JP2017190538A - Pulp stacked sheet manufacturing device and pulp stacked sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus and a pulp fiber sheet manufacturing method for manufacturing a thin and strong pulp fiber sheet. SOLUTION: This pulp stacking fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has both sides of a transport device 109 for transporting a pulp layer in which crushed pulp or fibers 103 containing the crushed pulp as a main raw material are stacked, and the pulp layer being transported. The pulp layer is formed into a sheet by pressing the pulp layer at a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a pulp fiber sheet that can be used as a cleaning sheet.

  Some wet tissues are composed of a first layer made of a tissue web containing cellulose fibers and a second layer made of an airlaid nonwoven web (see Patent Document 1, Claims, and Claim 11).

  The wet tissue described in Patent Document 1 requires a first layer obtained by papermaking, a second layer (pulp layer) obtained by an airlaid method different from the first layer, and a binder that integrates the two. And

US Pat. No. 8,257,553

  However, since a pulp fiber sheet including a pulp layer obtained by the airlaid method requires a basis weight of a predetermined amount or more in terms of configuration, it is difficult to make it thin and to have strength.

  The objective of this invention is providing the pulp pile fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus and pulp pile fiber sheet manufacturing method which manufacture the pulp pile fiber sheet which is thin and strong.

  The pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a transport device that transports a pulp layer in which pulverized pulp or fibers using the pulverized pulp as a main raw material are stacked, and the pulp layer that is being transported. A pressing device that presses both sides with a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value and forms the pulp layer into a sheet shape is adopted.

  The pulp pile sheet manufacturing method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a transport step of transporting a pulp layer in which pulverized pulp or fibers mainly composed of the pulverized pulp are stacked, and the pulp layer being transported. A pressing step of pressing both surfaces with a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value to form the pulp layer into a sheet shape.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to produce a thin and strong pulp pile sheet.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the pulp pile fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating a liquid supply apparatus and a pulp detection apparatus Schematic diagram showing cotton-like pulp fibers to be stacked

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(One embodiment)
A pulp pile fiber sheet 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of one or two or more layers of liquid-permeable pulp fibers 103, and is typically a non-hydrolyzable cleaning sheet for cleaning and a body cleaning. It is suitable for water-degradable cleaning sheets and water-degradable cleaning sheets such as toilet cleaners. Moreover, the pulp pile fiber sheet manufacturing method concerning this embodiment can manufacture the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 rationally and appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, water disintegration is the minimum strength necessary for functions such as sheet forming and wiping when the adhesive strength between fibers constituting the sheet is not significantly immersed in water. However, in a state of being soaked in water as in the case of being dumped in water, the adhesive force is extremely reduced, and it is easily decomposed or dispersed when given some external force. Non-hydrolysis means that the adhesive force between the fibers constituting the sheet is easily decomposed or dispersed even if it is not soaked in water, wet in water, or in any wet condition. It means not doing so.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 is denoted only by the final part of the manufacturing apparatus 100, and the illustration is omitted otherwise. Similarly, illustration of the pulp fiber 103 is also omitted. In FIG. 1, the MD direction on the right side of the paper surface is defined as the X direction, the CD direction on the back side of the paper surface is defined as the Y direction, and the upper side of the paper surface is defined as the Z direction.

  The pulp fibers 103 can be formed of natural fibers such as pulp and pulverized pulp, regenerated fibers such as rayon, or a mixture of natural fibers and regenerated fibers.

  As natural fibers other than pulp, for example, kenaf, bamboo fiber, cocoon, cotton, silk thread, sugar cane and the like can be used. It is preferable that the pulp fiber 103 is configured so that the degree of fiber density in the thickness direction is different. Here, the pulverized pulp refers to a material obtained by finely pulverizing a pulp material, which is a raw material such as a paper material, with a pulverizer or the like. Examples of the raw material for the pulverized pulp include wood pulp, synthetic pulp, and waste paper pulp. Toilet paper materials can also be used. As the toilet paper material, a blend of softwood bleached kraft pulp and hardwood bleached kraft pulp can be used, but it is preferable from the viewpoint of production to use raw material pulp made of softwood bleached kraft pulp. Softwood bleached kraft pulp has a longer fiber length than hardwood bleached kraft pulp, so when composing pulp fiber 103 using pulverized pulp obtained from softwood bleached kraft pulp, the degree of entanglement between the fibers increases, resulting in strength. Will improve. In addition, the inter-fiber space volume due to the entanglement between the fibers becomes larger than when hardwood bleached kraft pulp or the like having a short fiber length is used, and the degree of freedom of movement of each fiber is increased, so that flexibility is also improved.

