Defibrating machine

Abstract

A defibrating machine (10) for defibrating an aggregate (11) of reinforcing fibers (11a) using a liquid applies a sizing agent (L) prepared in liquid form to the reinforcing fibers (11a) while separating the aggregate (11) into the reinforcing fibers (11a) by means of the sizing agent (L).

Description

Fibrillating machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a fibrillating machine.

[0002] As a fibrillating machine for disentangling an assembly of reinforcing fibers, for example, the cut staple wet opening apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can be mentioned. The cut staple wet opening apparatus described in Patent Document 1 opens block-shaped fibers by combining the impact applied to the block-shaped fibers by a shower device and the flow velocity difference generated in an opening tank.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 46-34330

[0004] In order to reuse scraps from used products and scraps generated in the manufacturing stage, fibrillating of scraps, which are assemblies of reinforcing fibers, is sometimes performed, and simplification of post-fibrillating treatment has always been desired.

[0005] A fibrillating machine for solving the above problems is a fibrillating machine that fibrillates an assembly of reinforcing fibers with a liquid, and applies the sizing agent to the reinforcing fibers while disentangling the assembly into the individual reinforcing fibers with a sizing agent prepared in a liquid state.

[0006] According to this configuration, since the fibrillating machine fibrillates the assembly into individual reinforcing fibers using the sizing agent, sizing treatment for the reinforcing fibers can be performed in conjunction with the fibrillation of the assembly. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a sizing treatment step after the fibrillation step of the assembly, simplification of post-treatment after fibrillation can be achieved.

[0007] The fibrillating machine includes a discharge device having a discharge port for discharging the sizing agent toward the assembly, and a placement portion on which the assembly is placed, the assembly is placed on the placement portion in a state exposed to the atmosphere, the discharge port opens toward the assembly exposed to the atmosphere, and it is preferable that the discharge device discharges the sizing agent from the discharge port so that the sizing agent collides with the assembly.

[0008] According to this, for example, if an attempt is made to defibrate a bundle of reinforcing fibers by colliding it with a structure such as multiple protrusions on a defibration device, there is a risk that the reinforcing fibers may break due to the collision with the structure. In contrast, in a defibration machine, what is collided with the bundle of fibers for defibration is a liquid sizing agent discharged from the discharge port of the discharge device. Therefore, the impact received by the bundle of fibers is smaller than when the bundle of fibers is collided with a structure, and thus the breakage of the reinforcing fibers associated with defibration can be suppressed.

[0009] The defibration machine is equipped with a storage section that houses the aggregate and the sizing agent inside, and the flow of the sizing agent within the storage section disassembles the aggregate into the reinforcing fibers while applying the sizing agent to the reinforcing fibers.

[0010] According to this method, when a flow of sizing agent is generated within the containment area, this flow of sizing agent repeatedly collides with the aggregate, causing the aggregate to break down into reinforcing fibers within the containment area. Furthermore, since the entire aggregate is defibrated in the liquid sizing agent, even if the aggregate is a woven fabric, it becomes easier to defibrate. In addition, the flow of the sizing agent makes it easier for the sizing agent to be applied to the reinforcing fibers, so the sizing treatment of the reinforcing fibers can be performed more efficiently in conjunction with the defibration of the aggregate.

[0011] Regarding the fiber defibration machine, the aforementioned mounting section is provided with a mounting surface on which the aggregate is placed, and the discharge port is preferably positioned to discharge the sizing agent in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned mounting surface.

[0012] According to this, for example, compared to the case where the direction of discharge of the sizing agent from the discharge port is oblique to the mounting surface, the impact on the aggregate by the discharge of the sizing agent can be increased, making it easier for the defibrillator to defibrate the aggregate.

[0013] This invention can simplify post-fibrillation processing.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the defibrating machine of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing the defibrating machine of the embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a modified defibrating machine.

[0015] The following describes one embodiment of the defibration machine. <Overall view of the defibration machine> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the defibration machine 10 defibrates the aggregate 11 of reinforcing fibers 11a into individual reinforcing fibers 11a. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the aggregate 11 is shown schematically, and therefore the weaving method, bending, etc., of the reinforcing fibers 11a in the aggregate 11 are simplified in the illustration.

