Defibration machine

Abstract

A defibration machine (10) breaks an aggregate (11) into fibers (11a). The defibration machine (10) has: a container (30) that accommodates the aggregate (11) and into which a liquid (L) for loosening the aggregate (11) is charged; and an oscillation device (50) that oscillates the container (30) in a direction intersecting the direction (T) in which the liquid (L) is charged into the container (30).

Description

Fiberizer

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiberizer.

[0002] An example of an opening machine that opens up an aggregate of fibers is the cut staple wet opening device described in Patent Document 1. The cut staple wet opening device described in Patent Document 1 opens the block-shaped fibers by combining the impact given to the block-shaped fibers by a shower device and the flow rate difference generated in the opening tank.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 46-034330

[0004] However, in the cut staple wet spreading device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if there are parts of the block-shaped fibers that are difficult to receive the impact of the shower device or if the impact given by the shower device is weak, there is a risk that the block-shaped fibers will not be spread.

[0005] The defibrator that solves the above problems is a defibrator that defibrates an aggregate of fibers, and is characterized by having a container that contains the aggregate and into which a liquid for defibrating the aggregate is poured, and a rocking device that rocks the container in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the liquid is poured into the container.

[0006] According to this, the shaking of the container by the shaking device causes the liquid inside the container to ripple in a direction intersecting the pouring direction. This rippling of the liquid repeatedly applies a force to the aggregate immersed in the liquid inside the container in a direction intersecting the pouring direction of the liquid. This force causes the aggregate to be efficiently defibrated. As a result, even if the aggregate has areas that are difficult to reach with the liquid or areas where the fibers are densely packed, the aggregate can be suitably defibrated.

[0007] Regarding the defibrator, the defibrator may have a fiber input section that inputs the aggregate into the container, the fiber input section being arranged on a first end side of the container, and the container having a discharge port that opens at a second end opposite the first end side and discharges the liquid inside the container, and the rocking device may rock the container in a direction that intersects with the liquid input direction and that is a direction that connects the first end and the second end, and generate a liquid flow inside the container that flows in a liquid flow direction from the first end toward the second end of the container.

[0008] According to this, a liquid flow that flows in the liquid flow direction can be generated by shaking the container by the shaking device. The aggregates put into the container are defibrated while flowing in the liquid flow direction due to the shaking by the shaking device. The defibrated fibers are then discharged to the outside of the container from the discharge port. Therefore, the defibrated fibers can be discharged from the container by utilizing the shaking of the container by the shaking device.

[0009] The defibrator may have a partition plate disposed on the bottom wall of the container and extending in a direction perpendicular to the liquid flow direction. In this way, the aggregates flowing in the liquid flow direction are received by the partition plate. The aggregates received by the partition plate are subjected to a force due to the undulations of the liquid. This can improve defibration efficiency compared to when the aggregates are not received by the partition plate and are defibrated by the force due to the undulations.

[0010] In the defibrator, the partition plate may be disposed upstream of the center position of the bottom wall portion in the liquid flow direction. With this, the aggregates fed from the fiber feeding section are defibrated more as they flow downstream in the liquid flow direction, but by disposing the partition plate upstream of the center position in the liquid flow direction, aggregates that have not been defibrated can be received and defibrated by the partition plate.

[0011] In the defibrator, the partition plate may be entirely mesh-shaped and may have a large number of through-holes formed by gaps in the mesh. This allows the liquid to pass through the partition plate through the through-holes, preventing the liquid from being blocked by the partition plate. As a result, the liquid blocked by the partition plate can overcome the partition plate and at the same time prevent the aggregates from overflowing the partition plate and flowing away. This allows the aggregates received by the partition plate to be efficiently defibrated.

[0012] The present invention can suitably defibrate a fiber aggregate.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a defibrator of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view that schematically shows a defibrator of a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram that explains the rocking of a container. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a defibrator of a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view that schematically shows a defibrator of a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a defibrator of a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a defibrator of a third embodiment. First embodiment

[0014] A first embodiment of a defibrator will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. <Overall Defibrator> As shown in Figure 1, the defibrator 10 defibrates an aggregate 11 of fibers 11a. The defibrator 10 contains the aggregate 11 and has a container 30 into which liquid L for defibrating the aggregate 11 is poured, and a rocking device 50 that rocks the container 30 in a direction intersecting the pouring direction T of the liquid L into the container 30. One example of the liquid L poured into the container 30 is water.