  In the case where the raw fiber is a material using pulverized pulp as a main raw material, the blending ratio of the pulverized pulp is preferably 30% or more, and more preferably 50% or more. Furthermore, desirably, the blending ratio of pulverized pulp is preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 100% is formed of pulverized pulp. Since the pulverized pulp is formed by pulverizing a pulp material and forming a cotton-like shape, innumerable spaces are formed between the fibers compared to the paper-made paper in which the fibers are compressed. If countless spaces are formed between the fibers, the degree of freedom of movement of each fiber constituting the pulp fiber 103 can be increased. For this reason, by setting the blending ratio of the pulverized pulp as described above, it is possible to increase the function of forming the bulky pulp fiber 103 even with a smaller basis weight. As a result, the flexibility as a whole can be improved, and the production efficiency at the time of manufacturing can be improved.

The basis weight of the pulp fiber 103 is preferably 80 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 60 g / m ² or less. By making the basis weight of the pulp fiber 103 within the above range, the pulp fiber sheet 101 can be easily manufactured and packaged, and is configured to have a bulkiness that is easy for the user to use and easy to pack. can do. Further, by setting the basis weight within the above range, the fiber density is not excessively increased. As a result, the amount of the binder for joining the fibers can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a large amount of binder from adhering to the surface of the pulp fiber 103 and forming a film of the attached binder to reduce the liquid permeability of the pulp fiber 103. Sex can be secured.

  The manufacturing apparatus 100 roughly includes a pulverization pretreatment apparatus, a pulverization apparatus 106, a fiber stacking apparatus 107, a pressing apparatus, a binder coating apparatus, and a drying apparatus.

  The pulverization pretreatment device includes a liquid supply device 104 and a pulp detection device 105. The liquid supply device 104 supplies a liquid to the pulp fiber 103. Further, the pulp detection device 105 detects whether or not the pulp fiber 103 is supplied to the manufacturing device 100. In addition, the width | variety (length of a Y direction) of the pulp fiber 103 is about 900 mm-1800 mm, and the manufacturing apparatus 100 is designed and manufactured according to the width.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the liquid supply device 104 and the pulp detection device 105. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid supply device 104 supplies liquid to the central region 104 a of the pulp fiber 103 that has been conveyed. As will be described later, since the pulp fibers 103 are stacked and transported in a mesh, there is a possibility that static electricity is charged. Moreover, the pulp fiber sheet 101 manufactured with this manufacturing apparatus 100 may be used as an absorber which absorbs excrement. For this reason, as the liquid supplied by the liquid supply device 104, a solution such as ethanol, methanol, 2-propanol (IPA), or water may be used for preventing static electricity.

  The liquid supplied by the liquid supply device 104 is an organic substance such as activated carbon, zeolite, silica, ceramic, Oya stone, charcoal polymer, carbon nanotube, carbon nanohorn, citric acid, and succinic acid for deodorizing excrement. An acid, alum (potassium alum), etc. can be used.

  In FIG. 1, the liquid supply device 104 is shown as a single unit, but a plurality of liquid supply devices 104 may be provided in accordance with the application, such as for static electricity prevention or deodorization. Further, instead of the central region 104a, a region shifted in the Y direction in FIG. In the present embodiment, not the entire Y direction of the pulp fiber 103 but a partial region such as the central region 104a is used as the liquid supply region. This is because the pulp fiber 103 is pulverized into a cotton shape in a pulverizing apparatus 106 described later, and thus the above-described liquid is supplied to almost the entire pulverized pulp fiber 103. Thereby, the excessive liquid supply by the liquid supply apparatus 104 can be prevented, and the manufacturing cost of the pulp stacking sheet 101 can be suppressed. As an example, the length of the central region 104a in the Y direction is about 10% to 50% of the width of the pulp fiber 103, and the length in the X direction may be the same as the length in the Y direction or may be shorter than the length in the Y direction. Good (about 25% to 75%). In FIG. 2, the central region 104a is rectangular, but it may be circular or elliptical.

