FIBER BODY MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND FIBER BODY PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

In a fiber body manufacturing apparatus, after a mixture is transported from a second mesh belt, a first humidifying section performs a cleaning operation of softening dust generated from the mixture and adhering to a suction pipe by applying a solvent, removing the softened dust, and then drying the solvent adhering to the suction pipe by performing suction by the suction pipe.

Claims

1. A fiber body manufacturing apparatus comprising: a forming section that forms a mixture containing fibers; a belt having holes, and transporting the mixture in a transport direction; a humidifying section that applies a solvent to the belt; a suction pipe that sucks air through the holes to adsorb the mixture onto the belt; and a shaping section that shapes the mixture transported by the belt to produce a fiber body, wherein after the mixture finishes being transported from the belt, the humidifying section performs a cleaning operation of softening dust generated from the mixture and adhering to the suction pipe by applying the solvent, removing the softened dust, and then drying the solvent adhering to the suction pipe by performing suction by the suction pipe.

2. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixture contains a binder, and the shaping section performs a binding process of binding fibers of the mixture to which the solvent is applied with the binder.

3. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the solvent contained in the air per unit volume sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the cleaning operation is performed than when the mixture is transported.

4. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the air per unit time sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the cleaning operation is performed than when the mixture is transported.

5. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the cleaning operation, the suction pipe performs suction until a set time set as a time until drying elapses after the application of the solvent from the humidifying section is ended.

6. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying section includes a discharge port through which the solvent is discharged, and a separation wall that separates an airflow at an outer edge of the discharge port.

7. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the separation wall is disposed on a downstream of the outer edge in the transport direction.

8. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the separation wall is disposed at an end portion in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction on the downstream of the outer edge in the transport direction, and is not disposed at a center portion.

9. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a suction plate having through-holes, and being positioned on a side opposite to the mixture with respect to the belt, wherein an opening ratio of the through-hole is larger in an end portion region of the suction plate than in a center region of the suction plate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

10. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the binder is starch, and the solvent is water.

11. A fiber body production method comprising: forming a mixture containing fibers; transporting the mixture while adsorbing the mixture onto a belt by sucking air through holes formed in the belt using a suction pipe for transporting the mixture; applying a solvent to the belt by a humidifying section; and shaping the mixture transported by the belt to produce a fiber body, wherein after the mixture finishes being transported from the belt, the humidifying section performs a cleaning operation of softening dust generated from the mixture and adhering to the suction pipe by applying the solvent, removing the softened dust, and then drying the solvent adhering to the suction pipe by performing suction by the suction pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a fiber body manufacturing apparatus.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration around a second transport section.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration around a discharge port of a first humidifying section.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating a configuration of a suction plate.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion V in FIG. 4.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating control of a cleaning operation.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of the cleaning operation.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a state where dust adheres to a suction pipe.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a state where the dust softened by the cleaning operation is sucked.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a state where the suction pipe is dried by the cleaning operation.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a state where the suction pipe is dried by the cleaning operation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In the following embodiment, a fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 that recycles waste paper C or the like into a sheet shape by a dry type is exemplified as the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 and the fiber body production method for producing a fiber body using the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that manufactures recycled paper from the waste paper C by a dry type. In the present specification, the dry type means that the recycling of the waste paper C or the like is not performed in a liquid, but is performed in the air such as the atmosphere. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 may be an apparatus that manufactures a sheet such as a cloth from a fiber material such as cotton or cloth, in addition to the waste paper C, or may be a wet type apparatus that recycles the waste paper C or the like into a sheet shape in a liquid in some steps.

[0019] In the following drawings, the XYZ axes are attached as coordinate axes that are orthogonal to each other as necessary. In addition, in the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the direction ahead in the transport direction of the raw material, the web-shaped mixture, the sheet, and the like may be referred to as the downstream, and the side opposite to the transport direction may be referred to as the upstream. For convenience of illustration, the size of each member is different from the actual size. In the following description, the web-shaped mixture is also simply referred to as a web W.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The first unit group 101, the second unit group 102, and the third unit group 103 are supported by a frame (not illustrated). In FIG. 1, the direction in which the waste paper C, paper P3, a slit piece S, an end material, and the like move is indicated by a white arrow.

[0021] The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures the paper P3 from the waste paper C. In the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first unit group 101, the third unit group 103, and the second unit group 102 are disposed in this order from the Y direction to the +Y direction.

[0022] The waste paper C is transported from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 via a pipe 21 crossing an inside of the third unit group 103. Then, the waste paper C is formed of fibers by performing defibration or the like in the second unit group 102, and is then made into a mixture containing air, a binder or the like. The mixture is transported to the third unit group 103 via a pipe 24. The mixture is shaped into the band-shaped sheet P1 after being formed into the web W by the third unit group 103. The band-shaped sheet P1 is cut by the first unit group 101 to form the paper P3.

[0023] The first unit group 101 includes a buffer tank 13, a quantitative supply section 15, a merging section 17, and a pipe 21. In the first unit group 101, the configurations thereof are disposed in the above order from the upstream to the downstream. In addition, the first unit group 101 also includes a first cutting section 81, a second cutting section 82, a tray 91, and a shredding section 95. The first cutting section 81 and the second cutting section 82 cut the band-shaped sheet P1 into a paper P3 having a predetermined shape. Further, the first unit group 101 has a water supply section 67. The water supply section 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply section 67 supplies water for humidification to each of the first humidifying section 65 and the second humidifying section 66, which will be described later, through a water supply pipe 27. As the water stored in the water supply section 67, pure water, tap water, or the like can be applied.

[0024] The waste paper C is charged from a raw material charging port 11 to the buffer tank 13. The waste paper C contains fibers such as cellulose, and is, for example, paper pieces of shredded paper. The fiber is not limited to being derived from waste paper, and other fibers such as cotton or wool may be used, and whether the fiber is a recycled material or a non-recycled material is not a problem. Inside the buffer tank 13, the humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying section 66 included in the third unit group 103 by a humidification pipe 26.