[0015] The defibrator 10 also has a fiber input section 20 that inputs the aggregate 11 into the container 30, an injection device 40 that injects liquid L into the container 30, a liquid tank 60 that stores the liquid L that flows out of the container 30, and a collection container 70 that collects the defibrated fibers 11a.

[0016] The aggregate 11 is formed of carbon fiber, which is an example of fiber 11a. The aggregate 11 is a mass of entangled fabric scraps and used fibers 11a. For ease of explanation, the aggregate 11 and fibers 11a are schematically illustrated in an exaggerated size in the drawings.

[0017] 1 and 2, the liquid tank 60 has a rectangular plate-shaped liquid tank bottom wall 61 and a rectangular cylindrical liquid tank side wall 62 standing upright from the edge of the liquid tank bottom wall 61. The liquid tank 60 opens upward at a liquid tank opening 63 on the opposite side to the liquid tank bottom wall 61. The liquid tank 60 stores liquid L.

[0018] <Container> The container 30 is disposed in a position surrounded at its lower part by the liquid tank side wall 62. The container 30 has a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall 31 and side wall 32 standing upright from the edge of the bottom wall 31. The container 30 is disposed in a state in which the bottom wall 31 and a portion of the side wall 32 near the bottom wall 31 are housed inside the liquid tank side wall 62.

[0019] In the container 30, the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 31 is defined as a first direction X, and the lateral direction of the bottom wall 31 is defined as a second direction Y. The side wall 32 has long side wall portions 32a extending from a pair of long edges of the bottom wall 31 and short side wall portions 32b extending from one short edge of the bottom wall 31. One of the pair of long side wall portions 32a extends from a first end of the bottom wall 31 in the second direction Y, and the other extends from a second end of the bottom wall 31 in the second direction Y. The long side wall portions 32a are rectangular plate-shaped with their longitudinal axes extending in the first direction X, and the short side wall portions 32b are rectangular plate-shaped with their longitudinal axes extending in the second direction Y.

[0020] In the container 30, the short side wall portion 32b stands upright from the first end 30a in the first direction X. The container 30 has a discharge outlet 33 that opens at the second end 30b in the first direction X. That is, the container 30 has the discharge outlet 33 that opens at the second end 30b opposite the first end 30a. The first direction X is the direction in which an imaginary line N that connects the first end 30a and the second end 30b of the container 30 extends. The container 30 also has an opening 34 that opens upward on the side opposite the bottom wall portion 31.

[0021] <Fiber Input Section> The fiber input section 20 is disposed above the container 30, on the first end 30a side of the container 30. The fiber input section 20 has an input port 20a through which the aggregate 11 is input. The input port 20a opens downward. The fiber input section 20 is disposed at a position closer to the short side wall 32b than the center position of the container 30 in the first direction X. The input port 20a of the fiber input section 20 opens toward the opening 34 at a position closer to the short side wall 32b than the center position of the container 30 in the first direction X. The fiber input section 20 inputs the aggregate 11 toward the container 30 from a position closer to the short side wall 32b than the center position of the container 30 in the first direction X. Therefore, the aggregate 11 input from the fiber input section 20 is input at a position closer to the short side wall 32b than the center position of the container 30 in the first direction X.

[0022] <Injection Device> The injection device 40 has a pump 41 , a connection pipe 42 connected to the pump 41 , and an injection unit 43 connected to the connection pipe 42 .

[0023] The pump 41 is disposed inside the liquid tank 60. The pump 41 pumps the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 60 to the connection pipe 42. A first end 42a of the connection pipe 42 is connected to the pump 41. The connection pipe 42 extends upward from the pump 41. A second end 42b of the pump 41 is located above the container 30. The second end 42b of the connection pipe 42 is connected to the spray unit 43. The spray unit 43 is disposed at a position closer to the discharge port 33 than the fiber input unit 20 in the first direction X. The spray unit 43 is also disposed above the container 30.