  Further, the liquid supply apparatus 104 may adjust the supply amount of the liquid for preventing static electricity according to the humidity of the manufacturing apparatus 100. Specifically, in the liquid supply device 104, when the room where the manufacturing apparatus 100 is installed is dry (for example, when the humidity is 50% or less), the room where the manufacturing apparatus 100 is installed is dry. Compared to the case where the humidity is not higher (for example, when the humidity is 65% or higher), the supply amount of the antistatic liquid may be increased. That is, the liquid supply device 104 may increase the supply amount of the antistatic liquid as the humidity decreases, and decrease the supply amount of the antistatic liquid as the humidity increases.

  Similarly, the liquid supply device 104 may change the supply amount of the deodorizing liquid according to the use of the pulp fiber sheet 101. Specifically, the liquid supply device 104 increases the supply amount of the deodorizing liquid when the pulp fiber sheet 101 is used for the above-described absorber, and the deodorant when the pulp fiber sheet 101 is used for the exterior body. The supply amount of the liquid for use may be reduced. The deodorizing liquid may be a liquid in which a metal is dissolved. For this reason, the liquid supply apparatus 104 stops supply of the liquid for deodorizing, when the pulp fiber sheet 101 becomes a skin surface (when contacting the skin).

  The pulp detection device 105 detects whether or not the pulp fiber 103 is being conveyed. That is, the pulp detection device 105 detects a state in which all the roll-shaped pulp fibers 103 are supplied and the pulp fibers 103 are not supplied. Specifically, the pulp detection device 105 detects that the pulp fiber 103 is supplied when the detection light 105a is irradiated downward and the reflected light from the pulp fiber 103 is detected by a detection unit (not shown). When the above-described reflected light cannot be detected by a detection unit (not shown), the pulp detection device 105 assumes that the pulp fiber 103 is not supplied and issues a warning by sound, light, or the like.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 100, the pulverizing apparatus 106 pulverizes the pulp fibers 103 following the pre-grinding processing apparatus. The pulverizer 106 has a primary pulverization unit and a secondary pulverization unit. The primary pulverization unit pulverizes the pulp fibers 103 into chips, and the secondary pulverization unit pulverizes the pulp fibers 103 into chips. Grind into. In order to avoid scattering of the pulverized pulp fiber 103, the primary pulverizing unit and the secondary pulverizing unit of the pulverizing device 106 are accommodated in a case or the like. Moreover, in this embodiment, although it is desirable to make a pulverized pulp into 100%, you may mix a composite fiber (ES fiber).

  The stacking device 107 stacks the cotton-like pulp fiber 103. Specifically, it is as follows. The cotton-like pulp fiber 103 passes through the pipe 108 by high-pressure air or the like and is stored in the three tanks 107a, 107b, and 107c. However, the number of tanks is not limited to three. In addition, in order to prevent scattering (diffusion) of the cotton-like pulp fiber 103, the fiber stacking device 107 is also provided with a scattering prevention cover. Thereby, it is reduced that the operator of the manufacturing apparatus 100 sucks the pulp fiber 103. Moreover, in this embodiment, the average fiber length of the pulverized pulp fiber 103 shall be about 1 mm-3 mm as an example.

  Cotton-like pulp fibers 103 stored in the three tanks 107a, 107b, and 107c are stacked on the lower conveyance mesh 109. The lower conveyance mesh 109 has a mesh shape, and a high molecular compound can be used as a material thereof. A synthetic resin (thermoplastic resin) such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or a synthetic fiber such as nylon or PET can be used. it can. As the lower transfer mesh 109, 30th to 50th meshes having 30 to 50 meshes in 1 inch x 1 inch can be used, and in this embodiment, 40th (for example, 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm) Use a mesh.

  A lower transport mesh 109 (corresponding to a transport device) transports cotton-like pulp fibers 103 piled up by a driving force from a driving source (not shown) in the X direction in the figure. The lower conveyance mesh 109 repeatedly conveys the cotton-like pulp fibers 103 within a predetermined driving range when at least one of the four rolls 110 is driven.

  A vacuum device 111 is disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the lower transfer mesh 109. The vacuum device 111 adsorbs the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 through the mesh-shaped lower transfer mesh 109 located on the upper surface.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a cotton-like pulp fiber 103 to be stacked. As shown in FIG. 3A, the amount of cotton-like pulp fiber 103 that is stacked from the tank 107a to the lower transport mesh 109 increases (becomes higher) on the right side where the fiber-sending time is long, and goes to the left side. , Because the fiber accumulation time is shortened, it is reduced (lowered).

