Heat Treatment Device

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention provides a heat treatment device capable of imparting a temperature difference to the hot air blown onto the web at least in the center and on both sides in the left and right directions. [Solution] A heat treatment device for a web, comprising a web conveying path within a heat treatment chamber, a duct (20) installed along the conveying path and through which hot air flows, and a plurality of nozzles (21) installed at intervals in the front and rear directions on the side of the conveying path in the duct (20), wherein the interior of each nozzle (21) is divided into left, central, and right nozzle internal flow paths, a blower port (24c) for blowing left hot air onto the web is opened in the left nozzle internal flow path (23c), a blower port (24a) for blowing central hot air onto the web is opened in the central nozzle internal flow path (23a), and a blower port (24b) for blowing right hot air onto the web is opened in the right nozzle internal flow path (23b), and at least the temperature of the central hot air is different from the temperature of the left hot air and the temperature of the right hot air.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-016481 (filing date: February 6, 2024) and enjoys priority benefit from this application. This application includes all contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-016481.

[0002] The present invention relates to a heat treatment device. Background Technology

[0003] A heat treatment device is known for heating a web, such as a film, metal foil, cloth, or paper, while conveying it within a heat treatment chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Heating is performed by blowing hot air from a plurality of nozzles installed within the heat treatment chamber. By heating, a coating solution applied to the web can be dried, the web can be heat-treated, or the web can be stretched. Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-106772 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-032436 The problem to be solved

[0005] In a heat treatment device, there are cases where it is desired to uniformly heat the entire web from one side to the other in the left-right direction (width direction), or to heat one side of the web—either the center or the left or right sides—to a higher temperature than the other.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a heat treatment device capable of imparting a temperature difference to the hot air blown from a nozzle to a web at least in the center of the left and right directions and on both the left and right sides. means of solving the problem

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a heat treatment apparatus for a web comprising: a heat treatment chamber; a conveying path through which a web is conveyed in a forward and backward direction within the heat treatment chamber; a duct installed along the conveying path within the heat treatment chamber and through which hot air flows; and a plurality of nozzles arranged along the left and right directions of the surface of the conveying path side in the duct and installed side by side at intervals in the forward and backward directions. In order for the interior of each nozzle to divide the hot air from the duct into a left nozzle internal path, a central nozzle internal path, and a right nozzle internal path so that the hot air flows along the left and right directions, a left blower port for blowing left hot air onto the web is opened in the left nozzle internal path; a central blower port for blowing central hot air onto the web is opened in the central nozzle internal path; and a right blower port for blowing right hot air onto the web is opened in the right nozzle internal path. At least the temperature of the central hot air and the temperatures of the left hot air and the right hot air It features something else. Effects of the invention

[0008] According to the present embodiment, a temperature difference can be applied to the hot air blown from the nozzle to the web at least in the center of the left and right directions and on both the left and right sides. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of the interior of a heat treatment chamber from the right side after removing the right side wall of a heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of AA of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of a heat treatment apparatus. Figure 5 is a view of the upper duct from the right. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the CC section of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of DD of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the EE in Figure 5. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the FF in Figure 5. Figure 10 is a drawing of the lower duct viewed from the right. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the GG in Figure 10. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of HH in Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view II of Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of JJ in Fig. 10. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 14.

[0011] The heat treatment device (10) of the present embodiment heats the web (W) while conveying it in the forward and backward directions inside the heat treatment chamber (11), thereby drying the coating liquid applied to the web (W) or stretching the web (W) in the width direction, the inclination direction, or the forward direction. The web (W) is, for example, a metal foil, a film, a cloth, paper, etc.

[0012] In the following description, "front and back" refers to the expression when the web (W) is conveyed horizontally from front to back. Also, "left and right" refers to the expression when looking from the incoming side (front) of the web (W) to the outgoing side (back).

[0014] (1) Overall configuration of the heat treatment device

[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat treatment device (10) includes a rectangular heat treatment chamber (11) having insulating walls. The interior of the heat treatment chamber (11) is heated by hot air blown from nozzles (21, 31). An inlet (12) for a web (W) is opened at the front of the heat treatment chamber (11), and an outlet (13) for a web (W) is opened at the rear of the heat treatment chamber (11). In the area extending in the front-rear direction from the inlet (12) to the outlet (13), there is a conveying path for the web (W) inside the heat treatment chamber (11).

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the heat treatment device (10) further includes a tenter device (60) that penetrates the heat treatment chamber (11) in the front-rear direction. The front part of the tenter device (60) comes forward from the inlet (12), and the rear part of the tenter device (60) comes backward from the outlet (13). The web (W) is conveyed by the tenter device (60) through a conveying path and passes through the interior of the heat treatment chamber (11) to be heated.

[0018] (2) Structure of ducts and nozzles in the heat treatment room

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, an upper duct (20) extending in the forward and backward direction is installed above the web (W) conveyor path inside the heat treatment room (11).