[0024] A flow path 45 is defined inside the spray unit 43, into which the liquid L supplied from the connection pipe 42 flows. A plurality of spray ports 43a are open on the bottom surface of the spray unit 43. All of the spray ports 43a open toward the opening 34 of the container 30. That is, all of the spray ports 43a open toward the interior of the container 30. Each of the spray ports 43a is connected to the flow path 45. Therefore, the liquid L that flows into the flow path 45 is sprayed from each of the spray ports 43a downward from the spray unit 43, that is, toward the interior of the container 30. When the liquid L is sprayed from the spray unit 43, the liquid L is introduced into the interior of the container 30. The introduction direction T of the liquid L from the spray unit 43 coincides with the vertical direction.

[0025] In the spray unit 43, the direction that is the same as the first direction X of the container 30 is referred to as the "first direction X," and the direction that is the same as the second direction Y of the container 30 is referred to as the "second direction Y." The spray unit 43 has a plurality of rows each made up of a plurality of spray ports 43a aligned in the second direction Y. The plurality of spray ports 43a aligned in the second direction Y are arranged at equal intervals in the second direction Y, but may also be arranged at unequal intervals.

[0026] The injection unit 43 has multiple rows in the first direction X, each row consisting of multiple injection ports 43a aligned in the second direction Y. The rows of injection ports 43a are arranged at equal intervals in the first direction X, but may also be arranged at unequal intervals. The row of injection ports 43a closest to the short side wall portion 32b is referred to as the first injection port row R1. The rows of injection ports 43a are then referred to in order from the first injection port row R1 toward the discharge port 33 as the second injection port row R2, the third injection port row R3, and the fourth injection port row R4. The fourth injection port row R4 is closest to the discharge port 33.

[0027] The liquid L sprayed from the first nozzle row R1 is sprayed toward the aggregate 11 that has just been fed from the fiber feeding section 20. As the flow moves from the second nozzle row R2 to the fourth nozzle row R4, the liquid L sprayed from the nozzles 43a is sprayed toward the aggregate 11 in which defibration has progressed. The aggregate 11 is then defibrated by receiving the spray pressure of the liquid L.

[0028] The liquid L inside the container 30 is discharged to the outside of the container 30 through the discharge port 33. As a result, a liquid flow is generated inside the container 30 in the first direction X from the short side wall portion 32b toward the discharge port 33. In other words, a liquid flow is formed inside the container 30, flowing from the first end 30a to the second end 30b of the container 30. The direction of this liquid flow is referred to as the liquid flow direction F.

[0029] <Rotation Device> The oscillation device 50 has a rod 51 connected to the short side wall 32b of the container 30 and a drive unit 52 connected to the rod 51. The drive unit 52 reciprocates the rod 51 in the first direction X. The drive unit 52 is formed, for example, by a motor. The rod 51 is disposed above the liquid-tank side wall 62 and is connected to a portion of the short side wall 32b that protrudes from the upper end of the liquid-tank side wall 62.

[0030] The container 30 is then swung in the direction in which an imaginary line N connecting the first end 30a and the second end 30b of the container 30 extends, i.e., in the first direction X. In other words, the swung device 50 swung the container 30 in a direction intersecting the direction T in which the liquid L is introduced into the container 30, specifically in the first direction X. The container 30 is swung when the container 30 is repeatedly reciprocated in the first direction X. When the container 30 is swung, a force that moves back and forth in the first direction X is applied to the liquid L inside the container 30, causing the liquid L inside the container 30 to ripple in the first direction X. Due to this waving, a force is repeatedly applied to the assembly 11 immersed in the liquid L inside the container 30 in a direction intersecting the direction T in which the liquid L is introduced.

[0031] Furthermore, inside the container 30, the liquid L that flows along the first direction X toward the short side wall 32b collides with the short side wall 32b and is pushed back by the short side wall 32b toward the discharge port 33. Therefore, repeated shaking of the container 30 by the shaking device 50 generates a liquid flow inside the container 30 that flows in the liquid flow direction F from the first end 30a toward the second end 30b of the container 30. Therefore, the shaking device 50 generates a liquid flow inside the container 30 that flows in the liquid flow direction F. The container 30 has a discharge port 33 at the second end 30b that opens at the downstream end in the liquid flow direction F. Therefore, the liquid L that flows in the liquid flow direction F is discharged to the outside of the container 30 by the discharge port 33.

