Seat manufacturing system

Abstract

To provide a sheet manufacturing system that can easily and appropriately determine transportation of coarsely crushed pieces from a coarsely crushing device to a sheet manufacturing device.SOLUTION: A sheet manufacturing system includes: a coarsely crushing apparatus that coarsely crushes paper; a sheet manufacturing apparatus that generates sheet-shaped recycled paper using coarsely crushed pieces of the paper as a raw material; and a server that is connected to the coarsely crushing apparatus and the sheet manufacturing apparatus via a network. The sheet manufacturing apparatus has a reserving section that reserves the coarsely crushed pieces, a remaining amount detector that detects a remaining amount of the coarsely crushed pieces in the reserving section, a calculation section that calculates an allowable filling amount of the coarsely crushed pieces in the reserving section based on a detection result of the remaining amount detector, and an output section that transmits information related to the calculated allowable filling amount to the server. The coarsely crushing apparatus has an integration section that integrates the coarsely crushed pieces, an input section that acquires information related to the allowable filling amount from the server, a display information generation section that generates display information related to the allowable filling amount based on the information acquired by the input section, and a display section that displays the display information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a dry sheet manufacturing apparatus that coarsely crushes waste paper such as used copy paper into strips to obtain crushed pieces, defibrates the crushed pieces, deposits the defibrated material on a flat surface, and heats and presses the deposit to obtain a sheet-like recycled paper. Such a sheet manufacturing apparatus contributes to reducing the load on the global environment and is preferable.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet manufacturing apparatus including a crushing unit that crushes waste paper, a storage unit that stores the crushed pieces obtained by the crushing unit, a defibrating unit that defibrates the crushed pieces stored in the storage unit, a deposition unit that deposits the defibrated material obtained by the defibrating unit on a flat surface, a heating and pressing unit that heats and presses the deposited web, a cutting unit that cuts the sheet obtained by the heating and pressing unit into a predetermined shape, and a sheet recovery unit that recovers the obtained sheet.

[0004] The above-described sheet manufacturing apparatus is installed, for example, in a room of an office as one device in which each unit from the crushing unit to the sheet recovery unit is housed in one housing. In this case, from raw material supply to recovery of the manufactured sheet is completed at the same location, that is, indoors where the sheet manufacturing apparatus is installed.

[0005] On the other hand, a crushing device such as a shredder is installed in a second room different from the first room where the sheet manufacturing apparatus is installed, and an operator recovers the crushed pieces accumulated in the accumulation unit of this crushing device, transports them to the first room, and replenishes them to the storage unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus. According to this method, since raw materials outside the installation location of the sheet manufacturing apparatus are also used for sheet manufacturing, it is possible to reduce the risk of the sheet manufacturing apparatus stopping due to insufficient raw material supply, etc., and there is an advantage that sheets can be manufactured efficiently.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-104633 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, as described above, if the sheet manufacturing equipment and the crushing equipment are installed in separate locations, for example, in different rooms, the crushing equipment cannot obtain information from the sheet manufacturing equipment, particularly information regarding the remaining amount of crushed material in the storage section of the sheet manufacturing equipment, or information regarding the allowable filling capacity of the storage section based on the remaining amount. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is not possible to easily and appropriately decide when to transport the crushed material from the crushing equipment to the sheet manufacturing equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The sheet manufacturing system of the present invention comprises a coarse crushing device for crushing paper, a sheet manufacturing device for producing sheet-like recycled paper using the coarse paper fragments as raw material, and a server connected to the coarse crushing device and the sheet manufacturing device via a network. The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing coarse fragments, a remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of coarse fragments in the storage unit, a calculation unit for calculating the allowable filling amount of coarse fragments in the storage unit based on the detection result of the remaining amount detector, and an output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated allowable filling amount to the server. The coarse crushing apparatus is characterized by comprising: an accumulation unit for accumulating the coarse crushed pieces; an input unit for acquiring information regarding the permissible filling amount from the server; a display information generation unit for generating display information regarding the permissible filling amount based on the information acquired by the input unit; and a display unit for displaying the display information.

[0009] The sheet manufacturing system of the present invention comprises a coarse crushing device for crushing paper, a first sheet manufacturing device for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper using the coarse paper fragments as raw material, a second sheet manufacturing device for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper using the coarse paper fragments as raw material, and a server connected to the coarse crushing device, the first sheet manufacturing device, and the second sheet manufacturing device via a network. The first sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a first storage unit for storing the coarse fragments, a first remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of the coarse fragments in the first storage unit, a first calculation unit for calculating a first allowable filling amount of the coarse fragments in the first storage unit based on the detection result of the first remaining amount detector, and a first output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated first allowable filling amount to the server. The second sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a second storage unit for storing the coarse crushed pieces, a second remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of the coarse crushed pieces in the second storage unit, a second calculation unit for calculating a second allowable filling amount of the coarse crushed pieces in the second storage unit based on the detection result of the second remaining amount detector, and a second output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated second allowable filling amount to the server. The coarse crushing apparatus is characterized by comprising: an accumulation unit for accumulating coarse crushed pieces; an input unit for acquiring information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount from the server; a display information generation unit for generating display information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount based on the information acquired by the input unit; and a display unit for displaying the display information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the sheet manufacturing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the crushing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the storage section of the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the display information of the display unit of the crushing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the display information of the display unit provided by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram of the sheet manufacturing system shown in Figure 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The sheet manufacturing system of the present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0012] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the sheet manufacturing system shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the crushing device shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the storage section of the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the display information of the display unit of the crushing device shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the display information of the display unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 1.

[0013] In the following, the upper side of Figures 3 to 5 may be referred to as "up" or "upper," and the lower side as "down" or "downward." Figure 4 is a schematic diagram, and the positional relationships, orientations, sizes, etc., of the parts of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 are not limited to those shown. In each figure, the direction in which the coarse fragments M2, defibrated material M3, first sorted material M4-1, second sorted material M4-2, first web M5, subdivided material M6, mixture M7, second web M8, and recycled paper S are transported, i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow, is also called the transport direction. In Figure 4, the tip of the arrow is also called the "downstream side" in the transport direction, and the base of the arrow is also called the "upstream side" in the transport direction.

[0014] The sheet manufacturing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a crushing device 3 that crushes paper M1, which is a raw material, such as used copy paper, and a sheet manufacturing device 100 that generates sheet-like recycled paper S using the crushed pieces M2 of the paper M1 as raw materials, and a server 4 connected to the crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100 via a network. When the crushing device 3 crushes the paper M1, crushed pieces M2 are generated. The generated crushed pieces M2 are supplied to the sheet manufacturing device 100. The sheet manufacturing device 100 performs the following-described processing on the crushed pieces M2 supplied from the crushing device 3 and regenerates them into recycled paper S.

[0015] The server 4 has a function of providing, via the network, data and information in response to a request received via the network from the crushing device 3 or the sheet manufacturing device 100. Examples of the network include a wired or wireless LAN, WAN, intranet, Internet, and the like.

[0016] [[ID=ĩ]]The crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100 are installed in separate locations, for example, on different floors within one building or in different rooms on the same floor. Further, they may be installed at different locations within the same room as well. The user transports the crushed pieces M2 generated by the crushing device 3 and accumulated in the accumulation unit 33 to the storage unit 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100 shown in FIG. 4 in a state where they are placed in a container 50 and supplies them to the sheet manufacturing device 100. Any container 50 may be used as long as it can store the crushed pieces M2, and it may be either soft or hard in form. Hereinafter, it will be described as a soft, that is, a flexible and deformable bag-like container.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the crushing device 3 is a so-called shredder, and includes a housing 300, an inlet 31 for feeding the paper M1, a pair of crushing blades 32 for crushing the fed paper M1, an accumulating part 33 for accumulating the generated crushed pieces M2, an outlet 34 for taking out the crushed pieces M2 in the accumulating part 33, an accumulation amount detector 35 for detecting the accumulation amount of the crushed pieces M2 in the accumulating part 33, a display part 36, and a control device 37. The inlet 31 and the outlet 34 are formed in the housing 300. The pair of crushing blades 32, the accumulating part 33, the accumulation amount detector 35, and the control device 37 are installed inside the housing 300, and the display part 36 is installed at a visible position outside the housing 300.

