Separation device and sheet manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a separation device and a sheet manufacturing apparatus which are excellent in collection efficiency of a defibrated material, while achieving low power consumption and preventing an increase in size of the device.SOLUTION: A separation device includes: a defibrating section for defibrating a material containing a fiber; and a separation section including a rotating member which is at least partly formed of a mesh, a first ejection section which ejects a defibrated material produced in the defibrating section onto a first surface, a first suction section which sucks the defibrated material through the mesh to remove foreign matter, a second ejection section which has a second ejection port for ejecting air toward the defibrated material from which the foreign matter on the first surface has been removed, and a second suction section which sucks and collects the defibrated material peeled off from the mesh by the air ejected from the second ejection port. The second ejection section includes a nozzle having: a first portion in which a cross-sectional area of a lumen decreases toward the second ejection port; and a second portion which is provided on an opposite side to the second ejection port of the first portion, and in which the cross-sectional area of the lumen is larger than an opening area of the second ejection port and is constant along a tube axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation device and a sheet manufacturing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a removal device for removing foreign substances and the like in a supplied material has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, this separation device includes a disk-shaped screen 1, a jet port 2 provided on one surface side of the screen 1, a suction port 3 provided on the opposite side of the jet port 2 through the screen 1, a jet port 4 provided on the other surface side of the screen 1 and at a position different from the suction port 3, and a suction port 5 provided on the opposite side of the jet port 4 through the screen 1.

[0004] By supplying the defibrated material onto the screen 1 from the jet port 2 and performing suction from the suction port 3, excessively fine defibrated material can be removed. At this time, foreign substances in the defibrated material can also be removed. Further, when the screen 1 rotates, the defibrated material remaining on the screen 1 also moves. At the moving destination, the defibrated material is detached from the screen 1 by the air ejected from the jet port 4, and the detached defibrated material can be recovered by the suction of the suction port 5.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the separation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in order to more reliably detach and recover the defibrated material from the screen 1, it is necessary to increase the amount of air ejected from the nozzle 4. In other words, it is necessary to increase the amount of power supplied to the blower connected to the nozzle 4, or to prepare a larger blower. In this case, it would lead to an increase in power consumption or an increase in the size of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and can be realized as follows.

[0008] The separation apparatus of the present invention comprises a defibration section for defibrating a material containing fibers, A rotating member having a first surface and a second surface that are in a front-back relationship and at least a portion of which is made of mesh; a first ejection section that ejects the defibrated material generated in the defibration section onto the first surface; a first suction section provided on the second surface side of the rotating member that sucks the defibrated material through the mesh to remove foreign matter; a second ejection section provided on the second surface side of the rotating member and having a second nozzle that ejects air toward the defibrated material from which the foreign matter has been removed on the first surface; and a second suction section provided on the first surface side of the rotating member that sucks and collects the defibrated material that has been separated from the mesh by the air ejected from the second nozzle. The second ejection section is characterized by comprising a nozzle having a first portion in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen decreases toward the second ejection port, and a second portion provided on the side of the first portion opposite to the second ejection port, in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen is larger than the opening area of ​​the second ejection port and is constant along the pipe axis.

[0009] The sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the separation apparatus of the present invention, A deposit section for depositing the defibrated material from which foreign matter has been removed by the separation device, The present invention is characterized by comprising a sheet forming section for forming the sediment generated in the aforementioned sediment section into a sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a sheet manufacturing apparatus equipped with a first embodiment of the separation device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the separation device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the separation device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle included in a second embodiment of the separation device of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle included in the third embodiment of the separation device of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view of the second nozzle outlet of the fourth embodiment of the separation device of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus 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 side view showing a sheet manufacturing apparatus equipped with a first embodiment of the separation apparatus of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle provided in the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4.

[0013] In the following, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, three axes orthogonal to each other are defined as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Also, the xy plane including the x-axis and y-axis is horizontal, and the z-axis is vertical. Further, the direction in which the arrow of each axis points is referred to as "+", and the opposite direction is referred to as "-". Also, the upper side of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 may be referred to as "up" or "upper", and the lower side may be referred to as "down" or "lower".

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes the separation apparatus 1 of the present invention, a mixing unit 17, a loosening unit 18, a web forming unit 19, a sheet forming unit 20, a cutting unit 21, a stock unit 22, and a recovery unit 27. Further, the separation apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply unit 11, a crushing unit 12, a fiberizing unit 13, a separation unit 10, a weight detection unit 8, and a control unit 28. The raw material supply unit 11 and the crushing unit 12 constitute a material supply unit. Also, each part of the separation apparatus 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 28, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 28. In the present embodiment, the control unit 28 included in the separation apparatus 1 controls each part of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a control unit for controlling parts other than the separation apparatus 1 in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 may be provided separately.

[0015] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 also includes a humidifying unit 231, a humidifying unit 234, and a humidifying unit 236. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes blowers 261, 262, 263, and 264. Also, the blowers 261, 262, 263, and 264 can change the air volume by changing the energization conditions.

