JP2019119958A - Treatment apparatus, apparatus for producing sheet, treatment method, and method for producing sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing apparatus, a sheet manufacturing apparatus, a processing method and a sheet manufacturing method capable of efficiently removing foreign substances when the fiber-containing material contains foreign substances. SOLUTION: The processing apparatus of the present invention has a first particle group having a plurality of first particles and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group. The powder material supply unit that supplies the powder material containing the particles of the above to the fiber-containing material during or after defibration containing the fibers, and the powder from the fiber-containing material to which the powder material is supplied. It is characterized by comprising a powder material removing portion for removing at least a part of the body material. The processing apparatus of the present invention preferably has a defibration section for defibrating the fiber-containing material on the upstream side of the powder material supply section. [Selection diagram] None

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, a sheet manufacturing apparatus, a processing method, and a method of manufacturing a sheet.

  In recent years, awareness of the environment has been increased, and it has been required not only to reduce the amount of paper (recording medium) used at work but also to reproduce paper at work.

  As a method of reproducing the recording medium, for example, it is formed of a sheet of paper and is formed of ink, toner or the like by jetting a blast material to the recording layer (printing section) of the used recording medium subjected to printing. There is known a method of removing the recording layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Then, the recording medium from which the recording layer has been removed becomes usable again.

  However, the above method has a problem that the foreign matter (the foreign matter derived from the constituent material of the recording layer to be removed) can not be sufficiently removed. In addition, even if the treatment time is increased for the purpose of improving the removal rate of the foreign matter, the removal rate of the foreign matter can not be sufficiently improved, and the processing efficiency is also lowered.

JP, 2000-284657, A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a processing apparatus, a sheet manufacturing apparatus, a processing method, and a sheet manufacturing method capable of efficiently removing foreign substances when the fiber-containing material contains the foreign substances. .

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
A processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first particle group having a plurality of first particles, and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group. A powder material supply unit for supplying a powder material containing the powder to a fiber-containing material during or after fiberization,
And a powder material removing unit configured to remove at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material to which the powder material is supplied.

  Thereby, when the foreign material is contained in the fiber-containing material, it is possible to provide a processing apparatus capable of efficiently removing the foreign material.

  It is preferable that the processing apparatus of the present invention has a fibrillation part that disintegrates the fiber-containing material on the upstream side of the powder material supply part.

  Thus, the deinking treatment can be suitably performed using a non-fibrillated raw material (for example, a sheet-like raw material) without preparing a previously-fibrillated material.

  In the processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that an average particle diameter of the second particle group is twice or more and 10000 times or less of an average particle diameter of the first particle group.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more significantly exhibited, and when the fiber-containing material contains foreign matter, the removal efficiency of the foreign matter is further improved It can be done.

In the processing apparatus of the present invention, the average particle diameter of the first particle group is 0.01 μm or more and 10 μm or less,
The average particle diameter of the second particle group is preferably 5 μm or more and 1500 μm or less.

  As a result, the removal efficiency of foreign matter adhering in a state of being exposed to the outer surface of the fiber-containing material can be made more excellent, and it penetrates into minute spaces such as gaps of fibers constituting the fiber-containing material. Foreign matter being removed can be removed more efficiently, and as a result, the removal efficiency of foreign matter as the whole powder material can be made more excellent.

  In the processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the first particles and the second particles have different densities.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.

  In the processing apparatus of the present invention, the density of the first particles is preferably larger than the density of the second particles.

  Thereby, in the deinking treatment, the kinetic energy of the first particles (particles having a relatively small particle diameter) can be made sufficiently large, and the deinking treatment using the first particles (in particular, the fibers) The removal of foreign matter invading minute spaces such as gaps of fibers constituting the contained material can be efficiently advanced, and the kinetic energy of the second particles (particles having a relatively large particle diameter) is excessive Can be more reliably prevented, and damage to fibers constituting the fiber-containing material (such as excessive shortening of the fiber length) can be prevented more effectively.

  In the processing apparatus of the present invention, the removal rate of the powder material in the powder material removing portion is preferably 40% or more.

  As a result, the quality of the fiber-containing material after deinking and the sheet produced using this can be made more excellent.

The sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including the processing apparatus of the present invention.
Thereby, the foreign matter contained in the fiber-containing material can be efficiently removed, and the sheet can be manufactured from the material from which the foreign matter is removed.

The processing method of the present invention comprises a first particle group having a plurality of first particles, and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group. Supplying the powder material containing the powder to the fiber-containing material during or after the fiberization,
A stirring step of stirring in a state where the powder material and the fiber-containing material are mixed;
And D. a powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material to which the powder material has been supplied.

  Thereby, when the foreign material is contained in the fiber-containing material, it is possible to provide a treatment method capable of efficiently removing the foreign material.

A method of producing a sheet according to the present invention includes a first particle group having a plurality of first particles, and a second particle having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group. A powder material supplying step of supplying a powder material containing particles to a fiber-containing material during or after fiberization, which contains fibers;
A stirring step of stirring in a state where the powder material and the fiber-containing material are mixed;
A powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material supplied with the powder material;
A sheet is produced from the fiber-containing material from which the powder material has been removed.

  Thereby, the foreign matter contained in the fiber-containing material can be efficiently removed, and the sheet can be manufactured from the material from which the foreign matter is removed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a first embodiment of a sheet manufacturing apparatus (including a processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an image view showing a state in which the powder material (deinking agent) is mixed with the fiber-containing material in the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and foreign matter is absorbed by the powder material and separated. FIG. 4 shows the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the mixed powder material (deinking agent) and the fiber-containing material are sieved, and the web from which the powder material is removed is deposited on the mesh belt It is a schematic side view which shows a state. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a second embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a third embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a fourth embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing an example of the particle size distribution of the powder material.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a first embodiment of a sheet manufacturing apparatus (including a processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an image view showing a state in which the powder material (deinking agent) is mixed with the fiber-containing material in the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and foreign matter is absorbed by the powder material and separated. FIG. 4 shows the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the mixed powder material (deinking agent) and the fiber-containing material are sieved, and the web from which the powder material is removed is deposited on the mesh belt It is a schematic side view which shows a state. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 1 and 4 (as well as in FIGS. 5 and 7) is referred to as “upper” or “upper” and lower as “lower” or “lower”. The left side may be referred to as "left" or "upstream" and the right side may be referred to as "right" or "downstream".

  The processing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a first particle group consisting of a plurality of first particles, and a second particle consisting of a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group. Powder material supply unit 25 for supplying the powder material RM including the group to the fiber-containing material M3 during or after fiberization, and powder from the fiber-containing material M3 to which the powder material RM is supplied And a powder material removing unit that removes at least a part of the material RM.

  Further, according to the processing method of the present invention, there is provided a second particle group comprising a plurality of first particles and a second particle group comprising a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle diameter than the first particle group. Powder material supplying step of supplying powder material RM including particle group to fiber-containing material M3 during fiberization or during fiberization, and state where powder material RM and fiber-containing material M3 are mixed And a powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material RM from the fiber-containing material M3 to which the powder material RM is supplied. Then, this method is executed by the processing device 1.

  According to the present invention, as described later, the fiber-containing material M3 contains foreign matter CM (for example, a colorant, a binder resin, a charge control agent, etc.) derived from a recording material such as ink, toner, etc. Even in this case, the foreign matter CM can be efficiently removed from the fiber-containing material M3 by the powder material (deinking agent) RM. That is, the foreign matter CM can be removed (deinked) from the fiber-containing material M3 at a high removal rate by a short time treatment. After that, the foreign material CM can be removed together with the powder material RM by the powder material removal unit 28 (powder material removal process). In particular, the foreign matter CM can be removed dry without requiring a large amount of water and a large facility. Specifically, while the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM attached in a state of being exposed to the outer surface of the fiber-containing material M3 is excellent, it penetrates into a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the fiber-containing material M3. Foreign substances CM being removed can also be removed efficiently.

  In the present invention, the average particle diameter refers to the number-based average particle diameter. The average particle diameter of the powder was measured using a dry particle size distribution analyzer, and was calculated by analysis using a static image analyzer (static image analyzer: Mophorogi G3: manufactured by Malvern), particle major axis (direction of particle length) Point number average value of

  Further, in the present invention, “deinking” refers to removing (separating) foreign substances derived from recording materials such as ink and toner. Further, in the present invention, "treatment" refers to deinking treatment for paper materials including waste paper. In the conventional deinking treatment, waste paper is dispersed in water, the coloring agent is released mechanically and chemically (surfactant, chemical agent, etc.), and the foreign matter is removed by the floating method, screen washing method, etc. Although it is general, in the present invention, deinking becomes possible without the need to immerse waste paper in water. It can be said that it is a dry type deinking technology.