[0018] Examples of the paper M1 include a sheet-like material made of a fiber-containing material containing cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers may be any fibrous material mainly composed of cellulose as a compound, and may contain hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose. Further, the paper M1 may be used or unused copy paper, or may be a woven fabric, non-woven fabric, etc., regardless of its form. Further, the paper M1 may be, for example, recycled paper obtained by defibrating waste paper and then recycling and manufacturing it, or Yupo paper (registered trademark) which is synthetic paper, or may not be recycled paper.

[0019] The inlet 31 is an opening formed by a long hole provided in the upper part of the housing 300. Although not shown, the inlet 31 may be provided with a roller for taking the paper M1 into the housing 300 and a guide member for guiding the paper M1.

[0020] Each of the pair of coarse crushing blades 32 is cylindrical in shape, with a blade formed on its outer circumference. The pair of coarse crushing blades 32 are arranged parallel to each other and rotate in opposite directions to coarsely crush, or shred, the paper M1 between them. Each coarse crushing blade 32 is connected to a motor (not shown) via a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown). The motor is electrically connected to a control device 37, and the rotation of the coarse crushing blades 32 is controlled by the power supply conditions controlled by the control device 37. Coarse crushed pieces M2 are generated by these coarse crushing blades 32. The shape and size of the coarse crushed pieces M2 are preferably suitable for the defibration process in the defibration section 13, which will be described later. Examples of the shape of the coarse crushed pieces M2 include small pieces with a square planar shape, rectangular pieces, and especially small pieces in the shape of strips. The size of the coarse crushed pieces M2 is preferably small pieces with an average side length of 100 mm or less, and more preferably small pieces of 3 mm to 70 mm. The shape of the small pieces may be other than square or rectangular. The shape and size of these coarse fragments M2 can be set, for example, by selecting the blades of the coarse crushing blade 32.

[0021] The storage unit 33 has a loading unit 331 into which the containers 50 are loaded. The loading unit 331 is a box-shaped or frame-shaped structure into which the containers 50 can be detachably installed. If the containers 50 are rigid containers, the loading unit 331 can be a mounting platform on which the containers 50 are placed.

[0022] In this embodiment, the container 50 can also be loaded into the storage section 12 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. That is, the container 50 is interchangeable and can be used interchangeably between the crushing apparatus 3 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0023] The dispensing opening 34 is an opening provided on the back of the housing 300, that is, on the right-hand wall in Figure 3. The dispensing opening 34 is also provided with an openable and closable door 341, which allows the container 50 containing the crushed pieces M2 to be removed or the empty container 50 to be placed in the accumulation section 33 when the door 341 is open.

[0024] The accumulation amount detector 35 detects the amount of coarse crushed fragments M2 accumulated in the accumulation section 33 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "accumulation amount"). When the container 50 is loaded into the accumulation section 33, the accumulation amount refers to the amount of coarse crushed fragments M2 accumulated in the container 50, and can also be said to be the volume of coarse crushed fragments M2. The accumulation amount detector 35 consists of a level sensor that detects the volume of the accumulated coarse crushed fragments M2 as the position of the uppermost part of the coarse crushed fragments M2. The accumulation amount detector 35 has multiple optical sensors 351, four in the illustrated configuration. Each optical sensor 351 is spaced apart from each other along the depth direction, i.e., the vertical direction, of the container 50 installed in the loading section 331.

[0025] Each optical sensor 351 is a reflective optical sensor and comprises a light-emitting unit that emits laser light and a light-receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the coarse fragments M2. The loading unit 331 and container 50 are made of, for example, a substantially transparent material and are light-transmitting. When the laser light emitted from the light-emitting unit of the optical sensor 351 is reflected by the coarse fragments M2 and the reflected light is received, the received light is photoelectrically converted and a signal is output, detecting that the coarse fragments M2 are present at the installation height of the optical sensor 351. The accumulation amount detector 35 can detect the height, i.e., the volume, of the accumulated coarse fragments M2 by combining the presence or absence of reflected light reception at each optical sensor 351. For example, if no reflected light is received at any of the optical sensors 351, the container 50 is determined to be empty, and if reflected light is received at all of the optical sensors 351, the container 50 is determined to be full of accumulated coarse fragments M2. By identifying which of the four optical sensors 351 receives reflected light and which does not, the amount of coarse fragments M2 accumulated in the accumulation unit 33 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "amount accumulated") can be detected.

[0026] Furthermore, the optical sensor 351 is not limited to a reflective type; a transmissive optical sensor can also be used. Additionally, a capacitive sensor can be used instead of an optical sensor.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each optical sensor 351 constituting the accumulation amount detector 35 is electrically connected to the control device 37, and the signals output from each optical sensor 351 are input to the control device 37. The control device 37 performs predetermined processing on the input signals to obtain information regarding the amount of coarse fragments M2 accumulated in the accumulation unit 33.

[0028] Furthermore, the accumulated amount may be the ratio of the amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 currently accumulated to the maximum amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 that can be filled into the accumulation section 33, particularly by volume or weight, and in this case the unit can be (%).

[0029] The accumulation amount detector 35 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may, for example, be composed of a weight sensor that measures the weight of the coarse fragments M2 in the container 50. In this case as well, the amount of coarse fragments M2 accumulated in the accumulation section 33 can be detected.

[0030] Thus, the crushing device 3 has an accumulation amount detector 35 that detects the amount of crushed material M2 accumulated in the accumulation section 33. This makes it easy to determine the amount of accumulated material. As a result, it becomes easier and more appropriate to decide when to transport the crushed material M2 from the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100.

[0031] In addition, the crushing device 3 may not have a configuration that includes an accumulation amount detector 35, unlike the configuration shown in the figure. In this case, for example, the user can visually confirm the accumulation amount and decide whether to transport the crushed pieces M2 to the sheet manufacturing device 100 based on the confirmed accumulation amount.

[0032] The display unit 36 ​​of the crushing device 3 is a display located on the front side of the housing 300, that is, on the left side in Figure 3. Examples of display types include liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays. The display unit 36 ​​is driven by the control device 37, and the display content is controlled by it.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 37 includes a control unit 371, a storage unit 372, and a communication unit 373.

[0034] The control unit 371 has at least one processor and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 372. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as the processor. The control unit 371 also has various functions, such as a function to control the drive of the coarse crushing blade 32, a function to control the operation of the display unit 36, a function to acquire information on the permissible filling amount (described later) from the server 4, a function to generate display information on the permissible filling amount based on the information on the permissible filling amount, a function to transmit information on the accumulated amount to the server 4, a function to determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds the permissible filling amount, and a function to send and receive the device ID and user ID (described later). In other words, the control unit 371 has a display information generation unit that generates display information to be displayed on the display unit 36, in particular display information on the permissible filling amount. The control unit 371 also has a determination unit that determines whether the accumulated amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 exceeds the permissible filling amount.

[0035] The memory unit 372 stores, for example, a program for generating the coarse fragments M2 and a program for controlling the operation of the display unit 36. It also stores information such as the permissible filling amount obtained from the server 4, detection data from the accumulation amount detector 35, and information regarding the amount of coarse fragments M2 accumulated in the accumulation unit 33.

[0036] The communication unit 373 is, for example, configured as an I / O interface and has the function of communicating with the server 4 via a network, that is, sending and receiving signals. The communication unit 373 is an input unit that acquires information regarding the permissible filling amount from the server 4.

[0037] This crushing device 3 generates coarse fragments M2, which are then collected in a container 50 in the collection unit 33. The collected coarse fragments M2, contained in the container 50, are transported by the user to the storage unit 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100 and supplied to the sheet manufacturing device 100 as raw material.

[0038] Next, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is a device that obtains a sheet-like molded body by defibrating the supplied coarse fragments M2, mixing them with a binder P1 and depositing them, and then molding this deposit by the molding unit 20.

