Nori production equipment

Abstract

To provide a seaweed manufacturing apparatus capable of improving the dehydration effect in a dehydration section. [Solution] The nori manufacturing apparatus 1 has a nori screen 2 and a dehydration section 5 that removes moisture from the nori on the nori screen 2. The dehydration section 5 is equipped with a pair of dehydration sponges 51, 52 that are arranged facing each other vertically with the nori screen 2 in between and can move towards or away from each other, and negative pressure suction means 53, 54 that are installed in close contact with each of the dehydration sponges 51, 52 and apply negative pressure suction force to the dehydration sponges 51, 52 through a plurality of suction holes 534, 544 arranged side by side at a predetermined interval, thereby sucking and removing moisture from the dehydration sponges 51, 52. The dehydration sponges 51, 52 have a plurality of through holes 51a, 52a that penetrate vertically, and the through holes 51a, 52a of the dehydration sponges 51, 52 and the suction holes 534, 544 of the negative pressure suction means 53, 54 are set at the same position in a plan view.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laver manufacturing apparatus for automatically manufacturing laver. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the production of dried sheet seaweed has become more common using seaweed production equipment that can automatically repeat a series of processes, including sheeting, dehydration, drying, and peeling, rather than by hand (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Figure 4 shows the schematic configuration of this type of laver manufacturing device. 4 As shown in the figure, the seaweed production apparatus 1 comprises a conveying means 3 for conveying a seaweed mat 2, a paper making section 4 provided in the conveying path of the conveying means 3 for making raw seaweed onto the seaweed mat, a dehydrating section 5 for removing moisture from the raw seaweed made in the paper making section 4, a drying section 6 adjacent to the conveying means 3 for drying the seaweed dehydrated in the dehydrating section 5 to make dried seaweed, and a peeling section 7 for peeling the dried seaweed off the seaweed mat 2.

[0004] In the seaweed production apparatus described in Patent Document 1, 4 In such a seaweed manufacturing apparatus, a press-type dehydration section is disclosed in which an upper sponge above the screen and a lower sponge below the screen are pressed against the screen from above and below to remove moisture from the raw seaweed on the screen.

[0005] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the applicant proposes arranging an upper sponge whose upper surface is attached to an upper plate having a plurality of upper through-holes formed therein and a lower sponge whose lower surface is attached to a lower plate having a plurality of lower through-holes formed therein in opposing positions above and below, and covering the top of the upper plate with a case connected to a vacuum suction machine and vacuum suctioning from the upper sponge side, while at the same time covering the underside of the lower lower plate with a case connected to a vacuum suction machine and vacuum suctioning from the lower sponge side to dehydrate it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-208456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in seaweed production equipment, there is a need to improve the efficiency of drying in the drying section, which is the process that follows the dehydration section, in order to shorten the production process and save energy, as well as to improve the effectiveness of moisture removal in the dehydration section in order to produce seaweed of higher quality.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a seaweed production apparatus that can improve the dehydration effect in the dehydration section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the laver manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a laver manufacturing apparatus comprising at least a laver screen on which laver is made, a dehydration unit that removes moisture from the laver made on the laver screen, and a conveying means that holds the laver screen and conveys it in one direction, wherein the dehydration unit comprises a pair of dehydration sponges that are arranged vertically opposite each other with the laver screen sandwiched therebetween and that can move toward and away from each other, and negative pressure suction means that are installed in close contact with each of the dehydration sponges and that apply negative pressure suction force to the dehydration sponges through a plurality of suction holes that are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals to suck and remove moisture from the dehydration sponges, each of the dehydration sponges has a plurality of through holes that penetrate vertically, and the through holes of each of the dehydration sponges and the suction holes of the negative pressure suction means are set at the same position in a plan view, Furthermore, the arrangement of the through holes of each dehydrated sponge is set so that the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear end sides along the direction of transport by the transport means is wider than the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front-to-rear middle part along the direction of transport by the transport means.