The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes the processing apparatus 1.
Further, according to the sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, a first particle group comprising a plurality of first particles, and a plurality of second particles comprising an average particle diameter larger than that of the first particle group A powder material supplying step of supplying the powder material RM including the particle group 2 to the fiber-containing material M3 during or after fiberization, and the powder material RM and the fiber-containing material M3 being mixed And a powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material RM from the fiber-containing material M3 supplied with the powder material RM, and the powder material RM is removed. The sheet S is manufactured from the fiber-containing material M3. The method is then performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

  According to the present invention, while taking advantage of the processing apparatus 1 (processing method) described above, foreign matter CM (for example, colorant, binder resin, charge control, etc.) derived from recording materials such as ink, toner, etc. The sheet S can be further manufactured (regenerated) from the material from which the agent etc. has been removed. In particular, it is possible to produce a dry, high-brightness sheet S without requiring a large amount of water and a large facility.

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes the raw material supply unit 11, the crushing unit 12, the defibrating unit 13, the powder material supply unit 25, the sorting unit 14, the first web forming unit 15, and the division A portion 16, a mixing portion 17, a loosening portion 18, a second web forming portion 19, a sheet forming portion 20, a cutting portion 21, and a stocking portion 22 are provided. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 further includes a humidifying unit 231, a humidifying unit 232, a humidifying unit 233, and a humidifying unit 234. The operation of each part of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

  Further, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with the processing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the processing apparatus 1 includes the raw material supply unit 11, the crushing unit 12, the defibrating unit 13, the powder material supply unit 25, the sorting unit 14, and the first web forming unit 15. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the sheet manufacturing method includes a raw material supply step, a grinding step, a defibration step, a sorting step, a first web forming step, a dividing step, and a mixing step. And a second web forming step, a sheet forming step, and a cutting step. Further, the powder material supplying step is performed together with the fibrillation step, and the powder material removing step is performed together with the first web forming step. In addition, there is a stirring process between the powder material supplying process and the sorting process. Then, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can sequentially execute these steps. Among these processes, the process performed by the processing apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply process, a crushing process, a fibrillation process, a powder material supply process, a sorting process, a first web forming process, and powder. It is a material removal process.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each part provided in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described.
The raw material supply part 11 is a part which performs the raw material supply process (refer FIG. 2) which supplies the raw material M1 to the crushing part 12. As shown in FIG. The raw material M1 is, for example, in the form of a sheet, which is made of a fiber-containing material containing fibers (cellulose fibers). Moreover, although the raw material M1 is used paper, ie, the used sheet, in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, It may be an unused sheet. The cellulose fiber may be any one having cellulose as a compound (cellulose in a narrow sense) or a derivative thereof as a main component and in the form of fiber, and includes hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose and its derivative It is also good.

  The crushing part 12 is a part which performs the crushing process (refer FIG. 2) which crushes the raw material M1 supplied from the raw material supply part 11 in air (in air). The crushing unit 12 has a pair of crushing blades 121 and a chute (hopper) 122.

  The pair of coarse crushing blades 121 can rotate the raw material M1 between them in a direction opposite to each other to coarsen, that is, cut the raw material M1 into coarse pieces M2. The shape and size of the coarse fragments M2 are preferably suitable for the defibrating treatment in the defibrating unit 13. For example, the length of one side is preferably a small piece of 100 mm or less, and a small piece of 10 mm to 70 mm Is more preferred.

  The chute 122 is disposed below the pair of crushing blades 121 and has, for example, a funnel shape. Thus, the chute 122 can receive the coarse fragments M2 that have been crushed and dropped by the crushing blade 121.

  Further, above the chute 122, the humidifying unit 231 is disposed adjacent to the pair of coarse crushing blades 121. The humidifying unit 231 humidifies the coarse fragments M2 in the chute 122. The humidifying unit 231 has a filter (not shown) containing water, and by passing air through the filter, a vaporization type (or hot air vaporization type) that supplies humidified air with increased humidity to the coarse debris M2 It consists of a humidifier. By supplying the humidified air to the coarse fragments M2, the coarse fragments M2 can be prevented from adhering to the chute 122 etc. by static electricity.

  The chute 122 is connected to the defibrating unit 13 via a pipe (flow path) 241. The coarse fragments M2 collected in the chute 122 pass through the pipe 241 and are transported to the defibrating unit 13.

  The defibration unit 13 is provided on the upstream side of the powder material supply unit 25 and is a disaggregation that disaggregates the coarse fragments M2 (fiber-containing material including fibers) in air (in air), that is, in a dry state. It is a part which performs a process (refer FIG. 2). By the fibrillation treatment in the fibrillation unit 13, the fiber-containing material M3 as a fibrillated material can be generated from the coarse fragments M2. As described above, the processing apparatus 1 includes the defibrating unit 13 so that it is possible to prepare the defibrated material (the fibrillated material in which the fiber-containing material including the fibers is fibrillated) which has been fibrillated in advance. The deinking treatment can be suitably performed using the non-fibrillated raw material M1 (for example, the sheet-like raw material M1). Here, "disintegrate" refers to loosening the coarse fragments M2 formed by binding a plurality of fibers into one fiber. And this disentangled thing becomes disentangled material (fiber containing material) M3. The shape of the defibrated material M3 is linear or band-like. In addition, the defibrated materials M3 may be present in a state of being entangled and in a lump, that is, in a state of forming a so-called "dama".

  For example, in the present embodiment, the defibrating unit 13 is configured by an impeller mill having a rotor rotating at high speed and a liner located on the outer periphery of the rotor. The coarse fragments M2 flowing into the defibrating unit 13 are sandwiched between the rotor and the liner and disintegrated by the disintegration action of grinding and crushing to become a fiber-containing material (disintegrated material) M3.

  Further, the defibrating unit 13 can generate a flow (air flow) of air from the coarse crushing unit 12 to the sorting unit 14 by the rotation of the rotor. Thereby, the coarse fragments M2 can be sucked from the pipe 241 to the defibrating unit 13. In addition, after the defibration treatment, the defibrated material M3 can be sent out to the sorting unit 14 through the pipe 242.

  A powder material supply unit 25 is connected to the defibrating unit 13 having such a configuration. The powder material supply unit 25 is a powder material RM configured by including a plurality of first particles and second particles having mutually different average particle diameters in a fiber-containing material (defibrated material) M3 during defibration. Is the part that supplies Therefore, the powder material RM supplied from the powder material supply unit 25 to the defibrating unit 13 is mixed with the fiber-containing material (defibrated material) M3 in the defibration. That is, in the present embodiment, in the defibrating unit 13, the powder material supplying step of supplying the powder material RM to the fiber-containing material M 3 along with the defibrating step, and the powder material RM and the fiber-containing material M 3 are mixed A stirring process is performed to stir in a state of being kept. Then, when a shear force acts between the powder material RM and the fiber-containing material (defibrated material) M3, and the foreign material CM adheres to the fiber-containing material (defibrated material) M3, the foreign material CM is It is removed efficiently. The configuration of the powder material supply unit 25 and the powder material RM will be described in detail later.

  The defibrating unit 13 is connected to the sorting unit 14 via a pipe (flow passage) 242. The defibrated material M 3 (fiber-containing material after fibrillation) passes through the pipe 242 and is conveyed to the sorting unit 14.

  In the middle of the pipe 242, a blower 261 is installed. The blower 261 is an air flow generating device that generates an air flow toward the sorting unit 14. Thus, the delivery of the defibrated material M3 to the sorting unit 14 is promoted.

  The sorting unit 14 is a part that performs a sorting step (see FIG. 2) of sorting the defibrated material M3 according to the length of the fiber. In the sorting unit 14, the defibrated material M3 is sorted into the first sorted material M4-1 and the second sorted material M4-2 larger than the first sorted material M4-1. The first sorted product M4-1 has a size suitable for the subsequent production of the sheet S. The second sorted product M4-2 includes, for example, those having insufficient defibration and those in which the defibrated fibers are excessively aggregated.

  The sorting unit 14 has a drum unit 141 and a housing unit 142 for housing the drum unit 141.

The drum unit 141 is a screen formed in a cylindrical shape and is a sieve that rotates around its central axis. The defibrated material M3 flows into the drum portion 141. And, by rotation of the drum portion 141, the defibrated material M3 smaller than the mesh size of the mesh is selected as the first sorted material M4-1, and the defibrillated material M3 having a size larger than the mesh size is The second sorted product M4-2 is sorted.
The first sorted matter M4-1 falls from the drum unit 141.

  On the other hand, the second sorted matter M4-2 is sent out to a pipe (flow path) 243 connected to the drum portion 141. The pipe 243 is connected to the pipe 241 at the opposite side (downstream side) to the drum portion 141. The second sorted product M4-2 which has passed through the pipe 243 joins the coarse fragments M2 in the pipe 241 and flows into the defibrating unit 13 together with the coarse fragments M2. As a result, the second sorted product M4-2 is returned to the defibrating unit 13 and disintegrated with the coarse fragments M2.