[0016] The defibration machine 10 uses a sizing agent L prepared in liquid form to break down the aggregate 11 into reinforcing fibers 11a, while simultaneously applying the sizing agent L to the reinforcing fibers 11a. The defibration machine 10 comprises a discharge device 21 for discharging the sizing agent L prepared in liquid form, a conveyor 30 on which the aggregate 11 is placed, and a storage section 40 for storing the discharged sizing agent L. The defibration machine 10 may also comprise a supply device 50 for supplying the aggregate 11 to the conveyor 30, a pump 60 and piping 61 for supplying the sizing agent L stored in the storage section 40 to the discharge device 21, and a recovery container 70 for collecting the defibrated reinforcing fibers 11a.

[0017] <Reinforcement Fibers> The reinforcement fibers 11a are carbon fibers. The aggregate 11 is formed from the reinforcement fibers 11a. More specifically, the aggregate 11 is the scrap material generated when manufacturing a fabric using a reinforcement fiber bundle 11b, which is a bundle of reinforcement fibers 11a. For the sake of clarity, the reinforcement fibers 11a and the reinforcement fiber bundle 11b are schematically shown in the drawings in an exaggerated size.

[0018] <Sizing Agent> Carbon fiber reinforcement fibers 11a are prone to fuzzing due to mechanical friction, etc. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of textiles using reinforcement fiber bundles 11b, fuzzing is likely to occur on the reinforcement fibers 11a. For this reason, sizing treatment is performed on the reinforcement fibers 11a to suppress fuzzing. The sizing treatment is performed by applying a sizing agent L, which has been prepared in liquid form, to the reinforcement fibers 11a before the manufacturing of the textile. The sizing agent L, which has been prepared in liquid form, is an emulsion or aqueous dispersion obtained by diluting a coupling agent, binding agent, etc. with water. In the following description, the sizing agent L, which has been prepared in liquid form, will be simply referred to as "sizing agent L".

[0019] <Storage Section> The storage section 40 comprises a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall 41 and a rectangular cylindrical peripheral wall 42 that rises from the periphery of the bottom wall 41. The storage section 40 opens upward. A passage opening 43 is formed in a part of the peripheral wall 42. The storage section 40 stores the sizing agent L in the part below the passage opening 43. A part of the conveyor 30 is housed in the part of the storage section 40 above the passage opening 43.

[0020] <Supplying device> The supplying device 50 is positioned above the housing section 40. The supplying device 50 comprises a collection housing section 51 for housing the collection assemblies 11, and a supplying section 52 for discharging the collection assemblies 11 housed in the collection housing section 51. The collection housing section 51 opens upward for loading the collection assemblies 11. The supplying section 52 is pipe-shaped. The inside of the supplying section 52 communicates with the inside of the collection housing section 51. The supplying section 52 is provided to supply the collection assemblies 11 housed in the collection housing section 51 to the inside of the housing section 40. The supplying device 50 can be changed to any device that can supply the collection assemblies 11 to the inside of the housing section 40.

[0021] <Conveyor> The conveyor 30 is housed inside the containment section 40 and passes through the perimeter wall 42 across the inside of the containment section 40. The conveyor 30 extends to the outside of the containment section 40 by passing through the passage opening 43 of the containment section 40. The passage opening 43 is sized to allow the reinforcing fibers 11a placed on the conveyor 30 to pass through together with the conveyor 30. The conveyor 30 is positioned above the sizing agent L stored in the containment section 40. Therefore, the conveyor 30 is not immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the containment section 40.

[0022] The conveyor 30 comprises a drive roller 31, a plurality of driven rollers 32, and an endless belt 33 wrapped around the drive roller 31 and the plurality of driven rollers 32. The drive roller 31 and the plurality of driven rollers 32 are supported in a line by a support member (not shown). The endless belt 33 rotates when driven by the drive roller 31. Each driven roller 32 rotates along with the rotation of the endless belt 33 and supports the endless belt 33 from the inside.

[0023] The conveyor 30 includes a mounting surface 34 formed by the portion of the outer surface of the endless belt 33 that faces upward during the rotation of the endless belt 33. The mounting surface 34 is a plane that extends linearly in the conveying direction X by the conveyor 30. The conveyor 30 moves the mounting surface 34 in the conveying direction X by making the endless belt 33 rotate.