[0016] In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, a raw material supply process, a crushing process, a fiberizing process, a separation process, a mixing process, a loosening process, a web forming process, a sheet forming process, and a cutting process are executed in this order.

[0017] The configuration of each part will be described below. The raw material supply unit 11 is a part that performs a raw material supply process of supplying the raw material M1 to the crushing unit 12. As this raw material M1, it is a sheet-like material made of a fiber-containing material. Also, the raw material M1 may be in any form such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Further, the raw material M1 may be, for example, recycled paper obtained by defibrating and recycling waste paper, or Yupo paper (registered trademark) of synthetic paper, or it may not be recycled paper. In the present embodiment, the raw material M1 is waste paper that has been used or has become unnecessary.

[0018] The crushing unit 12 is a part that performs a crushing process of crushing the raw material M1 supplied from the raw material supply unit 11 in the air such as in the atmosphere. The crushing unit 12 has a pair of crushing blades 121, a chute 122, and a metering supply unit 123.

[0019] The pair of crushing blades 121 can crush, that is, cut the raw material M1 between them by rotating in opposite directions to obtain crushed pieces M2. The shape and size of the crushed pieces M2 are preferably suitable for the defibrating process in the defibrating unit 13. For example, it is preferably a small piece with a side length of 100 mm or less, and more preferably a small piece with a side length of 10 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0020] The chute 122 is disposed below the pair of crushing blades 121 and, for example, has a funnel shape. Thereby, the chute 122 can receive the crushed pieces M2 that have been crushed by the crushing blades 121 and have fallen.

[0021] Also, above the chute 122, a humidifying unit 231 is disposed adjacent to the pair of crushing blades 121. The humidifying unit 231 humidifies the crushed pieces M2 in the chute 122. This humidifying unit 231 has a filter (not shown) containing moisture, and is composed of a vaporization type or warm air vaporization type humidifier that supplies humidified air with increased humidity to the crushed pieces M2 by passing air through the filter. By supplying the humidified air to the crushed pieces M2, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the crushed pieces M2 to the chute 122 or the like due to static electricity.

[0022] The chute 122 is connected to the defibration section 13 via the pipe 241. The coarse fragments M2 collected in the chute 122 pass through the pipe 241 and are transported to the quantitative supply section 123.

[0023] The quantitative supply unit 123, although not shown in the figures, includes a storage unit for temporarily storing the coarse fragments M2, a weighing unit for weighing the coarse fragments M2 discharged from the storage unit, and a discharge unit for discharging the coarse fragments M2 when the amount of coarse fragments M2 in the weighing unit reaches a set weight. In this way, the quantitative supply unit 123 can intermittently discharge a set weight and quantitatively send it to the defibration unit 13.

[0024] 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-like. The defibrated material M3 may also exist in a state where they are intertwined and form clumps, that is, in a state where they form what is called a "clump".

[0025] The defibration section 13, in this embodiment for example, is composed of an impeller mill having a high-speed rotating rotor and a liner located on the outer circumference of the rotor. The coarse fragments M2 that flow into the defibration section 13 are sandwiched between the rotor and the liner and defibrated.

[0026] Furthermore, the defibration unit 13 can generate an airflow, i.e., an air current, from the coarse crushing unit 12 toward the separation device 1, by the rotation of the rotor. This allows the coarse crushed pieces M2 to be drawn into the defibration unit 13 from the pipe 241. After the defibration process, the defibrated material M3 can be sent to the separation device 1 via the pipe 242.

[0027] 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 separation device 1. This facilitates the delivery of the defibrated material M3 to the separation device 1.

[0028] The separation device 1 is a device that sorts the defibrated material M3 according to the length of the fibers and performs a separation process to remove foreign matter from the defibrated material M3. The configuration of this separation device 1 will be described in detail later. By passing through the separation device 1, the defibrated material M3 has foreign matter such as colorants removed and becomes defibrated material M4 that contains fibers longer than a predetermined length, i.e., fibers of a length suitable for sheet manufacturing. This defibrated material M4 is then sent to the mixing section 17 on the downstream side.

[0029] A mixing section 17 is located downstream of the separation device 1. The mixing section 17 is the part that performs the mixing process of mixing the defibrated material M4 and the binder P1. This mixing section 17 has a binder supply section 171, a pipe 172, and a blower 173.

[0030] The pipe 172 connects the second suction section 7 of the separation device 1 to the housing section 182 of the loosening section 18, and is a flow path through which the mixture M7 of the defibrated material M4 and the binder P1 passes.

[0031] A binder supply unit 171 is connected to the middle of the pipe 172. The binder supply unit 171 has a screw feeder 174. By rotating this screw feeder 174, the binder P1 can be supplied to the pipe 172 as a powder or particles. The binder P1 supplied to the pipe 172 is mixed with the defibrated material M4 to form a mixture M7.