[0032] Furthermore, when the container 30 is rocked by the rocking device 50, the pair of long side wall portions 32a cause the liquid L inside the container 30 to flow slightly in the second direction Y, but due to the presence of liquid flow in the liquid flow direction F inside the container 30, no significant liquid flow in the second direction Y occurs.

[0033] The driving conditions of the drive unit 52 are adjusted to adjust the force applied to the assembly 11 as the container 30 is rocked. The driving conditions of the drive unit 52 are determined according to the spray pressure of the liquid L sprayed from the spray device 40. When the spray pressure is relatively weak and the defibration efficiency due to the spray pressure is relatively low, the defibration efficiency due to rocking is increased. Conversely, when the spray pressure is relatively high and the defibration efficiency due to the spray pressure is relatively high, the defibration efficiency due to rocking is decreased. The driving conditions of the drive unit 52 and the spray pressure by the spray device 40 may be set by measuring in advance through experiments, etc., or may be calculated by calculation or a trained model. The driving conditions by the drive unit 52 and the spray pressure by the spray device 40 can be set as appropriate.

[0034] <Recovery Container> The recovery container 70 is disposed diagonally below the discharge port 33. The recovery container 70 has a rectangular plate-shaped bottom 71 and a wall 72 standing upright from the edge of the bottom 71. The bottom 71 and the wall 72 are entirely mesh-shaped. Each of the bottom 71 and the wall 72 is provided with through-holes 73 formed by gaps in the mesh. The through-holes 73 are provided throughout the bottom 71 and the wall 72. For ease of explanation, the through-holes 73 are schematically illustrated in an exaggerated size in the drawings. The through-holes 73 are small gaps through which the liquid L can pass but the fibers 11a cannot pass.

[0035] [Operation of First Embodiment] The operation of the defibrator 10 in the first embodiment will be described along with the defibration method. As shown in Fig. 1 , first, with the input port 20a of the fiber input unit 20 open toward the container 30, the aggregate 11 is input from the fiber input unit 20 into the container 30.

[0036] Next, the pump 41 of the spray device 40 pressure-feeds the liquid L toward the connection pipe 42, supplying the liquid L to the spray unit 43. Then, the liquid L is sprayed toward the container 30 from each spray port 43a of the spray unit 43.

[0037] 3, the container 30 is swung in the first direction X by the swinging device 50. The container 30 then reciprocates repeatedly between the positions indicated by the two-dot chain lines, centered on the position indicated by the solid line. As a result, the ejection device 40 and the swinging device 50 generate, inside the container 30, waves that repeatedly swing in the first direction X and a liquid flow in the liquid flow direction F.

[0038] The aggregates 11 introduced from the fiber introduction section 20 flow in the liquid flow direction F while oscillating in the first direction X due to wave motion. Furthermore, because the liquid L inside the container 30 undulates in the first direction X, the aggregates 11 immersed in the liquid L inside the container 30 are repeatedly subjected to a force in a direction intersecting the introduction direction T of the liquid L. As a result, the aggregates 11 are defibrated by the repeated oscillations caused by the wave motion. Furthermore, as the aggregates 11 flow in the liquid flow direction F, the aggregates 11 are hit by the liquid L sprayed from the first nozzle row R1, the second nozzle row R2, the third nozzle row R3, and the fourth nozzle row R4. The spray pressure of this liquid L also promotes defibration of the aggregates 11. The liquid L is sprayed from the first nozzle row R1 to the fourth nozzle row R4 over the entire second direction Y of the container 30. For this reason, the liquid L collides with the aggregate 11 over the entirety in the second direction Y. As a result, the aggregate 11 is gradually defibrated over the entirety in the second direction Y in the process of moving toward the discharge port 33.

[0039] The unraveled fibers 11a are then discharged from the discharge port 33 to the outside of the container 30 by the liquid flow. The fibers 11a discharged together with the liquid L to the outside of the container 30 are received and collected in the recovery container 70. The liquid L discharged into the recovery container 70 is discharged to the outside of the recovery container 70 through the through-holes 73. The liquid L discharged to the outside of the recovery container 70 is received in the liquid tank 60.

[0040] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The defibrator 10 can shake the container 30 using the shaking device 50. The shaking of the container 30 can cause the liquid L inside the container 30 to ripple. This rippling of the liquid L repeatedly applies force to the aggregates 11 immersed in the liquid L inside the container 30. This force causes the aggregates 11 to be efficiently defibrated. As a result, even if the aggregates 11 have areas that are difficult for the liquid L to reach or areas where the fibers 11a are densely packed, the aggregates 11 can be suitably defibrated.