[0039] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in Figure 4 includes an input port 11 for introducing coarse fragments M2, a storage section 12 for storing the introduced coarse fragments M2, a defibration section 13 for defibrating the coarse fragments M2, a sorting section 14 for sorting the defibrated material, a first web forming section 15, a subdivision section 16, a mixing section 17, a dispersion section 18, a second web forming section 19, a molding section 20, a cutting section 21, a stock section 22, a recovery section 27, a display section 29, a remaining amount detector 30, and a control device 28 for controlling the operation of each of the above sections.

[0040] Furthermore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a humidification unit 231, a humidification unit 232, a humidification unit 233, a humidification unit 234, a humidification unit 235, and a humidification unit 236. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a blower 261, a blower 262, and a blower 263.

[0041] Furthermore, the humidifiers 231 to 236 and the blowers 261 to 263 are electrically connected to the control device 28, and their operation is controlled by the control device 28.

[0042] Furthermore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the defibration process, sorting process, first web formation process, division process, mixing process, discharge process, deposition process, sheet formation process, and cutting process are executed in this order.

[0043] The following describes the structure of each part. As shown in Figure 5, the input port 11 is provided in the wall of the housing 10 that houses the storage unit 12. The input port 11 is an opening provided on the front of the housing 10. The input port 11 is also provided with an openable and closable door 111, which allows the container 50 containing the crushed pieces M2 to be placed in the storage unit 12, or an empty container 50 to be placed in the storage unit 12, or to be removed, when the door 111 is open.

[0044] The storage section 12 has a box-shaped or frame-shaped container loading section 121 into which a container 50 for containing the coarse fragments M2 is loaded. The container loading section 121 is composed of a box-shaped body into which the container 50 is detachably installed. If the container 50 is a rigid container, the container loading section 121 can be a mounting platform on which the container 50 is placed.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the storage section 12 is provided with a remaining amount detector 30 that detects the remaining amount of coarse fragments M2 in the storage section 12 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "remaining amount"). The remaining amount detector 30 consists of a level sensor that detects the remaining amount, in particular the volume, of coarse fragments M2 in the container 50 as the position of the uppermost part of the coarse fragments M2. The remaining amount detector 30 has a plurality of optical sensors 301, four in the illustrated configuration. Each optical sensor 301 is spaced apart from each other along the depth direction, i.e., the vertical direction, of the container 50 installed in the storage section 12.

[0046] The container loading section 121 and the container 50 are made of a substantially transparent material and are light-transmitting. The configuration, operating principle, detection mechanism, etc., of each optical sensor 301 are the same as those of the optical sensor 351 described above.

[0047] Furthermore, the optical sensor 301 is not limited to a reflective type; a transmissive optical sensor can also be used. Additionally, a capacitive sensor can be used instead of an optical sensor.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, each optical sensor 301 constituting the remaining amount detector 30 is electrically connected to the control device 28, and the signals output from each optical sensor 301 are input to the control device 28. The control device 28 performs predetermined processing on the input signals to obtain information regarding the remaining amount of coarse fragments M2 in the storage unit 12.

[0049] The remaining amount detector 30 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may, for example, be composed of a weight sensor that measures the weight of the coarse crushed pieces M2 in the container 50. In this case as well, the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the storage section 12 can be detected.

[0050] Although not shown in the diagram, the storage section 12 is connected to a quantitative supply unit that quantitatively sends the coarse fragments M2 stored in the storage section 12 to the defibration section 13. The coarse fragments M2 sent out by this quantitative supply unit are transported to the defibration section 13 via the pipe 241.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the defibration section 13 is the part that performs the defibration process in which the coarse fragments M2 are defibrated in the air, that is, in a dry manner. Through the defibration process in this defibration section 13, defibrated material M3 can be produced from the coarse fragments M2. Here, "defibration" means separating the coarse fragments M2, which are made up of multiple fibers bound together, into individual fibers. The separated fibers then become the defibrated material M3. The shape of the defibrated material M3 is linear or strip-shaped. In addition, the defibrated material M3 may exist in a state where they are intertwined and form clumps, that is, in a state where they form so-called "clumps".

[0052] The defibration section 13, in this embodiment for example, is composed of an impeller mill having a high-speed rotating blade and a liner located on the outer circumference of the rotating blade. The coarse fragments M2 that flow into the defibration section 13 are sandwiched between the rotating blade and the liner and defibrated.

[0053] Furthermore, the defibration unit 13 can generate an airflow, i.e., an air current, from the storage unit 12 to the sorting unit 14 by the rotation of the rotating blade. This allows the coarse fragments M2 to be drawn from the pipe 241 into the defibration unit 13. After the defibration process, the defibrated material M3 can be sent to the sorting unit 14 via the pipe 242.

[0054] A blower 261 is installed in the middle of pipe 242. The blower 261 is an airflow generator that generates an airflow directed toward the sorting section 14. This facilitates the delivery of the defibrated material M3 to the sorting section 14.

[0055] The sorting section 14 is the part that performs a sorting process to separate the defibrated material M3 according to the length of the fibers. In the sorting section 14, the defibrated material M3 is sorted into first sorted material M4-1 and second sorted material M4-2 which is larger than the first sorted material M4-1. The first sorted material M4-1 is of a size suitable for the subsequent manufacture of recycled paper S. Its average length is preferably between 1 μm and 30 μm. On the other hand, the second sorted material M4-2 includes, for example, materials that have not been sufficiently defibrated or materials in which the defibrated fibers have excessively aggregated.

[0056] The sorting unit 14 includes a drum section 141 and a housing section 142 that houses the drum section 141.

[0057] The drum section 141 is a sieve composed of a cylindrical mesh body that rotates around its central axis. The defibrated material M3 flows into this drum section 141. As the drum section 141 rotates, the defibrated material M3 smaller than the mesh opening is sorted as the first sorted material M4-1, and the defibrated material M3 larger than the mesh opening is sorted as the second sorted material M4-2.

[0058] The first sorted item, M4-1, falls from the drum section 141. Meanwhile, the second sorted material M4-2 is sent to a pipe 243 connected to the drum section 141. The pipe 243 is connected to the drum section 141 on the opposite side, i.e., the upstream side. After passing through this pipe 243, the second sorted material M4-2 merges with the coarse fragments M2 within the pipe 241 and flows into the defibration section 13 together with the coarse fragments M2. As a result, the second sorted material M4-2 is returned to the defibration section 13 and subjected to defibration processing together with the coarse fragments M2.

[0059] Furthermore, the first sorted material M4-1 that falls from the drum section 141 disperses into the air as it falls toward the first web forming section 15 located below the drum section 141. The first web forming section 15 is the part that performs the first web forming process, which forms the first web M5 from the first sorted material M4-1. The first web forming section 15 has a mesh belt 151, three tension rollers 152, and a suction section 153.

[0060] The mesh belt 151 is an endless belt on which the first sorted material M4-1 accumulates. This mesh belt 151 is wrapped around three tension rollers 152. The rotational drive of the tension rollers 152 then transports the first sorted material M4-1 on the mesh belt 151 downstream.

[0061] The first sorted material M4-1 is larger than the mesh opening of the mesh belt 151. As a result, the passage of the first sorted material M4-1 through the mesh belt 151 is restricted, and it can therefore accumulate on the mesh belt 151. Furthermore, as the first sorted material M4-1 accumulates on the mesh belt 151 and is transported downstream along with the mesh belt 151, it forms a layered first web M5.

[0062] Furthermore, the first sorted material M4-1 may contain, for example, dust and dirt. Dust and dirt can be generated, for example, by crushing or defibration. Such dust and dirt will be collected in the recovery unit 27, which will be described later.

[0063] The suction unit 153 is a suction mechanism that draws air from below the mesh belt 151. This allows dust and dirt that have passed through the mesh belt 151 to be drawn in along with the air.

[0064] Furthermore, the suction unit 153 is connected to the collection unit 27 via the pipe 244. Dust and dirt sucked up by the suction unit 153 are collected in the collection unit 27.