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, partition walls (28) are installed at two locations on the left and right sides inside the upper duct (20). Additionally, three duct flow paths (25a, 25b, 25c) are installed inside the upper duct (20) as part of the hot air flow path, in the center, right, and left directions. Each duct flow path (25a, 25b, 25c) extends in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end inside the upper duct (20).

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, hot air intake ports (26a) are opened at the center of the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the upper duct (20). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, inside the upper duct (20), an inlet passage (27) extending from the intake ports (26a) on both the left and right sides to the duct flow path (25a) in the center of the left-right direction is provided as part of the hot air flow path. As shown in FIG. 8, on both the left and right sides inside the upper duct (20), the duct flow paths (25b, 25c) on the left and right sides pass under this inlet passage (27). The inlet passage (27) and the duct flow paths (25b, 25c) on the left and right sides are separated by a wall (29).

[0022] As can be seen from the comparison of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the flow paths (25b, 25c) inside the left and right ducts are narrowed in the vertical direction below the inlet passage (27). This narrowed part is called a narrow section. The front and rear parts of the inlet passage (27) among the flow paths (25b, 25c) inside the left and right ducts are connected by this narrow section. When viewed from above, the flow paths (25b, 25c) inside the left and right ducts and the inlet passage (27) intersect.

[0023] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, hot air intake ports (26b, 26c) are opened at positions on both the front and rear sides of the upper duct (20). The intake port (26b) on the right is in communication with the flow path (25b) inside the duct on the right, and the intake port (26c) on the left is in communication with the flow path (25c) inside the duct on the left.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of nozzles (21) are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction on the lower surface (the side facing the conveyor) of the upper duct (20). As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, each nozzle (21) extends in the left-right direction. The interior of each nozzle (21) is divided by two partition walls (22) into three nozzle internal flow paths (23a, 23b, 23c) in the center, right, and left directions. Each of the three nozzle internal flow paths (23a, 23b, 23c) is part of the hot air flow path.

[0025] At the bottom of each nozzle's internal flow path (23a, 23b, 23c), a hot air blower port (24a, 24b, 24c) for the heat treatment chamber (11) is opened. Each blower port (24a, 24b, 24c) is shaped like a long slit in the left-right direction.

[0026] Each nozzle (21) has a left-right length of approximately 2500 mm. The left-right length of the internal flow path (23a) and air outlet (24a) in the center of the left-right direction is, for example, 50 to 70% of the total left-right length of the nozzle (21). Additionally, the left-right length of the internal flow path (23b) and air outlet (24b) in the right nozzle is the same as the left-right length of the internal flow path (23c) and air outlet (24c) in the left nozzle.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the duct passage (25a) in the left-right center of the upper duct (20) communicates with the nozzle passage (23a) in the left-right center of each nozzle (21), the duct passage (25b) in the right side of the upper duct (20) communicates with the nozzle passage (23b) in the right side of each nozzle (21), and the duct passage (25c) in the left side of the upper duct (20) communicates with the nozzle passage (23c) in the left side of each nozzle (21). Additionally, since a narrow portion is formed as part of the duct passage (25b, 25c) below the inlet passage (27), hot air can be introduced into the nozzle passage (23b, 23c) from the narrow portion of the left-right duct passage (25b, 25c) even below the inlet passage (27).

[0028] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a lower duct (30) is installed inside the heat treatment room (11) below the conveying path of the web (W). The lower duct (30) is shorter in the front-rear direction than the upper duct (20). The front end of the lower duct (30) is located further back than the front end of the upper duct (20).

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, partition walls (38) are installed at two locations on the left and right sides inside the lower duct (30). Additionally, three duct internal passages (35a, 35b, 35c) are installed inside the lower duct (30) as part of the hot air flow path, in the center, right, and left directions. Each duct internal passage (35a, 35b, 35c) extends in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end inside the lower duct (30).

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12, hot air intake ports (36a) are opened at the front positions on both the left and right sides of the lower duct (30). As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, an inlet passage (37) extending from the intake ports (36a) on both the left and right sides to the duct flow path (35a) in the center of the left and right directions is provided inside the lower duct (30) as part of the hot air flow path. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the left and right duct flow paths (35b, 35c) pass over the upper portion of this inlet passage (37) on both the left and right sides inside the lower duct (30). The inlet passage (37) and the left and right duct flow paths (35b, 35c) are separated by a partition wall (39).

[0031] As can be seen from the comparison of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the flow paths (35b, 35c) inside the left and right ducts are narrowed in the vertical direction above the inlet passage (37). This narrow part is called a narrow section. The front and rear parts of the inlet passage (37) among the flow paths (35b, 35c) inside the left and right ducts are connected by this narrow section. When viewed from above, the flow paths (35b, 35c) inside the left and right ducts and the inlet passage (37) intersect.