[0041] (1-2) The container 30 has a discharge outlet 33. As a result of the shaking by the shaking device 50, a liquid flow is generated inside the container 30 toward the discharge outlet 33 along the liquid flow direction F. For this reason, the aggregates 11 are defibrated by the rippling and liquid flow of the liquid L as they move toward the discharge outlet 33. As a result, the defibrated fibers 11a are discharged from the container 30 through the discharge outlet 33 to the outside. In other words, the rippling generated for defibration can be used to discharge the fibers 11a from the container 30. For example, compared to using a device for flowing the liquid L toward the discharge outlet 33 in addition to the shaking device 50, the defibrator 10 can defibrate efficiently without increasing the number of parts.

[0042] (1-3) The defibrator 10 has an injection device 40. The liquid L injected from the injection device 40 is directed toward the aggregate 11. For this reason, in addition to the undulation of the liquid L caused by the rocking device 50, the injection pressure of the liquid L can also defibrate the aggregate 11 into fibers 11a. Therefore, the defibrator 10 can defibrate more efficiently by using the undulation of the liquid L and the injection pressure of the liquid L. Second embodiment

[0043] Next, a second embodiment of a defibrator will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Note that the second embodiment is configured by simply adding a partition plate 80 to the container 30 of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed descriptions of similar parts will be omitted.

[0044] <Partition Plate> The partition plate 80 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The entire partition plate 80 has a mesh-like shape. The partition plate 80 has a large number of through holes 81 formed by gaps in the mesh. The through holes 81 are provided throughout the entire partition plate 80. For ease of explanation, the through holes 81 are schematically illustrated in an exaggerated size in the drawings. The through holes 81 are small gaps that allow the liquid L to pass through but prevent the fibers 11a from passing through.

[0045] Two partition plates 80 are provided inside the container 30. The longitudinal dimension of each partition plate 80 is the same as the dimension of the bottom wall portion 31 in the second direction Y. The partition plates 80 are installed across a pair of long side wall portions 32a of the container 30. Therefore, each partition plate 80 extends in a direction perpendicular to the liquid flow direction F inside the container 30.

[0046] The partition plate 80 has a height H, which is the dimension from the bottom wall portion 31 to the upper end of the partition plate 80. The height H of the partition plate 80 is set to a value that allows the liquid L flowing in the liquid flow direction F to easily overcome it. The height H of the partition plate 80 is also set to a value that allows the liquid L to easily overcome waves generated by the rocking of the container 30 by the rocking device 50. The height H of the partition plate 80 is also set to a value that allows the liquid L to overcome the partition plate 80 by rippling while temporarily receiving the aggregates 11 flowing in the liquid flow direction F. Note that the height of the waves generated inside the container 30 depends on the drive conditions of the drive unit 52, and therefore the height H of the partition plate 80 is set appropriately depending on the drive conditions of the drive unit 52.

[0047] One of the two partition plates 80 is a first partition plate 801, and the other is a second partition plate 802. The first partition plate 801 is disposed upstream of the center position of the bottom wall portion 31 in the liquid flow direction F. The second partition plate 802 is disposed downstream of the center position of the bottom wall portion 31 in the liquid flow direction F.

[0048] The first partition plate 801 is disposed closer to the discharge port 33 than the fiber input section 20 and the first jet port row R1. That is, the first partition plate 801 is disposed downstream of the fiber input section 20 and the first jet port row R1 in the liquid flow direction F. Furthermore, the first partition plate 801 is disposed upstream of the second jet port row R2 and the third jet port row R3 in the liquid flow direction F. Therefore, the aggregates 11 introduced into the container 30 from the fiber input section 20 are received by the first partition plate 801 on the upstream side of the first partition plate 801 in the liquid flow direction F. The aggregates 11 received by the first partition plate 801 are defibrated by the flow and rippling of the liquid L in the liquid flow direction F, and then move over the first partition plate 801 and flow downstream in the liquid flow direction F.

