SHEET MANUFACTURING APPARATUS

Abstract

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a powdered-and-granular-material supply unit that supplies powdered and granular material; and a forming unit that forms a sheet from fibers and the supplied powdered and granular material, and the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit includes a motor, a holding unit that detachably holds a container configured to store the powdered and granular material, a powdered-and-granular-material tank that receives the powdered and granular material discharged from the container by the motor, and a screw that conveys the powdered and granular material in the powdered-and-granular-material tank outward from the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit.

Claims

1. A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: a powdered-and-granular-material supply unit that supplies powdered and granular material; a mixing unit that mixes fibers and the supplied powdered and granular material to form a mixture; a deposition unit that deposits the mixture to form a web; and a forming unit that compresses the web to form the web into a sheet, wherein the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit includes a holding unit that detachably holds a container configured to store the powdered and granular material, a powdered-and-granular-material tank that receives the powdered and granular material discharged from the container, and a screw that conveys the powdered and granular material in the powdered-and-granular-material tank outward from the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit.

2. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powdered-and-granular-material tank includes a first storage tank that stores the powdered and granular material fallen from the cylindrical container, a paddle that sweeps out the powdered and granular material from the first storage tank, and a second storage tank that stores the powdered and granular material swept out of the first storage tank, and the screw conveys the powdered and granular material outward from the second storage tank.

3. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further includes a supply pipe communicating with the powdered-and-granular-material tank and connected to the mixing unit, wherein a part of the screw is disposed in the powdered-and-granular-material tank, one end of the screw is disposed in the supply pipe, and the powdered and granular material in the powdered-and-granular-material tank is supplied to the mixing unit through the supply pipe by rotation of the screw.

4. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powdered-and-granular-material tank is provided with a sensor unit that detects quantity of the powdered and granular material stored in the powdered-and-granular-material tank.

5. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein ratio of length of the paddle to length of the first storage tank is 50% or more and 100% or less in a direction parallel to an axis around which the paddle rotates.

6. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screw is an auger screw

7. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein number of revolutions per unit time is determined according to manufacturing conditions of the sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a powdered-and-granular-material supply unit.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a cylindrical container.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cylindrical container with its opening open.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit and the transportation path of a binder.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement and configuration of a first storage tank, a second storage tank, and their periphery.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement and construction of the first storage tank, the second storage tank, and their periphery.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the following embodiment, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 that manufactures sheets from scrap paper or the like will be shown as an example and described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following drawings, an F-axis and XYZ-axes orthogonal to each other are shown as necessary. The direction indicated by each arrow is defined as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is defined as the-direction.

[0020] The Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. The +Z direction is sometimes referred to as the upward direction, and the Z direction is sometimes referred to as the downward direction. The F-axis intersects the Z-axis, which is the vertical direction, and the Y-axis and is orthogonal to the X-axis. For convenience of illustration, the size of each member is different from the actual size.

[0021] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures sheets P3 from scrap paper such as used paper by a dry process. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is not limited to dry processes and may be one used in a wet process. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may manufacture sheets from materials other than used paper, such as virgin paper and paper offcuts. In the present specification, the dry process refers to a process performed in air, such as the atmosphere, rather than a process performed in a liquid.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a first set of units 101, a second set of units 102, and a third set of units 103. The first set of units 101, the second set of units 102, and the third set of units 103 are supported by a frame (not illustrated).

[0023] In FIG. 1, the directions in which scrap paper C, sheets P3, slit pieces S, unnecessary scraps, and the like move are indicated by white arrows. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the side in the transportation direction of scrap paper C, a web W, sheets P3, and the like is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side in the direction opposite to the transportation direction is sometimes referred to as upstream.

[0024] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures sheets P3 from scrap paper C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the first set of units 101, the third set of units 103, and the second set of units 102 are disposed from the Y direction side toward the +Y direction side in side view from the X direction.

[0025] Scrap paper C is transported from the first set of units 101 to the second set of units 102 through a pipe 21 passing across the inside of the third set of units 103. Then, the scrap paper C is subjected to defibration or the like in the second set of units 102 and processed into fibers, to which a binder and the like is added to form a mixture. The mixture is transported to the third set of units 103 through a pipe 24. The mixture is processed into a web W in the third set of units 103, and the web W is formed into a belt-like sheet P1. The belt-like sheet P1 is cut into sheets P3 in the first set of units 101. In the following description, aggregates of a plurality of fibers are also simply referred to as fibers.