[0032] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 14, hot air intake ports (36b, 36c) are opened at the rear positions of both the left and right sides of the lower duct (30). The intake port (36b) on the right is in communication with the flow path (35b) inside the duct on the right, and the intake port (36c) on the left is in communication with the flow path (35c) inside the duct on the left.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of nozzles (31) are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction on the upper surface (the surface on the return path side) of the lower duct (30). As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, each nozzle (31) extends in the left-right direction. The interior of each nozzle (31) is divided by two partition walls (32) into three nozzle internal flow paths (33a, 33b, 33c) in the center, right, and left directions. Each of the three nozzle internal flow paths (33a, 33b, 33c) is part of the hot air flow path.

[0034] At the top of each nozzle's internal flow path (33a, 33b, 33c), a hot air blower port (34a, 34b, 34c) for the heat treatment chamber (11) is opened. Each blower port (34a, 34b, 34c) is shaped like a long slit in the left-right direction.

[0035] Each nozzle (31) has a left-right length of approximately 2500 mm. The left-right length of the internal flow path (33a) and air outlet (34a) in the center of the left-right direction is, for example, 50 to 70% of the total left-right length of the nozzle (31). Additionally, the left-right length of the internal flow path (33b) and air outlet (34b) in the right nozzle is the same as the left-right length of the internal flow path (33c) and air outlet (34c) in the left nozzle.

[0036] The duct passage (35a) in the center of the left and right directions of the lower duct (30) communicates with the nozzle passage (33a) in the center of the left and right directions of each nozzle (31), the duct passage (35b) in the right side of the lower duct (30) communicates with the nozzle passage (33b) in the right side of each nozzle (31), and the duct passage (35c) in the left side of the lower duct (30) communicates with the nozzle passage (33c) in the left side of each nozzle (31). Additionally, since a narrow portion is formed as part of the duct passage (35b, 35c) above the inlet passage (37), hot air can be introduced into the nozzle passage (33b, 33c) from the narrow portion of the left and right duct passage (35b, 35c) even on the inlet passage (37).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, each nozzle (31) of the lower duct (30) is located directly below each nozzle (21) of the upper duct (20).

[0039] (3) Structure regarding the generation of hot air

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, four hot air generating devices (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) are installed at a distance from the heat treatment device (10). Although not shown, each hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) is equipped with an air intake, an electric heater for heating the inhaled air, an air blower, and a fan for inhaling air from the intake and, after heating, releasing the air from the blower.

[0041] The four hot air generating devices are a CR hot air generating device (50a) that generates hot air sent to the left-right central duct flow path (25a, 35a) through the right inlet path (27, 37) in the upper and lower ducts (20, 30), a CL hot air generating device (50a') that generates hot air sent to the left-right central duct flow path (25a, 35a) through the left inlet path (27, 37) in the upper and lower ducts (20, 30), an R hot air generating device (50b) that generates hot air sent to the right duct flow path (25b, 35b) in the upper and lower ducts (20, 30), and an L hot air generating device (50c) that generates hot air sent to the left duct flow path (25c, 35c) in the upper and lower ducts (20, 30).

[0043] (4) Structure regarding the suction of hot air into the duct

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a box-shaped storage room (40) is installed on each of the left and right sides of the heat treatment room (11). As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of each storage room (40) is divided into three spaces, a front room (42a), a central room (42b), and a rear room (42c), by two partition walls (41) at the front and back.

[0045] To explain the storage room (40) on the right as an example, as shown in FIG. 1, at the upper part of each of the front room (42a), central room (42b), and rear room (42c), there are air intake ports (44a, 44b, 44c) for drawing air into the room, and dampers (43a, 43b, 43c) for adjusting the amount of hot air drawn from the air intake ports (44a, 44b, 44c).

[0046] In addition, a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) (46a, 46b, 46c) is installed in the interior of each of the front room (42a), central room (42b), and rear room (42c) to remove dust and other particles from the air. Additionally, a temperature sensor (47a, 47b, 47c) is installed to measure the temperature inside the front room (42a), central room (42b), and rear room (42c).

[0047] Below each HEPA filter (46a, 46b, 46c), an opening (48a, 48b, 48c) is installed at the bottom of each of the front chamber (42a), central chamber (42b), and rear chamber (42c), and the hot air passing through the HEPA filters (46a, 46b, 46c) is configured to exit through the opening (48a, 48b, 48c).

[0048] The storage room (40) on the left also has the same structure as the one on the right. The same symbol is used for parts that are common to the storage rooms (40) on the left and right.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, an R hot air generating device (50b) is connected to the air intakes (44a, 44c) of the front chamber (42a) and rear chamber (42c) of the right storage room (40), and an L hot air generating device (50c) is connected to the air intakes (44a, 44c) of the front chamber (42a) and rear chamber (42c) of the left storage room (40). Additionally, a CR hot air generating device (50a) is connected to the air intake (44b) of the central chamber (42b) in the right storage room (40), and a CL hot air generating device (50a') is connected to the air intake (44b) of the central chamber (42b) in the left storage room (40).