  However, the suction force by the vacuum device 111 becomes weaker (the Vac is smaller in the figure) as the amount of piled fiber increases. In other words, the suction force by the vacuum device 111 is less likely to be weak at the portion where the amount of piled fiber is small (Vac large in the figure).

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pile amount of the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 piled up from the tank 107b to the lower transfer mesh 109 is independent of the position of the lower transfer mesh 109. , The difference is reduced. As shown in FIG. 3C, the amount of the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 stacked from the tank 107 c to the lower transport mesh 109 is almost independent of the position of the lower transport mesh 109. Become even. In this way, by using the change in the adsorption force of the vacuum device 111 that changes in accordance with the amount of the pulp fiber 103, the fiber of the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 that is stacked on the lower conveyance mesh 109 is used. The amount can be made almost uniform. In addition, when the amount of piles of the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 varies depending on the location, it may be adjusted by shifting the position of a vacuum suction port (not shown) or changing the number of vacuum suction ports.

  Further, since the upper surface of the lower transfer mesh 109 is close to the vacuum device 111, a strong adsorption force acts and the cotton-like pulp fibers 103 are densely stacked. On the other hand, as the distance from the lower transfer mesh 109 increases (as it moves away in the Z direction), the adsorption force by the vacuum device 111 becomes weaker, and the density of the cotton-like pulp fibers 103 becomes sparse. When the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 is made into a product, if the product is a cleaning product such as a flooring sheet or a toilet cleaner, the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 is mainly used on a dense surface. By this, dirt can be removed firmly. On the other hand, if it is a product used on the skin such as a body sheet or a face sheet, a skin product having a good touch can be provided by mainly using a surface having a sparse cotton-like pulp fiber 103. .

  In the manufacturing apparatus 100, the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 by which the several pressing apparatus was piled is pressed. In the present embodiment, the pressing device is a first pressing device that presses up to a first binder coating device 121, which will be described later, and a press after processing of a first drying device 124, which will be described later, and to a second binder coating device 130, which will be described later. A second pressing device.

The flat roll 112 has a pair of roll members, and presses the piled cotton-like pulp fiber 103 to adjust its bulk. In this embodiment, the flat roll 112 is subjected to a pressure of 4 kgf / cm ² . Thereby, the mesh shape unevenness | corrugation of the lower side mesh 109 is formed in the lower surface (surface which touches the lower side mesh 109) of the pulp fiber 103. FIG. The pressure of the flat roll 112 may be, for example, ² Kgf / cm ² or more, and may be set to, for example, 8 Kgf / cm ² or less considering the life of the flat roll.

  Thus, the flat roll 112 compresses the pulp fiber 103, and the pulp fiber 103 becomes a sheet form. That is, a sheet-like pulp fiber 103 such as paper can be obtained without going through a papermaking process requiring a large amount of water and a binder coating process. Here, the sheet form refers to a configuration that has a certain thickness but is very thin and has a certain tensile strength.

  The flat roll 112 is not limited to pressing the pulp fiber 103 placed and transported on the lower transport mesh 109 including the lower transport mesh 109 but placed on a belt that is not a mesh. The pulp fibers 103 conveyed in this manner may be pressed including a belt. However, it goes without saying that in this case, the pulp fibers 103 are not formed with mesh-shaped irregularities. Further, the pulp fiber 103 may be pressed without including a mesh or a belt.

In addition, as long as the lower conveyance mesh 109 has pressure resistance, a mesh shape may be formed on the pulp fiber 103 by applying a pressure of 8 kgf / cm ² or more. Note that a liquid supply device 104 may be provided before and after the flat roll 112 to supply at least one liquid for preventing static electricity and for deodorizing.

  The lower conveyance mesh 109 conveys the pulp fiber 103 to the boundary with the upper conveyance mesh 113. The pulp fiber 103 is conveyed from the boundary between the lower conveyance mesh 109 and the upper conveyance mesh 113 to the flat roll 116 using the upper conveyance mesh 113 and the vacuum device 115. Specifically, the vacuum device 115 provided between the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper conveyance mesh 113 vacuum-adsorbs the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103 that contacts the lower surface of the upper conveyance mesh 113. In this state, the pulp fiber 103 is conveyed in the X direction in the figure by a driving force from a driving source (not shown). The upper conveyance mesh 113 repeatedly conveys the pulp fibers 103 within a predetermined range by driving at least one of the four rolls 114.