[0026] The first set of units 101 includes a raw-material supply device 13, a measurement unit 15, a merging portion 17, and the pipe 21. In the first set of units 101, these components are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. In addition, the first set of units 101 also includes a first cutting unit 81, a second cutting unit 82, a tray 91, and a shredding unit 95. The first cutting unit 81 and the second cutting unit 82 cut the belt-like sheet P1 into sheets P3 having a predetermined shape. Furthermore, the first set of units 101 includes a water supply unit 67. The water supply unit 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply unit 67 supplies water for humidification to each of a first humidification unit 65 and a second humidification unit 66, which will be described later, through water supply pipes (not illustrated).

[0027] The raw-material supply device 13 stores scrap paper C, which is raw material for sheets P3, and supplies it downstream. The raw-material supply device 13 includes a raw-material supply port 131, a storage portion 132, and a discharge portion 140.

[0028] Scrap paper C is supplied into the storage portion 132 through the raw-material supply port 131. The scrap paper C contains fibers composed of cellulose and the like and is, for example, shredded used paper. Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the storage portion 132 from the second humidification unit 66 included in the third set of units 103.

[0029] Scrap paper C is temporarily stored in the storage portion 132 and then transported to the measurement unit 15 through the discharge portion 140. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a shredder located upstream of the storage portion 132 and configured to shred scrap paper C and the like.

[0030] The measurement unit 15 includes a sensor 15a and a supply mechanism (not illustrated). The sensor 15a measures the mass of scrap paper C. The supply mechanism supplies the scrap paper C weighed by the sensor 15a to the downstream merging portion 17. Specifically, every time the measurement unit 15 weighs out a specified mass of scrap paper C with the sensor 15a, the supply mechanism supplies it to the downstream merging portion 17.

[0031] Both digital and analog weighing mechanisms can be used as the sensor 15a. The specific mass of scrap paper C weighed by the sensor 15a is, for example, approximately several grams to several tens of grams.

[0032] A known technique such as a feeder configured to open and close can be used as the supply mechanism. The supply mechanism may be included in the sensor 15a.

[0033] The weighing and supplying processes of scrap paper C in the measurement unit 15 are batch processes. Specifically, the supply of scrap paper C from the measurement unit 15 to the merging portion 17 is performed intermittently. The measurement unit 15 may include a plurality of combinations of the sensor 15a and the supply mechanism, and the plurality of sensors 15a may be operated at different timings to improve the weighing and supply efficiency. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes two sensors 15a and supply mechanisms combined with the respective sensors. Thus, scrap paper C is alternately transported from the two sets of sensors 15a and supply mechanisms to the merging portion 17.

[0034] In the merging portion 17, shredded slit pieces S supplied from the shredding unit 95 are added to and mixed with the scrap paper C supplied from the measurement unit 15. The slit pieces S and the shredding unit 95 will be described later. The scrap paper C mixed with the shredded pieces flows into the pipe 21 from the merging portion 17.

[0035] The pipe 21 transports scrap paper C from the first set of units 101 to the second set of units 102 by using a suction airflow generated by a downstream defibrating unit 30.

[0036] The second set of units 102 includes the defibrating unit 30, which is a dry defibrating machine, a separation unit 31, a pipe 23, a powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200, a mixing unit 33, and the pipe 24. In the second set of units 102, these components are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. In addition, the second set of units 102 also includes a pipe 25 connected to the separation unit 31, a collection unit 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply unit 39.

[0037] The scrap paper C transported through the pipe 21 flows into the defibrating unit 30. The defibrating unit 30 defibrates the scrap paper C supplied from the measurement unit 15 into fibers in a dry process. A known defibrating mechanism can be used as the defibrating unit 30.

[0038] The defibrating unit 30 has, for example, the following configuration. The defibrating unit 30 includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is disposed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator.

[0039] Small pieces of scrap paper C are pinched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor and are defibrated by shearing force generated therebetween. This process defibrates entangled fibers included in scrap paper C. The scrap paper C is processed into fibers and transported to the separation unit 31.