[0010] In addition, the arrangement of the through holes in the dehydrating sponge may be such that the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear end sides along the conveying direction is set to be twice the length of the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front-to-rear middle part along the conveying direction by the conveying means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is expected that the dehydration effect in the dehydration section will be improved. In addition, the center of the dehydration sponge will be less likely to get dirty, which will extend the interval between maintenance, including cleaning and replacement of the dehydration sponge, making it easier to use and less likely to cause dirt to adhere to the seaweed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the dehydration unit and its surroundings of a seaweed production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the nori seaweed production apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which a dehydration sponge is placed close by. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a dehydration sponge of the dehydration unit of the nori production apparatus of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a conventional seaweed production apparatus and an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 is a structural explanatory diagram of a laver screen and a screen holder used in the laver production apparatus of FIG. 4. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments, but the following embodiments are merely examples of realizing the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0014] 4 shows a schematic configuration of the laver production apparatus 1. The schematic configuration of this laver production apparatus 1 is the same as that described in the conventional example, and the same reference numerals will be used in the following description.

[0015] In this embodiment, the nori production apparatus 1 produces dried nori by drying raw nori 21 that has been laid on a nori screen 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the nori production apparatus 1 includes the nori screen 2, a conveying means 3 that conveys the nori screen 2 in one direction, a papering section 4 that produces nori on the nori screen 2, a dehydrating section 5 that removes moisture from the raw nori produced in the papering section 4, a drying section 6 that dries the dehydrated raw nori at a high temperature to produce dried nori, and a peeling section 7 that peels the dried nori from the nori screen.

[0016] The nori production apparatus 1 automatically produces nori seaweed by conveying the nori screen 2 by the conveying means 3 through the paper making section 4, the dehydration section 5, the drying section 6, and the peeling section 7 in that order. In this embodiment, the direction in which the conveying means 3 conveys the nori screen 2 in the dehydration section 5 is referred to as the conveying direction X, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X is referred to as the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X is referred to as the up-down direction Z.

[0017] The laver screen 2 is a conventionally well-known screen made by lining up a number of rods made of plastic resin or bamboo sticks and weaving them together with thread to form a screen with a rectangular outline. In this embodiment, the laver screen 2 is held by a screen holder 8 and transported by the transport means 3.

[0018] 1 and 2, the reed holder 8 is configured, for example, by assembling a plurality of rod members 81 vertically and horizontally into a substantially rectangular frame shape. The reed holder 8 is formed to be long horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X of the conveying means 3. The reed holder 8 holds the nori reeds 2 via fasteners 82. A plurality of nori reeds 2 are arranged in a row along the horizontal direction of the reed holder 8.

[0019] The conveying means 3 is a conveying means that conveys the laver screens 2 in one direction (conveying direction X). The conveying means 3 has an endless chain 31 that circulates and conveys screen holders 8 that hold the laver screens 2.

[0020] The endless chain 31 is formed by connecting attachment chains in an endless fashion and is adapted to be wound around a plurality of sprockets 32 arranged at a distance from one another. Two pairs of endless chains 31 are installed parallel to each other in the left-right direction Y, and both ends of the screen holder 8 are supported by them in a spanning manner. As the endless chains 31 rotate in one direction, the nori screen 2 is transported and moved in the transport direction X while being held by the screen holder 8.

[0021] By configuring the endless chain 31 in this manner, the conveying means 3 is provided with two upper and lower conveying paths, an upper conveying path 3U and a lower conveying path 3L. The separating section 4 and the dewatering section 5 are arranged in the upper conveying path 3U, and the peeling section 7 is arranged in the lower conveying path 3L.

[0022] The conveying means 3 moves the endless chain 31 intermittently at a predetermined pitch, and the laver mat 2 supported by the endless chain 31 is conveyed to the separating section. 4 The waste is then circulated and transported to the dehydration section 5 and peeling section 7.

[0023] The papering section 4 is a means for carrying out a papering process to produce raw nori on the nori screen 2. In the papering section 4, raw nori 21 is formed on the upper surface of the nori screen 2 in the shape of a rectangular sheet.

[0024] The dehydration unit 5 is a means for performing a dehydration process to remove moisture from the raw laver 21 on the laver mat 2 that has been papered by the papering unit 4. In this embodiment, the configuration of the dehydration unit 5 is distinctive, and the detailed configuration will be described later.