[0050] Additionally, on both the left and right sides of the heat treatment device (10), the opening (48a) at the bottom of the front chamber (42a) and the suction port (26b, 26c) at the front of the upper duct (20) are connected by a connecting duct (49a) (see FIG. 1), and as shown in FIG. 2, the opening (48b) at the bottom of the central chamber (42b) and the suction port (26a) at the center of the upper duct (20) in the front-rear direction are connected by a connecting duct (49b), and the suction port (26b, 26c) is connected by a connecting duct (49c).

[0051] Additionally, on both the left and right sides of the heat treatment device (10), as shown in FIG. 2, the opening (48b) at the bottom of the central chamber (42b) and the front intake port (36a) of the lower duct (30) are connected by a connecting duct (49d), and as shown in FIG. 3, the opening (48c) at the bottom of the rear chamber (42c) and the rear intake ports (36b, 36c) of the lower duct (30) are connected by a connecting duct (49e).

[0052] These connecting ducts (49a, 49b, 49c, 49d, 49e) are each part of the hot air flow path.

[0054] (5) Regarding the flow of hot air

[0055] The hot air generated from the CR hot air generating device (50a) (the flow of hot air is indicated by an arrow in the drawing) is sucked into the central room (42b) on the right, and the hot air generated from the CL hot air generating device (50a') is sucked into the central room 42b on the left. In each of the left and right sides, a portion of the hot air introduced into the central room (42b) reaches the duct flow path (25a) in the left-right center of the upper duct (20) via the connecting duct (49b) and the introduction path (27) of the upper duct (20), and the remainder reaches the duct flow path (35a) in the left-right center of the lower duct (30) via the connecting duct (49d) and the introduction path (37) of the lower duct (30). The hot air reaching the duct flow path (25a) in the left-right center of the upper duct (20) is discharged into the heat treatment room (11) as central hot air through the nozzle flow path (23a) in the left-right center of the upper nozzle (21). Additionally, the hot air reaching the duct flow path (35a) in the left-right center of the lower duct (30) is discharged into the heat treatment room (11) as central hot air through the nozzle flow path (33a) in the left-right center of the lower nozzle (31).

[0056] Additionally, the hot air generated by the R hot air generating device (50b) is introduced into the front chamber (42a) on the right and the rear chamber (42c) on the right.

[0057] The hot air sucked into the right side chamber (42a) is sent into the heat treatment room (11) as right side hot air through the connecting duct (49a), the flow path (25b) inside the right side duct in the upper duct (20), and the flow path (23b) inside the right side nozzle.

[0058] Additionally, a portion of the hot air introduced into the right rear chamber (42c) is sent into the heat treatment chamber (11) as right-side hot air through the connecting duct (49c), the right-side duct flow path (25b) and the right-side nozzle flow path (23b) in the upper duct (20). Here, at the point where the right-side duct flow path (25b) and the introduction path (27) intersect, a narrow section (constriction) of the duct flow path (25b) is formed below the introduction path (27), and hot air flows through this constriction. Although the flow of hot air is poor in this constriction, hot air flows into this constriction from both the front and rear sections of the duct flow path (25b) and strikes it; therefore, the hot air blown from the nozzle (21) below this constriction does not change in volume and speed compared to the hot air blown from the nozzle (21) in other sections. Additionally, the remainder of the hot air introduced into the rear chamber (42c) on the right is sent into the heat treatment chamber (11) as hot air on the right through the connecting duct (49e), the flow path (35b) inside the duct on the right side of the lower duct (30), and the flow path (33b) inside the nozzle on the right side. Also, regarding the lower side, the hot air blown from the nozzle (31) above the narrow part of the flow path (35b) inside the duct on the right side has no difference in air volume and air speed compared to the hot air blown from the nozzle (31) in another part.

[0059] In addition, the hot air generated by the L hot air generating device (50c) is introduced into the front chamber (42a) on the left and the rear chamber (42c) on the left.

[0060] The hot air introduced into the left anteroom (42a) is sent into the heat treatment room (11) as left hot air through the connecting duct (49a), the flow path (25c) inside the left duct in the upper duct (20), and the flow path (23c) inside the left nozzle.

