent to the fourth brush in the second direction on the fourth side of the fourth brush in the second direction. In the fiber disintegrating step of the fiber disintegrating method, the first fiber disintegrating step and the second fiber disintegrating step are simultaneously performed on the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction. That is, the third fiber disintegrating step, the fourth fiber disintegrating step, the fifth fiber disintegrating step, and the sixth fiber disintegrating step are simultaneously performed on the fiber bundle 70 conveyed in the first direction. In other words, the third fiber disintegrating step and the fifth fiber disintegrating step are simultaneously performed, the fourth fiber disintegrating step and the sixth fiber disintegrating step are simultaneously performed, and further, the third fiber disintegrating step and the fifth fiber disintegrating step and the fourth fiber disintegrating step and the sixth fiber disintegrating step are simultaneously performed.

Explanation of Signs

[0074] 10 Fiber disintegrating device, 15 Conveying mechanism, 20 Guide, 21 First guide 22 Second guide, 23 First guide bar, 24, 25 Second guide bars 26 Pusher, 27 Tip surface, 30 Brush, 31 First brush 32 Second brush, 33 Third brush, 34 Fourth brush, 35 Fifth brush 36 Sixth brush, 40 Rotating shaft, 50 Receiver, 51 First receiving plate 52 Second receiving plate, 53 Connecting material, 60 Support frame 61 First support frame, 62 Second support frame, 70 Fiber bundle

Claims

1. A conveying step of conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction; a defibration process in which the fiber bundle transported in the first direction is defibrated in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction by a brush provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The defibration process includes: a first defibration process in which the plurality of fibers are defibrated in the third direction by a first brush provided on a third side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction; a second defibration process of defibrating the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction, the first defibration step includes defibrating the plurality of fibers in the third direction by the first brush provided on a first side of the second brush in the first direction with the plurality of fibers in contact with a first receiving plate provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and facing the first brush in the second direction on the fourth side of the first brush in the second direction; The second defibration process is a defibration method in which the multiple fibers are defibrated in the third direction by the second brush while the multiple fibers are in contact with a second receiving plate that is provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and faces the second brush in the second direction on the third side of the second brush in the second direction.

2. A conveying step of conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction; a defibration process in which the fiber bundle transported in the first direction is defibrated in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction by a brush provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The defibration process includes: a first defibration process in which the plurality of fibers are defibrated in the third direction by a first brush provided on a third side of the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction; a second defibration process of defibrating the plurality of fibers in the third direction by a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction, The first defibration process includes: a third defibration process in which the plurality of fibers are defibrated to a fifth side in the third direction by a third brush serving as the first brush; a fourth defibration process of defibrating the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction by a fourth brush as the first brush provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the third brush in the third direction, The second defibration process includes: a fifth defibration step of defibrating the plurality of fibers to a fifth side in the third direction by a fifth brush as the second brush; a sixth defibration step of defibrating the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction using a sixth brush as the second brush that is arranged adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the fifth brush in the third direction.

3. The first defibration process includes: a third defibration process in which the plurality of fibers are defibrated to a fifth side in the third direction by a third brush serving as the first brush; a fourth defibration process of defibrating the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction by a fourth brush as the first brush provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the third brush in the third direction, The second defibration process includes: a fifth defibration step of defibrating the plurality of fibers to a fifth side in the third direction by a fifth brush as the second brush; and a sixth defibration step of defibrating the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction by a sixth brush serving as the second brush and arranged adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on a sixth side in the third direction of the fifth brush.

4. A conveying mechanism that conveys a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction; a brush that is provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction, and that disentangles the plurality of fibers in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; a receiving device provided in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and facing the brush in the second direction; The brush is a first brush that is provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and that disentangles the plurality of fibers in the third direction; a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and configured to disentangle the plurality of fibers in the third direction; The receiving tool is a first receiving plate provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and facing the first brush in the second direction on the fourth side of the first brush in the second direction; a second receiving plate provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and facing the second brush in the second direction on the third side of the second brush in the second direction, The first brush is a first brush provided on a first side of the second brush in the first direction; The plurality of fibers are unraveled in the third direction while the first support plate and the plurality of fibers are in contact with each other; The second brush defibrates the plurality of fibers in the third direction while the second receiving plate and the plurality of fibers are in contact with each other.

5. A conveying mechanism for conveying a fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers in a first direction; a brush that is provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and that disentangles the plurality of fibers in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, The brush is a first brush that is provided on a third side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and that disentangles the plurality of fibers in the third direction; a second brush provided on a fourth side in the second direction with respect to the fiber bundle transported in the first direction and configured to disentangle the plurality of fibers in the third direction; The first brush is a third brush that disentangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction; a fourth brush that is provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the third brush in the third direction and disentangles the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction, The second brush is a fifth brush that disentangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction; a sixth brush that is arranged adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the fifth brush in the third direction and that defibrates the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction.

6. The first brush is a third brush that disentangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction; a fourth brush that is provided adjacent to the third brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the third brush in the third direction and disentangles the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction, The second brush is a fifth brush that disentangles the plurality of fibers on a fifth side in the third direction; the sixth brush is disposed adjacent to the fifth brush in the third direction on a sixth side of the fifth brush in the third direction and defibrates the plurality of fibers on the sixth side in the third direction.

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