The flat roll 116 has a pair of roll members, presses the pulp fiber 103 that has passed through the flat roll 112 to adjust its bulk, or changes the mesh shape of the upper conveying mesh 113 to the upper surface (upper side) of the pulp fiber 103. Or a surface in contact with the transfer mesh 113). The upper transfer mesh 113 is also the 40th mesh as the lower transfer mesh 109. The pressure of the flat roll 116 is also set between ² Kgf / cm ^{2 and} 8 Kgf / cm ² .

  An embossing roll 117 (corresponding to an embossing device) has a large number of protrusions on the peripheral surface of the roll, and performs embossing (unevenness processing) on the sheet-like pulp fiber 103 that has passed through the flat roll 116. Thereby, since a protrusion and a protrusion mesh | engage and an uneven | corrugated | grooved part is formed in the surface and the back surface of the sheet-like pulp fiber 103, respectively, a bulky sheet can be formed. However, the shape of the emboss is not limited to a shape having a large number of protrusions on the roll peripheral surface, and may be any shape. For example, the mesh shape formed by pressing the pulp fiber 103 against the mesh (this process is also included in the embossing) may be used. Further, a plurality of embossing rolls 117 may be provided and embossing may be performed a plurality of times. In this case, the embossing of the same shape may be sufficient and the embossing of a different shape may be sufficient. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 1, in the embossing roll 117, the pulp fiber 103 does not interpose a transport mesh during embossing.

  At this time, the pulp fiber 103 is in a non-wetting state, and the embossing is applied to the pulp fiber 103 in a non-wetting state. Here, the non-wetting state means that it does not include an aspect in which moisture is supplied by spraying water on the pulp fiber 103 or the like. Normally, paper materials contain moisture (moisture) that corresponds to the temperature and humidity conditions, but this moisture is not moisture that is actively supplied from the outside, so even if it contains such moisture, it is in a non-wet state. It corresponds to. Therefore, although the content rate of the water | moisture content contained in a pile layer also changes with temperature and humidity conditions, it can be said that it corresponds to a non-wet state whatever the content rate is.

  In this way, the pulp fiber 103 is embossed in a normal dry state in the air without supplying moisture to the pulp fiber 103 from the outside. Therefore, since embossing is not performed in a state where the binder is impregnated, there is no possibility that the pulp fiber 103 adheres to the embossing roll. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a release agent to the embossing roll 117 or the pulp fiber 103. During embossing, the embossing roll 117 may not be heated, but the embossing roll 117 may be heated to a predetermined temperature for embossing. In the latter case, the heating temperature of the embossing roll 117 is preferably 60 ° C to 150 ° C.

  In addition, the number of times embossing may be performed may be set according to the use of the product using the pulp pile fiber sheet 101, or a water-decomposable product or a non-hydrolyzed product, or embossing may not be performed. . When embossing is not performed, the distance between the pair of roll members may be set larger than the thickness of the pulp stacking sheet 101 in the Z direction. As is clear from FIG. 1, the pulp fiber 103 does not interpose a transport mesh during embossing. This is to avoid damage to the transport mesh due to embossing.

  In the present embodiment, liquid is supplied to the pulp fiber 103 by the liquid supply device 104, but it is sufficient that the pulp fiber 103 is not wet up to the flat roll 112. For example, the moisture content of the pulp fiber 103 may be less than about 15% when the flat roll 112 is pressed, and may be an extent that is not affected by static electricity when transported by the mesh. For this reason, in this embodiment, if the moisture content of the pulp fiber 103 is less than 15% when the flat roll 112 is pressed, it can be said that it corresponds to a non-wet state.

  Since the pulp fiber 103 can be softened and pressed by contacting and heating the roll surface (contact surface with the pulp fiber 103) of the flat roll 112 in the range of about 100 ° C. to 160 ° C., the pulp fiber 103 Can be compressed more thinly. Moreover, both of the pair of rolls of the flat roll 112 may be heated to the above temperature, or only one of the rolls may be heated to the above temperature.