[0032] The binder P1 is used to bind the fibers together in a later process. Examples 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 arabic 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.

[0033] In addition to the binder P1, the binder supply unit 171 may also supply, 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 and other materials less flammable, and a paper strength enhancer for increasing the paper strength of the sheet S. Alternatively, these may be pre-mixed into the binder P1 and supplied from the binder supply unit 171.

[0034] Furthermore, a blower 173 is installed in the middle of the pipe 172, downstream of the binder supply section 171. The rotating parts of the blower 173, such as blades, mix the defibrated material M4 and the binder P1. The blower 173 can also generate an airflow directed towards the loosening section 18. This airflow can agitate the defibrated material M4 and the binder P1 within the pipe 172. As a result, the mixture M7 can flow into the loosening section 18 in a state where the defibrated material M4 and the binder P1 are uniformly dispersed. In addition, the defibrated material M4 in the mixture M7 is loosened as it passes through the pipe 172, becoming finer fibers.

[0035] The loosening section 18 is the part that performs a loosening process in which intertwined fibers in the mixture M7 are separated. The loosening section 18 has a drum section 181 and a housing section 182 that houses the drum section 181.

[0036] The drum section 181 is a sieve composed of a cylindrical mesh body that rotates around its central axis. The mixture M7 flows into this drum section 181. As the drum section 181 rotates, fibers and other materials in the mixture M7 that are smaller than the mesh opening can pass through the drum section 181. In the process, the mixture M7 is loosened.

[0037] The housing section 182 is connected to the humidifying section 234. The humidifying section 234 is composed of an evaporative humidifier similar to the humidifying section 231. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing section 182. This humidified air humidifies the inside of the housing section 182, thereby suppressing the adhesion of the mixture M7 to the inner wall of the housing section 182 due to electrostatic force.

[0038] Furthermore, the mixture M7 loosened in the drum section 181 disperses into the air and falls toward the web forming section 19 located below the drum section 181. The web forming section 19 is the part that performs the web forming process to form a web M8 from the mixture M7. The web forming section 19 has a mesh belt 191, tension rollers 192, and a suction section 193.

[0039] The mesh belt 191 is an endless belt on which the mixture M7 is deposited. This mesh belt 191 is wrapped around four tension rollers 192. The rotational drive of the tension rollers 192 then conveys the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 to the downstream side.

[0040] 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 allows it to 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 web M8.

[0041] 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.

[0042] A pipe 246 is connected to the suction unit 193. A blower 264 is installed in the middle of this pipe 246. The operation of this blower 264 generates suction force in the suction unit 193.

[0043] A humidifying unit 236 is located downstream of the loosening unit 18. The humidifying unit 236 is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier. This allows moisture to be supplied to the web M8, thereby adjusting the moisture content of the web M8. This adjustment suppresses the adhesion of the web M8 to the mesh belt 191 due to electrostatic force. As a result, the web M8 is easily detached from the mesh belt 191 at the position where the mesh belt 191 is folded back by the tension roller 192.

[0044] 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.

[0045] A sheet forming section 20 is located downstream of the web forming section 19. The sheet forming section 20 is the part that performs the sheet forming process, which involves forming a sheet S from the web M8. This sheet forming section 20 has a pressurizing section 201 and a heating section 202.

[0046] The pressurizing section 201 has a pair of calender rollers 203, and can pressurize the web M8 between the calender rollers 203 without heating it. This increases the density of the web M8. Preferably, the degree of heating at this time is such that the binder P1 does not melt. The 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.

[0047] The heating section 202 is used when a thermoplastic resin is used as a binder. The heating section 202 has a pair of heating rollers 204, and can heat and pressurize the web M8 between the heating rollers 204. Due to this heating and pressurizing, the binder P1 melts within the web M8, and the fibers bond together via this molten binder P1. This forms a sheet S. This sheet S is then conveyed toward the cutting section 21. One of the pair of heating rollers 204 is a driven roller driven by a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

[0048] A cutting section 21 is located downstream of the sheet forming section 20. The cutting section 21 is the part that performs the cutting process for cutting the sheet S. This cutting section 21 has a first cutter 211 and a second cutter 212.

[0049] The first cutter 211 cuts the sheet S in a direction intersecting, and especially perpendicular to, the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0050] The second cutter 212 is located downstream of the first cutter 211 and cuts the sheet S in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S. This cutting removes unnecessary portions from both ends of the sheet S, i.e., the ends in the +y axis direction and the -y axis direction, thereby adjusting the width of the sheet S. The portions that are cut off are called "edges".

[0051] By cutting with the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 212 in this manner, a sheet S of the desired shape and size is obtained. This sheet S is then transported further downstream and stored in the stock section 22.