[0024] The supply unit 52 of the supply device 50 faces the upstream side of the conveying direction X on the mounting surface 34. Therefore, the assemblies 11 supplied from the supply unit 52 are received and placed on the upstream side of the conveying direction X on the mounting surface 34. Accordingly, the fiber unraveling machine 10 is equipped with a conveyor 30 as a mounting section on which the assemblies 11 are placed. Furthermore, since the mounting surface 34 is formed by the outer surface of the endless belt 33, the conveyor 30 is equipped with a mounting surface 34. The assemblies 11 placed on the mounting surface 34 of the conveyor 30 are placed on the mounting surface 34 of the conveyor 30 while exposed to the atmosphere, without being immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the storage unit 40. When the conveyor 30 is driven, the assemblies 11 placed on the upstream side of the conveyor 30 are sent downstream in the conveying direction X.

[0025] <Discharge Device> The discharge device 21 is located above the housing section 40. Also, in a plan view of the fiber defibring machine 10 from above, the discharge device 21 is located downstream of the supply device 50 in the transport direction X.

[0026] The discharge device 21 comprises a storage section 22 for storing the sizing agent L, and a discharge section 23 connected to the storage section 22. The discharge device 21 comprises three discharge sections 23. The three discharge sections 23 are arranged at equal intervals in the transport direction X with respect to the mounting surface 34. Each discharge section 23 has a discharge port 23a that opens at its lower end. The discharge port 23a opens toward the assembly 11 exposed to the atmosphere. The discharge port 23a discharges the sizing agent L stored in the storage section 22 toward the assembly 11 placed on the mounting surface 34 while exposed to the atmosphere. The discharge ports 23a of each discharge section 23 are arranged such that the discharge direction of the sizing agent L from the discharge section 23 is perpendicular to the mounting surface 34. Specifically, the end face 23b of the discharge port 23a of each discharge section 23 is parallel to the mounting surface 34. Therefore, the discharge port 23a is positioned to discharge the sizing agent L in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 34. The sizing agent L discharged from the discharge port 23a of the discharge unit 23 flows downward from the mounting surface 34 and is received by the storage unit 40.

[0027] <Piping and Pump> Piping 61 connects the housing section 40 and the storage section 22. The first end 61a of piping 61 is connected to the peripheral wall 42 of the housing section 40, near the bottom wall 41. The second end 61b of piping 61 is connected to the storage section 22. Pump 60 is installed on piping 61. When pump 60 is driven, the sizing agent L accumulated in the housing section 40 is supplied to the storage section 22 through piping 61.

[0028] <Collection Container> The collection container 70 collects the defibrated reinforcing fibers 11a. The collection container 70 is located outside the storage section 40 and below the downstream end of the conveyor 30 after it has passed through the passage opening 43. The reinforcing fibers 11a that have been transported to the downstream end by the conveyor 30 fall from the placement surface 34 into the collection container 70 and are collected in the collection container 70.

[0029] [Operation of the Embodiment] The method for defibrating the aggregate 11 using the defibration machine 10 will be described along with the operation of the embodiment. The supply device 50 supplies the aggregate 11 housed in the aggregate housing section 51 from the supply section 52 toward the conveyor 30. The aggregate 11 supplied from the supply device 50 is placed on the upstream side of the transport direction X on the placement surface 34. The aggregate 11 placed on the placement surface 34 is transported toward the downstream side of the transport direction X by the rotation of the endless belt 33.

[0030] The discharge device 21 discharges the sizing agent L stored in the storage section 22 from the discharge ports 23a of each discharge section 23 toward the mounting surface 34. In other words, the discharge device 21 discharges the sizing agent L from the discharge ports 23a so that it collides with the aggregate 11.