  In addition, the first sorted matter M4-1 from the drum unit 141 is dispersed in air and dropped, and travels to the first web forming unit (separation unit) 15 located below the drum unit 141. The 1st web formation part 15 is a portion which performs the 1st web formation process (refer to Drawing 2) which forms the 1st web M5 from the 1st sorted matter M4-1. The first web forming unit 15 has a mesh belt (separation belt) 151, three stretching rollers 152, and a suction unit (suction mechanism) 153.

  The mesh belt 151 is an endless belt, on which the first sorted matter M4-1 is deposited. The mesh belt 151 is wound around three tension rollers 152. Then, by the rotational driving of the tension roller 152, the first sorted material M4-1 on the mesh belt 151 is conveyed to the downstream side.

  The first sorted matter M4-1 has a size equal to or larger than the opening of the mesh belt 151. Thereby, the passage of the mesh belt 151 is restricted, and therefore, the first sorted matter M4-1 can be deposited on the mesh belt 151. In addition, since the first sorted matter M4-1 is transported to the downstream side together with the mesh belt 151 while being deposited on the mesh belt 151, it is formed as a layered first web M5.

Moreover, the powder material RM to be described in detail later is mixed in the first sorted matter M4-1.
The powder material RM is smaller than the opening of the mesh belt 151. As a result, the powder material RM passes through the mesh belt 151 and falls further downward.

  The suction unit 153 can suction air from below the mesh belt 151. Thereby, the powder material RM which has passed through the mesh belt 151 can be sucked together with air.

  In addition, the suction unit 153 is connected to the collection unit 27 via a pipe (flow passage) 244. The powder material RM sucked by the suction unit 153 is collected by the collection unit 27.

  A pipe (flow path) 245 is further connected to the recovery unit 27. Further, a blower 262 is installed in the middle of the pipe 245. By the operation of the blower 262, a suction force can be generated in the suction unit 153. This promotes the formation of the first web M5 on the mesh belt 151. The first web M5 is the one from which the powder material RM has been removed. In addition, the powder material RM passes through the pipe 244 to reach the recovery unit 27 by the operation of the blower 262.

  The housing portion 142 is connected to the humidifying portion 232. The humidifying unit 232 is configured of a vaporization type humidifier similar to the humidifying unit 231. Thus, the humidified air is supplied into the housing portion 142. The humidified air can humidify the first sorted matter M4-1, and thus can prevent the first sorted matter M4-1 from adhering to the inner wall of the housing portion 142 by electrostatic force.

  A humidifying unit 235 is disposed downstream of the sorting unit 14. The humidifying unit 235 is configured of an ultrasonic humidifier that sprays water. Thus, water can be supplied to the first web M5, and the water content of the first web M5 can be adjusted. By this adjustment, the adsorption of the first web M5 to the mesh belt 151 by electrostatic force can be suppressed. Thereby, the first web M5 is easily peeled off from the mesh belt 151 at a position where the mesh belt 151 is folded back by the stretching roller 152.

  The dividing unit 16 is disposed downstream of the humidifying unit 235. The subdivision unit 16 is a portion that performs a dividing step (see FIG. 2) of dividing the first web M5 separated from the mesh belt 151. The subdivided portion 16 has a propeller 161 rotatably supported and a housing portion 162 for housing the propeller 161. Then, the first web M5 can be divided by the first web M5 being caught in the rotating propeller 161. The divided first web M5 becomes a subdivided body M6. Further, the subdivided body M6 descends in the housing portion 162.

  The housing portion 162 is connected to the humidifying portion 233. The humidifying unit 233 is configured of a vaporization type humidifier similar to the humidifying unit 231. Thus, humidified air is supplied into the housing portion 162. The humidified air can also prevent the subdivision body M6 from adhering to the propeller 161 and the inner wall of the housing portion 162 by electrostatic force.

  The mixing unit 17 is disposed downstream of the subdivision unit 16. The mixing part 17 is a part which performs the mixing process (refer FIG. 2) which mixes the subdivision M6 and the binder P1. The mixing unit 17 includes a binder supply unit 171, a pipe (flow passage) 172, and a blower 173.

  The pipe 172 connects the housing portion 162 of the subdivided portion 16 and the housing portion 182 of the loosening portion 18 and is a flow path through which the mixture M7 of the subdivided body M6 and the binder P1 passes.

  In the middle of the pipe 172, a binder supply unit 171 is connected. The binder supply unit 171 has a screw feeder 174. By driving the screw feeder 174 to rotate, the binder P1 can be supplied to the tube 172 as a powder. The binder P1 supplied to the pipe 172 is mixed with the subdivision M6 to form a mixture M7.

  The binder P1 is used to bind the fibers in a later step. For example, a thermoplastic resin, a curable resin or the like can be used, but it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include AS resin, ABS resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), modified polyolefin, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene Polyesters such as terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6-12, nylon 6-66, etc. polyamide (nylon), polyphenylene ether, polyacetal , Polyether, polyphenylene oxide, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyetherimide, aromatic polyimide Various thermoplastic elastomers such as liquid crystal polymers such as esters, styrenes, polyolefins, polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polybutadienes, trans polyisoprenes, fluoro rubbers, chlorinated polyethylenes, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more selected from these. Preferably, polyester or a resin containing this is used as the thermoplastic resin.

  In addition to the binder P1, for example, a colorant for coloring fibers, an aggregation inhibitor for suppressing aggregation of the fibers and aggregation of the binder P1, and the like may be supplied from the binder supply unit 171. And the like may contain a flame retardant or the like for making it hard to burn.

  Further, a blower 173 is installed in the middle of the pipe 172 on the downstream side of the binder supply unit 171. The blower 173 can generate an air flow toward the loosening unit 18. By means of this air flow, the subdivided body M6 and the binder P1 can be stirred in the pipe 172. Thereby, mixture M7 can flow into loosening part 18 in the state where subdivision M6 and binder P1 were uniformly distributed. In addition, the subdivision M6 in the mixture M7 is loosened in the process of passing through the pipe 172 and becomes finer and fibrous.

  The loosening portion 18 is a portion in the mixture M7 which performs the loosening step (see FIG. 2) of the entangled fibers. The loosening unit 18 includes a drum unit 181 and a housing unit 182 for housing the drum unit 181.

  The drum unit 181 is a screen formed in a cylindrical shape, and is a sieve that rotates about its central axis. The mixture M7 flows into the drum portion 181. Then, by rotating the drum unit 181, fibers and the like smaller than the mesh openings of the mixture M7 can pass through the drum unit 181. At that time, the mixture M7 will be loosened.

  Further, the mixture M 7 loosened by the drum unit 181 is dispersed in air and falls, and travels to the second web forming unit 19 located below the drum unit 181. The 2nd web formation part 19 is a portion which performs the 2nd web formation process (refer to Drawing 2) which forms the 2nd web M8 from mixture M7. The second web forming unit 19 includes a mesh belt (separation belt) 191, a tension roller 192, and a suction unit (suction mechanism) 193.

  The mesh belt 191 is an endless belt, on which the mixture M7 is deposited. The mesh belt 191 is wound around four tension rollers 192. Then, the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 is conveyed to the downstream side by the rotational drive of the tension roller 192.

  Also, most of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 has a size larger than the opening of the mesh belt 191. As a result, the mixture M7 is restricted from passing through the mesh belt 191, and can therefore be deposited on the mesh belt 191. Further, the mixture M <b> 7 is conveyed downstream together with the mesh belt 191 while being deposited on the mesh belt 191, and is thus formed as a layered second web M <b> 8.

  The suction unit 193 can suction air from below the mesh belt 191. This allows the mixture M7 to be sucked onto the mesh belt 191, thereby promoting the deposition of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191.

  A pipe (flow passage) 246 is connected to the suction portion 193. Further, a blower 263 is installed in the middle of the pipe 246. By the operation of the blower 263, suction can be generated at the suction portion 193.

  The housing portion 182 is connected to the humidifying portion 234. The humidifying unit 234 is configured of a vaporization type humidifier similar to the humidifying unit 231. Thus, humidified air is supplied into the housing portion 182. By the humidified air, the inside of the housing portion 182 can be humidified, and therefore, the mixture M7 can be suppressed from adhering to the inner wall of the housing portion 182 by electrostatic force.

  A humidifying unit 236 is disposed downstream of the loosening unit 18. The humidifying unit 236 is configured by an ultrasonic humidifier similar to the humidifying unit 235. Thus, the second web M8 can be supplied with water, and the water content of the second web M8 can be adjusted. By this adjustment, the adsorption of the second web M8 to the mesh belt 191 by electrostatic force can be suppressed. As a result, the second web M 8 is easily peeled off from the mesh belt 191 at the position where the mesh belt 191 is folded back by the tension roller 192.

  A sheet forming unit 20 is disposed downstream of the second web forming unit 19. The sheet forming unit 20 is a portion that performs a sheet forming process (see FIG. 2) of forming the sheet S from the second web M8. The sheet forming unit 20 includes a pressure unit 201 and a heating unit 202.