[0040] The separation unit 31 separates the defibrated fibers. Specifically, the separation unit 31 removes the components unnecessary for manufacturing of sheets P3, contained in the fibers. To be specific, the separation unit 31 separates relatively short fibers from relatively long fibers. Since relatively short fibers can degrade the strength of the sheets P3, they are separated by the separation unit 31. In addition, the separation unit 31 also separates and removes coloring materials, additives, and the like contained in the scrap paper C. A known technique such as a disk mesh method can be used in the separation unit 31.

[0041] Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the separation unit 31 from the second humidification unit 66 in the third set of units 103.

[0042] Relatively short fibers and the like are removed from the defibrated fibers, and the resultant fibers are transported to the mixing unit 33 through the pipe 23 by an airflow generated by a blower (not illustrated) disposed at the distal end of an airflow pipe 32. The unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the collection unit 35 through the pipe 25.

[0043] The collection unit 35 includes a filter (not illustrated). The filter filters out unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers transported through the pipe 25 by the airflow.

[0044] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. The filter mentioned above can be clogged with fine particles and the like included in the unnecessary components. The filter can be cleaned by blowing the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 onto the filter to blow off adhering particles.

[0045] The power supply unit 39 includes a control unit 5 and a power supply device (not illustrated) that supplies electric power to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 39 distributes electric power, which is supplied from the outside, to each component in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each component in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and controls the operation of these components in an integrated manner.

[0046] The powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 supplies a binder, which is powdered and granular material, to the mixing unit 33. The mixing unit 33 mixes fibers and the binder supplied from the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 in air to form a mixture. The binder is a material that binds fibers to one another in a forming unit 70 described later. In the present embodiment, starch is used as the binder, but the binder is not limited thereto, and a thermoplastic resin or the like may be used.

[0047] Note that the powdered and granular material supplied to the mixing unit 33 by the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 is not limited to a binder and may be another additive such as a coloring material. The powdered and granular material may be a mixture of a binder and another additive. Furthermore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a plurality of powdered-and-granular-material supply units 200. Details of the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 will be described later.

[0048] Although not illustrated, the mixing unit 33 includes a flow path and a fan. The flow path of the mixing unit 33 communicates with the upstream pipe 23 and the downstream pipe 24. The powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 is connected to an intermediate point of the flow path of the mixing unit 33.

[0049] In the mixing unit 33, fibers flow into the flow path from the pipe 23. The fan of the mixing unit 33 generates an airflow in the flow path. The fibers are transported downstream in the flow path by the airflow of the fan. In this process, the binder supplied from the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 into the flow path is mixed with the fibers. The fibers are mixed with the binder by the airflow mentioned above while being transported in the flow path and form a mixture. The mixture flows into the pipe 24 from the mixing unit 33.

[0050] The third set of units 103 deposits and compresses the mixture containing fibers to form the belt-like sheet P1 which is recycled paper. The third set of units 103 includes a deposition unit 50, a first transportation unit 61, a second transportation unit 62, the first humidification unit 65, the second humidification unit 66, a drainage unit 68, and the forming unit 70.

[0051] In the third set of units 103, the deposition unit 50, the first transportation unit 61, the second transportation unit 62, the first humidification unit 65, and the forming unit 70 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. The second humidification unit 66 is disposed below the first humidification unit 65.

[0052] The deposition unit 50 deposits the mixture containing the fibers subjected to the separation, in air to form a web W. The deposition unit 50 includes a drum member 53, a blade member 55 disposed inside the drum member 53, a housing 51 that houses the drum member 53, and a suction unit 59. The mixture is supplied to the inside of the drum member 53 through the pipe 24.

[0053] The first transportation unit 61 is disposed below the deposition unit 50. The first transportation unit 61 includes a mesh belt 61a and five tension rollers (not illustrated) around which the mesh belt 61a is stretched.

[0054] The suction unit 59 faces the drum member 53 with the mesh belt 61a interposed therebetween in the Z-axis direction.

[0055] The blade member 55 is disposed inside the drum member 53 and rotationally driven by a motor (not illustrated). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A mesh having the function of a sieve is provided on the side surface of the drum member 53 facing downward. The drum member 53 allows fibers or particles such as a mixture smaller than the size of the openings of the mesh of the sieve to pass therethrough from the inside to the outside.

[0056] The mixture is discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 while being stirred by the rotating blade member 55 in the drum member 53. Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the drum member 53 from the second humidification unit 66.