[0031] Then, the sizing agent L is discharged from the discharge port 23a of the discharge section 23 on the upstream side in the transport direction X toward the aggregate 11. The sizing agent L collides with the aggregate 11, and the impact causes the entangled aggregate 11 to unravel into reinforcing fiber bundles 11b and reinforcing fibers 11a. In other words, the aggregate 11 is unraveled by the sizing agent L. More specifically, the aggregate 11 is unraveled by the discharge of the sizing agent L toward the aggregate 11, which unravels the reinforcing fiber bundles 11b of the aggregate 11. In addition, the discharge of the sizing agent L toward the aggregate 11 coats the surface of the reinforcing fiber bundles 11b that form the aggregate 11. Therefore, the unraveling machine 10 can perform sizing treatment on the reinforcing fiber bundles 11b and reinforcing fibers 11a in conjunction with the unraveling of the aggregate 11.

[0032] Next, sizing agent L is discharged from the discharge port 23a of the second discharge section 23 from the upstream side in the transport direction X toward the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b. As the sizing agent L collides with the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b, the impact causes the entangled reinforcing fiber bundle 11b to unravel into reinforcing fibers 11a. In other words, the aggregate 11 is unraveled by the sizing agent L. More specifically, the discharge of the sizing agent L toward the aggregate 11 causes the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b to unravel into entangled reinforcing fibers 11a. Furthermore, since the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b is unraveled into reinforcing fibers 11a by the discharge of the sizing agent L, the sizing agent L is applied to the surface of the entangled reinforcing fibers 11a. Therefore, the unraveling machine 10 can perform sizing treatment on the reinforcing fibers 11a in conjunction with the unraveling of the aggregate 11.

[0033] Next, the sizing agent L is discharged from the discharge port 23a of the discharge section 23 furthest downstream in the conveying direction X toward the aggregate 11 of reinforcing fibers 11a. The sizing agent L collides with the aggregate 11 of reinforcing fibers 11a, and the impact causes the entangled reinforcing fibers 11a to untangle and defibrate. In other words, the aggregate 11 is defibrated by the sizing agent L. More specifically, the discharge of the sizing agent L toward the aggregate 11 untangles the entangled reinforcing fibers 11a, further defibrating them. In addition, the discharge of the sizing agent L toward the entangled reinforcing fibers 11a coats the surface of the defibrated reinforcing fibers 11a with the sizing agent L. Therefore, the defibration machine 10 can perform sizing treatment on the reinforcing fibers 11a in conjunction with the defibration of the aggregate 11.

[0034] The reinforcing fibers 11a, which have been defibrated by the discharge of the sizing agent L from the three discharge ports 23, are then transported downstream in the transport direction X by the conveyor 30. The reinforcing fibers 11a that have passed through the passage opening 43 and been transported outside the storage section 40 by the conveyor 30 are collected in the recovery container 70.

[0035] The reinforcing fibers 11a collected in the collection container 70 are reused after undergoing a dewatering process and a drying process (not shown). Once the drying process is complete, the reinforcing fibers 11a have undergone sizing.

[0036] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The defibration machine 10 defibrates the aggregate 11 and the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b into reinforcing fibers 11a by using a sizing agent L, so that sizing treatment can be performed on the reinforcing fibers 11a at the same time as the defibration of the reinforcing fibers 11a. Therefore, there is no need to provide a step for sizing treatment after the defibration process of the aggregate 11, so that post-defibration processing can be simplified.

[0037] (2) In the defibration machine 10, the discharge device 21 discharges a sizing agent L, which has been prepared in liquid form for defibration of the aggregate 11, from the discharge port 23a toward the aggregate 11. The impact from the sizing agent L that collides with the aggregate 11 causes the aggregate 11 to break down into a reinforced fiber bundle 11b, and further defibrate into reinforced fibers 11a. The impact that the aggregate 11, the reinforced fiber bundle 11b, and the reinforced fibers 11a receive due to the impact of the sizing agent L is smaller than, for example, when the aggregate 11 is struck against a structure, so that breakage of the reinforced fibers 11a due to defibration can be suppressed.

[0038] (3) The conveyor 30 places the aggregate 11 in an exposed state. In other words, the aggregate 11 is not immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the containment section 40. As a result, the sizing agent L discharged from the discharge port 23a directly collides with the aggregate 11, the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b, and the reinforcing fibers 11a. This collision makes it easier for the aggregate 11 and the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b to unravel into the reinforcing fibers 11a. As a result, the defibration machine 10 can efficiently defibrate while suppressing breakage of the reinforcing fibers 11a.