  The pressing unit 201 has a pair of calendar rollers 203, and can press the second web M8 without heating between them. This increases the density of the second web M8. Then, the second web M8 is conveyed toward the heating unit 202. One of the pair of calendar rollers 203 is a main driving roller driven by the operation of a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

  The heating unit 202 has a pair of heating rollers 204, and can heat and press the second web M8 between them. By this heating and pressing, the binder P1 is melted in the second web M8, and the fibers are bonded to each other through the melted binder P1. Thus, the sheet S is formed. Then, the sheet S is conveyed toward the cutting unit 21. Note that one of the pair of heating rollers 204 is a main driving roller driven by the operation of a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

  The cutting unit 21 is disposed downstream of the sheet forming unit 20. The cutting unit 21 is a portion that performs a cutting process (see FIG. 2) of cutting the sheet S. The cutting unit 21 includes a first cutter 211 and a second cutter 212.

  The first cutter 211 cuts the sheet S in a direction intersecting the sheet S conveyance direction.

  The second cutter 212 cuts the sheet S in the direction parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet S on the downstream side of the first cutter 211.

  By cutting the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 212, a sheet S having a desired size can be obtained. Then, the sheet S is conveyed further downstream and accumulated in the stock unit 22.

  By the way, as described above, the powder material supply unit 25 is connected to the defibrating unit 13 (see FIG. 1). The powder material supply unit 25 is a portion that performs a powder material supply step (see FIG. 2) of supplying the powder material RM to the defibrated material M3 being defibrated in the defibration unit 13. In the present embodiment, with respect to the defibrated material M3, the powder material supplying step is also performed while performing the defibrating step in air.

  Although FIG. 1 shows the powder material supply unit 25 connected to the center of the defibrating unit 13, as long as the powder material RM may be supplied to the defibrating unit 13, the configuration is not necessarily limited to this configuration. It is not something to be done. For example, the powder material supply unit 25 is connected to the pipe 241 on the upstream side of the defibrating unit 13 and configured to carry the powder material RM to the defibrating unit 13 together with the coarse fragments M2 conveyed from the chute 122 May be

  In the present embodiment, the raw material M1 is waste paper printed and used. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the defibrated material M3 contains foreign matter CM (for example, a colorant, a binder resin, a charge control agent, etc.) derived from the recording material such as ink, toner, etc.

The powder material RM supplied from the powder material supply unit 25 to the defibrating unit 13 has a function of adsorbing the foreign material CM contained in the defibrated material M3 (fiber).
Then, the powder material RM supplied from the powder material supply unit 25 to the defibrating unit 13 is mixed with the fiber-containing material (fibrillated material) M3 in the defibration, whereby the powder material RM and the fibers are contained. A shearing force acts on the material (defibrated material) M3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the adsorption function of the powder material RM is effectively exhibited, and the foreign matter CM is transferred to the powder material RM and efficiently removed (separated) from the defibrated material M3. Ru.

  The powder material supply unit 25 includes a storage unit 251. The storage unit 251 is a tank for storing the powder material RM. In the storage section 251, when the powder material RM is emptied, the powder material RM is replaced with a sufficiently stored new one, or the powder material RM is added (replenished) .

  The powder material supply unit 25 is connected (or installed) to the defibrating unit 13 with the storage unit 251, and jets the powder material RM toward the defibrated material M3 in the defibrating unit 13. It has a portion 252. The injection unit 252 is composed of a pipe 253 and a blower 254. The powder material supply unit 25 may be installed inside the defibrating unit 13 or may be installed integrally with the defibrating unit 13.

  The pipe 253 connects the storage unit 251 and the defibrating unit 13. Then, the powder material RM can pass from the reservoir 251 to the defibrating unit 13 in the pipe 253.

  A blower 254 is installed midway in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 253. The blower 254 can generate an air flow toward the defibrating unit 13. Thereby, the powder material RM passes through the inside of the pipe 253 and is jetted into the defibrating unit 13. Among the sprayed powder materials RM, there is one that collides with and contacts foreign matter CM attached to the fibrillated material M3. And this powder material RM can adsorb | suck a foreign material CM, and can make it move from the defibrated material M3. Thus, the foreign matter CM can be efficiently removed from the defibrated material M3.

  Further, the defibrated material M3 comes into contact with the powder material RM while being stirred by the injection of the powder material RM. Thereby, the contact between the foreign material CM attached to the fibrillated material M3 and the powder material RM is also promoted, and therefore, the foreign material CM can be sufficiently removed from the fibrillated material M3.

  Although the supply amount of the powder material RM to 100 parts by mass of the defibrated material M3 is not particularly limited, it is preferably 10 parts by mass or more and 100000 parts by mass or less, and more preferably 30 parts by mass or more and 50000 parts by mass or less Preferably, it is 100 parts by mass or more and 10000 parts by mass or less.

  Thereby, the foreign material CM contained in the defibrated material M3 can be removed more efficiently while suppressing the usage amount of the powder material RM. In addition, separation / removal of the powder material RM (powder material RM ') from the defibrated material M3 subjected to the deinking treatment can be performed more easily and more reliably.

  The speed (injection speed) of the powder material RM injected into the defibrating unit 13 is appropriately set according to, for example, the constituent material, size, and the like of the powder material RM.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 (processing apparatus 1) includes a powder material removing unit 28. The powder material removing unit 28 is a portion that performs a powder material removing step (see FIG. 2) of removing the powder material RM together with the foreign matter CM from the defibrated material M3 to which the powder material RM is supplied. In the present embodiment, a powder material removing step is also performed on the defibrated material M3 while performing the first web forming step.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the powder material removing unit 28 includes a first web forming unit 15, a collecting unit 27, a pipe 244, a pipe 245, and a blower 262.

  Above the first web forming unit 15, as described above, the defibrated material M3 is sorted by the sorting unit 14 into the first sorted material M4-1 and the second sorted material M4-2. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first sorted matter M 4-1, the powder material RM (hereinafter, this powder material RM may be referred to as “powder material RM ′”) in which the foreign matter CM is adsorbed is mixed doing. In addition, the powder material RM which is not adsorb | sucking the foreign material CM may be contained in the 1st sorted material M4-1. Then, the first sorted matter M4-1 falls onto the mesh belt 151 of the first web forming unit 15 together with the powder material (deinking agent) RM '.

  The powder material removing unit 28 separates and removes the powder material RM using the difference in size between the powder material RM and the defibrated material M3 (fiber). That is, although the powder material RM (powder material RM ') passes through, the powder material removing unit 28 is sized so as to restrict the passage of the fibers of the first sorted material M4-1 (the defibrated material M3). The mesh belt 151 (net-like body) having a small opening is provided.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sorted matter M4-1 is deposited on the mesh belt 151 and is formed as the first web M5. On the other hand, the powder material RM (powder material RM ') passes through the mesh belt 151 by the suction force of the suction unit 153, and then is collected by the collection unit 27 via the suction unit 153 and the pipe 244 in order. Be done. As a result, the first web M5 (the defibrated material M3) becomes one in which the powder material RM (powder material RM ') is efficiently removed. Then, the first web M5 is transferred to the subsequent steps to finally become the sheet S. The opening of the mesh belt 151 is set to a value larger than the second particle of the powder material RM.

  The powder material RM collected in the collection unit 27 includes the powder material RM adsorbing the foreign matter CM, that is, the powder material RM ′ and the powder material RM not adsorbing the foreign matter CM. It is.

  Further, the powder material removing unit 28 may remove (separate) the whole amount of the supplied powder material RM, or may remove a part of the supplied powder material RM. . That is, part of the supplied powder material RM (including the powder material RM ') may remain in the defibrated material M3 after the deinking treatment.

  In this case, the removal rate of powder material RM (the ratio of the weight of the removed powder material RM to the weight of the supplied powder material RM) in the powder material removal unit 28 is preferably 40% or more It is more preferably 50% or more, still more preferably 60% or more.

  Thereby, the quality of the defibrated material M3 after the deinking treatment and the sheet S manufactured using this can be made more excellent.

  Further, the removal rate of the powder material removing unit 28 may be the same or different for the first particle group and the second particle group constituting the powder material RM. Specifically, for example, the removal rate of the second particle group in the powder material removal unit 28 may be higher or lower than the removal rate of the first particle group in the powder material removal unit 28. However, it is preferable that the removal rate of the first particle group in the powder material removal unit 28 be higher.

  In the present embodiment, the powder material RM including the first particles and the second particles is removed at one time by the powder material removing unit 28. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first particles of the powder material RM may be removed. And the second particles may be removed in multiple stages. In this case, each removal may be performed by a method suitable for the particle size and composition of each of the first particle and the second particle, for example, the removal of the first particle of small particle size is a powder material You may carry out by the electrostatic adsorption method etc. in the front process or the back process of the removal part 28. FIG. This makes it possible to further increase the removal rate of the first particles having a small particle diameter, which is less susceptible to the attraction force than the second particles.