[0052] Next, we will describe the separation device 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the separation device 1 comprises the aforementioned raw material supply unit 11, a coarse crushing unit 12, a defibration unit 13, a separation unit 10, a weight detection unit 8, and a control unit 28. The separation unit 10 includes a rotating member 3 having a mesh 31, a first ejection unit 4 that ejects and supplies defibrated material M3 onto the mesh 31 along with air, a first suction unit 5 that sucks up a portion of the defibrated material M3 on the mesh 31, a second ejection unit 6 that ejects air onto the defibrated material M4 generated by the suction, a second suction unit 7 that sucks up and recovers the defibrated material M4, and a motor (not shown). The rotating member 3, the second ejection unit 6, and the second suction unit 7 constitute a recovery unit that recovers the defibrated material M4, which is the material remaining on the first surface 311.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the rotating member 3 has a mesh 31 that forms a circle in plan view and a support member 32 that supports the mesh 31.

[0054] The mesh 31 has a first surface 311 and a second surface 312 that are in a front-back relationship. In this embodiment, the first surface 311 is the top surface facing vertically upward, and the second surface 312 is the bottom surface facing vertically downward.

[0055] The mesh 31 can be, for example, a mesh made of linear bodies woven together, or a disc-shaped member with multiple through holes. Of the fibers of the defibrated material M3 supplied onto the first surface 311 of the mesh 31, fibers longer than the mesh opening of the mesh 31 remain on the mesh 31, i.e., accumulate, while fibers shorter than the mesh opening of the mesh 31, and minute foreign matter such as colorants, pass through the mesh 31. By setting the mesh opening of the mesh 31 to a desired size, it is possible to selectively leave behind fibers of a length suitable for sheet manufacturing, for example.

[0056] The support member 32 has the function of supporting the mesh 31 and maintaining the flat shape of the mesh 31. In this embodiment, the support member 32 supports the mesh 31 from the first surface 311 side of the mesh 31. The mesh 31 and the support member 32 are fixed together at least in part, and the mesh 31 rotates together with the support member 32 as it rotates due to the operation of a motor (not shown).

[0057] As shown in Figure 3, the support member 32 includes a ring-shaped frame 321 that supports the edges of the mesh 31, a central support portion 322 that supports the central part of the mesh 31, and a plurality of rod-shaped connecting portions 323 that connect the frame 321 and the central support portion 322.

[0058] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 323 is a straight rod with a rectangular prism-like cross-sectional shape. In other words, the connecting portion 323 is a long member that extends from the center to the outer periphery of the mesh 31. In this embodiment, four connecting portions 323 are provided radially, that is, along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31, at equal intervals. The shape of the connecting portion 323 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any shape, such as a round rod.

[0059] Such a rotating member 3 is connected to a motor (not shown) which is a drive unit, and can rotate around a central axis O by the operation of the motor (not shown). The motor (not shown) is configured to have a variable rotation speed depending on the energizing conditions, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 28. In this embodiment, the rotating member 3 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, that is, clockwise when viewed from the first surface 311 side.

[0060] The first ejection unit 4 is installed on the first surface 311 side of the mesh 31. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first ejection unit 4 is installed to the right of the central axis O of the mesh 31 when viewed from the -y axis side toward the +y axis side. The first ejection unit 4 is connected to the downstream end of the pipe 242 and has a first nozzle 41 at a position facing the first surface 311 of the mesh 31. The first ejection unit 4 ejects defibrated material M3 from the first nozzle 41 along with air from above toward the mesh 31, that is, from the first surface 311 side toward the second surface 312, using the airflow generated by the blower 261. This allows defibrated material M3 to be supplied and deposited on the first surface 311 of the mesh 31.

[0061] Furthermore, the first nozzle 41 is positioned at a distance from the first surface 311 of the mesh 31. This allows the defibrated material M4 deposited on the first surface 311 of the mesh 31 to move as the mesh 31 rotates.

[0062] Furthermore, the first nozzle 41 has a shape in which its opening surface extends along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31. That is, in a plan view of its opening surface, the first nozzle 41 has a shape having an arc 411 located towards the center of the mesh 31, an arc 412 located further outward than arc 411, and line segments 413 and 414 connecting the ends of these arcs. Arcs 411 and 412 are along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31, with arc 412 being longer than arc 411. Also, line segments 413 and 414 are arranged in this order from the front in the rotational direction of the mesh 31 and are provided along the radial direction of the mesh 31.

[0063] By supplying the defibrated material M3 from the first nozzle 41 of this shape onto the first surface 311 of the mesh 31, the defibrated material M3 can be supplied and deposited along the rotational direction of the mesh 31.

[0064] The first suction unit 5 is located on the second surface 312 side of the mesh 31 and on the opposite side of the first ejection unit 4 via the mesh 31. The first suction unit 5 has a first suction port 51, and is positioned so that when viewed from the direction of the central axis O of the mesh 31, the first suction port 51 overlaps with the first ejection port 41. The first suction unit 5 is also connected to a blower 262 via a pipe 245, and air can be drawn in from the first suction port 51 when the blower 262 is operated. Furthermore, a recovery unit 27, for example composed of a filter, is provided downstream of the blower 262 on the pipe 245. This allows the first suction unit 5 to capture and recover fibers and foreign matter that it has drawn in.