[0061] Additionally, a portion of the hot air introduced into the left rear chamber (42c) is sent into the heat treatment chamber (11) as left hot air through the connecting duct (49c), the left duct internal flow path (25c) and the left nozzle internal flow path (23c) in the upper duct (20). Here, at the point where the left duct internal flow path (25c) and the introduction path (27) intersect, a narrow section (constriction) of the duct internal flow path (25c) is formed below the introduction path (27), and hot air flows through this constriction. Although the flow of hot air is poor in this constriction, hot air flows into this constriction from both the front and rear sections of the duct internal flow path (25c) and strikes it; therefore, the hot air blown from the nozzle (21) below this constriction has no change in air volume and air speed compared to the hot air blown from the nozzle (21) in other sections. Additionally, the remainder of the hot air introduced into the rear chamber (42c) on the left is sent into the heat treatment chamber (11) as hot air on the left through the connecting duct (49e), the flow path (35c) inside the duct on the left side of the lower duct (30), and the flow path (33c) inside the nozzle on the left side. Also, regarding the lower side, the hot air blown from the nozzle (31) above the narrow part of the flow path (35c) inside the duct on the left side has no difference in air volume and air speed compared to the hot air blown from the nozzle (31) in another part.

[0062] The airflow from the hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) to the air outlet (24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, 34c) of the nozzle (21, 31) is generated by the rotation of the fan of the hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c).

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, exhaust air intake ports (14) for sucking in air from the heat treatment room (11) are installed on both the left and right sides of the heat treatment room (11). The air sucked in from the exhaust air intake ports (14) passes through an exhaust passage (15) extending in the vertical direction and is discharged to the outside through an exhaust port (16) installed at the top of the exhaust passage (15).

[0065] (6) Structure of the tenter device

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tenter device (60) has a pair of left and right tenter chains (61, 62). The left tenter chain (61) is an endless chain connected to the left drive sprocket (63) and the left drive sprocket (64), and the right tenter chain (62) is an endless chain connected between the right drive sprocket (65) and the right drive sprocket (66). The left drive sprocket (63) and the right drive sprocket (65) are positioned on the receiving side of the web (W), and the left drive sprocket (64) and the right drive sprocket (66) are positioned on the exit side of the web (W).

[0067] This tenter device (60) is a clip tenter device. A plurality of clips (67), which are holding members of the web (W), are mounted at predetermined intervals on each of the left and right pairs of tenter chains (61, 62). Each clip (67) is structured to grip the left and right ear portions of the web (W) between them.

[0068] The drive sprockets (64, 66) rotate, and a pair of left and right tenter chains (61, 62) rotate, causing these clips (67) to rotate as well. In FIG. 4, the rotational direction of the sprockets (63, 64, 65, 66) and the main rotational direction of the tenter chains (61, 62) are indicated by arrows.

[0069] Two tenter rails (68a, 68b) are installed parallel between the left driving sprocket (63) and the left driving sprocket (64). The tenter rail (68a) on the inner side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the tenter device (60) is a rail that is mounted when the left tenter chain (61) travels backward. The tenter rail (68b) on the outer side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the tenter device (60) is a rail that is mounted when the left tenter chain (61) travels forward.

[0070] Additionally, two tenter rails (69a, 69b) are installed parallel between the right drive sprocket (65) and the right drive sprocket (66). The tenter rail (69a) on the inner side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the tenter device (60) is a rail that is mounted when the right tenter chain (62) travels backward. The tenter rail (69b) on the outer side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the tenter device (60) is a rail that is mounted when the right tenter chain (62) travels forward.

[0071] The tenter rails (68a, 68b, 69a, 69b) extend in the front-rear direction within the heat treatment chamber (11). Although not shown, the tenter rails (68a, 68b, 69a, 69b) pass through the inlet port (12) at the front end of the heat treatment chamber (11) and the outlet port (13) at the rear end, respectively, and extend from the inside to the outside of the heat treatment chamber (11). The drive sprockets (64, 66) and the drive sprockets (63, 65) are located outside the heat treatment chamber (11).

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, covers (58, 59) are installed on both the left and right sides of the heat treatment chamber (11) to cover the tenter chains (61, 62) at least from above.

[0073] When the left and right drive sprockets (64, 66) rotate at a constant speed, the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) rotate at a constant speed accordingly. Then, the web (W) held by the clip (67) between the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) is conveyed backward at a constant speed, brought into the heat treatment room (11), heat-treated, and then removed from the heat treatment room (11). Therefore, the space between the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) becomes a conveying path for the web (W).

[0074] In front of the inlet (12) of the heat treatment room (11), a gripping device (not shown) is installed near the left and right drive sprockets (63, 65) to perform an operation of gripping the part of the web (W) from the clip (67), respectively. In addition, in the rear of the outlet (13) of the heat treatment room (11), a gripping release device (not shown) is installed near the left and right drive sprockets (64, 66), respectively to perform an operation of detaching the part of the web (W) from the clip (67), respectively.

[0075] The distance from the right end of the right air outlet (24b, 34b) of each upper and lower nozzle (21, 31) to the left end of the left air outlet (24c, 34c) (this distance is the nozzle width) is greater than the width of the web W held by the left and right clips (67). In a preferred configuration, the nozzle width is at least 100 mm wider than the width of the web (W), and the left and right ends of the nozzle (21, 31) are each at least 50 mm outward from the left and right ends of the web (W). As a result, hot air blown from the nozzle (21, 31) is blown from the right side of the web (W) to the left side.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a rail spacing changing device (70) for changing the spacing between the left tenter rail (68a, 68b) and the right tenter rail (69a, 69b) is positioned in the front lower part of the heat treatment chamber (11). Since the lower duct (30) is positioned behind the rail spacing changing device (70), the lower duct (30) becomes shorter in the front-rear direction than the upper duct (20).