[0025] The waste paper C to be defibrated is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 13, and then is transported to the quantitative supply section 15 in accordance with the operation of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 may be provided with a shredder that shreds the waste paper C or the like on the upstream of the buffer tank 13.

[0026] The quantitative supply section 15 includes a weighing instrument 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The weighing instrument 15a measures the mass of the waste paper C. The supply mechanism supplies the waste paper C measured by the weighing instrument 15a to the downstream merging section 17. That is, the quantitative supply section 15 measures the waste paper C by the weighing instrument 15a for each predetermined mass, and supplies the waste paper C to the downstream merging section 17 by the supply mechanism. In the present embodiment, a load cell is used as the weighing instrument 15a. The predetermined mass with which the weighing instrument 15a measures the waste paper C is, for example, about several grams to several tens of grams.

[0027] A known technique such as a vibration type feeder can be applied to the supply mechanism. The supply mechanism may be included in the weighing instrument 15a.

[0028] The weighing and supply of the waste paper C in the quantitative supply section 15 are performed by batch processing. That is, the supply of the waste paper C from the quantitative supply section 15 to the merging section 17 is intermittently executed. The quantitative supply section 15 may have a plurality of weighing instruments 15a, and may operate the plurality of weighing instruments 15a with a time difference to improve the efficiency of weighing.

[0029] In the merging section 17, the shredded pieces of the slit pieces S supplied from the shredding section 95 are merged and mixed with the waste paper C supplied from the quantitative supply section 15. The slit piece S and the shredding section 95 will be described later. The waste paper C mixed with the shredded pieces flows from the merging section 17 to the pipe 21.

[0030] The pipe 21 transports the waste paper C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by the airflow generated by a blower (not illustrated).

[0031] The second unit group 102 includes a defibrating section 31, a separating section 32, a pipe 23, a mixing section 33, and a pipe 24, which are a dry-type defibrating machine. In the second unit group 102, the configurations thereof are disposed in the above order from the upstream to the downstream. In addition, the second unit group 102 also includes a pipe 25 coupled to the separating section 32, a collecting section 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply section 39.

[0032] The waste paper C transported through the pipe 21 flows into the defibrating section 31. The defibrating section 31 defibrates the waste paper C supplied from the quantitative supply section 15 by a dry type to form fibers. A known defibration mechanism can be applied to the defibrating section 31.

[0033] Examples of the configuration of the defibrating section 31 include the following. The defibrating section 31 includes a known stator and a known rotor. The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is installed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. The waste paper C is interposed between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor, and is defibrated by a shear force generated between the stator and the rotor. As a result, the entangled fibers contained in the paper pieces of the waste paper C are unraveled. The waste paper C is transported to the separating section 32 as a fiber.

[0034] The separating section 32 sorts the defibrated fibers. Specifically, the separating section 32 removes the unnecessary components for manufacturing the paper P3 contained in the fibers. Specifically, the separating section 32 sorts the relatively long fibers and the relatively short fibers. The relatively short fibers are sorted by the separating section 32 because the relatively short fibers may cause a decrease in the strength of the paper P3. In addition, the separating section 32 also sorts and removes color materials, additives, and the like contained in the waste paper C. A known technique such as a disc mesh method can be applied to the separating section 32.

[0035] The air humidified by the second humidifying section 66 of the third unit group 103 is supplied to the inside of the separating section 32 by the humidification pipe 26. The defibrated fibers are transported to the mixing section 33 via the pipe 23 after relatively short fibers or the like are removed. The unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the collecting section 35 via the pipe 25. The mixing section 33 mixes the fibers with a binder or the like in the air to form a mixture. Although not illustrated, the mixing section 33 includes a flow path through which the fibers are transported, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve.

[0036] The hopper communicates with the flow path of the fibers via the supply pipe. The valve is provided in the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow path. The hopper supplies, for example, a binder, which is a powder such as starch as a hydrophilic material or a thermoplastic resin as a hydrophobic material, into the flow path. The valve adjusts the mass of the binder supplied from the hopper to the flow path. As a result, the mixing ratio of the fiber and the binder is adjusted.

[0037] The fan of the mixing section 33 mixes the fibers with the binder or the like in the air when transporting the fibers to the downstream by an airflow to be generated, to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing section 33 to the pipe 24. The mixing section 33 may have a similar configuration for supplying coloring materials, additives, or the like in addition to the configuration for supplying the binder.

[0038] The collecting section 35 includes a filter (not illustrated). The filter filters out unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers transported by the airflow from the pipe 25. A pipe 29 that communicates with a second transport section 62 is coupled to the collecting section 35.

[0039] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. In the above filter, clogging may occur due to fine particles or the like in the unnecessary components. The compressed air generated by the compressor 38 can be blown onto the filter to blow off adhered particles and clean the filter.

[0040] The power supply section 39 includes a power supply device (not illustrated) that supplies electric power to a control section 39a and the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply section 39 distributes the electric power supplied from the outside to each component of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The control section 39a integrally controls the operation of each component of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The control section 39a includes, for example, a CPU, a memory, a control circuit, an interface (I/F), and the like. The CPU is an arithmetic processing device. The memory is a storage device that secures a region for storing various programs, a work region, or the like, and includes a storage element such as a RAM or an EEPROM. The I/F can acquire various data from an external information processing terminal or the like. The CPU executes a calculation according to various programs and controls each driving section or the like via a control circuit.

[0041] Although not illustrated, an operation panel is provided on the outer appearance of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The control section 39a is electrically coupled to the operation panel. A user of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 operates the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 through the operation panel. The operation panel includes, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device and a mechanical key.

[0042] The third unit group 103 accumulates and compresses a mixture containing fibers to shape a band-shaped sheet P1 which is recycled paper. The third unit group 103 includes a forming section 50, a first transport section 61, the second transport section 62, a suction chamber 63, a second suction section 64, the first humidifying section 65 which is a mist type humidifying device, the second humidifying section 66 which is an evaporation type humidifying device, a drainage section 68, and a shaping section 70. In the third unit group 103, the configurations thereof are disposed in the above order from the upstream to the downstream.