[0065] Furthermore, the first suction port 51 has a shape in which its opening surface extends along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31. That is, in a plan view of its opening surface, the first suction port 51 has a shape having an arc 511 located towards the center of the mesh 31, an arc 512 located further outward than arc 511, and line segments 513 and 514 connecting the ends of these arcs. Arcs 511 and 512 are along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31, with arc 512 being longer than arc 511. Also, line segments 513 and 514 are arranged in this order from the front in the rotational direction of the mesh 31 and are provided along the radial direction of the mesh 31.

[0066] In other words, the first suction port 51, which is the suction port, has a shape in which the opening width increases from the center of the mesh toward the outer circumference. The defibrated material M3 or defibrated material M4 on the mesh 31 moves faster in the circumferential direction of the mesh 31 as it moves toward the outer circumference of the mesh 31, but with the above configuration, sufficient suction of the defibrated material M3 or defibrated material M4 can be performed even on the outer circumference. In this case, the opening width refers to the length in the direction along the arc 511 or arc 512.

[0067] By sucking the defibrated material M3 from the first suction port 51 of this shape, the defibrated material M3 that has accumulated along the rotational direction of the mesh 31 can be sucked through the mesh 31. Therefore, suction can be performed in accordance with the shape of the accumulated defibrated material M3 on the mesh 31, and foreign matter and short fibers in the defibrated material M3 can be removed evenly.

[0068] The second ejection unit 6 is located on the second surface 312 side of the mesh 31 and at a different position from the first suction unit 5, that is, it is positioned forward of the first suction unit 5 in the rotational direction of the mesh 31. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the second ejection unit 6 is located to the left of the central axis O of the mesh 31 when viewed from the +y axis side toward the -y axis side. The second ejection unit 6 has a second nozzle 600 at a position facing the second surface 312 of the mesh 31. The second ejection unit 6 is also connected to a blower 263 via a pipe 243, and the operation of the blower 263 generates an airflow, allowing air to be ejected from the second nozzle 600. The second nozzle 600 also ejects air from the second surface 312 side of the mesh 31 towards the defibrated material M4 on the first surface 311 through the mesh 31. This allows the defibrated material M4 on the mesh 31 to be separated from the first surface 311 of the mesh 31. This allows for the effective recovery of the defibrated material M4 by suction from the second suction unit 7, which will be described later. The configuration of the second nozzle 600 will be described in detail later.

[0069] The second suction unit 7 is located on the first surface 311 side of the mesh 31 and at a different position from the first ejection unit 4, that is, it is located forward of the first ejection unit 4 in the rotational direction of the mesh 31. The second suction unit 7 also has a second suction port 71 facing the first surface 311 of the mesh 31, and is positioned so that the second suction port 71 overlaps with the second ejection port 600 when viewed from the direction of the central axis O of the mesh 31. The second suction unit 7 is also connected to the upstream end of the pipe 172 of the mixing unit 17. Furthermore, an airflow is generated by the operation of a blower 173 installed in the middle of the pipe 172, allowing suction to be performed from the second suction port 71. This allows the defibrated material M4 separated from the mesh 31 by the second ejection unit 6 to be sucked up and collected and sent downstream, i.e., to the mixing unit 17.

[0070] Furthermore, the second suction port 71 is positioned at a distance from the first surface 311 of the mesh 31. This prevents the suction force of the second suction unit 7 from hindering the rotation of the mesh 31, thereby contributing to the smooth rotation of the mesh 31.

[0071] Furthermore, the second suction port 71 has a shape in which its opening surface is curved along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31. That is, in a plan view of its opening surface, the second suction port 71 has a shape having an arc 711 located towards the center of the mesh 31, an arc 712 located further outward than arc 711, and line segments 713 and 714 connecting the ends of these arcs. Arcs 711 and 712 are along the circumferential direction of the mesh 31, with arc 712 being longer than arc 711. Also, line segments 713 and 714 are arranged in this order from the front in the rotational direction of the mesh 31 and are provided along the radial direction of the mesh 31.

[0072] By sucking the defibrated material M4 on the mesh 31 from the second suction port 71 of this shape, the defibrated material M4 can be recovered along the rotational direction of the mesh 31.

[0073] Thus, the second suction unit 7 functions as a recovery suction unit that sucks up and recovers the defibrated material M4, which is the material deposited on the first surface 311 of the mesh 31. By recovering the material by suction, recovery can be performed without contact with the defibrated material M4, thereby reducing damage to the defibrated material M4.

[0074] Through this separation device 1, the defibrated material M3 becomes defibrated material M4 containing fibers of a desired length or longer and free of foreign matter, which is then transported downstream to become a high-quality sheet S.

[0075] The control unit 28 shown in Figure 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory unit. The CPU can perform various decisions and issue various instructions, for example.

[0076] The memory unit stores various programs, such as a program for separating foreign matter and a program for manufacturing sheet S.