  As described above, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 (processing apparatus 1), the powder supplied from the powder material supply unit 25 even when the waste paper, which is a raw material for regenerating the sheet, includes the foreign matter CM. The foreign material CM is removed by the material RM, and thereafter, the foreign material CM can be removed together with the powder material RM by the powder material removing unit 28. As a result, the manufactured sheet S has high quality from which foreign matter CM which may become an impurity at the time of reproduction is removed.

Hereinafter, the powder material RM according to the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing an example of the particle size distribution of the powder material.

  The powder material RM includes a first particle group including a plurality of first particles, and a second particle group including a plurality of second particles and having an average particle size larger than that of the first particle group. It contains (see FIG. 11).

  By using such a powder material, it is possible to improve the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM attached to the outer surface of the defibrated material M3 while being exposed, and for example, the gaps of the fibers constituting the defibrated material M3 Foreign matter CM intruding into a very small space can be efficiently removed. As a result, the foreign matter CM can be removed (deinked) from the defibrated material M3 at a high removal rate in a short time process.

On the other hand, satisfactory results can not be obtained unless the above conditions are satisfied.
For example, when the powder material is composed of a single particle group having a relatively small average particle diameter, the time required for removing foreign matter from the defibrated material becomes long, and the foreign matter is sufficiently removed in a short time processing. Can not do it. Moreover, the foreign material once removed from the defibrated material tends to reattach to the defibrated material. In addition, it is conceivable to prevent the above problems by increasing the amount of powder material used for the defibrated material, but in such a case, the cost required for the treatment of the defibrated material increases and after the treatment It is difficult to sufficiently remove the powder material from the defibrated material, and the content of the powder material in the defibrated material after the treatment can not be reduced sufficiently. The problem is that the properties of the sheet produced using

  In addition, when the powder material is composed of a single particle group having a relatively large average particle diameter, the removal rate of foreign matter in a relatively short time after starting processing using the powder material is relatively Although the height can be increased, the removal rate of foreign matter can not be effectively improved even if the processing time is increased. More specifically, it is difficult to remove foreign matter which has infiltrated a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the defibrated material. In addition, when processing time using powder material is extended, a phenomenon occurs in which foreign matter invading such a small space is woven into a narrower space (deep part), and the foreign matter is increasingly removed. It will be difficult.

  The powder material RM can be suitably prepared by mixing the first particle group and the second particle group prepared separately.

  The average particle diameter of the first particle group and the average particle diameter of the second particle group may be determined from the particle size distribution of each particle group before mixing, or the small particle size in the particle size distribution of the powder material RM The peak particle diameter on the side may be the average particle diameter of the first particle group, and the peak particle diameter on the large particle side in the particle size distribution of the powder material RM may be the average particle diameter of the second particle group (see FIG. 11). ).

  The average particle diameter of the second particle group may be larger than the average particle diameter of the first particle group, but there is a preferable range in the degree of the difference between the particle diameters of the two. That is, the average particle diameter of the second particle group is preferably 2 to 10000 times the average particle diameter of the first particle group, more preferably 3 to 1000 times, and 5 times More preferably, it is not less than 100 times.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent. In addition, excessive inclusion of minute particles can be effectively prevented, and unintentional scattering of powder material RM (especially, scattering which is difficult to recover) during deinking treatment and the like can be more effectively performed. It can be prevented.

  On the other hand, if the deviation between the average particle diameter of the first particle group and the average particle diameter of the second particle group is too small, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned effect of providing the particle diameter is not sufficiently exhibited. There is. Also, if the deviation between the average particle diameter of the first particle group and the average particle diameter of the second particle group is too large, the removal rate of the powder material RM in the powder material removal unit 28 may decrease, or In order to increase the removal rate, it is necessary to make the configuration of the powder material removal unit 28 complicated.

  The average particle diameter of the first particle group may be smaller than the average particle diameter of the second particle group, but is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and is 0.05 μm or more and 7.0 μm or less Is more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

  As a result, foreign matter CM invading a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the fibrillated material M3 can be removed more efficiently, and the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent. It can be In addition, excessive inclusion of minute particles can be effectively prevented, and unintentional scattering (in particular, recovery of the first particles) of the powder material RM (particularly, the first particles) during deinking treatment and the like is difficult. Can be more effectively prevented.

  The minimum particle diameter of the first particle group is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less, more preferably 0.02 μm or more and 2.5 μm or less, and is 0.03 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less Is more preferred.

  As a result, foreign matter CM invading a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the fibrillated material M3 can be removed more efficiently, and the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent. It can be In addition, excessive inclusion of minute particles can be effectively prevented, and unintentional scattering (in particular, recovery of the first particles) of the powder material RM (particularly, the first particles) during deinking treatment and the like is difficult. Can be more effectively prevented.

  The maximum particle diameter of the first particle group is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 0.2 μm or more and 70 μm or less, and still more preferably 0.3 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

  As a result, foreign matter CM invading a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the fibrillated material M3 can be removed more efficiently, and the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent. It can be

  The average value of the aspect ratio of the first particles constituting the first particle group is preferably 1.0 or more and 5.0 or less, more preferably 1.05 or more and 4.9 or less, and 1 More preferably, it is at least 1 and at most 4.8.

  As a result, foreign matter CM invading a minute space such as a gap of fibers constituting the fibrillated material M3 can be removed more efficiently, and the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent. It can be

  The content of the first particles in the powder material RM is preferably 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less, more preferably 20% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less, and 30% by volume or more and 70% by volume It is more preferable that the content is less than%.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.

  The average particle diameter of the second particle group may be larger than the average particle diameter of the first particle group, but is preferably 5 μm or more and 1500 μm or less, and more preferably 7 μm or more and 1400 μm or less. More preferably, it is 10 μm or more and 1200 μm or less.

  Thereby, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM adhering in the state exposed to the outer surface of the defibrated material M3 can be made more excellent, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent It can be

  The minimum particle diameter of the second particle group is preferably 0.5 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably 0.7 μm to 800 μm, and still more preferably 1 μm to 850 μm.

  Thereby, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM adhering in the state exposed to the outer surface of the defibrated material M3 can be made more excellent, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent It can be

  The maximum particle diameter of the second particle group is preferably 5 μm to 3000 μm, more preferably 10 μm to 2000 μm, and still more preferably 15 μm to 1500 μm.

  Thereby, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM adhering in the state exposed to the outer surface of the defibrated material M3 can be made more excellent, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent It can be

  The average value of the aspect ratio of the second particles constituting the second particle group is preferably 1.0 or more and 50 or less, more preferably 1.05 or more and 30 or less, and 1.1 or more and 20 or more. It is further preferred that

  Thereby, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM adhering in the state exposed to the outer surface of the defibrated material M3 can be made more excellent, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM is more excellent It can be

The average value of the aspect ratios of the first particles constituting the first particle group is A ₁ , and the average value of the aspect ratios of the second particles constituting the second particle group is A ₂ , 0.1 It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of ≦ A ₂ / A ₁ ≦ 50, and more preferably to satisfy the relationship of 0.5 ≦ A ₂ / A ₁ ≦ 30, and 0.8 ≦ A ₂ / A ₁ ≦ 15. It is further preferable to satisfy the relationship.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.

  The content of the second particles in the powder material RM is preferably 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less, more preferably 20% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less, and 30% by volume or more and 70% by volume It is more preferable that the content is less than%.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.

Assuming that the content of the first particles in the powder material RM is X ₁ [volume%], and the content of the second particles in the powder material RM is X ₂ [volume%], 0.01 ≦ X _It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of ₁ / X ₂ ≦ 10.0, more preferably to satisfy the relationship of 0.01 ≦ X ₁ / X ₂ ≦ 5.0, and 0.15 ≦ X ₁ / X ₂ ≦ It is further preferable to satisfy the relationship of 2.33.

  Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.

  The first particles and the second particles may have, for example, the same density, but preferably they have different densities.

Thereby, the synergetic effect by including the first particle group and the second particle group is more prominent.
In the present specification, density refers to true specific gravity unless otherwise noted.

  If the density of the first particle and the density of the second particle are different, the density of the first particle may be smaller than the density of the second particle, but larger than the density of the second particle Is preferred.

  Thereby, in the deinking treatment, the kinetic energy of the first particles (particles having a relatively small particle diameter) can be made sufficiently large, and the deinking treatment using the first particles (in particular, deinking) Removal of foreign matter CM invading minute spaces such as gaps of fibers constituting the fiber M3 can be efficiently advanced, and kinetic energy of the second particles (particles having a relatively large particle diameter) Can be more reliably prevented from becoming excessively large, and the fibers constituting the fibrillated material M 3 can be more effectively prevented from being damaged (such as the fiber length becoming excessively short). .

In particular, when the density of the first particle is ρ ₁ [g / cm ³ ] and the density of the second particle is _{2 2} [g / cm ³ ], the relationship of 0.2 ≦ ρ ₁ / ρ ₂ ≦ 15 is satisfied. It is preferable to satisfy the following condition: 0.3 ≦ ρ ₁ / ρ ₂ ≦ 10 The relationship between 0.5 ≦ 満 足₁ / ≦ ₂ ≦ 5 is more preferable.