[0043] The forming section 50 forms a web W by accumulating the mixture containing the fibers flowing through the pipe 24 in the air. The forming section 50 includes a drum member 53, a blade member 55 installed in the drum member 53, a housing 51 that accommodates the drum member 53, and a first suction section 59. The mixture is taken into the drum member 53 from the pipe 24.

[0044] The first transport section 61 is disposed below the forming section 50. The first transport section 61 includes a first mesh belt 61a and a plurality of rollers that stretch the first mesh belt 61a. The first suction section 59 faces the drum member 53 with the first mesh belt 61a interposed therebetween in a direction along the Z axis.

[0045] The blade member 55 is located inside the drum member 53 and is rotationally driven by a motor (not illustrated). The drum member 53 is a half-cylindrical sieve. A mesh having a sieve function is provided on a surface positioned below the drum member 53. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers and the mixture, which are smaller than the size of a mesh opening of the sieve mesh to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0046] The mixture is released to the outside of the drum member 53 by being stirred by the rotating blade member 55 in the drum member 53. The air humidified by the second humidifying section 66 is supplied to the inside of the drum member 53 by the humidification pipe 26.

[0047] The first suction section 59 is disposed below the drum member 53. The first suction section 59 sucks the air in the housing 51 through a plurality of holes of the first mesh belt 61a. The plurality of holes of the first mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through, and it is difficult for the fibers, the binder, and the like contained in the mixture to pass through. As a result, the mixture released to the outside of the drum member 53 is sucked downward together with the air. The first suction section 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0048] The mixture is dispersed in the air in the housing 51, and is accumulated on the surface above the first mesh belt 61a by gravity and suction of the first suction section 59 to form the web W.

[0049] The first mesh belt 61a is an endless belt and is stretched over a plurality of rollers. The first mesh belt 61a is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by rotation of the roller. As a result, the mixture is continuously accumulated on the first mesh belt 61a, and the web W is formed. The web W includes a relatively large amount of the air and is soft and swollen. The first transport section 61 transports the formed web W to the downstream by rotating the first mesh belt 61a.

[0050] The second transport section 62 transports the web W instead of the first transport section 61 to the downstream of the first transport section 61. The second transport section 62 peels off the web W from the upper surface of the first mesh belt 61a and transports the web W toward the shaping section 70. The second transport section 62 is disposed above the transport path of the web W and slightly on the upstream of a starting point of the first mesh belt 61a on a return side. The +Y direction of the second transport section 62 and the Y direction of the first mesh belt 61a partially overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0051] The second transport section 62 includes a second mesh belt 62a and a plurality of rollers. The second mesh belt 62a is an endless belt and is stretched over a plurality of rollers. The second mesh belt 62a is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by the rotation of the roller. The suction chamber 63 is disposed in a space inside the second mesh belt 62a. The suction chamber 63 faces the first humidifying section 65 with the second mesh belt 62a interposed therebetween in the direction along the Z axis.

[0052] The second suction section 64 is disposed above the suction chamber 63. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second suction section 64 is coupled to the suction chamber 63 by a first suction pipe 64a, a second suction pipe 64c, and a third suction pipe 64e. The second suction section 64 sucks air from below the suction chamber 63 via the plurality of holes of the second mesh belt 62a, the plurality of suction holes of the suction chamber 63, and each suction pipe. As a result, the web W transported to the second transport section 62 instead of the first transport section 61 is sucked upward together with the air. The second suction section 64 is a known suction device such as a blower. The pipe 29 that communicates with the collecting section 35 is coupled to the second suction section 64.

[0053] As described above, the second transport section 62 adsorbs the upper surface of the web W to the lower surface of the second mesh belt 62a by the negative pressure generated by the second suction section 64. In this state, the second mesh belt 62a is rotated, and accordingly, the web W is adsorbed to the second mesh belt 62a having a plurality of holes and transported to the downstream in the transport direction. At this time, most of the fibers, binders, and the like contained in the mixture are adsorbed on the lower surface of the second mesh belt 62a, but a part thereof passes through the plurality of holes of the second mesh belt 62a. The passed part of the fibers, the binder, and the like become dust and adhere to an undesired location.

[0054] The first humidifying section 65 applies mist M made of water to the second mesh belt 62a. When the web W is adsorbed on the second mesh belt 62a, the mist M is applied to the web W. The first humidifying section 65 supplies the mist M from below to the web W transported by the second transport section 62 to humidify the web W.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first humidifying section 65 applies the mist M to the second mesh belt 62a from the side opposite to a suction plate 63j included in the suction chamber 63. The first humidifying section 65 is disposed below the second transport section 62 and faces the web W transported by the second transport section 62 in a direction along the Z axis. For example, a known humidifying device such as an ultrasonic type can be applied to the first humidifying section 65. Water is supplied to the first humidifying section 65 from the water supply section 67 via the water supply pipe 27. The water used in the first humidifying section 65 and the old water are collected and stored in the drainage section 68 via a drainage pipe 28.

[0056] In the present embodiment, for example, a case where hydrophilic starch is applied as a binder will be described. In this case, the web W is humidified by the mist M generated from the water, and thus the starch, which is the binder, is softened. As a result, the function as a binder is promoted, and the strength of the paper P3 is improved. For example, when a hydrophobic resin is applied as a binder, the function of the resin as a binder is promoted by humidifying the web W with the mist M generated from an organic solvent, and the strength of the paper P3 is improved. The water, the organic solvent, and the mist M generated from these stored in the first humidifying section 65 are an example of a solvent.

[0057] The first humidifying section 65 humidifies the web W from below. As a result, the mist-derived droplets are prevented from falling onto the web W. Further, since the web W is humidified from the opposite side of the contact surface between the second mesh belt 62a and the web W, the sticking of the web W to the second mesh belt 62a is reduced. The second transport section 62 transports the web W to the shaping section 70. The detailed configurations of the second transport section 62, the suction chamber 63, the second suction section 64, and the first humidifying section 65 will be described later.