  Further, by heating the roll surfaces of the flat roll 116 and the embossing roll 117 in the range of about 60 ° C. to 150 ° C., and setting the temperature of the pulp fiber 103 to about 40 ° C. to 70 ° C., Can easily penetrate into the pulp fiber 103, the amount of the binder applied can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, you may heat the flat roll 116 and the embossing roll 117 so that the temperature of the pulp fiber 103 may become the same temperature as the melting temperature (for example, 40 to 60 degreeC) of a binder. Moreover, the temperature of the flat roll 116 and the embossing roll 117 may be lower than the temperature of the flat roll 112. In this case, power consumption can be suppressed. Further, the temperature of the embossing roll 117 may be higher than the temperature of the flat roll 112, and in this case, the embossing can be clearly formed.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 100, a binder coating apparatus applies a binder to the pulp fiber 103. In the present embodiment, the binder coating apparatus includes a first binder coating apparatus 121 and a second binder coating apparatus 130, and a first described later is provided between the first binder coating apparatus 121 and the second binder coating apparatus 130. A drying device 124 is arranged. Here, the 1st binder coating device 121 is demonstrated.

  The first binder application device 121 has a plurality of nozzles facing the pulp fiber 103 above the pulp fiber 103, and applies a binder to the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103. The supply of the binder is typically performed by spraying the binder from the nozzle of the spray device. As the nozzle used for spraying, a conventionally known nozzle may be arbitrarily selected and used. In addition, supply of a binder is not limited to spraying, You may use other well-known methods, such as using a gravure printing machine. The cross-linking agent may be supplied at the same time as the binder, but may be supplied at any point in the manufacturing process.

  In the first binder coating apparatus 121, the pulp fiber 103 is placed on the mesh-shaped lower transfer mesh 118, and is provided between the upper surface and the lower surface of the lower transfer mesh 118. It is conveyed in the X direction while being adsorbed in the −Z direction by 120. The mesh of the lower transfer mesh 118 may be a coarser mesh than the lower transfer mesh 109 and the upper transfer mesh 113, and 10th to 30th may be used. In the present embodiment, 16th (for example, 1 .0 mm × 1.0 mm) mesh.

  The lower conveyance mesh 118 repeatedly conveys the pulp fiber 103 within a predetermined driving range by driving at least one of the four rolls 119.

  Thus, the first binder coating device 121 applies the binder from the upper side (+ Z direction) to the lower side (−Z direction) with respect to the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103, and the vacuum device 120 uses the pulp fiber. Adsorbs downward (−Z direction) with respect to the lower surface of 103.

  Various binders that can be applied (sprayed) onto the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103 can be used. Examples of the binder that can be used in the present invention include polysaccharide derivatives, natural polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers. Examples of the polysaccharide derivative include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylated starch or a salt thereof, starch, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and the like. Examples of natural polysaccharides include guar gum, tant gum, xanthan gum, sodium alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, gelatin, and casein. Examples of the synthetic polymer include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, polymers or copolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids, salts thereof, and the like. Examples of the carboxylic acid include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, maleic acid, and fumaric acid. Of those described above, carboxymethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol are particularly preferable.

  It is preferable that the binder is crosslinked because the physical strength of the pulp stacking sheet 101 is improved. A cross-linking agent that cross-links the binder causes a cross-linking reaction with the binder to make the binder a cross-linked structure, thereby improving the physical strength.

  As a crosslinking agent, when using a binder having a carboxyl group such as carboxymethylcellulose, it is preferable to use a polyvalent metal ion. As the polyvalent metal ion, an alkaline earth metal such as zinc, calcium, barium, Examples include metal ions such as magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper. Among these, ions of zinc, calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and the like are preferably used. These are preferable in terms of imparting sufficient wet strength. The polyvalent metal ion as the crosslinking agent is used in the form of a water-soluble metal salt such as sulfate, chloride, hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate. Moreover, when using polyvinyl alcohol as a water-soluble binder, a titanium compound, a boron compound, a zirconium compound, a compound containing silicon, or the like can be used as a crosslinking agent, and one or more of these compounds are mixed. It can also be used as a crosslinking agent. Examples of the titanium compound include titanium lactate and titanium triethanolamate, and examples of the boron compound include borax and boric acid. In addition, examples of the zirconium compound include ammonium zirconium carbonate, and examples of the compound containing silicon include sodium silicate.

  It is preferable that content with respect to the pulp fiber 103 of a binder is 1 to 20 weight%. When the content is less than 1% by weight, the strength of the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 is insufficient. On the other hand, when the content exceeds 20% by weight, the flexibility of the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 is lowered.