[0078] (7) Electrical configuration and control of the heat treatment device

[0079] A control device (not shown) consisting of a computer is installed in the heat treatment device (10). The control device is connected to a motor that rotates a drive sprocket (64, 66), a motor that rotates a fan of a hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c), a heater of a hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c), a temperature sensor (47a, 47b, 47c), a damper (43a, 43b, 43c), etc. The control device controls these connected devices, etc.

[0080] The temperature of the hot air blown from each of the air outlets (24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, 34c) of the upper and lower nozzles (21, 31) is adjusted by controlling the heater of the hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (47a, 47b, 47c) of the control device. In this embodiment, for both the upper and lower nozzles (21, 31), the temperature of the hot air blown from the air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) on both the left and right sides is controlled to be higher than the temperature of the hot air blown from the air outlet (24a, 34a) in the center of the left and right directions. To this end, the control device controls the heaters of each hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) so that the temperature of the temperature sensors (47a, 47c) of the front room (42a) and rear room (42c) becomes higher than the temperature of the temperature sensor (47b) of the central room (42b).

[0081] The temperature of the hot air blown from the air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) on both the left and right sides of the nozzle (21, 31) is controlled to be approximately the same as the temperature of the temperature sensors (47a, 47c) of the front chamber (42a) and the rear chamber (42c), for example, to be 150 to 200°C. In addition, the temperature difference between the temperature of the hot air blown from the air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) on both the left and right sides of the nozzle (21, 31) and the temperature of the hot air blown from the air outlet (24a, 34a) in the center of the left and right directions of the nozzle (21, 31) is controlled to be, for example, within 30°C.

[0082] Additionally, the volume of hot air blown from each air outlet (24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, 34c) is adjusted by controlling the amount of hot air blown from each hot air generating device (50a, 50a', 50b, 50c) and the damper (43a, 43b, 43c). In the upper and lower nozzles (21, 31), the volume of hot air blown from the left and right air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) may be equal to the volume of hot air blown from the left and right center air outlet (24a, 34a), or it may be slightly greater than the volume of hot air blown from the left and right center air outlet (24a, 34a).

[0083] When setting a difference between the volume of hot air blown from the left and right air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) and the volume of hot air blown from the left and right center air outlet (24a, 34a), the difference is controlled so that, for example, the wind speed at the air outlet is within 5 m / s.

[0085] (8) Operation of the heat treatment device

[0086] During the heat treatment of the web (W), the left and right drive sprockets (64, 66) rotate at a constant speed, and the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) rotate at a constant speed. As a result, the web (W), which is spread out and held by the clip (67) between the left and right tenter chains (61, 62), is conveyed backward at a constant speed and passes through the heat treatment chamber (11).

[0087] In the heat treatment room (11), hot air blown from the upper and lower nozzles (21, 31) comes into contact with the web (W) being conveyed by the tenter device (60), and the web (W) is heated.

[0088] Here, in this embodiment, the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) come out of the heat treatment chamber (11) at the front and rear and come into contact with ambient air, so their temperature is lowered. Additionally, a cover (58, 59) covering the tenter chains (61, 62) is installed, and since the hot air blown from the nozzle (21, 31) does not come into direct contact with the tenter chains (61, 62), it is difficult for the temperature of the tenter chains (61, 62) to rise. In this case, the left and right sides, including the left and right corners of the web (W) held by the clip (67), are less likely to be heated than the central part, and as a result, the temperature is lower than that of the central part. However, as described above, since the temperature of the hot air blown from the left and right air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) of both the upper and lower nozzles (21, 31) is higher than the temperature of the hot air blown from the left and right center air outlet (24a, 34a), the left and right covers (58, 59) or the left and right sides of the web (W) that are exposed to this high-temperature hot air in the heat treatment chamber (11) are heated more than the center part, and the entire web (W) is heated uniformly in the width direction.

[0090] (9) Effects of the example

[0091] In this embodiment, the interior of the nozzle (21, 31) is divided into a left nozzle internal flow path (23c), a central nozzle internal flow path (23a), and a right nozzle internal flow path (23b). In the left nozzle internal flow path (23c), a left air outlet (24c) is opened to blow hot air from the left toward the web (W), a central air outlet (24a) is opened to blow hot air from the center toward the web (W) in the central nozzle internal flow path (23a), and a right air outlet (24b) is opened to blow hot air from the right toward the web (W) in the right nozzle internal flow path (23b). Thus, at least the temperature of the central hot air in the left and right directions can be made different from the temperature of the hot air on the left and the hot air on the right. Therefore, it is possible to blow hot air of an appropriate temperature toward the center and both sides of the left and right directions, respectively, making it easier to uniformly heat the entire web (W) from one side to the other in the left and right direction (width direction).