[0058] The shaping section 70 performs a binding process of binding the fibers of the mixture containing the binder to which the mist M is applied with the binder. The shaping section 70 performs shaping of heating and pressurizing the web W transported by the second mesh belt 62a to produce a band-shaped sheet P1 as a fiber body. The shaping section 70 includes a pair of heating rollers 71 and 72. Each of the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72 has a function of heating the surface of the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72 by incorporating an electric heater.

[0059] The web W is continuously passed between the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72, and is press-worked when being heated. As a result, the air included in the web W, which is relatively soft and contains a large amount of air, is reduced, and the fibers are bound to each other by the binder to shape the band-shaped sheet P1. The band-shaped sheet P1 is transported to the first unit group 101 by the transport roller.

[0060] The second humidifying section 66 is disposed below the first humidifying section 65. A known evaporation type humidifying device can be applied to the second humidifying section 66. The second humidifying section 66, for example, blows air onto a plate-shaped humidifying plate wet with water to evaporate the moisture and generate humidified air. Since the air humidified by the second humidifying section 66 is not in a state of over-saturation with moisture, condensation is unlikely to occur on the peripheral members.

[0061] The second humidifying section 66 humidifies a predetermined region of the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined region is the buffer tank 13, the separating section 32, and the drum member 53 of the forming section 50. Specifically, the air humidified by the second humidifying section 66 to a predetermined region is supplied by the humidification pipe 26. In each of the above configurations, the humidified air suppresses charging of the waste paper C, the fibers, or the like, and prevents the same from adhering to the members due to static electricity. However, the other regions may be humidified, and some of these regions may not be humidified.

[0062] The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a waterproof tray at least in one or more places below the first humidifying section 65 and below the second humidifying section 66. Specifically, a first waterproof tray 105 may be installed below the first humidifying section 65, and a second waterproof tray 106 may be installed below the second humidifying section 66. The first waterproof tray 105 and the second waterproof tray 106 are boxes that are open at the top and can store a certain amount of liquid. As a result, the occurrence of water leakage can be suppressed. A water leakage sensor may be attached to the first waterproof tray 105 and the second waterproof tray 106.

[0063] The drainage section 68 is a drainage tank. The drainage section 68 is used in the first humidifying section 65, the second humidifying section 66, and the like, and collects and stores the old moisture by the drainage pipe 28. The drainage section 68 can be removed from the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 as necessary and can discard the accumulated water. The water accumulated in the first waterproof tray 105 and the second waterproof tray 106 may be collected in the drainage section 68.

[0064] The band-shaped sheet P1 transported to the first unit group 101 reaches a first cutting section 81. The first cutting section 81 cuts the band-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the transport direction, for example, in a direction along the X axis. The band-shaped sheet P1 is cut into a single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 by the first cutting section 81. The single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 is transported from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0065] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 in the transport direction, for example, in a direction along the Y axis. Specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the vicinity of both sides of the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 in the direction along the X axis. As a result, the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 is formed of paper P3 having a predetermined shape such as A4 size or A3 size. The paper P3 is transported obliquely upward and is accumulated in the tray 91. The paper P3 can be applied as an alternative to, for example, a copy paper.

[0066] When the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 is cut into the paper P3 by the second cutting section 82, the slit piece S, which is the end material, is generated. The slit pieces S are transported in the substantially-Y direction to reach the shredding section 95, which is a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the slit pieces S and supplies the same to the merging section 17 as shredded pieces. A mechanism for weighing the shredded pieces of the slit piece S and supplying the same to the merging section 17 may be installed between the shredding section 95 and the merging section 17.

[0067] Next, details of the second transport section 62, the suction chamber 63, the second suction section 64, and the first humidifying section 65 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The second transport section 62 includes the second mesh belt 62a and a stretching roller 62b. The second mesh belt 62a is an endless belt having a plurality of mesh-shaped holes, is stretched by four stretching rollers 62b, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the stretching rollers 62b.

[0068] The suction chamber 63 is disposed inside the second mesh belt 62a. The suction chamber 63 has a first suction chamber 63a, a second suction chamber 63e, a third suction chamber 63g, and a suction plate 63j. The first suction chamber 63a, the second suction chamber 63e, and the third suction chamber 63g are disposed in the above order in the Y direction, which is the transport direction of the web W. That is, the second suction chamber 63e is provided on the downstream of the first suction chamber 63a in the transport direction, and the third suction chamber 63g is provided on the downstream of the second suction chamber 63e in the transport direction. The second suction chamber 63e has a shape higher in the +Z direction than the first suction chamber 63a and the third suction chamber 63g. The suction plate 63j is disposed in a region corresponding to the lower surface of each of the first suction chamber 63a, the second suction chamber 63e, and the third suction chamber 63g.

[0069] A second suction section 64 is disposed above the suction chamber 63 with the second mesh belt 62a interposed therebetween. The suction chamber 63 and the second suction section 64 are coupled to each other by the first suction pipe 64a, the second suction pipe 64c, and the third suction pipe 64e. The second suction section 64 has a first blower 64b, a second blower 64d, and a third blower 64f. The first blower 64b is coupled to the first suction chamber 63a via the first suction pipe 64a. The second blower 64d is coupled to the second suction chamber 63e via the second suction pipe 64c. The third blower 64f is coupled to the third suction chamber 63g via the third suction pipe 64e.

[0070] A negative pressure is generated inside the first suction chamber 63a by the first blower 64b. A negative pressure is generated inside the second suction chamber 63e by the second blower 64d. A negative pressure is generated inside the third suction chamber 63g by the third blower 64f. A known mechanism can be applied to each blower. In FIG. 2, the direction in which the air sucked by each blower moves is indicated by a broken line arrow.

[0071] The suction chamber 63 and the second suction section 64 suck the air below upward via the plurality of holes of the second mesh belt 62a and the plurality of suction holes of the suction plate 63j of the suction chamber 63. As a result, the upper surface of the web W is adsorbed to the lower surface of the second mesh belt 62a. The suction chamber 63 and the second suction section 64 are examples of a suction pipe. In this state, the second mesh belt 62a is rotated, and accordingly, the web W is adsorbed to the second mesh belt 62a and transported downstream.