[0057] The suction unit 59 is disposed below the drum member 53. The suction unit 59 suctions air inside the housing 51 through a plurality of holes of the mesh belt 61a. The plurality of holes of the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass therethrough, but it is difficult for the fibers, the binder, and the like contained in the mixture to pass through the holes. With this configuration, the mixture discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 is suctioned downward together with air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0058] The mixture is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and deposited onto the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a due to gravity and suction by the suction unit 59 and forms a web W.

[0059] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt, which is stretched around the five tension rollers. The mesh belt 61a is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the rotation of the tension rollers. Thus, the mixture is continuously deposited onto the mesh belt 61a and forms a web W. The web W contains a relatively large amount of air and is soft and swollen. The first transportation unit 61 transports the formed web W downstream by the rotation of the mesh belt 61a.

[0060] The second transportation unit 62 is located downstream of the first transportation unit 61 and transports the web W in place of the first transportation unit 61. The second transportation unit 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a and transports the web W toward the forming unit 70. The second transportation unit 62 is located above the transportation path of the web W and slightly upstream of the return start point of the mesh belt 61a. The +Y direction side of the second transportation unit 62 and the Y direction side of the mesh belt 61a partially overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0061] The second transportation unit 62 includes a transportation belt, a plurality of rollers, and a suction mechanism which are not illustrated. The transportation belt has a plurality of holes through which air passes. The transportation belt is stretched around the plurality of rollers and is rotated by the rotation of the rollers.

[0062] The second transportation unit 62 causes the upper surface of the web W to be attracted and attached to the lower surface of the transportation belt by the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism. The transportation belt rotates in this state, and the web W, attracted and attached to the transportation belt, is transported downstream.

[0063] The first humidification unit 65 moistens the web W containing fibers deposited in the deposition unit 50 of the third set of units 103. To be specific, the first humidification unit 65 is, for example, a mist humidifier and moistens the web W, which is being transported by the second transportation unit 62, by supplying mist M to the web W from below. The first humidification unit 65 is disposed below the second transportation unit 62 and faces the web W, which is being transported by the second transportation unit 62, in the Z-axis direction. For example, a known humidification device such as an ultrasonic humidification device can be used as the first humidification unit 65.

[0064] By moistening the web W with the mist M, a function of starch as a binder is promoted, and the strength of the sheet P3 is improved. Since the web W is moistened from below, droplets originating from the mist and falling onto the web W can be prevented. In addition, since the web W is moistened from the side opposite to the contact surface between the transportation belt and the web W, sticking of the web W to the transportation belt is reduced. The second transportation unit 62 transports the web W to the forming unit 70.

[0065] The forming unit 70 includes processing rollers 71 and 72. The processing rollers 71 and 72 compress the web W containing fibers and form the web W into a belt-like sheet P1. The processing rollers 71 and 72 are paired, and each of them contains an electric heater and has a function of increasing the temperature of the roller surface.

[0066] Each of the processing rollers 71 and 72 is a substantially cylindrical member. The rotating shaft of the processing roller 71 and the rotating shaft of the processing roller 72 are parallel to the X-axis. The processing roller 71 is disposed substantially over the transportation path of the web W, and the processing roller 72 is disposed substantially under the transportation path. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the sheet P3 to be manufactured is provided between the side surface of the processing roller 71 and the side surface of the processing roller 72.

[0067] The processing rollers 71 and 72 are rotationally driven by a stepping motor (not illustrated). The web W is conveyed downstream while being heated and pressed in the state of being held between the processing roller 71 and the processing roller 72. Specifically, the web W continuously passes through the forming unit 70 and is press-formed while being heated. The web W can be efficiently heated and pressed by using the processing rollers 71 and 72 as a pair of forming members.

[0068] When the web W passes through the forming unit 70, the amount of air contained in the web W is reduced from a state where the web W contains a relatively large amount of air and is soft, and the fibers are bound to one another by the binder and form the belt-like sheet P1. The belt-like sheet P1 is transported to the first set of units 101 by transportation rollers (not illustrated).

[0069] The second humidification unit 66 is disposed below the first humidification unit 65. A known evaporative humidification device can be used as the second humidification unit 66. Examples of evaporative humidification devices include one that generates humidified air by blowing air to a moistened non-woven fabric or the like to evaporate the moisture.