[0049] The second partition plate 802 is disposed closer to the short side wall portion 32b in the first direction X than the discharge port 33 and the fourth jet port row R4. That is, the second partition plate 802 is disposed upstream of the discharge port 33 and the fourth jet port row R4 in the liquid flow direction F. Furthermore, the second partition plate 802 is disposed downstream of the second jet port row R2 and the third jet port row R3 in the liquid flow direction F. The assemblies 11 flowing in the liquid flow direction F are received by the second partition plate 802 on the upstream side of the second partition plate 802 in the liquid flow direction F. The assemblies 11 received by the second partition plate 802 are defibrated by the flow and rippling of the liquid L in the liquid flow direction F, and then move over the second partition plate 802 to flow downstream in the liquid flow direction F.

[0050] [Operation of Second Embodiment] The operation of the defibrator 10 in the second embodiment will be described along with the defibration method. The aggregates 11 fed from the fiber feeding section 20 oscillate in the first direction X due to wave motion, while being carried by the liquid flow in the liquid flow direction F. As the aggregates 11 flow in the liquid flow direction F, they are received by the first partition plate 801. Liquid L flows into the aggregates 11 received by the first partition plate 801 from the upstream side in the liquid flow direction F. This allows the aggregates 11 to be defibrated efficiently. In particular, since the aggregates 11 are subjected to waving and the liquid flow while received by the first partition plate 801, they are defibrated in a state spread out in the second direction Y.

[0051] The aggregates 11 and untangled fibers 11a received by the first partition plate 801 move over the upper end of the partition plate 80 due to the undulations and flow in the liquid flow direction F. The aggregates 11 that have moved over the first partition plate 801 are further defibrated by the force applied by the undulations and the injection pressure of the liquid L injected from the second injection port row R2 and the third injection port row R3. Then, as the aggregates 11 flow in the liquid flow direction F, they are received by the second partition plate 802. The liquid L flows into the aggregates 11 received by the second partition plate 802 from the upstream side in the liquid flow direction F. This allows the aggregates 11 to be efficiently defibrated. In this case, too, the aggregates 11 are subjected to the undulations and the liquid flow while received by the second partition plate 802, and are defibrated so as to spread in the second direction Y.

[0052] Then, in the vicinity of the second partition plate 802, the fibers 11a climb over the upper end of the second partition plate 802 and flow in the liquid flow direction F. The aggregates 11 that climb over the second partition plate 802 are further defibrated by the force applied by the undulations and the injection pressure of the liquid L injected from the fourth injection port row R4. The defibrated fibers 11a are then discharged from the discharge port 33 to the outside of the container 30.

[0053] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-3) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0054] (2-1) The defibrator 10 has a partition plate 80 placed inside the container 30. The aggregates 11 received by the partition plate 80 are subjected to a force caused by the undulations of the liquid L. Compared to when the aggregates 11 are defibrated by the force caused by the undulations without being received by the partition plate 80, defibration efficiency can be improved.

[0055] (2-2) The first partition plate 801 is disposed upstream in the liquid flow direction F from the center position of the container 30 in the first direction X. Specifically, the first partition plate 801 is disposed downstream of the fiber input section 20 and the first injection port row R1 in the liquid flow direction F. Therefore, the first partition plate 801 receives the aggregates 11 that are input from the fiber input section 20 and have not been defibrated to an advanced extent. Therefore, the first partition plate 801 can efficiently defibrate the aggregates 11 that have not been defibrated to an advanced extent.

[0056] (2-3) Two dividers 80 are provided in the container 30. The first divider 801 receives the aggregates 11 that have not been defibrated, promoting the defibration of the aggregates 11. Furthermore, the second divider 802 receives the aggregates 11 that have been defibrated, allowing the defibration to be completed before they are discharged from the discharge port 33. Therefore, by providing two dividers 80, the defibrator 10 can defibrate more effectively.