[0065] A pipe 245 is further connected to the recovery unit 27. A blower 262 is installed in the middle of the pipe 245. The operation of this blower 262 generates suction force in the suction unit 153. This promotes the formation of the first web M5 on the mesh belt 151. This first web M5 is formed from dust and dirt that have been removed. The dust and dirt are also passed through the pipe 244 by the operation of the blower 262 and reach the recovery unit 27.

[0066] The housing section 142 is connected to the humidifying section 232. The humidifying section 232 consists of an evaporative humidifier. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing section 142. This humidified air can humidify the first sorted material M4-1, and thus it is possible to suppress the first sorted material M4-1 from adhering to the inner wall of the housing section 142 due to electrostatic force.

[0067] A humidification unit 235 is located downstream of the sorting unit 14. The humidification unit 235 consists of an ultrasonic humidifier that sprays water. This supplies moisture to the first web M5, thereby adjusting the moisture content of the first web M5. This adjustment suppresses the adhesion of the first web M5 to the mesh belt 151 due to electrostatic force. As a result, the first web M5 is easily detached from the mesh belt 151 at the position where the mesh belt 151 is folded back by the tension roller 152.

[0068] A subdivision section 16 is located downstream of the humidification section 235. The subdivision section 16 is the part that performs the subdivision process of dividing the first web M5 that has been separated from the mesh belt 151. The subdivision section 16 has a rotatably supported propeller 161 and a housing section 162 that houses the propeller 161. The first web M5 can be divided by the rotating propeller 161. The divided first web M5 becomes a subdivision body M6. The subdivision body M6 then descends within the housing section 162.

[0069] The housing section 162 is connected to the humidifying section 233. The humidifying section 233 consists of an evaporative humidifier. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing section 162. This humidified air also helps to suppress the adhesion of the fragments M6 to the propeller 161 and the inner wall of the housing section 162 due to electrostatic force.

[0070] A mixing section 17 is located downstream of the subdivision section 16. The mixing section 17 is the part that performs the mixing process of mixing the subdivision material M6 with the additive. This mixing section 17 includes an additive supply section 171, a pipe 172, and a blower 173.

[0071] The pipe 172 connects the housing 162 of the subdivision section 16 and the housing 182 of the dispersion section 18, and is a flow path through which the mixture M7 of the subdivision material M6 and the additive passes.

[0072] An additive supply unit 171 is connected to the middle of the pipe 172. The additive supply unit 171 has a housing unit 170 containing the additive and a screw feeder 174 provided inside the housing unit 170. The rotation of the screw feeder 174 pushes the additive inside the housing unit 170 out and supplies it into the pipe 172. The additive supplied into the pipe 172 is mixed with the fractionated product M6 to form a mixture M7.

[0073] Here, examples of additives supplied from the additive supply unit 171 include binders that bind fibers together, colorants for coloring fibers, flocculation inhibitors to suppress fiber aggregation, flame retardants to make fibers less flammable, paper strength enhancers to increase the paper strength of recycled paper S, and defibrations. One or more of these can be used in combination. Below, as an example, the case in which the additive is a binder P1 will be described. By including a binder P1 that binds fibers together, the strength of recycled paper S can be increased.

[0074] Examples of binders P1 include natural ingredients such as starch, dextrin, glycogen, amylose, hyaluronic acid, kudzu, konjac, potato starch, etherified starch, esterified starch, natural gum glue (etherified tamarind gum, etherified locust bean gum, etherified guar gum, acacia Arabica gum), fiber-inducing glue (etherified carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose), seaweed (sodium alginate, agar), and animal proteins (collagen, gelatin, hydrolyzed collagen, sericin), as well as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, and polyacrylamide. One or more of these can be used in combination, but it is preferable that the binder be a natural ingredient, and more preferably starch. It is also possible to use a thermoplastic resin. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyolefins such as AS resin, ABS resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA); acrylic resins such as modified polyolefins and polymethyl methacrylate; polyesters such as polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; polyamides (nylons) such as nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6-12, and nylon 6-66; liquid crystal polymers such as polyphenylene ether, polyacetal, polyether, polyphenylene oxide, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyetherimide, and aromatic polyester; and various thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, trans polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated polyethylene-based materials. One or more selected from these can be used in combination. Preferably, polyester or a material containing polyester is used as the thermoplastic resin.

[0075] In addition to the binder P1, the additive supplied from the additive supply unit 171 may also include, for example, a coloring agent for coloring the fibers, an agglomeration inhibitor for suppressing the agglomeration of the fibers and the binder P1, a flame retardant for making the fibers less flammable, and a paper strength enhancer for increasing the paper strength of the sheet S. Alternatively, these may be pre-mixed with the binder P1 and supplied from the additive supply unit 171.

[0076] Furthermore, a blower 173 is installed in the middle of the pipe 172, downstream of the additive supply section 171. The action of the rotating parts such as blades of the blower 173 promotes the mixing of the fractionated material M6 and the binder P1. The blower 173 can also generate an airflow directed toward the dispersion section 18. This airflow can agitate the fractionated material M6 and the binder P1 within the pipe 172. As a result, the mixture M7 is transported to the dispersion section 18 in a state where the fractionated material M6 and the binder P1 are uniformly dispersed. In addition, the fractionated material M6 in the mixture M7 is loosened as it passes through the pipe 172, becoming finer and more fibrous.

[0077] The blower 173 is electrically connected to the control device 28, and its operation is controlled. Furthermore, by adjusting the airflow rate of the blower 173, the amount of air supplied to the drum 181 can be adjusted.

[0078] Although not shown in the diagram, the pipe 172 is branched into two at the end facing the drum 181, and the branched ends are connected to inlets (not shown) formed on the end face of the drum 181.

[0079] The dispersion unit 18 shown in Figure 4 is the part that performs the release process in which intertwined fibers in the mixture M7 are loosened and released. The dispersion unit 18 has a drum 181 for introducing and releasing the mixture M7, which is the defibrated material, and a housing 182 for housing the drum 181.

[0080] The drum 181 is a sieve composed of a cylindrical mesh body that rotates around its central axis. As the drum 181 rotates, fibers and other materials in the mixture M7 that are smaller than the mesh opening can pass through the drum 181. In the process, the mixture M7 is loosened and released along with the air. In other words, the drum 181 functions as a release unit that releases materials containing fibers.

[0081] The drum 181 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and rotates due to the rotational force output from the drive source. The drive source is electrically connected to a control device 28, and its operation is controlled.

[0082] Furthermore, the housing 182 is connected to the humidification unit 234. The humidification unit 234 consists of an evaporative humidifier. This supplies humidified air into the housing 182. This humidified air humidifies the inside of the housing 182, thereby suppressing the adhesion of the mixture M7 to the inner wall of the housing 182 due to electrostatic force.

[0083] Furthermore, the mixture M7 released from the drum 181 disperses into the air and falls toward the second web forming section 19 located below the drum 181. The second web forming section 19 is the part that performs the deposition process to deposit the mixture M7 and form the deposited second web M8. The second web forming section 19 has a mesh belt 191, tension rollers 192, and a suction section 193.

[0084] The mesh belt 191 is a mesh member, and in the illustrated configuration, it is composed of an endless belt. The mixture M7 dispersed and released by the dispersion unit 18 accumulates on the mesh belt 191. This mesh belt 191 is wrapped around four tension rollers 192. The rotational drive of the tension rollers 192 then transports the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 downstream.

[0085] In the illustrated configuration, a mesh belt 191 is used as an example of a mesh member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a flat plate may also be used.

[0086] Furthermore, most of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 is larger than the mesh opening of the mesh belt 191. This restricts the mixture M7 from passing through the mesh belt 191, and thus it can accumulate on the mesh belt 191. In addition, as the mixture M7 accumulates on the mesh belt 191, it is transported downstream along with the mesh belt 191, forming a layered second web M8.

[0087] The suction unit 193 is a suction mechanism that draws air from below the mesh belt 191. This allows the mixture M7 to be drawn onto the mesh belt 191, thereby promoting the accumulation of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191.