[0025] The drying section 6 is a means for carrying out a drying process in which the raw laver 21 from which moisture has been removed in the dehydration section 5 is dried to produce dried laver. In this embodiment, the drying section 6 is installed adjacent to the endless chain 31 that constitutes the conveying means 3. The drying section 6 is, for example, composed of a drying chamber equipped with a drying device that blows out hot air or the like inside, and dries the raw laver on the laver screen 2 to produce dried laver while conveying the screen holders 8 handed over from the upper conveying path 3U of the conveying means 3.

[0026] The drying section 6 is configured with conveyors 9 and 10, each consisting of an endless chain, which are connected to sprockets 11 spaced apart from each other and arranged in two tiers, one above the other. The conveyors 9 and 10 are provided with a plurality of support frames 12 at regular intervals to support the laver screens 2.

[0027] The lattice holders 8 transported from the dewatering section 5 by the transport means 3 are fed between the support frames 12 of the upper conveyor 9, and are transported inside the drying section 6 by the conveyors 9 and 10. Thereafter, the lattice holders 8 are sent out to the lower transport path 3L of the transport means 3 and transported to the peeling section 7.

[0028] The peeling unit 7 is a means for performing a peeling process in which dried seaweed formed in the drying process in the drying unit 6 is peeled off from the seaweed screen 2. In this embodiment, the peeling unit 7 is formed in the lower conveying path 3L of the conveying means 3 as described above, and is connected to the lower conveying path 3L of the conveying means 3 from the drying unit 6. step Transport road The dried seaweed formed on the seaweed screen 2 held by the screen holder 8 transferred to the 3L is peeled off from the seaweed screen 2. 7 from seaweed production It is collected outside Device 1.

[0029] Next, the detailed configuration of the dehydration unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the dehydration section 5 includes a pair of dehydration sponges 51, 52 arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction Z of the seaweed mat 2 transported in the transport direction X by the transport means 3, and negative pressure suction means 53, 54 that suck and remove moisture from the dehydration sponges 51, 52.

[0031] The dehydrating sponges 51, 52 are moisture absorbing means that press the raw seaweed 21 on the seaweed rack 2 so as to sandwich the raw seaweed 21 from above and below, thereby absorbing moisture into the raw seaweed 21 and removing the moisture from the raw seaweed 21. The dehydrating sponges 51, 52 are arranged so that they can move linearly in the vertical direction Z by an elevating means such as a press mechanism 55 and move close to and away from each other.

[0032] The negative pressure suction means 53, 54 are negative pressure application means that hold the dehydration sponges 51, 52 and apply negative pressure suction force to the dehydration sponges 51, 52 to suck and remove moisture from the dehydration sponges that have absorbed water from the raw seaweed 21 on the seaweed mat 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, the upper dehydration sponge 51 arranged above the laver rack 2 is made of, for example, a porous, soft, sponge-like material made of urethane with many pores inside, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate of approximately the same size as or slightly larger than the laver rack 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper dehydration sponge 51 is detachably held by the upper plate 531 of the upper negative pressure suction means 53 with the plate surface facing up and down. Detachment The water sponges 51 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y and are held by one upper plate 531 .

[0034] A plurality of through holes 51a penetrating vertically are arranged in a row in the upper dewatering sponge 51. As shown in Fig. 3, the through holes 51a of the upper dewatering sponge 51 are arranged at predetermined intervals over the entire surface of the dewatering sponge.

[0035] The through holes 51a are arranged vertically and horizontally in a plan view. The arrangement of the through holes 51a is such that the arrangement of the through holes on the front end side F and the rear end side R in the conveying direction X is different from the arrangement of the through holes in the front-rear intermediate portion M.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the through holes 51a are arranged at intervals of LX1 along the conveying direction X on the front end side F and the rear end side R, and are arranged at equal intervals of LY1 along the left-right direction Y.

[0037] In addition, in the front-rear intermediate portion M, the through holes 51a are arranged in the conveying direction X at intervals of LX2 and in the left-right direction Y at intervals of LY2.