  Thereby, in the deinking process, the kinetic energy of the first particles (particles having a relatively small particle size) can be made sufficiently large, and the deinking process (in particular, deinking with the first particles) Removal of foreign matter CM invading minute spaces such as gaps of fibers constituting the fiber M3 can be efficiently advanced, and kinetic energy of the second particles (particles having a relatively large particle diameter) Can be further reliably prevented from becoming excessively large, and the fibers constituting the fibrillated material M 3 can be more effectively prevented from being damaged (such as the fiber length becoming excessively short). .

The density of the first particles is preferably 1.3 g / cm ³ or more and 10.0 g / cm ³ or less, more preferably 1.8 g / cm ³ or more and 8.0 g / cm ³ or less, and 2 More preferably, it is not less than 0.5 g / cm ^{3 and not} more than 5.0 g / cm ³ .

  Thereby, in the deinking treatment, the kinetic energy of the first particles can be made sufficiently large more reliably, and the deinking treatment by the first particles (in particular, the gaps of the fibers constituting the defibrated material M3) And the like) can be advanced efficiently, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM can be made more excellent.

The density of the second particles is preferably 0.3 g / cm ³ or more and 8.0 g / cm ³ or less, more preferably 0.6 g / cm ³ or more and 6.2 g / cm ³ or less, and 0 More preferably, it is at least 8 g / cm ^{3 and not} more than 4.8 g / cm ³ .

  Thereby, in the deinking treatment, the kinetic energy of the second particles can be more reliably prevented from becoming excessively large, and the fibers constituting the defibrated material M3 are more effectively prevented from being damaged. While being able to do, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM can be made more excellent.

  The constituent particles of the powder material RM may be, for example, a porous body, or may have minute asperities on the surface.

  The average particle diameter of the whole powder material RM is preferably 2.6 μm or more and 255 μm or less, more preferably 5.1 μm or more and 153 μm or less, and still more preferably 10.2 μm or more and 120 μm or less.

  Thereby, the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM can be made more excellent. In addition, excessive inclusion of minute particles can be effectively prevented, and unintentional scattering of powder material RM (especially, scattering which is difficult to recover) during deinking treatment and the like can be more effectively performed. It can be prevented.

  Further, the ratio (R / L) of the average particle diameter (R) of the whole powder material RM to the average length (L) of the particles constituting the defibrated material M3 is 0.001 or more and 10 or less. Preferably, it is more preferably 0.003 or more and 9 or less, and still more preferably 0.005 or more and 8 or less.

  Thereby, in the deinking treatment, the removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM is made more excellent while preventing the fibers constituting the defibrated material M 3 from being damaged more effectively. Can.

The ratio (ρ _P / ρ _F ) of the average value (ρ _P ) of the density of particles constituting the powder material RM to the average value (ρ _F ) of density of fibers constituting the defibrated material M3 is 0.2 or more It is preferably 10 or less, more preferably 0.4 or more and 4.5 or less, and still more preferably 0.5 or more and 3.5 or less.

  Thereby, the defibrated material M3 and the powder material RM can be mixed more suitably in the deinking treatment, and the removal efficiency of the foreign material CM as the whole powder material RM can be made more excellent.

  The first particles and the second particles constituting the powder material RM may have the same composition or may have different compositions.

  The composition of the powder material RM (the first particles and the second particles) is not particularly limited, but as the constituent material of the powder material RM, for example, various resins such as various thermoplastic resins and various thermosetting resins Materials, Cellulose, Cellulose-based materials such as cellulose modified materials (for example, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and salts thereof (for example, sodium salt etc.)), materials having a sugar chain structure such as starch, alginic acid and chitosan, glass, calcium carbonate Metal compounds such as titanium oxide and alumina, crushed outer shells of plant seeds (eg, walnuts, peaches, apricot seeds, etc.), plant nuts (dried corn grains, dried wheat endosperm And plant materials such as those obtained by crushing the outer shell of the same. For example, both the first particle and the second particle may be composed of a resin material, or the first particle may be composed of a cellulose-based material, and the second particle may be composed of a metal compound. .

  As the thermoplastic resin, for example, polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, modified polyolefin, polyamide (example: nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 11, nylon 12) , Nylon 6-12, nylon 6-66), thermoplastic polyimide, liquid crystalline polymer such as aromatic polyester, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyether, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyacetal, Styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, trans polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, salts Polyethylene type such as various thermoplastic elastomers, etc. or copolymers with these main, blend, and a polymer alloy or the like.

  As a thermosetting resin, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, polyester (unsaturated polyester) resin, a polyimide resin, a silicone resin, a polyurethane resin etc. are mentioned, for example.

  In particular, the powder material RM preferably contains a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group. This substance may contain two or more of the substances exemplified below. For example, the substance may include a compound having a hydroxyl group and not having a carboxyl group, and a compound having a carboxyl group and having no hydroxyl group.

  When the powder material RM contains the above-described substance, when the defibrated material M3 contains the foreign matter CM, the foreign matter CM can be removed more efficiently. It is thought that such excellent effects can be obtained because of the following reasons.

  That is, in general, recording materials such as ink and toner used for recording media such as paper are designed to be excellent in affinity and adhesion to cellulose fiber which is the main material of recording media. . On the other hand, cellulose fiber contains a polymer material containing β-glucose having a large number of hydroxyl groups in its molecule as a constituent monomer, and is a material with high hydrophilicity.

  And powder material RM is what supplies the fiber-containing material which contains such a cellulose fiber to the disintegrated material M3 which was disintegrated. When the powder material RM contains a highly hydrophilic substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, the powder material RM exhibits the same polarity (hydrophilicity) as that of the cellulose fiber.

  Therefore, such powder material RM has a high affinity for foreign matter CM derived from the recording material such as ink, toner, etc., and effectively contacts the foreign matter CM when in contact with the defibrated material containing the foreign matter CM. It can adsorb | suck and the foreign material CM can be efficiently removed from the defibrated material M3. In addition, even when such powder material RM remains in the defibrated material M3 after deinking treatment, the adverse effect on the defibrated material M3 after deinking treatment and the sheet S manufactured using this is usually Can be made small enough. Further, depending on the case, an effect can be obtained such that the paper strength of the sheet S to be manufactured and the affinity for recording materials such as ink and toner can be further improved.

  When the powder material RM contains a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, the foreign matter CM contained in the defibrated material M3 is extracted from the fiber (cellulose fiber) by electrostatic interaction with the foreign matter CM. It can be adsorbed.

  Thereby, the foreign material CM contained in the defibrated material M3 can be removed more efficiently. In particular, when the powder material RM is supplied so as to collide with the defibrated material M3, the collision between the foreign material CM contained in the defibrated material M3 and the powder material RM is likely to occur by electrostatic interaction, and the disintegration occurs. The removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM contained in the fiber M3 can be made particularly excellent. In addition, it is possible to more effectively prevent the constituent particles of the powder material RM from being unintentionally aggregated due to the mutual electrical repulsion of the particles that constitute the powder material RM. In addition, when a relatively small amount of powder material RM is included in the defibrated material M3 after deinking treatment (for example, 0.01 mass% or more and 0.5 mass% or less), using the defibrated material M3 The affinity of the produced sheet S to the paper strength and recording materials such as ink and toner can be further improved.

  When the powder material RM contains the substance (a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group), the substance is preferably a solid material which is solid at normal temperature (25 ° C.) and is hydrophilic.

  Thereby, the foreign material CM contained in the defibrated material M3 can be removed more efficiently. In addition, separation / removal of the powder material RM (powder material RM ') from the defibrated material M3 subjected to the deinking treatment can be performed more easily and more reliably.

The degree of hydrophilicity of the substance is not particularly limited, but for example, at 25 ° C., the solubility in water is preferably 1 g / 100 g H ₂ O or more, or the contact angle of water is 90 ° or less.
As a result, the effects as described above are more significantly exhibited.

The solubility of the substance in water at 25 ° C. is preferably 1.0 g / 100 g H ₂ O or more, more preferably 2.0 g / 100 g H ₂ O or more and 70 g / 100 g H ₂ O or more, 3.0 g / 100GH even more preferably ₂ O or 50g / 100gH ₂ O or less.
As a result, the effects as described above are more significantly exhibited.

The contact angle of water to the substance at 25 ° C. is preferably 90 ° or less, more preferably 60 ° or less, and still more preferably 45 ° or less.
As a result, the effects as described above are more significantly exhibited.

  When the powder material RM contains a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, the substance may be a low molecular weight material but is preferably a high molecular weight material.

  Thereby, the adsorptivity of the foreign matter CM can be made more excellent. In addition, separation / removal of the powder material RM (powder material RM ') from the defibrated material M3 subjected to the deinking treatment can be performed more easily and more reliably.

The weight average molecular weight of the polymer material is preferably 2,000 or more and 3,000,000 or less, more preferably 5,000 or more and 2,000,000 or less, and still more preferably 10,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less.
As a result, the effects as described above are more significantly exhibited.