[0092] In addition, generally, the heat treatment chamber (11) tends to become colder on the left and right sides than in the center of the left and right directions, so the left and right sides of the web (W) tend to become colder. In particular, in this embodiment, the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) come out of the heat treatment chamber (11) and cool down while rotating, and also, since covers (58, 59) covering the left and right tenter chains (61, 62) are installed, the left and right sides of the web (W) tend to become colder. However, in this embodiment, the temperature of the hot air coming out of the air outlets (24a, 34a) in the center of the left and right directions is higher than the temperature of the hot air coming out of the air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) in the right and left directions. By doing so, hot air at a higher temperature is blown toward the left and right covers (58, 59), tenter chains (61, 62), clips (67), and the position of the web (W), thereby allowing the left and right sides of the web (W) to be heated sufficiently to the center. Therefore, even though the inside of the heat treatment chamber (11) tends to be colder on the left and right sides than in the center, it is easy to heat the entire web (W) uniformly from one side to the other in the left and right direction (width direction).

[0093] Here, the heating location (CR hot air generating device (50a), CL hot air generating device (50a')) and the path of the hot air sent to the left and right center air outlets (24a, 34a) are different from the heating location (R hot air generating device (50b), L hot air generating device (50c)) and the path of the hot air sent to the left and right right and left air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c). Therefore, it is easy to increase the temperature of the hot air coming from the left and right right and left air outlets (24b, 24c, 34b, 34c) higher than the temperature of the hot air coming from the left and right center air outlets (24a, 34a).

[0094] Additionally, a hot air introduction path (27, 37) is installed extending from the suction ports (26a, 36a) on the left and right sides of the duct (20, 30) to the duct flow path (25a, 35a) in the center of the left and right directions within the duct (20, 30), and the introduction path (27, 37) is separated from the duct flow paths (25b, 25c, 35b, 35c) on the right and left sides within the duct (20, 30). Thus, hot air can be sent to the duct flow path (25a, 35a) in the center of the left and right directions.

[0096] (10) Change example

[0097] Various modifications can be made to the above embodiment.

[0098] For example, a pin tenter device can be used as a tenter device. The pin tenter device is equipped with a drive sprocket (64, 66), a drive sprocket (63, 65), a tenter rail (68a, 68b, 69a, 69b), and a tenter chain (61, 62), just like a clip tenter device, but as a holding member for the web (W), instead of the clip (67) of the clip tenter device, upward pins are installed at equal intervals. Then, the web (W) is conveyed within the heat treatment chamber (11) while being pierced from above by the pins.

[0099] In addition, instead of a tenter device, a plurality of rollers may be arranged in a forward and backward direction along the conveying path from the inlet (12) to the outlet (13) of the heat treatment room (11), and the web (W) may be conveyed by being carried on these rollers.

[0100] In addition, there is no tenter device or roller of the conveying path, and the conveying path from the inlet (12) of the heat treatment room (11) to the outlet (13) may be conveyed while the web (W) is floating.

[0101] In addition, in a heat treatment device with a conveying method using a clip tenter device, a pin tenter device, or a roller, the nozzle and duct may be installed only above the conveying path of the web (W).

[0102] In addition, in the upper duct and / or lower duct, there is no equivalent to the left and right introduction passages (27, 37) in the above embodiment, and hot air can be introduced directly from outside the duct into the duct passage (25a, 35a) in the left and right center. For example, in the upper duct (20), an opening is installed on the upper surface of the duct passage (25a) in the left and right center, and a connecting duct is connected to this opening so that hot air flows in. Also, in the lower duct (30), an opening is installed on the lower surface of the duct passage (35a) in the left and right center, and a connecting duct is connected to the opening so that hot air flows in.

[0103] In addition, as for heating the air, any of the following may be used instead of an electric heater, such as a steam heater or a gas burner.

[0104] In addition, the number of hot air generating devices is not limited to the four mentioned above. For example, the number of hot air generating devices may be increased further, and the configuration may be such that the hot air sent to the upper duct (20) and the hot air sent to the lower duct (30) are generated by different hot air generating devices. Accordingly, not only can the temperature of the hot air be differentiated in the left and right directions, center, right, and left, but the temperature of the hot air can also be differentiated between the upper nozzle (21) and the lower nozzle (31).