[0038] In FIG. 3, the arrangement of the through holes 51a in the conveying direction X is such that the distance LX1 between the front end side F and the rear end side R in the conveying direction X is set narrower than the distance LX2 between the front and rear intermediate portions M in the conveying direction X, i.e., (LX2)=2×(LX1).

[0039] In other words, the arrangement of the through holes 51a along the conveying direction X is Detachment Within the equally divided widths W obtained by equally dividing the length of the water sponge 51 in the conveyance direction X (six in FIG. 3), two rows of through holes 51a aligned in the left-right direction Y are arranged at the front end side F and the rear end side R, and one row of through holes 51a aligned in the left-right direction Y is arranged at the front-rear intermediate portion M. The number of through holes 51a within each equally divided width W is set to be the same.

[0040] On the other hand, in the arrangement of the through holes 51a in the left-right direction Y, the distance LY1 in the left-right direction Y between the front end side F and the rear end side R is set wider than the distance LX1 in the conveying direction X between the front-rear intermediate portion M, and is (LY2) = 1 / 2 × (LY1).

[0041] The left and right end sides of the front end side F and rear end side R of the through holes 51a are arranged in substantially the same arrangement as the through holes in the front-rear intermediate portion M.

[0042] The arrangement of the through holes 51a is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the through holes 51a may be arranged densely with relatively narrow intervals at the front end side F and the rear end side R, and sparsely with relatively wide intervals at the front-rear middle portion M. The number of through holes per unit area at the front end side and the rear end side along the conveying direction X may be set to be greater than the number of through holes per unit area at the front-rear middle portion.

[0043] Naturally, suction holes 534 in the upper plate of the upper negative pressure suction means are set and provided at the same positions in plan view in accordance with the arrangement of through holes 51a as described above.

[0044] Top DetachmentThe upper negative pressure suction means 53 acting on the water sponge 51 includes an upper plate 531, an upper cover 532 covering the upper space above the upper plate 531, and an upper suction machine 533 that applies negative pressure suction to the upper space surrounded by the upper cover 532.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper plate 531 Detachment The upper surface of the water sponge 51 is in close contact with the upper surface of the water sponge 51. Detachment The upper plate 531 holds the water sponge 51. In addition, the upper plate 531 has a plurality of upper absorbers. Pull The upper plate 531 has an upper suction hole 534 formed therein. Pull The hole 534 is provided with a protrusion, and its opening is set above the top surface of the upper plate 531.

[0046] The upper suction of the upper plate 531 Pull for hole 534 is the upper part of the Detachment The through-holes 51a are set at the same positions as the through-holes 51a formed in the water sponge 51 in a plan view. Pull for hole 534 and the upper part Detachment The through-holes 51a of the water sponge 51 communicate with each other to form straight holes along the vertical direction Z.

[0047] 2, the upper cover 532 seals the upper space 35. One end of an upper suction pipe 536 is connected to a part of the side surface of the upper cover 532, and the other end of the upper suction pipe 536 is connected to an upper suction device 533 in communication with the upper cover 532.

[0048] 2, the upper suction device 533 is, for example, a negative pressure pump, and when the upper suction device 533 is operated, the upper space surrounded by the upper cover 532 is vacuum-suctioned through the upper suction pipe 535. As a result, the upper suction of the upper plate 531 Pull through the hole 534 Detachment The water in the water sponge 51 is absorbed, and the upper Detachment Water can be efficiently removed from the water sponge 51.

[0049] The lower dehydration sponge 52, which is disposed below the laver rack 2, is made of a porous, soft, sponge-like material, such as urethane, with many pores inside, similar to the upper dehydration sponge 51, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate of approximately the same size as or slightly larger than the laver rack 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower dehydration sponge 52 is detachably held by a lower plate 541 of the lower negative pressure suction means 54 with the plate surface facing up and down. In this embodiment, a plurality of lower Detachment The water sponges 52 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y and are held by one lower plate 541 .