[0077] Furthermore, this control unit 28 may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, or it may be provided in an external device such as an external computer. In this case, communication between the external device and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 may be wireless or wired.

[0078] Furthermore, the CPU and the memory unit may, for example, be integrated and configured as a single unit, or the CPU may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the memory unit may be provided in an external device such as an external computer, or the memory unit may be built into the sheet manufacturing apparatus and the CPU may be provided in an external device such as an external computer.

[0079] Next, the shape of the nozzle 60 of the second ejection section 6 will be described. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the nozzle 60 is a hollow body having a second nozzle 600 and a tubular axis O6. In a plan view of its opening surface, the second nozzle 600 is elongated, and in this embodiment, rectangular. The nozzle 60 is positioned such that the direction of extension of the second nozzle 600 is aligned with the radial direction of the rotating member 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the nozzle 60 has a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. The first portion 61 and the second portion 62 are arranged in this order downward from the second nozzle 600 side.

[0081] The first part 61 is the portion of the lumen 600A where the cross-sectional area decreases towards the second nozzle 600. The cross-sectional shape of the lumen 600A is elongated, and in this embodiment, it is rectangular.

[0082] The first part 61 has an inner surface 61A, an inner surface 61B, an inner surface 61C, and an inner surface 61D. Inner surface 61A and inner surface 61C face each other, and inner surface 61B and inner surface 61D face each other. Inner surface 61A and inner surface 61C constitute the long side of the cross-sectional shape of the lumen 600A. Inner surface 61B and inner surface 61D constitute the short side of the cross-sectional shape of the lumen 600A.

[0083] Furthermore, inner surfaces 61A and 61C are each composed of inclined surfaces that are tilted with respect to the pipe axis O6. Inner surfaces 61A and 61C are tilted in a direction that brings them closer together as they approach the second nozzle 600. This makes it possible to reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A towards the second nozzle 600.

[0084] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces 61A and 61C are each composed of flat surfaces. This makes it possible to maintain a constant rate of gradual reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and the inner surfaces 61A and 61C may be composed of curved surfaces.

[0085] Furthermore, inner surfaces 61A and 61C have the same angle of inclination with respect to the pipe axis O6. However, the configuration is not limited to this; inner surfaces 61A and 61C may have different angles of inclination with respect to the pipe axis O6.

[0086] The inclination angle of the inner surface 61A with respect to the pipe axis O6, and the inclination angle of the inner surface 61C with respect to the pipe axis O6 are not particularly limited, but are preferably 5° to 70°, and more preferably 15° to 40°. This allows the effects of the present invention, which will be described later, to be more reliably achieved.

[0087] The inner surfaces 61B and 61D are parallel to the pipe axis O6. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the inner surfaces 61B and 61D may be an inclined surface that is tilted with respect to the pipe axis O6.

[0088] Thus, the first portion 61 has a pair of inner surfaces 61A and 61C facing each other via the pipe axis O6. This makes it possible to obtain the effects of the present invention, described later, by simply inclining either of the inner surfaces 61A and 61C.

[0089] The second part 62 is located on the opposite side of the second nozzle 600 of the first part 61, i.e., above it. The second part 62 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the lumen 600A. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A of the second part 62 is larger than the opening area of ​​the second nozzle 600 and is constant along the pipe axis O6.

[0090] When the nozzle 60 having such a first part 61 and a second part 62 ejects air, the air can first flow stably down the second part 62, and then the flow velocity can be stably increased in the first part 61. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the flow rate per unit time of the air ejected from the nozzle 60 in order to more reliably detach the defibrated material M4 from the rotating member 3. In other words, there is no need to prepare a large blower or the like, and there is no need to excessively increase the output of the blower 263.

[0091] Furthermore, the ratio of the length of the first part 61 to the length of the second part 62 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 to 5.0, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.0. This makes it possible to more reliably achieve the above effects.

[0092] As described above, the separation device 1 comprises a separation unit 10 having a defibration unit 13 for defibrating a fiber-containing material, a rotating member 3 having a first surface 311 and a second surface 312 that are in a front-back relationship and at least a part of which is made of mesh 31, a first ejection unit 4 for ejecting the defibrated material M3 generated in the defibration unit 13 onto the first surface 311, a first suction unit 5 provided on the second surface 312 side of the rotating member 3 for sucking up the defibrated material M3 through the mesh 31 to remove foreign matter, a second ejection unit 6 provided on the second surface 312 side of the rotating member 3 and having a second ejection port 600 for ejecting air toward the defibrated material M3 from which foreign matter has been removed on the first surface 311, and a second suction unit 7 provided on the first surface 311 side of the rotating member 3 for sucking up and recovering the defibrated material M4 that has been peeled off from the mesh 31 by the air ejected from the second ejection port 600. Furthermore, the second ejection section 6 includes a nozzle 60 having a first portion 61 in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A decreases toward the second ejection port 600, and a second portion 62 provided on the opposite side of the first portion 61 from the second ejection port 600, in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A is larger than the opening area of ​​the second ejection port 600 and is constant along the pipe axis O6. This increases the flow velocity of the ejected air without increasing the airflow rate per unit time of the air ejected from the second ejection section 6, thereby more reliably separating the defibrated material M4 from the rotating member 3. Thus, it is possible to achieve low power consumption and excellent recovery efficiency of the defibrated material M4 while preventing the device from becoming larger.