[0088] A pipe 246 is connected to the suction unit 193. A blower 263 is installed in the middle of this pipe 246. The operation of this blower 263 generates suction force in the suction unit 193.

[0089] A humidification unit 236 is located downstream of the dispersion unit 18. The humidification unit 236 is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier similar to that of the humidification unit 235. This allows moisture to be supplied to the second web M8, thereby adjusting the moisture content of the second web M8. This adjustment suppresses the adhesion of the second web M8 to the mesh belt 191 due to electrostatic force. As a result, the second web M8 is easily detached from the mesh belt 191 at the position where the mesh belt 191 is folded back by the tension roller 192.

[0090] Furthermore, the total amount of moisture added to humidification units 231 to 236 is preferably, for example, 0.5 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the material before humidification.

[0091] A molding section 20 is located downstream of the second web forming section 19. The molding section 20 is the part that performs the sheet forming process to form recycled paper S from the second web M8. This molding section 20 has a pressurizing section 201 and a heating section 202.

[0092] The pressurizing section 201 has a pair of calender rollers 203, and can pressurize the second web M8 between the calender rollers 203 without heating it. This increases the density of the second web M8. When heating is used, it is preferable to heat it to an extent that does not melt the binder P1. The second web M8 is then conveyed toward the heating section 202. One of the pair of calender rollers 203 is a driven roller driven by a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

[0093] The heating section 202 has a pair of heating rollers 204, and can heat and pressurize the second web M8 between the heating rollers 204. Due to this heating and pressurizing, the binder P1 melts within the second web M8, and the fibers bond together via this molten binder P1. This forms recycled paper S. This recycled paper S is then conveyed toward the cutting section 21. One of the pair of heating rollers 204 is a driven roller driven by a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

[0094] A cutting section 21 is located downstream of the molding section 20. The cutting section 21 is the part that performs the cutting process for cutting the recycled paper S. This cutting section 21 has a first cutter 211 and a second cutter 212.

[0095] The first cutter 211 cuts the recycled paper S in a direction intersecting, and especially perpendicular to, the direction in which the recycled paper S is transported.

[0096] The second cutter 212 is located downstream of the first cutter 211 and cuts the recycled paper S in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the recycled paper S. This cutting removes unnecessary portions from both ends in the width direction of the recycled paper S, thereby adjusting the width of the recycled paper S. The portions that are cut off are called "edges".

[0097] By cutting with the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 212 in this manner, recycled paper S of the desired shape and size is obtained. This recycled paper S is then transported further downstream and stored in the stock section 22.

[0098] Each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is electrically connected to the control device 28. The operation of each component is controlled by the control device 28.

[0099] The display unit 29 shown in Figure 2 is a display installed at any position on the outside of the housing of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. Examples of display types include liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays. The display unit 29 is driven by the control device 28, and the display content is controlled by it.

[0100] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 28 includes a control unit 281, a storage unit 282, and a communication unit 283.

[0101] The control unit 281 has at least one processor and executes various programs stored in the memory unit 282. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as the processor. The control unit 281 also has various functions, such as controlling the drive of each part of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 related to sheet manufacturing, controlling the drive of the display unit 29, acquiring information on the amount of accumulated material from the server 4, generating display information on the amount of accumulated material based on the information on the amount of accumulated material, calculating the allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2 in the storage unit 12, transmitting information on the calculated allowable filling amount to the server 4, and sending and receiving the device ID and user ID, which will be described later. In other words, the control unit 281 has a calculation unit that calculates the allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2 in the storage unit 12.

[0102] The memory unit 282 stores, for example, a program for controlling the operation of the display unit 29, the detection results of the remaining amount detector 30, i.e., the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the storage unit 12, the maximum capacity of the storage unit 12, and information regarding the calculated allowable filling amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the storage unit 12.

[0103] The communication unit 283 is configured, for example, as an I / O interface and has the function of communicating with the server 4 via a network, that is, sending and receiving signals. The communication unit 283 is an output unit that transmits information regarding the calculated allowable filling amount to the server 4.

[0104] The control device 28 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, or it may be provided in an external device such as an external computer. Furthermore, the control unit 281 and the storage unit 282 may, for example, be integrated and configured as a single unit, or the control unit 281 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the storage unit 282 may be provided in an external device such as an external computer, or the storage unit 282 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the control unit 281 may be provided in an external device such as an external computer.

[0105] The configuration of the sheet manufacturing system 1 has been described above. In such a sheet manufacturing system 1, the user needs to know the amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 inside the crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100, and, if necessary, replenish the coarse crushed pieces M2 accumulated inside the crushing device 3 with the storage unit 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100. Therefore, it is preferable for the user to know the amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 inside the crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100, i.e., the accumulated amount and the remaining amount. However, it is assumed that the crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100 are installed and used, for example, on different floors or in different rooms. In this case, it is difficult for the user to know both the accumulated amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 and the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the sheet manufacturing device 100, and it is difficult to judge when to transport coarse crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100. In contrast, the present invention can solve this problem. This will be explained in detail below.

[0106] As described above, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has a remaining amount detector 30 that detects the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the storage section 12. The control device 28 calculates the allowable filling amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the storage section 12, i.e., the available capacity, based on the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detector 30 and the maximum capacity of the storage section 12.

[0107] The "allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2" in the storage section 12 refers to the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of coarse fragments M2 currently stored from the maximum amount of coarse fragments M2 that can be filled into the storage section 12. The allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2 will also be simply referred to as the "allowable filling amount" below. The unit of the allowable filling amount may be either the weight or the volume of the coarse fragments M2. In the latter case, the "allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2" is generally also referred to as the available capacity of the storage section 12. Furthermore, the allowable filling amount may be the ratio of the amount of coarse fragments M2 currently stored to the maximum amount of coarse fragments M2 that can be filled into the storage section 12, particularly the volume ratio or weight ratio, and in this case the unit may be (%).

[0108] When the container 50 is loaded into the storage section 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100, the allowable filling amount of the storage section 12 is the allowable filling amount of the loaded container 50.

[0109] The control device 28 outputs information regarding the permissible filling amount to the server 4. In this way, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 grasps the remaining amount of coarse fragments M2 in its storage section 12, calculates how much more coarse fragments M2 can be stored based on the known maximum capacity of the storage section 12, and transmits this information to the server 4.

[0110] Server 4 transmits information regarding the permissible filling amount received from control device 28 to control device 37 of crushing device 3. Control device 37 receives the information regarding the permissible filling amount from server 4, generates display information regarding the permissible filling amount, and displays it on display unit 36.

[0111] As shown in Figure 6, the display unit 36 ​​of the crushing device 3 displays information regarding the permissible filling amount. Specifically, the permissible filling amount is displayed on the indicator 361 of the display unit 36 ​​as a bar index that is lit or extinguished, and the permissible filling amount is also displayed as numerical information below the indicator 361.

[0112] The indicator 361 visually displays the ratio of the current filling amount to the maximum capacity of the storage section 12. This allows the user to grasp at a glance the ratio of the remaining amount of crushed fragments M2 to the maximum capacity of the storage section 12. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately determine the allowable filling amount.

[0113] Furthermore, a numerical value indicating the ratio of the allowable filling amount to the maximum capacity of the storage section 12 is displayed below the indicator 361. Specifically, the allowable filling amount is displayed as "75%". This allows the user to grasp the ratio of the allowable filling amount to the maximum capacity of the storage section 12 at a glance. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately determine the allowable filling amount.

[0114] The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the numerical value may represent the weight or volume of the allowable filling amount. Furthermore, the display form may be something other than a numerical value, such as letters such as the alphabet, symbols, figures, patterns, or a combination thereof.

[0115] With this configuration, a user standing near the crushing device 3 can look at the display unit 36 ​​and obtain information regarding the permissible filling amount of the sheet manufacturing device 100. Therefore, it is possible to easily and appropriately determine when to transport the crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100.