[0057] (2-4) The partition plate 80 has a mesh-like structure. The through-holes 81 of the partition plate 80 are small gaps that allow the liquid L to pass through but not the fibers 11a. Therefore, the partition plate 80 can receive the aggregates 11 while preventing the aggregates 11 from overflowing the partition plate 80 due to the liquid L. Third embodiment

[0058] Next, a third embodiment of a defibrator will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Note that the defibrator 90 of the third embodiment has a configuration in which the way the container is shaken is changed from the first embodiment, so detailed descriptions of similar parts will be omitted.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, the defibrator 90 of the third embodiment has a container 92, a spray device 93, a rocking device 94, and a liquid tank 95. The container 92 has a bottom wall 92a and a cylindrical side wall 92b standing upright from the edge of the bottom wall 92a. The bottom wall 92a and the side wall 92b are entirely mesh-shaped. The bottom wall 92a and the side wall 92b are provided with through holes 92c formed by gaps in the mesh. The through holes 92c are provided throughout the bottom wall 92a and the side wall 92b. For ease of explanation, the through holes 92c are schematically illustrated at an exaggerated size in the drawings. The through holes 92c are small gaps that allow the liquid L to pass through but not the fibers 11a.

[0060] The liquid tank 95 has a liquid tank bottom wall 95a and a cylindrical liquid tank side wall 95b extending from the periphery of the liquid tank bottom wall 95a. The liquid tank 95 has a liquid tank opening 95c that opens on the side opposite the liquid tank bottom wall 95a. The container 92 is accommodated inside the liquid tank 95.

[0061] The spray device 93 sprays and deposits the liquid L into the container 92 housed in the liquid tank 95. The direction T in which the liquid L is deposited by the spray device 93 coincides with the vertical direction. The spray device 93 is installed inside the liquid tank 95.

[0062] The swinging device 94 has a swinging part 96 and a connecting part 97. The connecting part 97 is a wire that extends downward. The connecting part 97 is a hook that is located at the bottom of the swinging part 96. The lower end of the connecting part 97 is passed through the upper end of the container 92. In this way, the connecting part 97 connects the container 92 and the swinging part 96. The container 92 is suspended from the swinging part 96 by the connecting part 97.

[0063] The swinging unit 96 winds or unwinds the connecting unit 97 to position the container 92 at the storage position P1 or the removal position P2. The swinging unit 96 transports the container 92 by moving the container 92 to the storage position P1 or the removal position P2. The storage position P1 is a position where the container 92 is stored inside the liquid tank 95. The removal position P2 is a position where the container 92 is placed outside the liquid tank 95.

[0064] [Operation of Third Embodiment] The operation of the defibrator 90 in the third embodiment will be described together with the defibration method. First, although not shown, the assemblies 11 are placed inside the container 92 when the container 92 is in the removal position P2. Then, as shown in Fig. 6, the container 92 is moved to the storage position P1 by driving the swinging part 96. At this time, the spray device 93 moves to the storage position P1 together with the container 92. Spraying of the liquid L from the spray device 93 is stopped.

[0065] As the container 92 moves from the removal position P2 to the storage position P1, the container 92 is immersed in the liquid L in the liquid tank 95. Then, the liquid L in the liquid tank 95 flows into the container 92 through the through-holes 92c located in the bottom wall portion 92a and the side wall portion 92b immersed in the liquid L in the liquid tank 95.

[0066] Next, the spray device 93 starts spraying the liquid L in the input direction T. The spraying of the liquid L from the spray device 93 generates a liquid flow inside the container 92. The rocking device 94 also drives the rocking section 96 to rock the container 92. The rocking of the container 92 generates a liquid flow inside the container 92 along with waves that repeatedly rock in the rocking direction G.

[0067] The aggregate 11 inside the container 92 sways due to the movement of the waves. As the aggregate 11 is repeatedly swayed by the movement of the waves, it is defibrated, and the fibers 11a of the aggregate 11 collide with each other inside the container 92. As a result, the aggregate 11 is loosened and defibrated into fibers 11a.

[0068] 6, the defibrated fibers 11a are suspended in the liquid L inside the container 92. When defibration of the aggregate 11 into fibers 11a is complete, the spraying of the liquid L from the spraying device 93 is stopped.

[0069] Then, the swinging unit 96 starts to move the container 92 to the removal position P2. As the container 92 moves from the storage position P1 to the removal position P2, the bottom wall 92a and the side wall 92b become exposed to the liquid L in the liquid tank 95. The liquid L in the container 92 is then discharged into the liquid tank 95 through the through-holes 92c located in the bottom wall 92a and the side wall 92b. As a result, the amount of liquid L stored in the container 92 decreases as the container 92 moves from the storage position P1 to the removal position P2.