  In this embodiment, when the pulp fiber 103 is used for a hydrolyzable product, CMC is applied as a binder, and when the pulp fiber 103 is used for a non-hydrolyzed product, EVA is applied as a binder. . As described above, since the upper surface side of the pulp fiber 103 is sparser than the lower surface side of the pulp fiber 103, the cotton-like pulp fiber 103 is sparse, so that the binder easily penetrates. For this reason, a possibility that the binder applied (sprayed) on the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103 may remain on the upper surface of the pulp fiber 103 can be reduced.

  The first drying device 124 performs hot air drying (aeration drying) or infrared rays from the upper surface side of the pulp fiber 103 with respect to the pulp fiber 103 placed on the mesh-shaped lower conveyance mesh 122 as indicated by an arrow. Perform non-contact drying such as drying. The temperature at this time is preferably in the range of 120 ° C. to 180 ° C., for example, and more preferably in the range of 160 ° C. to 180 ° C. However, this temperature is the temperature of hot air in hot air drying, and is the surface temperature of an object to be dried in infrared drying. The pulp fiber 103 thinned by the flat roll 112 can be softened by being dried by hot air drying or infrared drying. Note that the first drying device 124 may perform both hot air drying and infrared drying.

  The lower transfer mesh 122 is driven by at least one of the four rolls 123 (only two shown) being driven while the pulp fiber 103 is adsorbed by the vacuum device 125 located between the upper surface and the lower surface. The pulp fiber 103 is repeatedly conveyed within a predetermined driving range. The 10th to 30th meshes can be used for the lower transfer mesh 122, and in this embodiment, the 22nd mesh (for example, 0.7 mm × 0.7 mm) is used.

  Subsequent to the embossing by the embossing roll 117, the embossing shape formed on the pulp fiber 103 is easily maintained by performing the processing by the first binder coating device 121 and the first drying device 124.

  The embossing roll 126 has a pair of roll members, and has a large number of protrusions on the peripheral surface of the roll, like the embossing roll 117. The embossed shape is not limited to this, and may be any shape. Further, a plurality of embossing rolls 126 may be provided and embossing may be performed a plurality of times. In this case, the embossing of the same shape may be sufficient and the embossing of a different shape may be sufficient. Further, the pressure of the embossing roll 126 can be set similarly to the embossing roll 117. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 1, in the embossing roll 126, the pulp fiber 103 does not interpose a transport mesh during embossing. The embossing roll 126 may not be provided in the manufacturing apparatus 100, and the interval between the pair of roll members may be larger than the thickness of the pulp stacking sheet 101 in the Z direction.

  The pair of embosses of the embossing roll 126 is desirably heated as described above. In addition, since the embossing by the embossing roll 126 is also performed prior to the processing of the second binder coating device 130 and the second drying device 133 described later, the embossed shape formed in the pulp fiber 103 is easily maintained.

  The second binder applicator 130 has a plurality of nozzles facing the pulp fibers 103 below the pulp fibers 103 and applies the binder to the lower surface of the pulp fibers 103. The method for supplying the binder is the same as that for the first binder coating apparatus 121. The pulp fiber 103 is conveyed in the X direction while being adsorbed in the + Z direction by the vacuum device 129 through the mesh-shaped upper conveying mesh 127. The upper conveying mesh 127 repeatedly conveys the pulp fiber 103 within a predetermined driving range by driving at least one of the four rolls 128. The count of the upper transfer mesh 127 may be the same as the count of the lower transfer mesh 118.

  Thus, the second binder coating device 130 applies the binder from the lower side (−Z direction) to the upper side (+ Z direction) with respect to the lower surface of the pulp fiber 103, and the vacuum device 129 uses the pulp fiber. Adheres to the upper surface (+ Z direction) of the upper surface of 103.

  The binder applied by the second binder application device 130 is the same as the binder applied by the first binder application device 121. In the second binder coating device 130, binder is applied to the lower surface of the pulp fiber 103 from a plurality of nozzles located below the pulp fiber 103, so that the binder that has not penetrated into the pulp fiber 103 remains in the pulp fiber 103. Since it falls without doing, the binder application unevenness does not occur. For this reason, it is possible to reduce unevenness in strength or unevenness of drying of the pulp stacking sheet 101 after passing through the second drying device 133 described later.

  Moreover, in the 1st, 2nd binder application | coating apparatuses 121 and 130, a binder is apply | coated to the upper surface and lower surface of the pulp fiber 103, without inverting the pulp fiber 103. FIG. For this reason, complication of the manufacturing apparatus 100 can be avoided and the conveyance of the pulp fiber 103 can be speeded up.