[0070] The second humidification unit 66 humidifies a predetermined region of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined region refers to one or more of the storage portion 132, the separation unit 31, and the inside of the drum member 53 of the deposition unit 50. Specifically, humidified air is supplied from the second humidification unit 66 to the regions mentioned above through a plurality of pipes (not illustrated). In each of the components mentioned above, the humidified air reduces the electrostatic charge of scrap paper C, fibers, and the like, reducing the adhesion of the scrap paper C, fibers, or the like to members caused by static electricity.

[0071] The drainage unit 68 is a drainage tank. The drainage unit 68 collects and stores the water that was used in the first humidification unit 65, the second humidification unit 66, and the like and turned into waste water. The drainage unit 68 is detachable from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 as necessary so that the collected water can be disposed.

[0072] The belt-like sheet P1 transported to the first set of units 101 reaches the first cutting unit 81. The first cutting unit 81 cuts the belt-like sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the transportation direction, for example, in the X-axis direction. The belt-like sheet P1 is cut into cut sheets P2 by the first cutting unit 81. Each cut sheet P2 is transported from the first cutting unit 81 to the second cutting unit 82.

[0073] The second cutting unit 82 cuts the cut sheet P2 in the transportation direction, for example, in the Y-axis direction. To be specific, the second cutting unit 82 cuts portions near both X-axis edges of the cut sheet P2. Thus, the cut sheet P2 is processed into a sheet P3 having a predetermined shape such as the A4 size or the A3 size.

[0074] When the cut sheet P2 is cut into the sheet P3 in the second cutting unit 82, scrap slit pieces S are produced. The slit pieces S are transported substantially in the Y direction and reach the shredding unit 95 which is a shredder. The shredding unit 95 shreds the slit pieces S into shredded pieces, and the shredded pieces are supplied to the merging portion 17. A mechanism for weighing the shredded slit pieces S and supplying them to the merging portion 17 may be disposed between the shredding unit 95 and the merging portion 17.

[0075] The sheets P3 are transported substantially upward and stacked in the tray 91. The sheets P3 are thus manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheets P3 can be used, for example, as a substitute for copy paper or the like.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200 includes a first supply unit 201, a second supply unit 202, a driving unit 203, and a supply pipe 260. When viewed from the X direction, the second supply unit 202 is disposed at the center of the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200. The first supply unit 201 is disposed in the +Y direction and upward relative to the second supply unit 202, and the supply pipe 260 is disposed in the Y direction and downward relative to the second supply unit 202.

[0077] The first supply unit 201 includes a cylindrical container 210 and a holding unit 220. The cylindrical container 210 stores a binder therein. The binder stored in the cylindrical container 210 is supplied to the second supply unit 202 via the holding unit 220. The cylindrical container 210 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200, specifically, the holding unit 220.

[0078] The second supply unit 202 includes a housing 202a. A first storage tank 240 and a second storage tank 250 are disposed inside the housing 202a. The first storage tank 240 and the second storage tank 250 are also collectively referred to as a powdered-and-granular-material tank. The first storage tank 240 and the second storage tank 250 temporarily store the binder. The second storage tank 250 is disposed on the lower side of the housing 202a. The first storage tank 240 is disposed substantially above the second storage tank 250.

[0079] The driving unit 203 includes a first driving motor 231, a second driving motor 232, and a third driving motor 233. The first driving motor 231, the second driving motor 232, and the third driving motor 233 are electric motors. The first driving motor 231 is disposed in the Y direction and downward relative to the housing 202a. The second driving motor 232 and the third driving motor 233 are disposed in the + X direction relative to the second storage tank 250 and face each other in the Y-axis direction. The function of each motor of the driving unit 203 will be described in detail later.

[0080] The supply pipe 260 is a substantially cylindrical member, and the length direction of the cylinder is parallel to the Y-axis. An end portion of the supply pipe 260 in the +Y direction communicates with the second storage tank 250, and an end portion in the Y direction is connected to the mixing unit 33 mentioned above. The binder is conveyed outward from the second storage tank 250 and supplied to the mixing unit 33 at a position near the end portion in the Y direction mentioned above.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a view of the cylindrical container 210 removed from the holding unit 220. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical container 210 has a substantially cylindrical appearance. The cross sections orthogonal to the central axis CA of the cylindrical container 210 are substantially circular. The central axis CA is parallel to the F-axis.

[0082] The cylindrical container 210 has a storage chamber 216 therein. A binder is loaded and stored in the storage chamber 216. The cylindrical container 210 can be sealed in a state of storing a binder and is used for transportation and storage in the sealed state.