[0072] Next, a configuration of the first humidifying section 65 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The first humidifying section 65 includes a discharge port 65a, a solvent amount detecting section 65e, and a piezoelectric vibrator 65f. The discharge port 65a discharges the mist M. The discharge port 65a is provided to face the second suction chamber 63e with the second mesh belt 62a interposed therebetween. In addition, the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a has a first separation wall 65c and a second separation wall 65d that separate the airflow sucked into the second suction chamber 63e.

[0073] The first separation wall 65c is a substantially eave-shaped member extending from the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a in the Y direction along the XY plane, and is provided on the downstream in the transport direction. The first separation wall 65c is disposed at the end portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction on the downstream of the outer edge 65b in the transport direction, and is not disposed at the center portion. In the present embodiment, the first separation wall 65c is not disposed on the upstream in the transport direction at the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a, and is not disposed as a substantially eave shape at both end portions in the X axis direction. However, the disposition form is not limited to the above. The first separation wall 65c having a substantially eave shape may be provided at both end portions in the X axis direction of the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a, or may be disposed over the entire circumference. The disposition of the first separation wall 65c may be appropriately set according to the degree of separation of the airflow sucked into the second suction chamber 63e.

[0074] The second separation wall 65d is disposed on the X side of the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a. The second separation wall 65d extends along the outer edge 65b on the X side of the discharge port 65a, that is, along the Y axis direction. The second separation wall 65d has a predetermined thickness in the +Z direction from the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a, and is a member facing the second mesh belt 62a. As an example, a fabric such as a moquette can be applied to the second mesh belt 62a. The second separation wall 65d can narrow the gap through which the airflow passes between the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a and the second mesh belt 62a. As a result, the suction of the air that is not humidified from the outside of the discharge port 65a into the second suction chamber 63e can be effectively suppressed in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction at the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a.

[0075] The solvent amount detecting section 65e detects the amount of moisture contained in the web W. The solvent amount detecting section 65e is provided in the vicinity of the center portion in the direction downstream in the transport direction and in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction at the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a. The solvent amount detecting section 65e is electrically coupled to the control section 39a included in the power supply section 39.

[0076] Although not shown in the drawing, the solvent amount detecting section 65e is a light reflection type near-infrared spectroscopic sensor including a light emitting section that emits light including near-infrared light and a light receiving section that receives reflected light of the light reflected by the web W. The solvent amount detecting section 65e can detect the amount of moisture based on the magnitude of the amount of the reflected light received by the light receiving section. For example, the more the amount of moisture, the more the light is absorbed by the water, and the amount of the reflected light received by the light receiving section tends to decrease. The solvent amount detecting section 65e is not limited to the light reflection type sensor, and may be a light transmission type sensor.

[0077] The piezoelectric vibrator 65f is an element that generates vibration by using a piezoelectric effect, and is provided at the bottom of the first humidifying section 65. By applying a high-frequency AC voltage from the power supply section 39 to the piezoelectric vibrator 65f in the water stored in the first humidifying section 65, vibration energy of ultrasonic waves is generated. The vibration energy of the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the surface of the water, and accordingly, the fine mist M can be generated from the surface of the water. The piezoelectric vibrator 65f can be applied with a piezoelectric ceramic, a crystal vibrator, or the like.

[0078] The first humidifying section 65 discharges the humidified air containing the mist M upward. The humidified air is generated by drawing the mist M into the air sucked from an intake port (not illustrated) provided in the first humidifying section 65. The discharge port 65a and the second suction chamber 63e are disposed to face each other. That is, the discharge port 65a faces a third suction region 63f of the suction plate 63j in the vertical direction. In the transmitted view from above, the third suction region 63f and the discharge port 65a have substantially the same shape. Specifically, the third suction region 63f and the discharge port 65a have a rectangular shape elongated in the X axis direction.

[0079] The web W has a relatively large number of gaps inside and has a relatively sparse internal structure. Therefore, the second suction chamber 63e adsorbs the web W to the second mesh belt 62a, and also sucks the humidified air discharged by the first humidifying section 65 via the web W. The humidified air applies moisture to the web W, and a part of the humidified air reaches the second suction chamber 63e.

[0080] Next, the details of the suction plate 63j included in the suction chamber 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The suction plate 63j has a substantially flat plate shape when viewed from the Z direction, and the main surface of the suction plate 63j is disposed along the XY plane. The suction plate 63j is disposed on the side opposite to the web W with respect to the second mesh belt 62a. The suction plate 63j is provided with a plurality of suction holes to be described later, and separates the inside and the outside of each of the first suction chamber 63a, the second suction chamber 63e, and the third suction chamber 63g in the region other than the suction hole. The second suction section 64 sucks air through the plurality of suction holes of the suction plate 63j. As the suction plate 63j, for example, aluminum or stainless steel punched metal can be applied. The suction hole is an example of a through-hole.

[0081] The suction plate 63j has a first suction region 63c, a second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and a fourth suction region 63h. In the suction plate 63j, the region corresponding to the surface below the first suction chamber 63a is the first suction region 63c and the second suction region 63d, the region corresponding to the surface below the second suction chamber 63e is the third suction region 63f, and the region corresponding to the surface below the third suction chamber 63g is the fourth suction region 63h.

[0082] The suction chamber 63 is disposed in a region corresponding to the lower bottom of the trapezoid on the inside of the second mesh belt 62a stretched in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the X direction. The second mesh belt 62a and the suction plate 63j are disposed to be separated from each other. The first suction region 63c, the second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and the fourth suction region 63h of the suction plate 63j face the second mesh belt 62a in the vertical direction.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the suction plate 63j is substantially rectangular when viewed from the Z direction, and a long side thereof is along the X axis. The transport direction of the web W is the Y direction with respect to the suction plate 63j. The first suction region 63c, the second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and the fourth suction region 63h are substantially rectangular, and the long sides thereof are along the X axis. The first suction region 63c, the second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and the fourth suction region 63h are disposed in the above order in the transport direction of the web W.