[0039] (4) A portion of the conveyor 30 is housed inside the storage section 40, but it is not immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the storage section 40. Therefore, in the defibring machine 10, it is not necessary to ensure the sealing of the passage opening 43 through which the conveyor 30 passes, as is the case when the conveyor 30 is immersed in the sizing agent L. Thus, the structure of the defibring machine 10 can be simplified.

[0040] (5) In the discharge device 21, the discharge port 23a is arranged at a position that discharges the sizing agent L in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 34. For example, compared with a case where the discharge direction of the sizing agent L from the discharge port 23a is oblique with respect to the mounting surface 34, the impact applied to the aggregate 11 by the discharge of the sizing agent L can be increased, so that the defibrating machine 10 can easily defibrate the aggregate 11.

[0041] (6) In the discharge device 21, the discharge port 23a is arranged at a position that discharges the sizing agent L in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 34. Therefore, after the sizing agent L discharged from the discharge port 23a collides with the aggregate 11, the reinforced fiber bundles 11b, or the reinforced fibers 11a, it is easily rebounded by the mounting surface 34 toward the aggregate 11, the reinforced fiber bundles 11b, or the reinforced fibers 11a. Therefore, the sizing agent L is easily applied to the reinforced fibers 11a, so that the sizing treatment can be performed efficiently.

[0042] (7) The defibrating machine 10 includes a pump 60 and a pipe 61. The pipe 61 connects the accommodating portion 40 and the storage portion 22. The sizing agent L after being discharged toward the aggregate 11, the reinforced fiber bundles 11b, or the reinforced fibers 11a is stored in the accommodating portion 40, and then returned to the storage portion 22 through the pipe 61 by driving of the pump 60. Therefore, the defibrating machine 10 can reuse the sizing agent L, thereby suppressing an increase in cost required for defibration.

[0043] (8) The defibrating machine 10 includes three discharge portions 23 arranged from upstream to downstream in the conveyance direction X. According to this configuration, the aggregate 11 can be gradually disentangled by discharge of the sizing agent L. Therefore, compared with a case where defibration is performed only by discharging the sizing agent L from one discharge port 23a, for example, the aggregate 11 can be further defibrated into individual reinforced fibers 11a.

[0044] [Modified Example] The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined with each other within a technically consistent range.

[0045] ○ As shown in FIG. 3, the defibrating machine 10 may not include a conveyor 30. The defibrating machine 10 includes a housing portion 40 that houses an aggregate 11 and a sizing agent L therein. The aggregate 11 is immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the housing portion 40.

[0046] In the defibrating machine 10, the discharge port 23a of the discharge portion 23 is disposed in the sizing agent L stored in the housing portion 40. Then, the discharge device 21 discharges the sizing agent L from the discharge port 23a so as to form a flow C of the sizing agent L stored in the housing portion 40. This defibrating machine 10 applies the sizing agent L to the reinforcing fibers 11a while disentangling the aggregate 11 into the reinforcing fibers 11a by the flow C of the sizing agent L in the housing portion 40.

[0047] Specifically, for defibration of the aggregate 11, first, the aggregate 11 is supplied from a supply device 50 through a supply portion 52 into the sizing agent L stored in the housing portion 40. The supplied aggregate 11 sinks and is placed on a bottom wall 41. At this time, it is preferable that the aggregate 11 is disposed directly below the discharge port 23a.

[0048] Subsequently, discharge of the sizing agent L from the discharge port 23a of the discharge portion 23 is started. The discharge of the sizing agent L from the discharge port 23a generates the flow C of the sizing agent L within the housing portion 40. When the flow C of the sizing agent L is generated within the housing portion 40, the flow C of the sizing agent L repeatedly collides with the aggregate 11, whereby the aggregate 11 is disentangled into the reinforcing fibers 11a within the housing portion 40. If a plurality of aggregates 11 are housed in the housing portion 40, the flow C of the sizing agent L causes the aggregates 11 to collide with each other inside the housing portion 40. Repeated collision between the aggregates 11 disentangles and defibrates the aggregates 11 into reinforcing fiber bundles 11b, and further defibrates the reinforcing fiber bundles 11b into individual reinforcing fibers 11a.