[0083] The cylindrical container 210 includes a first lid portion 211, a first cylindrical portion 212, a second lid portion 213, a second cylindrical portion 214, and a shutter member 215, which are assembled together. In the cylindrical container 210, the first lid portion 211, the first cylindrical portion 212, the second cylindrical portion 214, and the second lid portion 213 are arranged in this order in the +F direction. The second cylindrical portion 214 is disposed inside the first cylindrical portion 212 and is partially exposed to the outside. The shutter member 215 is disposed on the inner side of the end face of the first lid portion 211 in the F direction.

[0084] The first lid portion 211 includes an opening 211a. The opening 211a is located on the end face of the first lid portion 211 in the F direction. The opening 211a has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the F direction and communicates with the storage chamber 216 and the outside of the cylindrical container 210. FIG. 4 shows the opening 211a closed by the shutter member 215.

[0085] The shutter member 215 is a substantially semicircular member when viewed from the F direction and has a shape suitable for closing the opening 211a. The shutter member 215 is attached to the end face of the first lid portion 211 in the F direction and is rotatable around the central axis CA.

[0086] Although not illustrated, the second cylindrical portion 214 has an inner thread, and the second lid portion 213 has an outer thread to be screwed into the inner thread.

[0087] The second cylindrical portion 214 and the second lid portion 213 are assembled by screwing inside the cylindrical container 210. The second lid portion 213 can be removed from the cylindrical container 210 by holding the second cylindrical portion 214 and turning the second lid portion 213 counterclockwise when viewed from the +F direction.

[0088] When the second lid portion 213 is removed, the storage chamber 216 can be loaded with a binder.

[0089] The first cylindrical portion 212 and the second cylindrical portion 214 are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about the central axis CA. The first cylindrical portion 212 and the first lid portion 211 are fitted and fixed to each other.

[0090] The shutter member 215 is disposed on the inner side of the first lid portion 211 and configured to come into contact with the second cylindrical portion 214. When the second cylindrical portion 214 rotates together with the second lid portion 213, the shutter member 215 also rotates in conjunction therewith. As described above, when the first cylindrical portion 212 is held and fixed, and the second lid portion 213 is rotated about the central axis CA, the shutter member 215 rotates relative to the first lid portion 211. Thus, the opening and closing of the opening 211a are switched.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 5, when the shutter member 215 is rotated, and the opening 211a is opened, the storage chamber 216 is exposed. In this state, the binder can be supplied from the cylindrical container 210.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical container 210 is obliquely inserted into the holding unit 220 from the upper side in the +Y direction. When the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200, the central axis CA of the cylindrical container 210 is parallel to the F-axis. The angle between the F-axis and the vertical direction is, for example, approximately 70 degrees.

[0093] In FIG. 6, the transportation path of the binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the mixing unit 33 is indicated by broken line arrows. In the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit 200, the first supply unit 201, the second supply unit 202, and the supply pipe 260 are arranged along the transportation path from the cylindrical container 210 to the mixing unit 33. The binder is supplied from the cylindrical container 210 inserted into the holding unit 220 to the mixing unit 33 mentioned above through the first storage tank 240, the second storage tank 250, and the supply pipe 260 in this order.

[0094] The driving unit 203 includes a drive roller 235. The first driving motor 231 rotationally drives a shaft member 242 and paddle portions 241 via a plurality of gears (not illustrated) and the like, and the cylindrical container 210 via the drive roller 235. The second driving motor 232 rotationally drives a screw portion 251 of the second storage tank 250. The third driving motor 233 rotationally drives stirring members (not illustrated) of the second storage tank 250. Since this configuration enables the components mentioned above to be separately rotationally driven, the number of revolutions per unit time can be set to be suitable for each component.

[0095] The holding unit 220 holds the cylindrical container 210 and also supplies the binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the first storage tank 240 of the second supply unit 202. The holding unit 220 protrudes from the housing 202a in the +F direction.

[0096] The holding unit 220 includes a pair of pressing

[0097] rollers 228 and an inner wall 221. The pair of pressing rollers 228 are driven rollers. The inner wall 221 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is inclined parallel to the F-axis. The shape of the inner wall 221 is adapted to the outer shape of the cylindrical container 210. The cylindrical container 210 can be inserted into the inner wall 221.