[0084] Five partition walls 63r are attached to the suction plate 63j. The partition wall 63r is an elongated member along the X axis, and the length along the X axis is substantially equal to the lengths of the first suction region 63c, the second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and the fourth suction region 63h. The partition wall 63r protrudes in the Z direction from the surface of the suction plate 63j facing the Z direction. The partition wall 63r is disposed to reduce the gap between the suction plate 63j and the second mesh belt 62a.

[0085] The partition wall 63r is formed of a material such as resin. The material of the partition wall 63r may be any material as long as the gap between the suction plate 63j and the second mesh belt 62a can be reduced, and a fabric such as a moquette may be applied instead of the resin.

[0086] The partition wall 63r is disposed at a position between each of the first suction region 63c, the second suction region 63d, the third suction region 63f, and the fourth suction region 63h. Further, the partition wall 63r is also disposed at a position adjacent to the long side on the upstream in the transport direction of the web W in the first suction region 63c and a position adjacent to the long side on the downstream in the transport direction of the web W in the fourth suction region 63h.

[0087] The first suction region 63c is provided with a plurality of first suction holes 63k for sucking air. The second suction region 63d is provided with a plurality of second suction holes 63m for sucking air. The third suction region 63f is provided with a plurality of third suction holes 63n for sucking air. The fourth suction region 63h is provided with a plurality of fourth suction holes 63p and a plurality of fifth suction holes 63q for sucking air. Each of the first suction hole 63k, the second suction hole 63m, the third suction hole 63n, the fourth suction hole 63p, and the fifth suction hole 63q is arranged in a substantially staggered manner in the direction along the X axis. The above-described aspects of the arrangement are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0088] The diameter of each suction hole is not particularly limited, but for example, the diameter of the first suction hole 63k is about 5 mm, the diameter of the second suction hole 63m is about 3 mm, the diameter of the third suction hole 63n is about 9 mm to about 10 mm, the diameter of the fourth suction hole 63p is about 5 mm, and the diameter of the fifth suction hole 63q is about 6 mm. As described above, the diameter of the third suction hole 63n is larger than the diameter of the other suction holes. As a result, even when the fibers derived from the web W and the humidified air pass through the third suction hole 63n, the wet fibers are less likely to adhere to the third suction hole 63n or the vicinity thereof.

[0089] The opening ratio of the third suction hole 63n is larger in the one end portion region AR1 and the other end portion region AR3 of the suction plate 63j than in a center region AR2 of the suction plate 63j in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. That is, the opening ratio of the third suction hole 63n is larger in the one end portion region AR1 of the suction plate 63j than in the center region AR2 of the suction plate 63j in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In addition, the opening ratio of the third suction hole 63n is larger in the other end portion region AR3 of the suction plate 63j than in the center region AR2 of the suction plate 63j in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The opening ratio indicates a ratio of the opening area per area of a predetermined region. In the present embodiment, the opening ratio of the third suction hole 63n refers to a ratio of the area of each of the one end portion region AR1, the center region AR2, and the other end portion region AR3 to the total opening area of the holes opened by the third suction hole 63n in each of the regions.

[0090] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, a branch plate 63s, a flow path member 63u, a plate member 63v, and a joint 63w are integrally provided at one end and the other end of the second suction region 63d of the suction plate 63j, respectively. A groove 63t that branches into three is formed on the surface of the branch plate 63s facing the +Z direction. The surface of the branch plate 63s facing the +Z direction is provided with the surface of the flow path member 63u and the suction plate 63j facing the Z direction in close contact with each other. As a result, the groove 63t is formed as a hollow flow path.

[0091] Each of the flow path member 63u, the plate member 63v, and the joint 63w is formed with a through-hole, and each of the through-holes forms a series of flow paths. The series of flow paths are coupled to the positions where the three branched grooves 63t intersect with each other, and further form a series of flow paths. The joint 63w is coupled to the compressor 38 included in the second unit group 102 with an air hose (not illustrated). In the first cleaning operation described later, the control section 39a of the power supply section 39 opens a valve (not illustrated) to guide the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 to the grooves 63t.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the end portions of the three hollow flow paths formed by the grooves 63t branched into three are respectively opened toward the inside in the X axis direction to face the plurality of third suction holes 63n disposed in the direction along the X axis. When the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 is guided to the grooves 63t that are branched into three, as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 4, the compressed air is ejected from both end sides in the X axis direction toward the inside along the surface of the suction plate 63j facing the Z direction. The compressed air ejected from both end sides is directed toward the center of the suction plate 63j in the X axis direction. The compressed air is sucked by the second suction section 64 via the third suction hole 63n.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the humidified air and the dust D generated from the web W pass through the third suction hole 63n of the third suction region 63f, the dust D may adhere to the third suction hole 63n. In the present embodiment, the dust D adhering to the third suction hole 63n is removed to prevent the third suction hole 63n from being blocked by the cumulative adhesion of the dust D. Specifically, after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, the control section 39a ejects the compressed air toward the third suction hole 63n to execute the first cleaning operation of removing the dust D adhering to the third suction hole 63n. As a result, the third suction hole 63n is prevented from being blocked.

[0094] In addition, the dust D passes through the plurality of suction holes of the suction plate 63j and is sucked by the second suction section 64. However, since the mist M is applied and the dust D is wet in the second suction chamber 63e and the third suction chamber 63g, the dust D can adhere to the second suction chamber 63e, the third suction chamber 63g, the second suction pipe 64c, and the third suction pipe 64e. In the present embodiment, the control section 39a executes the second cleaning operation of removing the dust D adhering to the second suction chamber 63e, the third suction chamber 63g, the second suction pipe 64c, and the third suction pipe 64e. In the present embodiment, at least the second suction chamber 63e, the third suction chamber 63g, the second suction pipe 64c, and the third suction pipe 64e are examples of the suction pipe.

[0095] Next, the details of the second cleaning operation of removing the dust D adhering to the suction pipe will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Further, the subsequent operation is controlled by the control section 39a of the power supply section 39. The second cleaning operation illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is executed after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a.

[0096] First, a heating step is started at timing TO (step S1). In the heating step, by heating the electric heaters incorporated in the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72, the temperature of the air around the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72 is increased. Then, this heating step is a step of enabling the use of the heated air in the drying step that is performed subsequently. The heating step may be continued from before the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 ends the production of the fiber body.