  In addition, as said substance, both such a polymeric material and low molecular weight material may be included.

  As said polymeric material which comprises powder material RM, what has a sugar chain structure is preferable.

  The compound having a sugar chain structure generally has a high ratio of hydroxyl groups in the molecule (the ratio of the number of hydroxyl groups to the molecular weight), and can improve the hydrophilicity of the whole powder material RM as a powder material. The adsorptivity of foreign matter CM as a whole of RM can be made higher.

  Examples of the polymer material having a sugar chain structure include cellulose, cellulose modified materials (eg, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and salts thereof (eg, sodium salt etc.)), starch, alginic acid, chitosan and the like, among which It is preferable to contain at least one of cellulose and cellulose modified materials, and more preferable to contain a carboxymethylcellulose salt.

  Such a material has a particularly high ability to adsorb foreign matter CM, and can remove foreign matter CM more efficiently. Also, such materials are relatively inexpensive and readily available. In addition, when a relatively small amount of powder material RM is included in the defibrated material M3 after deinking treatment (for example, 0.01 mass% or more and 0.5 mass% or less), using the defibrated material M3 The affinity of the produced sheet S to the paper strength and recording materials such as ink and toner can be further improved.

Paper powder may be used as the powder material RM.
As the polymer material, a synthetic resin material may be used.

  Thereby, the adsorptivity of the foreign matter CM can be made more excellent. In addition, separation / removal of the powder material RM (powder material RM ') from the defibrated material M3 subjected to the deinking treatment can be performed more easily and more reliably.

  As the synthetic resin material, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poly (meth) acrylic acid, a polymer containing a monomer having a terminal OH group as a component (for example, hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxybutyl (meth) And (4) poly (meth) acrylic resins including monomer components such as acrylates.

  When the powder material RM includes a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, the powder material RM includes a component (other component) other than the substance (a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group). It may be.

In such a case, the content of the substance (substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group) in the powder material RM is preferably 30% by mass or more, and more preferably 40% by mass or more. More preferably, it is 50% by mass or more.
As a result, the effects as described above are more significantly exhibited.

  When only one of the first particle and the second particle is composed of the substance (a substance having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group), the second particle is at least one of the substance (a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group) It is preferable that the first particles be made of a material other than the aforementioned material (a material having at least one of a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group).

  As a result, the interaction between the first particles and fibers (cellulose fibers) that have entered the minute space such as the gaps of the fibers constituting the fibrillated material M3 becomes too strong, and the first particles are not removed. The removal efficiency of the foreign matter CM as the whole powder material RM while preventing more effectively unwillingness (remaining at a relatively high rate) remaining in the defibrated material M3 after deinking treatment. It can be better.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a second embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the processing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the processing method, and the sheet manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings, and differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described. The same matters will not be described.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the arrangement position of the powder material supply unit is different and the timing of performing the powder material supply process is different accordingly.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 (processing apparatus 1) includes a pipe (flow path) 242 connected to the defibrating unit 13 and through which the fiber-containing material (defibrated material) M3 passes.

  In the present embodiment, the powder material supply unit 25 supplies the powder material RM to the fiber-containing material (opened material) M3 after the opening, after the opening step (see FIG. 6). )I do. The powder material supply unit 25 is connected downstream of the blower 261 of the pipe (flow passage) 242, and includes an injection unit 252 for injecting the powder material RM into the pipe (flow passage) 242. Thereby, the powder material RM can be supplied and mixed to the defibrated material M3 to which the defibration has been sufficiently performed. By such supply and mixing, the powder material RM spreads to the corners of the defibrated material M3, and as a result, collides with and also contacts the foreign matter CM. Thereby, the foreign material CM is sufficiently adsorbed to the powder material RM, and the foreign material CM can be more reliably removed from the defibrated material M3.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a third embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the processing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the processing method and the sheet manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings, and differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described. The same matters will not be described.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the arrangement of the powder material removing unit and the configuration of the powder material removing unit are different.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the powder material removing unit 28 is disposed midway of the pipe 242 and on the downstream side of the blower 261. Thereby, the powder material removing process in the powder material removing unit 28 is performed after the disintegrating process (see FIG. 8).

  The powder material removing unit 28 uses the difference (density difference) in density (specific gravity) between the defibrated material M3 and the powder material RM (powder material RM ') to form the powder material RM (powder material RM). ') To separate and remove. That is, the powder material removing unit 28 is configured to remove the powder material RM (powder material RM ′) by centrifugation, and includes a centrifugal separation unit 281, a pipe 282, and a collection unit 283. ing. The centrifugal separation unit 281 and the collection unit 283 are connected via a tube 282.

  The centrifugal separation unit 281 is disposed and connected in the middle of the tube 242. The defibrated material M3 having passed through the pipe 242 and the powder material RM (powder material RM ') flow collectively into the centrifugal separation unit 281. The powder material RM flowing into the centrifugal separation unit 281 includes the powder material RM to which the foreign matter CM is adsorbed, that is, the powder material RM ′ and the powder material RM to which the foreign matter CM is not adsorbed. Including. Then, by the centrifugal separation in the centrifugal separation unit 281, it is divided into the fibrillated material M3 further flowing down the tube 242 toward the sorting unit 14 and the powder material RM (powder material RM ′) toward the tube 282 Be The powder material RM (powder material RM ′) traveling to the pipe 282 passes the pipe 282 together with the foreign matter CM, and is collected by the collection unit 283.

  The foreign material CM can be efficiently removed together with the powder material RM from the defibrated material M3 also by such a powder material removal unit 28.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the upstream side of a fourth embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus (including the processing apparatus of the present invention) of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view sequentially showing steps performed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the processing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the processing method and the sheet manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings, and differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described. The same matters will not be described.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement location of the powder material supply unit is different, and the broken down material is located downstream of the defibration unit 13 and the powder material supply unit 25 and upstream of the powder material removal unit 28. The third embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that a stirring unit 247 for stirring the mixture of M3 and the powder material RM is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the powder material supply unit 25 supplies the powder material RM to the defibrated material M3 discharged from the defibrating unit 13 by disintegration processing and discharging. The separation unit 13 is connected between the defibration unit 13 and the cyclone-type powder material removal unit 28 (centrifugal separation unit 281). Thereby, the powder material supply process in the powder material supply unit 25 is performed after the defibration process, and the powder material removal process is performed after the powder material supply process (see FIG. 10). In addition, although the arrangement | positioning location of the powder material supply part 25 is an upstream rather than the powder material removal part 28, it is preferable that it is further upstream than the blower 261.

  The stirring unit 247 has a chamber provided on the downstream side of the defibrating unit 13 and a rotating blade that rotates in the chamber. As a result, the fibrillated material M3 and the powder material RM can be efficiently mixed and stirred, and the opportunity for the powder material RM and the foreign material CM to collide increases, thereby promoting the adsorption of the foreign material CM. Can.

  The space inside the chamber is a stirring space for mixing and stirring the defibrated material M3 and the deinking agent RM.

  When the defibrated material M3 and the deinking agent RM are supplied to the stirring space, they are mixed and stirred by the rotation of the rotary blade. Thereby, the defibrated material M3 and the deinking agent RM collide with each other efficiently, and the removal of the foreign matter CM from the defibrated material M3 is promoted.

  Furthermore, the powder material RM increases the speed of passing through the tube 242 by the action of the blower 261. As a result, the opportunity for the powder material RM and the defibrated material M3 to collide with each other increases, and as a result, the foreign material CM attached to the defibrated material M3 comes into contact with it, promoting the adsorption of the foreign material CM.

  Then, the powder material RM (powder material RM ′) having adsorbed the foreign matter CM is removed by the powder material removing unit 28.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these.

  For example, each part which comprises a processing apparatus and a sheet manufacturing apparatus can be substituted by the thing of arbitrary structures which can exhibit the same function. Also, any component may be added.

  The processing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the processing method, and the sheet manufacturing method of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the case where the powder material removing unit separates the deinking agent and the defibrated material using one of the difference in density and the difference in size. As described above, separation may be performed using both the difference in density between the deinking agent and the defibrated material, and the difference in size between the deinking agent and the defibrated material.

  In the present invention, the powder material may contain at least one particle not belonging to any of the first particle group and the second particle group.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the removal of the foreign matter from the defibrated material is representatively described by the adsorption, but the foreign matter may be removed by a mechanism other than adsorption. For example, by colliding the powder material with the defibrated material, the foreign material may be exfoliated without being adsorbed to the powder material (particles) to remove the foreign material from the defibrated material.

  In addition, the contact between the fiber-containing material and the powder material is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be performed by, for example, air flow stirring.