[0098] The rotation axes of the drive roller 235 and the pair of pressing rollers 228 are parallel to the F-axis. When viewed from the +F direction, the pair of pressing rollers 228 are disposed on the upper side of the inner wall 221, and the drive roller 235 is disposed on the substantially lower side of the inner wall 221. The pair of pressing rollers 228 and the drive roller 235 slightly protrude inward from the inner wall 221. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, the cylindrical container 210 comes into contact with the pair of pressing rollers 228 and the drive roller 235 and is supported by these rollers.

[0099] When the cylindrical container 210 is being inserted into the inner wall 221, the opening 211a is closed by the shutter member 215 mentioned above in order to prevent the binder from leaking out of the cylindrical container 210. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221 of the holding unit 220, the central axis CA intersects the vertical direction, which is the Z-axis. The central axis CA is inclined upward in the +Y direction.

[0100] Although not illustrated, when the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the holding unit 220, a part of the upper portion of the first cylindrical portion 212 and the second lid portion 213 are exposed, and the other portions of the cylindrical container 210 enter the holding unit 220 and are hidden. In this state, the exposed upper region of the first cylindrical portion 212 is held by one hand, and the other hand rotates the second lid portion 213 about the central axis CA. Thus, the opening 211a is opened so that the binder in the storage chamber 216 can come out through the opening 211a.

[0101] To convey the binder outward from the cylindrical container 210 to the first storage tank 240, the first driving motor 231 rotationally drives the drive roller 235. The drive roller 235 rotates, and the entire cylindrical container 210 rotates about the central axis CA. The pair of pressing rollers 228 rotate following the rotation of the cylindrical container 210 while supporting the cylindrical container 210. Thus, the binder falls by gravity from the inside of the cylindrical container 210 into the first storage tank 240. In other words, the cylindrical container 210 discharges the binder therein into the first storage tank 240.

[0102] The binder is supplied into the first storage tank 240 from the cylindrical container 210 which is rotationally driven by the first driving motor 231 of the driving unit 203. Inside the first storage tank 240 is the paddle portions 241 and the shaft member 242.

[0103] The shaft member 242 supports the paddle portions 241, which are paired, and is rotationally driven by the first driving motor 231. The shaft member 242 is a substantially rod-shaped member and is disposed parallel to the Y-axis on the upper side of the first storage tank 240.

[0104] The rotation of the shaft member 242 is transmitted to the drive roller 235 via a plurality of gears (not illustrated) and the like. When viewed from the Y direction, the shaft member 242 rotates counterclockwise.

[0105] Each paddle portion 241 is a member having a substantially grid-like shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis and is fixed to the shaft member 242.

[0106] The pair of paddle portions 241 are arranged at an angular interval of 180 degrees around the shaft member 242 when viewed from the Y direction. When the shaft member 242 rotates, a part of each paddle portion 241 enters the inside of the first storage tank 240, and each paddle portion 241 sweeps out the binder. The swept-out binder moves over an edge of the first storage tank 240 and falls into the second storage tank 250 by gravity.

[0107] In the direction parallel to the axis about which the pair of paddle portions 241 rotate, in other words, the Y-axis direction, the ratio of the length of each paddle portion 241 to the length of the first storage tank 240 is 50% or more and 100% or less. With this configuration, the binder is easily swept out of the first storage tank 240 into the second storage tank 250.

[0108] The second storage tank 250 has a shape in which the width in the X direction gradually decreases as it extends vertically downward. The second storage tank 250 includes the screw portion 251, stirring members (not illustrated), and a sensor unit (not illustrated). The screw portion 251 is disposed near the bottom of the second storage tank 250 to be parallel to the Y direction. Thus, the binder having entered the second storage tank 250 gathers near the screw portion 251 by gravity. Details of the stirring members and the sensor unit will be described later.

[0109] The screw portion 251 conveys the binder in the amount required by the deposition unit 50 outward to the mixing unit 33 via the supply pipe 260. The amount of binder required by the deposition unit 50 is appropriately determined according to the manufacturing conditions such as the basis weight, material, and hardness of the sheet P3 manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0110] Specifically, it is determined by the manufacturing conditions of the sheet P3 set by the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0111] The screw portion 251 is an auger screw. The axis about which the screw portion 251 rotates is parallel to the Y-axis. The screw portion 251 rotates by being driven by the second driving motor 232 and transports the binder in the Y direction. Since the screw portion 251 is an auger screw, the amount of transported binder is relatively less likely to vary.