[0097] Next, the dust suction step is started at timing T1 (step S2). The dust suction step is a step of sucking the dust D adhering to the suction pipe by the negative pressure generated by the second blower 64d and the third blower 64f. Most of the dust D adhering to the suction pipe is collected by the collecting section 35 on the airflow in the dust suction step. In the dust suction step, at timing T1, the second blower 64d is turned on to generate a negative pressure, and suction is mainly performed via the second suction pipe 64c. Then, at timing T2 following timing T1, the third blower 64f is turned on to generate a negative pressure, and suction is also performed via the third suction pipe 64e.

[0098] The dust D that is not collected and adheres to the suction pipe may be fixed to the suction pipe as the dust D that is wet with time or the binder contained in the dust D dries and cures. The second cleaning operation of the present embodiment includes a dust softening step of removing the dust D fixed to the suction pipe.

[0099] At timing T3, the dust softening step is started (step S3). In the dust softening step, the dust D fixed to the suction pipe is softened when the dust suction step is being executed. The softened dust D is removed by the negative pressure generated by the second blower 64d and the third blower 64f, and is collected by the collecting section 35 on the airflow. The dust softening step is continued from timing T3 to timing T4. The dust softening step is performed by turning on the piezoelectric vibrator 65f at timing T3 to apply the mist M from the first humidifying section 65 to the suction pipe. In addition, since the dust softening step is executed when rotating the second mesh belt 62a, the dust D adhering to the second mesh belt 62a can also be softened.

[0100] Since the dust softening step is a step executed after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, the web W is not adsorbed to the second mesh belt 62a. That is, since the suction is not hindered by the web W, the amount of mist M contained in the air per unit volume sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the second cleaning operation is executed than when the web W is transported. A period from timing T3 to timing T4 is determined in advance by an experiment to a value at which the dust D fixed to the suction pipe can be softened, and is stored in the storage section of the control section 39a.

[0101] Next, at timing T4, the dust softening step and the dust suction step are ended (step S4). The dust softening step is ended by turning off the piezoelectric vibrator 65f at timing T4.

[0102] In addition, at timing T4, the belt drying step and the pipe drying step are started (step S5). The belt drying step and the pipe drying step are steps of drying the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres by continuing to suck air via the suction pipe until a predetermined period elapses even after the application of the mist M is stopped. The water droplet SL is generated by the mist M adhering to the suction pipe in large amounts. In the belt drying step and the pipe drying step, the negative pressure generated by the second blower 64d and the third blower 64f sucks the heated air around the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72 via the suction pipe. As a result, the second mesh belt 62a and the suction pipe can be efficiently dried.

[0103] Since the belt drying step and the pipe drying step are executed when rotating the second mesh belt 62a, the second mesh belt 62a to which the water droplet SL adheres can be dried over the entire circumference. In addition, the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres can also be dried. The water droplet SL is an example of a solvent.

[0104] Next, at timing T5, the belt drying step is ended (step S6). The belt drying step is ended by turning off the third blower 64f. A period from timing T4 to timing T5 is determined in advance by an experiment as a first set time during which the second mesh belt 62a, to which the water droplet SL adheres, can be dried, and is stored in the storage section of the control section 39a. The first set time is, for example, 1 minute.

[0105] Next, at timing T6, the pipe drying step and the heating step are ended (step S7). The pipe drying step and the heating step are ended by turning off the electric heater and the second blower 64d incorporated in the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72. A period from timing T4 to timing T6 is determined in advance by an experiment as a second set time during which the suction pipe, to which the water droplet SL adheres, can be dried, and is stored in the storage section of the control section 39a. The second set time is, for example, 30 minutes.

[0106] In this manner, in the second cleaning operation, the suction pipe performs suction until a set time set as a time until the suction pipe is dried elapses after the application of the mist M from the first humidifying section 65 is ended.

[0107] In addition, the first humidifying section 65 applies the mist M after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, and accordingly, the control section 39a of the power supply section 39 softens the dust D generated from the web W and adhering to the suction pipe. Further, the control section 39a performs the second cleaning operation of drying the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres by removing the softened dust and then performing suction by the suction pipe.

[0108] Since the dust suction step, the belt drying step, and the pipe drying step are steps that are each executed after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, the web W is not adsorbed to the second mesh belt 62a. That is, since the suction is not hindered by the web W, the amount of air per unit time sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the second cleaning operation is executed than when the web W is transported.

[0109] Next, the details of the state where the second cleaning operation is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. In FIGS. 8 to 10, the dust D is indicated by a white circle, and the water droplet SL is indicated by a black circle.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the dust D that is not collected and adheres to the suction pipe may be fixed to the suction pipe as the dust D that is wet with time or the binder contained in the dust D dries and cures. The fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 performs the second cleaning operation in order to remove the dust D fixed to the suction pipe.

[0111] FIG. 9 illustrates a state of mainly the suction pipe during a period from timing T3 to timing T4 illustrated in FIG. 6 during the second cleaning operation. As illustrated in FIG. 9, as the second cleaning operation, the first humidifying section 65 applies the mist M, and accordingly, the mist M is adsorbed to the dust D fixed to the suction pipe, and the dust D is softened. The softened dust D is sucked through the second suction pipe 64c and collected by the collecting section 35. In addition, a part of the mist M applied by the first humidifying section 65 adheres to the suction pipe to become the water droplet SL, and remains in the suction pipe.

[0112] FIG. 10 illustrates a state of mainly the suction pipe during a period from timing T4 to timing T5 illustrated in FIG. 6 during the second cleaning operation. As illustrated in FIG. 10, after the first humidifying section 65 ends the application of the mist M, the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres is dried by performing suction by the suction pipe. FIG. 10 mainly illustrates a state where the second mesh belt 62a to which the water droplet SL shown in FIG. 9 adheres and the third suction pipe 64e to which the water droplet SL adheres are dried.