[0093] Furthermore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes the separation device 1 of the present invention, a web forming section 19 which is a deposition section for depositing the defibrated material M4 from which foreign matter has been removed by the separation device 1, and a sheet forming section 20 which forms the web M8, which is the deposition generated in the web forming section 19, into a sheet shape. This increases the flow velocity of the ejected air without increasing the airflow rate per unit time of the air ejected from the second ejection section 6, thereby more reliably separating the defibrated material M4 from the rotating member 3. Thus, it is possible to achieve low power consumption and excellent recovery efficiency of the defibrated material M4 while preventing the apparatus from becoming larger. As a result, high-quality sheets can be manufactured with low power consumption and a high yield.

[0094] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the rate of gradual reduction of the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A in the first section 61 is constant. This allows for a more stable increase in the flow velocity in the first section 61.

[0095] By ejecting air from the second nozzle 600 toward the defibrated material M4 on the mesh 31, the defibrated material M3 can be peeled off and detached from the mesh 31 along the direction of rotation of the mesh 31.

[0096] Furthermore, the second nozzle 600 has an elongated shape when viewed from above, and its width is constant along its longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to make the airflow velocity of the second nozzle 600 as uniform as possible over its entire longitudinal area. As a result, the defibrated material M3 can be peeled and detached from the mesh 31 more stably.

[0097] <Second Embodiment> Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle included in a second embodiment of the separation device of the present invention.

[0098] The following description will refer to this figure to explain a second embodiment of the separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiment, and omitting explanations of similar matters.

[0099] As shown in Figure 6, the nozzle 60 has a third portion 63 on which a second nozzle 600 is provided. In this embodiment, the third portion 63, first portion 61, and second portion 62 are arranged in that order from the second nozzle 600 side. With the provision of such a third portion 63, air is ejected more straight along the pipe axis O6 from the second nozzle 600. As a result, the defibrated material M4 can be more reliably detached from the rotating member 3.

[0100] Thus, the nozzle 60 is provided between the second nozzle 600 and the first portion 61, and has a third portion 63 whose cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 600A is constant along the pipe axis O6. As a result, air is ejected more straight along the pipe axis O6 from the second nozzle 600. Consequently, the defibrated material M4 can be more reliably detached from the rotating member 3.

[0101] <Third Embodiment> Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle included in the third embodiment of the separation device of the present invention.

[0102] The following description will refer to this figure to explain a third embodiment of the separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. The explanation will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments, and similar matters will be omitted.

[0103] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the inner surface 61A is parallel to the pipe axis O6 and is composed of a plane continuous with the inner surface of the second portion 62. Also, the inner surface 61C is composed of an inclined surface that is tilted with respect to the pipe axis O6, similar to the embodiments described above.

[0104] Thus, in this embodiment, one of the pair of inner surfaces 61A and 61C, inner surface 61C, is inclined with respect to the pipe axis O6, while the other inner surface, inner surface 61A, is parallel to the pipe axis O6. This allows the effects of the present invention to be obtained more effectively, and the pressure loss of the air ejected from the nozzle 60 to be suppressed more effectively.

[0105] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 8 is a plan view of the second nozzle outlet of the fourth embodiment of the separation device of the present invention.

[0106] The following description will refer to this figure to explain a third embodiment of the separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. The explanation will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments, and similar matters will be omitted.

[0107] As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the inner surface 61C is wavy, and the shape of the second nozzle 600 is elongated with one side being wavy. In this way, the second nozzle 600 is elongated in plan view of the opening surface and has portions with different widths along the longitudinal direction, which makes the effects of the present invention more pronounced.

[0108] The wavy pitch P is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 mm to 20 mm, and more preferably 7 mm to 13 mm. This allows the above effects to be more reliably achieved.

[0109] The diameter of the wavy arc portion is not particularly limited, but is preferably between 2 mm and 20 mm, and more preferably between 7 mm and 13 mm. This allows the above effects to be more reliably achieved.

[0110] Furthermore, the minimum width D of the second nozzle 600 is not particularly limited, but is preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm, and more preferably between 0.7 mm and 1.8 mm. This allows the above effects to be more reliably achieved.

[0111] Although the separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention have been described above in the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each part constituting the separation apparatus can be replaced with any configuration that can perform a similar function. Furthermore, any additional components may be added.

[0112] Furthermore, the separation apparatus and sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations or features from the above embodiments.

[0113] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the material supply unit was configured to include a raw material supply unit and a coarse crushing unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may, for example, be configured as a cartridge that supplies coarse crushed pieces.