[0050] A plurality of through holes 52a that penetrate vertically are arranged in a row in the lower dewatering sponge 52. As shown in Fig. 3, the through holes 52a of the lower dewatering sponge 52 are arranged at predetermined intervals over the entire surface of the dewatering sponge.

[0051] The plurality of through holes 52a are arranged vertically and horizontally in a plan view, similar to the plurality of through holes 51a of the upper dehydrating sponge described above. The arrangement of these through holes 52a is such that the arrangement of the through holes on the front end side F and the rear end side R in the conveying direction X is different from the arrangement of the through holes in the front-rear intermediate portion M.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the through holes 52a are arranged at intervals of LX1 along the conveying direction X on the front end side F and the rear end side R, and are arranged at equal intervals of LY1 along the left-right direction Y.

[0053] In addition, in the front-rear intermediate portion M, the through holes 52a are arranged in the conveying direction X at intervals of LX2 and in the left-right direction Y at intervals of LY2.

[0054] In FIG. 3, the arrangement of the through holes 52a in the conveying direction X is such that the distance LX1 between the front end side F and the rear end side R in the conveying direction X is set narrower than the distance LX2 between the front and rear intermediate portions M in the conveying direction X, i.e., (LX2)=2×(LX1).

[0055] In other words, the arrangement of the through holes 52a along the conveying direction X is Detachment Within the equally divided widths W obtained by equally dividing the length of the water sponge 52 in the conveyance direction X (six in FIG. 3), two rows of through holes 52a aligned in the left-right direction Y are arranged at the front end side F and the rear end side R, and one row of through holes 52a aligned in the left-right direction Y is arranged at the front-rear intermediate portion M. Note that in FIG. 3, the number of through holes 52a within the equally divided widths W is set to be the same.

[0056] On the other hand, in the arrangement of the through holes 52a in the left-right direction Y, the distance LY1 in the left-right direction Y between the front end side F and the rear end side R is set wider than the distance LX1 in the conveying direction X between the front-rear intermediate portion M, and is (LY2) = 1 / 2 × (LY1).

[0057] The left and right end sides of the front end side F and rear end side R of the through holes 52a are arranged in substantially the same arrangement as the through holes in the front-rear intermediate portion M.

[0058] The arrangement of the through holes 52a is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the through holes 52a may be arranged densely with relatively narrow intervals at the front end side F and the rear end side R, and sparsely with relatively wide intervals at the front-rear middle portion M. The number of through holes per unit area at the front end side and the rear end side along the conveying direction X may be set to be greater than the number of through holes per unit area at the front-rear middle portion.

[0059] bottom Detachment The lower negative pressure suction means 54 acting on the water sponge 52 includes a lower plate 541, a lower cover 542 covering the lower space below the lower plate 541, and a lower suction machine 543 that applies negative pressure suction to the lower space surrounded by the lower cover 542.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower plate 541 Detachment The water sponge 52 is in close contact with the lower surface of the water sponge 52. Detachment The lower plate 541 holds the water sponge 52. PullThe lower plate 541 has a hole 544. The lower plate 541 is supported from below by a reinforcing member (not shown).

[0061] Lower suction of lower plate 541 Pull The hole 544 is the lower Detachment The through-holes 52a are set at the same positions as the through-holes 52a formed in the water sponge 52 in a plan view. Pull Hole 544 and the lower Detachment The through-holes 52a of the water sponge 52 communicate with each other to form straight holes along the vertical direction Z.

[0062] The lower cover 542 seals the lower space. A lower suction pipe 544 is connected to a lower suction device 543 at one end thereof. 5 One end of the

[0063] The lower suction device 543 is, for example, a negative pressure pump. When the lower suction device 543 is operated, the lower space surrounded by the lower cover 542 is filled with the lower suction pipe 54. 5 As a result, the lower suction of the lower plate 541 Pull Through the hole 544 Detachment Water sponge 5 2 The moisture inside is absorbed and the Detachment Water can be efficiently removed from the water sponge 52.