[0113] FIG. 11 illustrates a state of mainly the suction pipe during a period from timing T5 to timing T6 illustrated in FIG. 6 during the second cleaning operation. As illustrated in FIG. 11, after the first humidifying section 65 ends the application of the mist M, the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres is dried by performing suction by the suction pipe. FIG. 11 mainly illustrates a state where the second suction pipe 64c is dried in which the mist M is most applied and the water droplet SL adheres.

[0114] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0115] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the first humidifying section 65 applies the mist M after the mixture finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, and accordingly, the dust D generated from the mixture and adhering to the suction pipe is softened. Further, by removing the softened dust, and then, by performing suction by the suction pipe, the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres is dried. Since the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1 performs such a second cleaning operation, the dust D adhering to the suction pipe can be removed. Furthermore, since the suction pipe can be dried, the adhesion of the dust D generated from the new mixture to the suction pipe can be suppressed.

[0116] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the binding process of binding the fibers of the mixture to which the mist M is applied by the shaping section 70 with the binder is performed. Therefore, the fiber body in which the fibers are bound with the binder can be produced.

[0117] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the amount of moisture contained in the air per unit volume sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the second cleaning operation is performed than when the mixture is transported. As a result, the dust D adhering to the suction pipe can be softened more efficiently.

[0118] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the amount of air per unit time sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the second cleaning operation is performed than when the mixture is transported. As a result, the dust D adhering to the suction pipe can be sucked more strongly. In addition, the suction pipe to which the water droplet SL adheres can be dried more strongly.

[0119] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, in the second cleaning operation, the suction pipe performs suction until a set time set as a time until drying elapses after the application of the mist M from the first humidifying section 65 is ended. Accordingly, since the suction pipe can be efficiently dried, the adhesion of the dust D generated from the new mixture to the suction pipe can be suppressed.

[0120] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the first humidifying section 65 has the first separation wall 65c and the second separation wall 65d that separate the airflow at the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a from which the mist M is discharged. As a result, the suction of the air that is not humidified from the outside of the discharge port 65a into the second suction chamber 63e can be effectively suppressed. Since the suction amount of air that is not humidified can be reduced, the amount of mist M applied in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be made uniform when the mixture is transported by the second mesh belt 62a. As a result, the mixture having quality uniformed in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be transported to the shaping section 70.

[0121] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, since the first separation wall 65c is disposed on the outer edge 65b on the downstream in the transport direction, the amount of non-humidified air flowing in from the downstream in the transport direction can be reduced. Since the amount of air that is not humidified can be reduced, the amount of mist M applied in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be made uniform on the downstream in the transport direction when the mixture is transported by the second mesh belt 62a. As a result, the mixture having quality uniformed in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be transported to the shaping section 70. In particular, it is effective to make the quality uniform in the in-plane direction of the mixture at the end portion of the mixture on the downstream in the transport direction, from the viewpoint of preventing the transport failure when the mixture is transported downstream in the transport direction.

[0122] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the first separation wall 65c is disposed at the end portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction on the downstream of the outer edge 65b in the transport direction, and is not disposed at the center portion. As a result, the amount of non-humidified air flowing in from the end portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction can be reduced. Since the amount of air that is not humidified can be reduced, the amount of mist M applied in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be made uniform. As a result, the mixture having quality uniformed in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be transported to the shaping section 70. Further, since there is no separation wall in the center portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, a sensor for detecting the amount of moisture applied to the mixture can be provided at the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a without being blocked by the separation wall.

[0123] According to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the opening ratio of the third suction hole 63n in the third suction region 63f is larger in the end portion region of the suction plate 63j than in the center region AR2 of the suction plate 63j in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As a result, when the mixture is transported by the second mesh belt 62a, the amount of the mist M sucked from the end portion region of the suction plate 63j can be increased as compared with the amount of mist M sucked from the center region AR2 of the suction plate 63j. In particular, in the vicinity of the inner surface of the wall forming the outer edge 65b of the first humidifying section 65, the flow of the air to be sucked is likely to be weakened. However, according to the fiber body manufacturing apparatus 1, the amount of the mist M sucked from the end portion region can be increased. As a result, the amount of mist M sucked by the suction pipe can be made uniform in the in-plane direction of the third suction region 63f, and thus the mixture having a quality that is uniform in the in-plane direction of the mixture can be transported to the shaping section 70.

[0124] According to the fiber body production method, the first humidifying section 65 applies the mist M after the mixture finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, and accordingly, the dust D generated from the mixture and adhering to the suction pipe is softened. Further, the second cleaning operation of drying the water droplet SL adhering to the suction pipe by removing the softened dust, and then, by performing suction by the suction pipe, is performed, and thus, the dust D adhering to the suction pipe can be removed. Furthermore, since the suction pipe can be dried, the adhesion of the dust D generated from the new mixture to the suction pipe can be suppressed. As a result, the fiber body can be produced without being adversely affected by the dust D adhering to the suction pipe.

[0125] The present embodiment was described above in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the present embodiment, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, or the like as long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated. In addition, the following embodiments may be used.

[0126] In the present embodiment, since the second cleaning operation is executed after the web W finishes being transported from the second mesh belt 62a, the web W is not adsorbed to the second mesh belt 62a. That is, since the suction is not hindered by the web W, the amount of air per unit time sucked by the suction pipe is larger when the second cleaning operation is performed than when the web W is transported, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The amount of air per unit time sucked by the suction pipe during the second cleaning operation may be increased by changing the suction force of the second blower 64d, the third blower 64f, or the like regardless of the presence or absence of the web W. In this case as well, the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the outer edge 65b of the discharge port 65a has the first separation wall 65c and the second separation wall 65d that separate the airflow. These aspects are not limited to the above. At least one of the first separation wall 65c and the second separation wall 65d may be applied. Even in this case, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained depending on the degree to which the airflow sucked into the second suction chamber 63e is separated.

[0128] In the present embodiment, the first set time and the second set time are set to the predetermined times, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the time may be dynamically determined based on the measurement result of a humidity sensor or the like.

[0129] The formation of the web W and the shaping of the sheet P1 described in the present embodiment are merely examples, and the web W may be formed and the sheet P1 may be formed by other methods.