[0049] When configured in this manner, defibration of the aggregate 11 is performed in a state where the entire aggregate 11 is immersed in the liquid of the sizing agent L, so that a sizing treatment is performed in conjunction with the defibration of the aggregate 11.

[0050] Furthermore, since the defibration of the aggregate 11 is performed with the entire aggregate 11 immersed in the sizing agent L, it is easy to defibrate the aggregate 11 even if it is a woven fabric. Therefore, the aggregate 11 can be defibrated without having to perform a process to unravel the woven fabric as a pre-process, thus reducing the number of steps. Moreover, although the flow C of the sizing agent L repeatedly collides with the aggregate 11, the impact that the aggregate 11 receives as a result of the collision is small. As a result, defibration by the defibration machine 10 can suppress the breakage of the reinforcing fibers 11a.

[0051] ○In the defibration machine 10 shown in Figure 3, the discharge device 21 may be omitted. The defibration machine 10 may generate a flow C in the sizing agent L by injecting bubbles into the sizing agent L in the containment section 40 where the sizing agent L and aggregate 11 are contained, or by rotating a screw placed in the sizing agent L. The flow C of sizing agent L generated by injecting bubbles or rotating the screw may be repeatedly made to collide with the aggregate 11 to break down the aggregate 11 into reinforcing fibers 11a.

[0052] ○ The aggregate 11 does not have to be a woven fabric. ○ The reinforcing fibers 11a are not limited to carbon fibers. For example, the reinforcing fibers 11a may be inorganic fibers other than carbon fibers, or organic fibers. Also, the reinforcing fibers 11a may be different types of organic fibers, different types of inorganic fibers, or blended fibers obtained by blending organic and inorganic fibers. Examples of organic fibers include aramid fibers, poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole fibers, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. Examples of inorganic fibers include glass fibers and ceramic fibers.

[0053] ○The number of discharge sections 23, the spacing between discharge sections 23, the length of discharge sections 23, the diameter of the discharge port 23a, etc., can be changed as appropriate. ○For the three discharge sections 23, the distance between the mounting surface 34 and the discharge port 23a may be gradually increased from upstream to downstream in the transport direction X. With this configuration, the discharge pressure of the sizing agent L from the three discharge sections 23 can be kept constant, while reducing the impact on the aggregate 11 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction X. As a result, the aggregate 11 and the reinforcing fiber bundle 11b can be defibrated with a discharge pressure corresponding to the downstream of the aggregate 11 in the transport direction X, and the entangled reinforcing fibers 11a can also be defibrated.

[0054] ○The conveyor 30 may be positioned so as to be immersed in the sizing agent L stored in the storage section 40. In this case, the aggregate 11 is placed on the mounting surface 34 of the conveyor 30 in a container that allows the sizing agent L to pass through, like a cage. The aggregate 11 is then defibrated by repeated collisions of the flow C of the sizing agent L within the container.

[0055] C Flow L Sizing agent 10 Fiber defibration machine 11 Assembly 11a Reinforcement fiber 21 Discharge device 23a Discharge port 30 Conveyor as a mounting section 34 Mounting surface 40 Storage section 41 Bottom wall

Claims

1. A defibration machine for defibrating an aggregate of reinforcing fibers with a liquid, characterized in that the defibration machine dissolves the aggregate into the reinforcing fibers with a sizing agent prepared in liquid form, while simultaneously applying the sizing agent to the reinforcing fibers.

2. A defibrillator according to claim 1, comprising a discharge device having a discharge port for discharging the sizing agent toward the aggregate, and a mounting section on which the aggregate is placed, wherein the aggregate is placed on the mounting section in an exposed state, the discharge port opens toward the aggregate exposed to the atmosphere, and the discharge device discharges the sizing agent from the discharge port so as to cause the sizing agent to collide with the aggregate.

3. The defibrillator according to claim 1, comprising a housing section for housing the aggregate and the sizing agent, wherein the flow of the sizing agent within the housing section disassembles the aggregate into the reinforcing fibers and applies the sizing agent to the reinforcing fibers.

4. The defibration machine according to claim 2, wherein the mounting section comprises a mounting surface on which the aggregate is mounted, and the discharge port is positioned to discharge the sizing agent in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface described above.

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