[0112] In the Y-axis direction, the ratio of the length of the screw portion 251 to the length of the second storage tank 250 is preferably 120% or more and 180% or less. This configuration enables the binder to be conveyed outward from the inside of the second storage tank 250 to the supply pipe 260.

[0113] One end of the screw portion 251 in the +Y direction is disposed in the second storage tank 250, and the other end in the Y direction is inserted into the supply pipe 260. The binder stored in the second storage tank 250 is conveyed outward to the supply pipe 260 by the rotation of the screw portion 251. By changing the number of revolutions per unit time of the screw portion 251, the amount of binder to be supplied to the mixing unit 33 can be easily set.

[0114] The binder is supplied to the mixing unit 33 through the supply pipe 260. The supply pipe 260 has a supply port (not illustrated). The supply port is located at an end portion of the supply pipe 260 in the Y direction and faces downward. The supply port is connected to the mixing unit 33 and can be opened and closed. Inside the supply pipe 260, the screw portion 251 rotates to transport the binder in the Y direction, and the binder is supplied through the supply port to the mixing unit 33.

[0115] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first storage tank 240 and the second storage tank 250 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. To be specific, the second storage tank 250 is disposed adjacent to the first storage tank 240 in the X direction. Hence, all the binder swept out of the first storage tank 240 moves to the second storage tank 250. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the positions of the cross sections are different in the Y-axis direction.

[0116] The holding unit 220 includes a perforated metal member 223 having a plurality of holes. The binder passes from the cylindrical container 210 (not illustrated) through the perforated metal member 223 and falls into the first storage tank 240.

[0117] The first storage tank 240 has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape when viewed from the Y direction. The cross-sectional shape mentioned here is adapted to the rotation range of the rotating paddle portions 241. When viewed from the Y direction, the shaft member 242 and the pair of paddle portions 241 rotate counterclockwise. The binder is swept upward counterclockwise by the paddle portions 241, moves over the edge of the first storage tank 240 in the X direction, and is swept out to the second storage tank 250 side.

[0118] The second storage tank 250 has a shape in which the width in the X-axis direction decreases as it extends downward when viewed from the Y direction. The screw portion 251 is disposed in a lower bottom portion. The second storage tank 250 is provided with stirring members 255a and 255b and a sensor unit 257.

[0119] The stirring members 255a and 255b stir the binder in the second storage tank 250. The stirring members 255a and 255b are aligned in the vertical direction. The stirring member 255a is disposed on the upper side, and the stirring member 255b is disposed on the lower side. Although not illustrated, each of the stirring members 255a and 255b includes a shaft serving as the rotation axis and a plurality of plate-shaped blade members.

[0120] Each shaft of the stirring members 255a and 255b is parallel to the Y-axis and supports the plurality of blade members. Each shaft is rotationally driven by the third driving motor 233 mentioned earlier and rotates together with the plurality of blade members. Thus, the binder is stirred in the second storage tank 250, ensuring interstices between the particles of the binder, and this reduces the variation in the amount of binder transported by the screw portion 251.

[0121] The sensor unit 257 detects the amount of binder stored in the second storage tank 250, in other words, the volume of binder. The sensor unit 257 is located at substantially the same position in the Z-axis direction as the shaft of the stirring member 255a and is located in the X direction relative to this shaft. The sensor unit 257 is a photosensor and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not illustrated). For example, the sensor unit 257 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a reflection plate, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are located at positions facing the reflection plate in the Y-axis direction.

[0122] The sensor unit 257 detects whether the binder has accumulated in the second storage tank 250 and the amount of binder has reached the position at which the binder interrupts the path of the sensor unit 257. Thus, it is possible to prevent the binder from accumulating excessively in the second storage tank 250.

[0123] Note that the shape of the container is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and any shape can be employed. However, it is preferable that the container be rotated about a rotation axis passing through the center of gravity of the container.

[0124] The present embodiment provides the following effects.

[0125] The stability of binder supply can be improved. Specifically, since the cylindrical container 210 is rotationally driven by the driving unit 203, the cylindrical container 210 is not equipped with a driving source, a power supply terminal, and the like. Hence, a problem due to an external force during handling or transportation is less likely to occur, and the binder is stably supplied from the cylindrical container 210. In addition, the binder required by the deposition unit 50 is quantitatively conveyed outward by the screw portion 251. These effects make it possible to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in which the stability of binder supply is improved.