[0114] In the embodiments described above, the rotating member was circular in plan view and rotated around a central axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mesh may be made up of an endless belt and rotate in a circulating manner by being wrapped around multiple rollers.

[0115] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the first nozzle, first suction port, second nozzle, and second suction port were described as having a curved shape enclosed by two circular arcs and two straight lines. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have any shape, such as a rectangle, polygon, or circle.

[0116] Furthermore, the first nozzle, first suction port, second nozzle, and second suction port may have multiple openings. In this case, it is preferable that the number of openings increases towards the outer periphery of the mesh.

[0117] Furthermore, the shapes of the first nozzle, first suction port, and second suction port are not limited to the illustrated configuration and may be any shape, however, when the opening is divided by an arc passing through the midpoint of the opening surface in the radial direction of the mesh, it is preferable that the outer circumferential portion has a larger area than the inner circumferential portion. Here, the arc refers to the curvature along the outer edge of the mesh. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 100...Sheet manufacturing device, 1...Separation device, 10...Separation section, 3...Rotating member, 31...Mesh, 311...First surface, 312...Second surface, 32...Support member, 321...Frame-shaped body, 322...Central support section, 323...Connecting section, 4...First ejection section, 41...First ejection port, 411...Arch, 412...Arch, 413...Line segment, 414...Line segment, 5...First suction section, 51...First suction port, 511...Arch, 512...Arch, 513...Line segment, 514...Line segment, 6...Second ejection section, 60...Nozzle, 61...First part, 61A...Inner surface, 61B...Inner surface, 61C...Inner surface, 61D...Inner surface, 62...Second part, 63...Third part, 600...Second nozzle, 600A...Lumen, 7...Second suction part, 71...Second suction port, 711...Arc, 712...Arc, 713...Line segment, 714...Line segment, 8...Weight detection part, 11...Raw material supply part, 12...Crunching part, 121...Crunching blade, 122...Crunching blade, 123...Quantitative supply part, 13...Fibrization part, 17...Mixing part, 17 1...Binder supply unit, 172...Pipe, 173...Blower, 174...Screw feeder, 18...Loosening unit, 181...Drum unit, 182...Housing unit, 19...Web forming unit, 191...Mesh belt, 192...Tensioning roller, 193...Suction unit, 20...Sheet forming unit, 201...Pressing unit, 202...Heating unit, 203...Calender roller, 204...Heating roller, 21...Cutting unit, 211...First cutter, 212...Second cutter, 2 2...Stock section, 231...Humidification section, 234...Humidification section, 236...Humidification section, 241...Tube, 242...Tube, 243...Tube, 245...Tube, 246...Tube, 261...Blower, 262...Blower, 263...Blower, 264...Blower, 27...Recovery section, 28...Control section, D...Minimum width, M1...Raw material, M2...Coarse fragments, M3...Fibrate, M4...Fibrate, M7...Mixture, M8...Web, O...Central axis, O6...Tube axis, S...Sheet, P1...Binding agent, P...Pitch

Claims

1. A defibration section that defibrides materials containing fibers, A separation unit comprising: a rotating member having a first surface and a second surface that are in a front-back relationship, at least a portion of which is made of mesh, and which rotates around a rotation axis; a first ejection unit that ejects the defibrated material generated in the defibration unit onto the first surface; a first suction unit provided on the second surface side of the rotating member for sucking the defibrated material through the mesh to remove foreign matter; a second ejection unit provided on the second surface side of the rotating member and having a second nozzle for ejecting air toward the defibrated material from which the foreign matter has been removed on the first surface; and a second suction unit provided on the first surface side of the rotating member for sucking and collecting the defibrated material that has been separated from the mesh by the air ejected from the second nozzle, The second nozzle is elongated and extends toward the axis of rotation when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation, The second ejection section comprises a nozzle having a first portion whose lumen cross-sectional area decreases toward the second ejection port, and a second portion provided on the side of the first portion opposite to the second ejection port, the lumen cross-sectional area being larger than the opening area of ​​the second ejection port and constant along the pipe axis. The first portion has a pair of opposing inner surfaces, each having a pair of ends on the rotating member side that are respectively along the extending direction of the second nozzle, A separation device characterized in that one of the pair of inner surfaces is provided at an inclination with respect to the pipe axis, and the other inner surface is parallel to the pipe axis.

2. The separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rate of gradual reduction of the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen in the first portion is constant.

3. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle is provided between the second outlet and the first portion and has a third portion whose internal cross-sectional area is constant along the axis of the pipe.

4. The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second nozzle has a constant width along the longitudinal direction of the second nozzle.

5. The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second nozzle has portions of different widths along the longitudinal direction of the second nozzle.

6. A separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A deposit section for depositing the defibrated material from which foreign matter has been removed by the separation device, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising a sheet forming section for forming the sediment generated in the aforementioned sediment section into a sheet.

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