  A cover for preventing binder diffusion is attached to the first binder coating device 121 and the second binder coating device 130 to form a closed space, and the binder that has not been coated on the pulp fiber 103 is recovered by a pump or the like, and then again the first binder. By supplying to the coating device 121 and the second binder coating device 130, the amount of binder used can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 can be reduced. Note that the second binder coating device 130 is not necessarily provided.

  The second drying device 133 uses the vacuum device 132 disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper conveying mesh 131 to move the pulp fibers 103 in the + Z direction via the mesh-shaped upper conveying mesh 131 located on the lower surface. It is conveyed in the X direction in the adsorbed state. The second drying device 133 performs non-contact drying such as hot air drying (aeration drying) or infrared drying from the lower surface side of the pulp fiber 103 as indicated by an arrow. The temperature at this time is preferably in the range of 120 ° C. to 180 ° C., for example, and more preferably in the range of 160 ° C. to 180 ° C. However, this temperature is the temperature of hot air in hot air drying, and is the surface temperature of an object to be dried in infrared drying. Note that the second drying device 133 may perform both hot air drying and infrared drying.

  As described above, the upper conveyance mesh 131 is driven in a predetermined driving range by driving at least one of the four rolls 134 (only two are shown) in a state where the pulp fiber 103 is adsorbed by the vacuum device 132 as described above. The pulp fiber 103 is repeatedly conveyed. The count of the upper transfer mesh 131 may be the same as the count of the lower transfer mesh 122. Moreover, you may make it perform embossing after the process of the 2nd drying apparatus 133. FIG.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 100, the pulp stacking sheet 101 is obtained through the second drying apparatus 133. The pulp stacking sheet 101 is conveyed by a conveying roll 135 and wound by two winding rolls 136 and 137. Alternatively, the pulp fiber sheet 101 is cut and / or folded as necessary, impregnated with a chemical solution, and can be used as a body wipe for an infant, a toilet cleaner, and other cleaning articles.

  The pulp pile fiber sheet 101 stores the emboss shape by applying a binder after embossing, and even if the bulk of the pulp pile fiber sheet 101 is crushed during the manufacturing process, Bulkiness can be restored.

  Moreover, you may give embossing of multiple times after chemical | medical solution impregnation. For example, a pair of embossing rolls having a plurality of convex portions parallel to the MD (Machine Direction) direction on the roll peripheral surface and a pair of embossing rolls having a plurality of convex portions parallel to the CD (Cross Direction) direction to the roll peripheral surface. And embossing. Either of these embossing orders may be first.

  Thus, the pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment stacks the cotton-like pulp fiber 103, and the heated flat roll 112 presses the piled pulp fiber 103 with a pressure of a predetermined value or more. Thus, a thin sheet-like pulp fiber 103 can be obtained without going through the paper making process.

  Further, by applying a binder to the pulp fiber 103 pressed into a sheet shape and drying it by hot air drying or infrared drying, it is possible to obtain a pulp fiber 103 which is thin and strong and soft.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 106 Crusher 107 Fiber stacker 112 Flat roll 117 Embossing roll 121 1st binder coating device 124 1st drying device 130 2nd binder coating device 133 2nd drying device

Claims (6)

A conveying device that conveys a pulp layer in which pulverized pulp or fibers using the pulverized pulp as a main raw material are stacked;
A pressing device that presses both sides of the pulp layer being conveyed at a pressure of a predetermined value or more, and forms the pulp layer into a sheet;
A pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: The pressing device is heated to 100 to 160 ° C. to press the pulp layer.
The pulp pile fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. Comprising an embossing device for imparting an embossed shape to the pressed pulp layer;
The pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The embossing device imparts an embossed shape to the pulp layer while heating,
The pulp pile sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3. A binder application device for applying a binder to the embossed pulp layer;
A drying device for drying the pulp layer coated with the binder by hot air drying and / or infrared drying;
The pulp fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus of Claim 3 or Claim 4 which comprises this. A transporting step for transporting a pulp layer on which pulverized pulp or fibers mainly composed of the pulverized pulp are stacked;
A pressing step of pressing both sides of the pulp layer being conveyed at a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and forming the pulp layer into a sheet;
A pulp fiber sheet manufacturing method comprising:

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