[0070] 7, when the container 92 moves to the removal position P2, the movement of the container 92 by the swinging unit 96 is stopped. At this time, the entire bottom wall portion 92a of the container 92 is removed from the liquid L in the liquid tank 95. The interior of the container 92 contains fibers 11a defibrated from the aggregate 11.

[0071] [Effects of the Third Embodiment] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those (1-1) and (1-3) described in the first embodiment.

[0072] This embodiment can be modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. In the third embodiment, the through-hole 92c of the container 92 may be provided only in the bottom wall 92a and not in the side wall 92b. Alternatively, the through-hole 92c of the container 92 may be provided only in the side wall 92b and not in the bottom wall 92a. Furthermore, the container 92 does not have to be provided with the through-hole 92c.

[0073] The partition plate 80 in the second embodiment does not have to be a mesh-like plate having a net-like shape as a whole, and may be a plate-like plate without through holes 81. In the second embodiment, the number of partition plates 80 provided inside the container 30 may be one, or three or more. When three or more partition plates 80 are provided inside the container 30, the partition plates 80 may be arranged at equal intervals or at unequal intervals in the first direction X.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the partition plate 80 provided inside the container 30 does not have to extend over the entire second direction Y of the container 30. In this case, the arrangement of the partition plate 80 in the second direction Y can be changed as desired.

[0075] In the second embodiment, with regard to the first partition plate 801 and the second partition plate 802, both the first partition plate 801 and the second partition plate 802 may be positioned upstream or downstream in the liquid flow direction F from the central position in the first direction X of the bottom wall portion 31.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the container 30 may not have the outlet 33. In this case, the container 30 has a mesh-like shape as a whole. That is, the bottom wall 31 and the side wall 32 each have through-holes formed by gaps in the mesh.

[0077] In the first and second embodiments, the container 30 may have a bottom wall 31 that slopes downward from the short side wall 32 b toward the outlet 33. This allows the liquid L to flow toward the outlet 33 by utilizing the slope of the bottom wall 31.

[0078] In the first and second embodiments, the direction in which the container 30 is rocked by the rocking device 50 may be the second direction Y. In this case, the liquid L inside the container 30 undulates in the second direction Y. Furthermore, since the liquid L inside the container 30 is discharged to the outside of the container 30 through the discharge outlet 33, the liquid flow direction F is a direction from the short side wall portion 32b toward the discharge outlet 33. Therefore, the liquid flow direction F and the undulating direction are different.

[0079] In the first and second embodiments, the defibrator 10 does not have to have the fiber input unit 20. In this case, after the aggregates 11 are input into the container 30 in a location different from the defibrator 10, the container 30 is placed above the liquid tank 60 and below the spray unit 43 of the spray device 40.

[0080] In the third embodiment, the defibrator 90 may have a fiber input unit. In the first and second embodiments, the fiber input unit 20 may be disposed above the container 30 at a central position in the first direction X.

[0081] The liquid put into the containers 30 and 92 may be a liquid other than water, such as an organic solvent or oil.

[0082] F Liquid flow direction L Liquid T Input direction 10, 90 Defibrator 11 Aggregate 11a Fiber 20 Fiber input part 30, 92 Container 30a First end 30b Second end 31 Bottom wall 33 Discharge port 40 Injection device 50, 94 Rocking device 80 Partition plate 81 Through hole

Claims

1. A defibrator that defibrates a collection of fibers, comprising: a container that contains the collection and into which a liquid for defibrating the collection is poured; and a rocking device that rocks the container in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the liquid is poured into the container.

2. The defibrator according to claim 1, wherein the defibrator has a fiber input section that inputs the aggregate into the inside of the container, the fiber input section being arranged on the first end side of the container, and the container has a discharge port that opens at a second end opposite the first end and discharges the liquid inside the container, and the rocking device rocks the container in a direction that intersects with the liquid input direction and in which a straight line connecting the first end and the second end extends, generating a liquid flow inside the container that flows in a liquid flow direction from the first end toward the second end of the container.

3. The fiberizer according to claim 2, further comprising a partition plate disposed on the bottom wall of the container and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the liquid flow.

4. The defibrator according to claim 3, wherein the partition plate is disposed upstream of the center position of the bottom wall portion in the direction of liquid flow.

5. A defibrator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the partition plate is entirely mesh-like and has a large number of through-holes formed by gaps in the mesh.

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