[0116] As described above, the sheet manufacturing system 1 of the present invention comprises a crushing device 3 for crushing paper M1, a sheet manufacturing device 100 for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper S using the crushed paper fragments M2 of paper M1 as raw material, and a server 4 connected to the crushing device 3 and the sheet manufacturing device 100 via a network. The sheet manufacturing device 100 also includes a storage unit 12 for storing the crushed fragments M2, a remaining amount detector 30 for detecting the remaining amount of crushed fragments M2 in the storage unit 12, a control unit 281 as a calculation unit for calculating the allowable filling amount of crushed fragments M2 in the storage unit 12 based on the detection result of the remaining amount detector 30, and a communication unit 283 as an output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated allowable filling amount to the server 4. Furthermore, the crushing device 3 includes a collection unit 33 for accumulating the crushed pieces M2, a communication unit 373 as an input unit for acquiring information on the permissible filling amount from the server 4, a control unit 371 as a display information generation unit for generating display information on the permissible filling amount based on the information acquired by the communication unit 373, and a display unit 36 ​​for displaying the display information. With this configuration, the crushing device 3 can acquire information from the sheet manufacturing device 100, in particular information on the permissible filling amount of the storage unit 12 derived from the remaining amount of crushed pieces M2 in the storage unit 12, and as a result, it is possible to easily and appropriately determine whether to transport the crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100.

[0117] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the displayed information is numerical data representing the permissible filling amount. This makes it easier and more accurate to understand the displayed information. As a result, decisions regarding the transport of the crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100 can be made more easily, quickly, and appropriately.

[0118] Furthermore, the control unit 371 can display the result of its determination of whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount on the display unit 36, for example, using characters or symbols. In other words, the display information generated by the control unit 371 includes information regarding the determination result of whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount.

[0119] The control unit 371 compares the accumulated amount detected by the accumulated amount detector 35 with the information on the permissible filling amount obtained from the server 4 to determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds the permissible filling amount. If it is determined that the accumulated amount does not exceed the permissible filling amount, the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 can be fed into the sheet manufacturing device 100, and the words "Ready to be transported to sheet manufacturing device" are displayed at the bottom of the display unit 36, as shown in Figure 6.

[0120] The same container 50 with the same capacity is used in the storage section 12 and the accumulation section 33. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the allowable filling capacity of the storage section 12 is 75%, and the accumulation capacity of the accumulation section 33 is 50%. Since the allowable filling capacity > accumulation capacity, it can be determined that the entire amount of the accumulation capacity can be transported to the storage section 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100 and replenished.

[0121] On the other hand, if the control unit 371 determines that the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount, it will display the words "Cannot be transported to sheet manufacturing device" at the bottom of the display unit 36 ​​(not shown in the figure) because it is impossible to feed the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 into the sheet manufacturing device 100.

[0122] In this manner, the crushing device 3 determines whether the amount of material accumulated in the accumulation section 33 exceeds the allowable filling amount of the storage section 12, and displays the result of this determination on the display section 36. This allows the user to know whether the crushing device 3 can transport and feed the entire amount of crushed material M2 to the sheet manufacturing device 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasted trips where the entire amount of crushed material M2 was transported based on the prediction that it could be fed into the sheet manufacturing device 100, but was not replenished, and the transport and replenishment of crushed material M2 can be carried out at the appropriate time based on the correct judgment.

[0123] Thus, the crushing device 3 has a control unit 371 that acts as a determination unit to determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount based on the accumulated amount detected by the accumulated amount detector 35 and information on the allowable filling amount obtained from the server 4, and the displayed information includes information on the determination result of the control unit 371. This makes it easy to know whether the accumulated amount in the accumulation unit 33 of the crushing device 3 exceeds the allowable filling amount of the storage unit 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100. As a result, the decision to transport the crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the sheet manufacturing device 100 can be made more easily, quickly, and appropriately.

[0124] The advantages of the crushing device 3 have been explained above. Next, the advantages of the sheet manufacturing device 100 will be explained.

[0125] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 acquires information regarding the amount of material collected in the crushing apparatus 3 from the server 4, generates display information, and displays it on the display unit 29. This allows the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 to obtain information from the crushing apparatus 3, particularly information regarding the amount of crushed material M2 collected in the collection unit 33. As a result, it becomes easier and more appropriate to decide when to transport the crushed material M2 from the crushing apparatus 3 to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, the display unit 29 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 displays information regarding the amount of material collected in the collection unit 33 of the crushing apparatus 3. Specifically, the amount of material collected is displayed on the indicator 291 of the display unit 29 as a bar index that is lit or extinguished, and the amount of material collected is also displayed as numerical information below the indicator 291.

[0127] The indicator 291 visually displays the ratio of the current accumulated amount to the maximum capacity of the accumulation unit 33. This allows the user to grasp the ratio of the current accumulated amount to the maximum capacity of the accumulation unit 33 at a glance. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately grasp the accumulated amount.

[0128] Furthermore, a numerical value indicating the ratio of the current accumulated amount to the maximum capacity of the accumulation unit 33 is displayed below the indicator 291. Specifically, it displays "50%" as the accumulated amount. This allows the user to easily understand the ratio of the current accumulated amount to the maximum capacity of the accumulation unit 33. Therefore, the user can easily and accurately understand the accumulated amount.

[0129] The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the numerical value may represent the weight or volume of the accumulated amount. Furthermore, the display form may be something other than a numerical value, such as letters such as the alphabet, symbols, figures, patterns, or a combination thereof.

[0130] Furthermore, the control unit 281 displays the result of its determination as to whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount on the display unit 36. In other words, the display information generated by the control unit 281 includes information regarding the determination result as to whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount.

[0131] The control unit 281 compares the accumulated amount detected by the accumulated amount detector 35 with the information on the permissible filling amount obtained from the server 4 to determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds the permissible filling amount. If it is determined that the accumulated amount does not exceed the permissible filling amount, the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 can be fed into the sheet manufacturing device 100, and the words "Ready to be transported from crushing device" are displayed at the bottom of the display unit 29, as shown in Figure 7.

[0132] The same container 50 with the same capacity is used in the storage section 12 and the accumulation section 33. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the allowable filling capacity of the storage section 12 is 75%, and the accumulation capacity of the accumulation section 33 is 50%. Since the allowable filling capacity > accumulation capacity, it can be determined that the entire amount of the accumulation capacity can be transported to the storage section 12 of the sheet manufacturing device 100 and replenished.

[0133] On the other hand, if the control unit 281 determines that the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount, it will display the words "Cannot be transported from the crushing device" at the bottom of the display unit 29 (not shown in the figure) because it is impossible to feed the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 into the sheet manufacturing device 100.

[0134] In this way, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 determines whether the amount accumulated in the accumulation section 33 exceeds the allowable filling amount of the storage section 12, and displays the result of this determination on the display section 29. This allows the user to know whether the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can transport and feed the entire accumulated amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasted trips where the entire accumulated amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 was transported based on the prediction that it could be fed into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, but could not be replenished, and the transport and replenishment of coarse crushed pieces M2 can be carried out at the appropriate timing based on the correct judgment.

[0135] In this embodiment, the configuration described is one in which the control unit 371 and the control unit 281 each determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The control unit of the server 4 may perform the above determination, transmit information regarding the determination result to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the crushing apparatus 3, and display unit 29 and display unit 36 ​​each display the determination result. In this case, display unit 29 and display unit 36 ​​may be driven in conjunction with each other, and all or part of the displayed content may be identical.

[0136] Furthermore, the storage unit 282 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 stores specific information that identifies the apparatus ID that identifies the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the user ID that identifies the user who uses the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0137] The device ID includes information such as the serial number, manufacturing date, model number, and manufacturing location. The user ID includes information such as the company name, corporate name, or individual name. This specific information is transmitted to the server 4 in association with the information regarding the permissible filling amount transmitted from the communication unit 283.

[0138] Thus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has identification information, at least one of a device ID that identifies the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and a user ID that identifies the user who uses the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, and the information regarding the permissible filling amount transmitted from the communication unit 283, which is the output unit, is associated with the identification information. As a result, it is possible to easily associate the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 with the crushing device 3, not only when there is a single sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, but also when there are multiple, thereby enabling easy and proper management of the sheet manufacturing system 1. Furthermore, it is possible to easily associate the crushing device 3 with the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, not only when there is one user, but also when there are multiple users, thereby enabling easy and proper management of the sheet manufacturing system 1.