[0064] In this way, the dehydration sponges 51 and 52 at the top and bottom of the dehydration unit 5 and the negative pressure suction means 53 and 54 efficiently dehydrate the raw seaweed 2 in the dehydration unit 5. 1 Water can be removed from

[0065] In this embodiment, the dehydration unit 5 is a lower Detachment The height position of the water sponge 52 is fixed, while the upper Detachment The water sponge 51 can be moved up and down by the press mechanism 55. Detachment The water sponge 51 is raised and lowered by the press mechanism 55. DetachmentWhen the water sponge 51 is lowered, the raw seaweed 21 on the seaweed tray 2 is washed from above and below. Detachment Water sponge 51 and bottom Detachment By pressing the water sponge 52, moisture is removed from the raw laver 21.

[0066] Furthermore, after the press dewatering, when the upper dewatering sponge 51 is raised by the press mechanism 55, the upper dewatering sponge 51 and the lower dewatering sponge 52, which have been compressed and deformed by the press, are restored to their original shapes. Detachment Water sponge 51, 52 and raw seaweed 2 1 Absorbs and removes residual moisture.

[0067] In addition, after pressing by the upper and lower dewatering sponges 51 and 52, the upper suction machine 513 and the lower suction machine 543 vacuum suction the water remaining in the upper and lower spaces. Detachment Water sponge 51 and bottom Detachment Backflow into the water sponge 52 can be prevented.

[0068] As described above, in the nori production apparatus 1, the dehydration section 5 comprises a pair of dehydration sponges 51, 52 arranged opposite each other above and below with the nori screen 2 sandwiched between them and capable of moving towards and away from each other, and negative pressure suction means 53, 54 which are installed in close contact with each dehydration sponge 51, 52 and which apply negative pressure suction force to the dehydration sponges 51, 52 through a plurality of suction holes 534, 544 arranged side by side at a predetermined interval to suck and remove moisture from the dehydration sponges 51, 52.The dehydration sponges 51, 52 are provided with a plurality of through holes 51a, 52a which penetrate vertically, and the through holes 51a, 52a of the dehydration sponge and the suction holes 534, 544 of the negative pressure suction means are set at the same position in a planar view, so that the dehydration effect in the dehydration section can be further enhanced by the cooperation of the through holes of the dehydration sponge and the suction holes of the negative pressure suction means. In addition, the central portions of the dehydration sponges 51 and 52 are less likely to get dirty. This makes it possible to realize a seaweed producing device that is easy to use, with longer maintenance intervals including cleaning and replacement of the dehydration sponges, and that is less likely to get dirty on the seaweed, thereby providing good quality seaweed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The laver manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is useful, for example, in the field of producing dried laver by sequentially carrying out a papermaking process, a dehydration process, a drying process, and a peeling process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Nori production equipment 2. Seaweed screen 3. Means of transportation 5 Dehydration section 21 Fresh seaweed 51 Upper dehydration sponge 52 Lower dehydration sponge 53 Upper negative pressure suction means 54 Lower negative pressure suction means 51a Through hole 52a through hole 534 Upper suction hole 544 Lower suction hole X conveying direction Y left / right direction

Claims

1. The nori mat where the nori is made, A dehydration unit that removes moisture from the laver that is made on the laver screen; and a conveying means for holding the laver screen and conveying it in one direction. The dehydration unit is a pair of dehydration sponges arranged vertically opposite each other with the laver mat sandwiched therebetween and movable toward and away from each other; and negative pressure suction means that are provided in close contact with each of the dehydration sponges and that apply negative pressure suction force to the dehydration sponges through a plurality of suction holes arranged side by side at predetermined intervals to suck and remove moisture from the dehydration sponges, Each of the dehydration sponges is provided with a plurality of through holes extending vertically therethrough, the through holes of the dehydration sponges and the suction holes of the negative pressure suction means are set at the same positions in a plan view, Furthermore, the arrangement of the through holes of each of the dehydration sponges is such that the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear end sides along the direction of transport by the transport means is set wider than the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear middle parts along the direction of transport by the transport means.

2. The arrangement of the through holes of the dehydration sponge is such that the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear end sides along the conveying direction is set to be twice the length of the spacing between the through holes in the left-right direction at the front and rear middle parts along the conveying direction by the conveying means.

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