[0105] The above description explains a case where the temperature of the hot air on the left and right sides is higher than that of the hot air in the center of the left-right direction, and the entire web from one side to the other is heated uniformly, in a situation where the interior of the heat treatment chamber tends to be colder on the left and right sides than on the center of the left-right direction; however, the characteristics of the heat treatment chamber, the relationship between the temperatures of the hot air in the center of the left-right direction and on the sides, and the target heating state of the web are not limited to this. For example, to make the center of the web in the left-right direction hotter than the parts on the left and right sides, the temperature of the hot air in the center of the left-right direction may be higher than the temperatures of the hot air on the left and right sides. Furthermore, to make the parts on the left and right sides of the web hotter than the center of the left-right direction hotter, the temperatures of the hot air on the left and right sides may be higher than the temperature of the hot air in the center of the left-right direction.

[0106] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and essence of the invention and are also included within the scope of equivalents to the invention described in the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0107] 10 … Heat treatment device 11 … Heat treatment room 12 … Inlet 13 … Outlet 14 … exhaust air intake 15 … exhaust passage 16 … exhaust port 20 … upper duct 21 … Nozzle 22 … Compartment wall 23a, 23b, 23c … Flow path inside nozzle 24a, 24b, 24c … Air vent 25a, 25b, 25c … Flow path inside the duct 26a, 26b, 26c … Inlet 27 … introduction road 28 … partition wall 29 … wall 30 … lower duct 31 … Nozzle 32 … Partition wall 33a, 33b, 33c … Euro inside nozzle 34a, 34b, 34c … Air vent 35a, 35b, 35c … Flow path inside the duct 36a, 36b, 36c … Inlet 37 … introduction route 38 … partition wall 39 … wall, 40 … storage room, 41 … partition wall 42a … vestibule 42b … central room 42c … rear room, 43a, 43b, 43c … dampers 44a, 44b, 44c … air intakes 46a, 46b, 46c … HEPA filters 47a, 47b, 47c … Temperature sensors 48a, 48b, 48c … opening 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d, 49e … connecting duct 50a, 50a', 50b, 50c … hot air generator 58, 59 … Cover 60 … Tenter device 61 … Left Tender Chain 62 … Right Tender Chain 63 … Left-handed sprocket 65 … Right-handed sprocket 66 … Right drive sprocket 67 … Clip 68a, 68b, 69a, 69b … Tenterrail 70 … Rail spacing changing device

Claims

Claim 1 A heat treatment apparatus for a web comprising: a heat treatment chamber; a conveying path through which a web is conveyed in a forward and backward direction within the heat treatment chamber; a duct installed along the conveying path within the heat treatment chamber through which hot air flows; and a plurality of nozzles arranged along the left and right directions on the surface of the conveying path side in the duct and installed side by side with a space in the forward and backward direction, wherein the interior of each nozzle is divided into a left nozzle internal flow path, a central nozzle internal flow path, and a right nozzle internal flow path so that hot air from the duct flows divided into a left part, a central part, and a right part along the left and right directions, a left blower port for blowing left hot air to the web is opened in the left nozzle internal flow path, a central blower port for blowing central hot air to the web is opened in the central nozzle internal flow path, and a right blower port for blowing right hot air to the web is opened in the right nozzle internal flow path, and at least the temperature of the central hot air is different from the temperature of the left hot air and the temperature of the right hot air. A heat treatment device characterized in that the interior of the duct is divided into a left duct flow path, a central duct flow path, and a right duct flow path so that hot air flows along the left and right directions, and the left nozzle flow path and the left duct flow path are in communication, the central nozzle flow path and the central duct flow path are in communication, and the right nozzle flow path and the right duct flow path are in communication. Claim 2 A heat treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the temperatures of the hot air on the left and the hot air on the right are higher than the temperature of the hot air in the center. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A heat treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a left connecting duct for sending hot air from the left is connected to the left side of the duct, a left inlet path for blowing hot air from the center is connected to the center duct's internal path through the left side of the duct, a right inlet path for blowing hot air from the center is connected to the center duct's internal path through the right side of the duct, and a right connecting duct for blowing hot air from the right is connected to the right side of the duct. Claim 5 A heat treatment device according to claim 4, wherein a narrowed section is formed in the vertical direction of the flow path inside the left duct at a location overlapping with the above-definite introduction path on the left, and hot air from the left is blown into the flow path inside the left nozzle through this narrowed section on the left, and a narrowed section is formed in the vertical direction of the flow path inside the right duct at a location overlapping with the above-definite introduction path on the right, and hot air from the right is blown into the flow path inside the right nozzle through this narrowed section on the right. Claim 6 A heat treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises an upper duct positioned above the conveying path, and the nozzle is an upper nozzle positioned on the lower surface of the upper duct. Claim 7 In claim 6, the heat treatment device has a lower duct positioned below the conveying path as the duct, and the nozzle is a lower nozzle positioned on the upper surface of the lower duct. Claim 8 A heat treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a tenter device is disposed within the heat treatment chamber, and the tenter device maintains the left and right corners of the web with its left and right retaining members, drives the web in the forward and backward directions on the conveying path, blows hot air from the left air outlet toward the position of the left retaining member, and blows hot air from the right air outlet toward the position of the right retaining member.

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