[0139] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 may also be configured to transmit operational information to the server 4, such as power ON / OFF status, sheet manufacturing in progress / standby status, etc.

[0140] Furthermore, similar to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the crushing apparatus 3 may be configured to transmit to the server 4 an apparatus ID that identifies the apparatus, a user ID that uses the apparatus, and operational information of the apparatus, such as power ON / OFF status, sheet manufacturing in progress / standby status, etc.

[0141] In this case, the system determines whether the user IDs of the sheet manufacturing device 100 and the crushing device 3 match or not. If they do not match, the system may indicate, for example, that the device is outside the group of this sheet manufacturing system 1 and therefore not subject to transport, and this fact may be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​or the display unit 29.

[0142] <Second Embodiment> Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the sheet manufacturing system according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 is a block diagram of the sheet manufacturing system shown in Figure 8.

[0143] The second embodiment of the sheet manufacturing system of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9, but the differences from the first embodiment will be explained below, and the common points will not be explained.

[0144] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the sheet manufacturing system 1 comprises one crushing device 3, two sheet manufacturing devices 100, and a server 4. Hereinafter, one of the two sheet manufacturing devices 100 will be referred to as the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, and the other as the second sheet manufacturing device 100B.

[0145] The first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A and the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B each have the same configuration as the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 described above. However, the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A and the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B may not only have the same configuration, but may also have some differences in their configurations.

[0146] The coarse crushing device 3, the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B are each installed in separate locations, for example, on different floors within the same building, or in different rooms on the same floor. Furthermore, any two or all of the coarse crushing device 3, the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B may be installed in different locations within the same room.

[0147] The storage unit 12 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is referred to as the first storage unit 12A, the remaining amount detector 30 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is referred to as the first remaining amount detector 30A, the control unit 281 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is referred to as the first control unit 281A as the first calculation unit that calculates the first allowable filling amount, and the communication unit 283 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is referred to as the first communication unit 283A as the first output unit.

[0148] The storage unit 12 of the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B is referred to as the second storage unit 12B, the remaining amount detector 30 of the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B is referred to as the second remaining amount detector 30B, the control unit 281 of the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B is referred to as the second control unit 281B as a second calculation unit that calculates the second allowable filling amount, and the communication unit 283 of the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B is referred to as the second communication unit 283B as a second output unit.

[0149] In the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A, the first control unit 281A calculates a first allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2 in the first storage unit 12A based on the detection result of the first remaining amount detector 30A and the maximum capacity of the first storage unit 12A, and the first communication unit 283A outputs information regarding the calculated first allowable filling amount to the server 4.

[0150] In the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B, the second control unit 281B calculates the second allowable filling amount of coarse fragments M2 in the second storage unit 12B based on the detection result of the second remaining amount detector 30B and the maximum capacity of the second storage unit 12B, and the second communication unit 283B outputs information regarding the calculated second allowable filling amount to the server 4.

[0151] Server 4 transmits the received information regarding the first and second allowable filling amounts to the control device 37 of the crushing device 3 as needed. The control device 37 acquires the information regarding the first and second allowable filling amounts, generates display information regarding the first and second allowable filling amounts, and displays these on the display unit 36.

[0152] The display information regarding the first permissible filling amount and the display information regarding the second permissible filling amount may be displayed together on the display unit 36, for example side by side, or they may be displayed selectively by the user, or they may be displayed alternately at appropriate intervals, for example.

[0153] Furthermore, display information regarding the first and second allowable filling amounts may be displayed on the display units 29 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A and the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B.

[0154] Thus, the sheet manufacturing system 1 comprises a coarse crushing device 3 for coarsely crushing paper M1, a first sheet manufacturing device 100A for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper S using coarse crushed pieces M2 of paper M1 as raw material, a second sheet manufacturing device 100B for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper S using coarse crushed pieces M2 of paper M1 as raw material, and a server 4 connected to the coarse crushing device 3, the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B via a network. Furthermore, the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A includes a first storage unit 12A for storing coarse crushed pieces M2, a first remaining amount detector 30A for detecting the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the first storage unit 12A, a first control unit 281A as a first calculation unit for calculating a first allowable filling amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the first storage unit 12A based on the detection result of the first remaining amount detector 30A, and a first communication unit 283A as a first output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated first allowable filling amount to the server 4. Furthermore, the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B includes a second storage unit 12B for storing coarse crushed pieces M2, a second remaining amount detector 30B for detecting the remaining amount of coarse crushed pieces in the second storage unit 12B, a second control unit 281B as a second calculation unit for calculating a second allowable filling amount of coarse crushed pieces M2 in the second storage unit 12B based on the detection result of the second remaining amount detector 30B, and a second communication unit 283B as a second output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated second allowable filling amount to the server 4. The coarse crushing apparatus 3 includes a storage unit 33 for accumulating coarse crushed pieces M2, a communication unit 373 as an input unit for acquiring information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount from the server 4, a control unit 371 as a display information generation unit for generating display information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount based on the information acquired by the communication unit 373, and a display unit 36 ​​for displaying the display information. With this configuration, when there are multiple sheet manufacturing devices 100, the crushing device 3 can obtain information from the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, in particular, information regarding the first and second allowable filling amounts derived from the remaining amount of crushed pieces M2 in the first storage section 12A and the second storage section 12B, respectively. As a result, decisions regarding the transport of crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the transport of crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the second sheet manufacturing device 100B can be made easily and appropriately.In particular, it is easy to determine whether the coarse fragments M2 should be transported to and replenished in the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A or the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B.

[0155] Furthermore, the control unit 371 makes a first determination to determine whether the amount of crushed material M2 accumulated in the crushing device 3 exceeds a first allowable filling amount, and a second determination to determine whether the accumulated amount exceeds a second allowable filling amount. These determination results are then displayed on the display unit 36. In other words, the display information generated by the control unit 371 includes the results of the first and second determinations.

[0156] For example, if the entire amount of crushed material M2 in the crushing device 3 can be fed into the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, the display unit 36 ​​will display the words "Can be transported to the first sheet manufacturing device 100A" (not shown in the diagram).

[0157] Furthermore, if the entire amount of the crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 can be fed into the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, the display unit 36 ​​will display the words "Can be transported to the second sheet manufacturing device 100B" (not shown in the diagram).

[0158] Furthermore, if the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 can be fed into both the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, the display unit 36 ​​will display the words "Can be transported to the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B" (not shown in the diagram).

[0159] Furthermore, if it is not possible to feed the entire amount of crushed pieces M2 in the crushing device 3 into both the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, the display unit 36 ​​will display the words "Cannot be transported to the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and the second sheet manufacturing device 100B" (not shown in the diagram).

[0160] The display format in the display unit 36 ​​is not limited to characters as described above, but may also include symbols, figures, patterns, or a combination thereof.

[0161] Thus, the crushing device 3 includes an accumulation amount detector 35 that detects the amount of crushed pieces M2 accumulated in the accumulation section 33, and a control unit 371 that acts as a determination unit and makes a first determination of whether the accumulation amount exceeds the first allowable filling amount and a second determination of whether the accumulation amount exceeds the second allowable filling amount, based on the accumulation amount detected by the accumulation amount detector 35 and information on the first allowable filling amount and information on the second allowable filling amount obtained from the server 4. The generated display information includes information on the results of the first and second determinations made by the control unit 371. This makes it easy to determine whether the accumulation amount in the accumulation section 33 of the crushing device 3 exceeds the first allowable filling amount of the first sheet manufacturing device 100A and whether it exceeds the second allowable filling amount of the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, when there are multiple sheet manufacturing devices 100. As a result, the decision to transport the crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the first sheet manufacturing device 100A, and the decision to transport the crushed pieces M2 from the crushing device 3 to the second sheet manufacturing device 100B, can be made more easily, quickly, and appropriately.

[0162] The results of the first and second decisions may be displayed together on the display unit 36, for example, side by side, or they may be displayed selectively at the user's discretion, or they may be displayed alternately at appropriate intervals.

[0163] Furthermore, display information regarding the results of the first and second decisions may be displayed on the respective display units 29 of the first sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A and the second sheet manufacturing apparatus 100B.

[0164] Although the sheet manufacturing system of the present invention has been described in detail in each illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and each part constituting the sheet manufacturing system can be replaced with any configuration that can perform similar functions. Furthermore, any additional components may be added to the sheet manufacturing system. Moreover, the sheet manufacturing system of the present invention may be a combination of the features of each embodiment.

[0165] Although the sheet manufacturing system 1 described above had a server 4, the sheet manufacturing system 1 may not include a server 4 as part of its configuration requirements.

[0166] Furthermore, although the sheet manufacturing apparatus in the above embodiments manufactured sheets using a dry method, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also manufacture sheets using a wet method.

[0167] Furthermore, although the sheet manufacturing system in the second embodiment had two sheet manufacturing devices, the present invention is not limited thereto and may have three or more sheet manufacturing devices. Also, the sheet manufacturing system of the present invention may have a plurality of crushing devices, for example, a first crushing device and a second crushing device.

[0168] Furthermore, the coarse crushing device may also have a waste paper stock section upstream of the input port for storing the waste paper that will be used as raw material.

[0169] Furthermore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus may also have a coarse crushing section. In this case, the coarse crushing section can be configured to have a coarse crushing blade similar to the coarse crushing blade 32 in the aforementioned coarse crushing device 3 on the upstream side of the storage section 12.

[0170] Furthermore, at least one of the sheet manufacturing apparatus and the crushing apparatus may have a detector that detects whether a container similar to the container 50 is loaded in the storage or accumulation section, and the loading / unloading status of the container may be displayed on a display unit installed in the crushing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus, or the other apparatus.

[0171] Furthermore, the container may be equipped with an information-carrying section capable of carrying information about the coarse fragments, such as the type of coarse fragments, paper quality, size, and characteristics. In this case, at least one of the storage section and the accumulation section may be equipped with a reader that reads the coarse fragment information carried in the information-carrying section. The information read by this reader can be used for various management purposes in the coarse crushing device and sheet manufacturing device, and can also be displayed on the display section. The information-carrying section may be rewritable or non-rewritable, and examples include QR codes (registered trademarks), barcodes, other identifiers, IC chips, etc. In addition, information regarding the volume or weight of the coarse fragments present in the container may be written to the information-carrying section as the coarse fragment information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 1…Sheet manufacturing system, 3…Crushing device, 4…Server, 10…Housing, 11…Input port, 12…Storage section, 13…Fibre section, 14…Sorting section, 15…First web forming section, 16…Finement section, 17…Mixing section, 18…Dispersion section, 19…Second web forming section, 20…Forming section, 21…Cutting section, 22…Stock section, 27…Recovery section, 28…Control device, 29…Display section, 30…Remaining amount detector, 30A…First remaining amount detector, 30B…Second remaining amount detector, 31…Input port, 32…Crushing blade, 33…Collection section, 34…Outlet, 35…Collection amount detector, 36...Display unit, 37...Control device, 50...Container, 100...Sheet manufacturing device, 100A...First sheet manufacturing device, 00B...Second sheet manufacturing device, 111...Door, 121...Container loading unit, 141...Drum unit, 142...Housing unit, 151...Mesh belt, 152...Tension roller, 153...Suction unit, 161...Propeller, 162...Housing unit, 170...Housing unit, 171...Additive supply unit, 172...Tube, 173...Blower, 174...Screw feeder, 181...Drum, 182...Housing, 191... Mesh belt, 192...Tensioning roller, 193...Suction section, 201...Pressurization section, 202...Heating section, 203...Calender roller, 204...Heating roller, 211...First cutter, 212...Second cutter, 231...Humidification section, 232...Humidification section, 233...Humidification section, 234...Humidification section, 235...Humidification section, 236...Humidification section, 241...Tube, 242...Tube, 243...Tube, 244...Tube, 245...Tube, 246...Tube, 261...Blower, 262...Blower, 263...Blower, 281...Control unit, 281A...First control unit, 281 B...Second control unit, 282...Storage unit, 283...Communication unit, 283A...First communication unit, 283B...Second communication unit, 291...Indicator, 300...Housing, 301...Optical sensor, 331...Loading unit, 341...Door, 351...Optical sensor, 361...Indicator, 371...Control unit, 372...Storage unit, 373...Communication unit, M1...Paper, M2...Coarse fragments, M3...Fibrated material, M4-1...First sorted material, M4-2...Second sorted material, M5...First web, M6...Fine fragments, M7...Mixture, M8...Second web, S...Recycled paper, P1...Binding agent

Claims

1. The system comprises a coarse crushing device for crushing paper, a sheet manufacturing device that produces sheet-like recycled paper using the coarse paper fragments as raw material, and a server connected to the coarse crushing device and the sheet manufacturing device via a network. The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing coarse fragments, a remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of coarse fragments in the storage unit, a calculation unit for calculating the allowable filling amount of coarse fragments in the storage unit based on the detection result of the remaining amount detector, and an output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated allowable filling amount to the server. The sheet manufacturing system is characterized in that the coarse crushing apparatus comprises an accumulation unit for accumulating the coarse crushed pieces, an input unit for acquiring information regarding the permissible filling amount from the server, a display information generation unit for generating display information regarding the permissible filling amount based on the information acquired by the input unit, and a display unit for displaying the display information.

2. The sheet manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the display information is information that quantifies the allowable filling amount.

3. The sheet manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a crushing device having an accumulation amount detector for detecting the amount of crushed fragments accumulated in the accumulation section.

4. The crushing apparatus has a determination unit that determines whether the accumulated amount exceeds the allowable filling amount based on the accumulated amount detected by the accumulated amount detector and the information on the allowable filling amount obtained from the server. The sheet manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein the display information generated by the display information generation unit includes information regarding the determination result in the determination unit.

5. The sheet manufacturing apparatus has at least one of the following identification information: an apparatus ID that identifies the sheet manufacturing apparatus and a user ID that identifies the user who uses the sheet manufacturing apparatus, and the information regarding the permissible filling amount transmitted from the output unit is associated with the identification information, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The system comprises a coarse crushing device for crushing paper, a first sheet manufacturing device for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper from the coarse paper fragments, a second sheet manufacturing device for producing sheet-shaped recycled paper from the coarse paper fragments, and a server connected to the coarse crushing device, the first sheet manufacturing device, and the second sheet manufacturing device via a network. The first sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a first storage unit for storing the coarse fragments, a first remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of the coarse fragments in the first storage unit, a first calculation unit for calculating a first allowable filling amount of the coarse fragments in the first storage unit based on the detection result of the first remaining amount detector, and a first output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated first allowable filling amount to the server. The second sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a second storage unit for storing the coarse fragments, a second remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of the coarse fragments in the second storage unit, a second calculation unit for calculating a second allowable filling amount of the coarse fragments in the second storage unit based on the detection result of the second remaining amount detector, and a second output unit for transmitting information regarding the calculated second allowable filling amount to the server. The sheet manufacturing system is characterized by comprising: an accumulation unit for accumulating coarse crushed pieces; an input unit for acquiring information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount from the server; a display information generation unit for generating display information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the second allowable filling amount based on the information acquired by the input unit; and a display unit for displaying the display information.

7. The aforementioned crushing apparatus is An accumulation amount detector for detecting the amount of the coarse fragments accumulated in the accumulation section, The system includes a determination unit that makes a first determination of whether the accumulated amount exceeds the first allowable filling amount and a second determination of whether the accumulated amount exceeds the second allowable filling amount, based on the accumulated amount detected by the accumulated amount detector and the information regarding the first allowable filling amount and the information regarding the second allowable filling amount obtained from the server. The sheet manufacturing system according to claim 6, wherein the display information generated by the display information generation unit includes information relating to the results of the first and second decisions made by the determination unit.

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