  In the third and fourth embodiments described above, although the case where the powder material removing unit includes the cyclone type centrifugal separation unit has been described, a mesh (sieve) is used instead of the centrifugal separation unit. May be

Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described.
[1] Preparation of Powder Material (Deinking Agent) (Example 1)
First, a calcium carbonate powder having an average particle diameter of 5 μm, a minimum particle diameter of 1 μm, and a maximum particle diameter of 10 μm was prepared as a first particle group. The average value of the aspect ratios of particles (first particles) constituting the first particle group was 1.3.

  On the other hand, commercially available powdered sodium carboxymethylcellulose (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was prepared.

  The powdery sodium carboxymethylcellulose is classified using a classifier to obtain a plurality of fractions, among which an average particle diameter of 120 μm, a minimum particle diameter of 25 μm, and a maximum particle diameter of 150 μm Fraction was designated as the second particle group. The average value of the aspect ratios of the particles (second particles) constituting the second particle group was 15.

  The first particle group and the second particle group as described above were mixed at a volume ratio of 1:10 to obtain a powder material (deinking agent) as a mixed powder.

(Examples 2 to 10)
The conditions (component materials, material particle size distribution) of the first particle group and the second particle group are as shown in Table 1, and the mixing ratio of the first particle group and the second particle group is shown in Table 1 A powder material (deinking agent) as a mixed powder was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that it was as shown.

In the powder material (deinking agent) according to each of the examples, the average particle diameter of the whole powder material was 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Moreover, about the thing containing the particle group containing the particle | grains comprised with the sodium salt (CMC-Na) of carboxymethylcellulose among the powder material (deinking agent) which concerns on each said Example, the weight average of the said CMC-Na The molecular weight of each was 10000 or more and 1000000 or less. Further, CMC-Na contained in the powder material (deinking agent) according to the example has a solubility in water at 25 ° C. of 3.0 g / 100 g H ₂ O or more and 50 g / 100 g H ₂ O or less, or And the contact angle of water was 45 ° or less.

(Comparative example 1)
Of the sodium salt powder of carboxymethylcellulose fractionated in the same manner as in Example 1, a fraction having an average particle diameter of 15 μm, a minimum particle diameter of 1 μm and a maximum particle diameter of 25 μm is directly used as a powder material (deinking agent) A powder material (deinking agent) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. That is, the powder material (deinking agent) according to the present comparative example is composed of a single particle group.

(Comparative example 2)
Of the sodium salt powder of carboxymethylcellulose fractionated in the same manner as in Example 1, a fraction having an average particle diameter of 120 μm, a minimum particle diameter of 25 μm and a maximum particle diameter of 150 μm is directly used as a powder material (deinking agent) A powder material (deinking agent) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. That is, the powder material (deinking agent) according to the present comparative example is composed of a single particle group.
The conditions of the powder material (deinking agent) concerning each Example and each comparative example are put together in Table 1, and are shown.

[2] Deinking treatment and production of sheet The following treatment (deinking treatment) and production of a sheet were carried out using the powder materials (deinking agents) prepared in the respective Examples and Comparative Examples. .

  First, a sheet manufacturing apparatus having a configuration shown in FIG. 1 is prepared, and 10% duty monochrome printing is performed on one side by using an inkjet printer (Seiko Epson Co., Ltd .: PX-M7050FT) against commercial copy paper as a raw material. I prepared what I went. In addition, the mesh size of the mesh belt (net-like body) which the 1st web formation part of the powder material removal part of a sheet manufacturing device has was 600 micrometers.

  Next, the above raw materials were supplied to the raw material supply unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus was operated, and the raw materials were subjected to processes such as crushing, disaggregation, deinking, etc. to produce sheets.

  At this time, the supply amount of the powder material (deinking agent) was 100 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the fiber-containing material (defibrated material). In addition, the manufacturing conditions of the sheet were the same in each of the examples and the comparative examples except that the type of the powder material (deinking agent) was changed.

In each of the above embodiments, the ratio (R / L) of the average particle diameter (R) of the whole powder material to the average length (L) of the fibers constituting the defibrated material subjected to the deinking treatment is All were 0.001 or more and 10 or less. In each of the above embodiments, the ratio of the average value (平均_P ) of the density of particles constituting the powder material to the average value (ρ _F ) of the density of fibers constituting the defibrated material to be subjected to deinking treatment (墨_P ) Each ρP / ρF) was 0.2 or more and 10 or less.

[3] Evaluation [3-1] Coloration of defibrated material after deinking treatment (residue of foreign matter)
About each said Example and each comparative example, a part of 1st web formed by the 1st web formation part was taken out, and observation was performed with the digital microscope (The product made from Keyence: VHX-5000). The residual state of the foreign matter derived from the recording material (ink) is compared with the state of the first web in the same manner as described above except that the powder material (deinking agent) is not used. It evaluated according to the criteria of.

A: Remaining of foreign matter is not observed.
B: Almost no remaining foreign matter is observed.
C: Remaining of foreign matter is slightly recognized.
D: Remaining of foreign matter is observed.
E: Remaining of foreign matter is noticeable.
These results are summarized in Table 2.

  As apparent from Table 2, the present invention gave excellent results. That is, in the present invention, the powder material (deinking agent) efficiently adsorbs the foreign matter contained in the defibrated material, and the foreign matter can be efficiently removed. Further, in the present invention, the whiteness of the produced sheet was excellent, and unintended coloring or unintended color unevenness due to the remaining foreign matter was not observed. Further, in the present invention, the separation between the defibrated material subjected to the deinking treatment and the powder material (deinking agent) was also excellent. In each of the examples, the removal rate of the powder material in the powder material removing portion was 90% or more in all cases, and the removal rate of the second particles was higher than the removal rate of the first particles. On the other hand, in the comparative example, satisfactory results were not obtained.

  In addition, the deinking treatment and production of the sheet are carried out in the same manner as described above except that the supply amount of the powder material (deinking agent) with respect to 100 parts by mass of the defibrated material is variously changed in the range of 10 parts by mass to 100000 parts by mass. When the same evaluation as described above was performed, the same results as described above were obtained.

  Further, deinking is performed in the same manner as described above except that the apparatus used for the deinking process and sheet production is changed to the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, and the apparatus shown in FIG. The processing, the production of the sheet, and the evaluation as described above gave the same results as described above.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 1 ... Processing apparatus, 11 ... Raw material supply part, 12 ... Crushing part, 121 ... Crushing blade, 122 ... Chute (hopper), 13 ... Defibrillation part, 14 ... Sorting part, 141 ... Drum Part (sieving part) 142: Housing part 15: First web forming part 151: Mesh belt 152: Stretching roller 153: Suction part (suction mechanism) 16: Subdivision part 161: Propeller 162: Housing portion 17 Mixing portion 171 Binder supply portion 172 Tube (flow path) 173 Blower 174 Screw feeder 18 Leasing portion 181 Drum portion 182 Housing portion 19 19 Web forming unit 191 Mesh belt (separation belt) 192 Stretching roller 193 Suction unit (suction mechanism) 20 Sheet forming unit 201 Pressure unit 202: heating unit, 203: calender roller, 204: heating roller, 21: cutting unit, 211: first cutter, 212: second cutter, 22: stock unit, 231: humidifying unit, 232: humidifying unit, 233: humidifying Unit: 234: humidification unit 235: humidification unit 236: humidification unit 241: pipe (flow path) 242: pipe (flow path) 243: pipe (flow path) 244: pipe (flow path) 245 ... pipe (flow path), 246 ... pipe (flow path), 247 ... stirring part, 25 ... powder material supply part, 251 ... storage part, 252 ... injection part, 253 ... pipe, 254 ... blower, 261 ... blower, 262: Blower, 263: Blower, 27: Recovery part, 28: Powder material removal part, 281: Centrifugal separation part, 282: Tube, 283: Recovery part, CM: Foreign matter, M1: Raw material, M2: Coarse fragments, M3 ... Fiber-containing material (opened material), 4-1 ... 1st sort, M 4-2 ... 2nd sort, M 5 ... 1st web, M 6 ... subdivision, M 7 ... mixture, M 8 ... 2nd web, P 1 ... binder, RM ... powder material (removed Black ink), RM '... powder material (deinking agent), S ... sheet

Claims (10)

A powder material comprising: a first particle group having a plurality of first particles; and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group; A powder material supply unit for supplying a fiber-containing material during or after defibration containing fibers;
And a powder material removing unit configured to remove at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material to which the powder material has been supplied.   The processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a fibrillation unit configured to fibrillate the fiber-containing material upstream of the powder material supply unit.   The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an average particle diameter of the second particle group is twice or more and 10000 times or less of an average particle diameter of the first particle group. The average particle diameter of the first particle group is 0.01 μm or more and 10 μm or less,
The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an average particle diameter of the second particle group is 5 μm or more and 1500 μm or less.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first particles and the second particles have different densities.   The processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the density of the first particles is larger than the density of the second particles.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a removal rate of the powder material in the powder material removing unit is 40% or more.   A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A powder material comprising: a first particle group having a plurality of first particles; and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group; A powder material supplying step of supplying a fiber-containing material during or after defibration containing fibers;
A stirring step of stirring in a state where the powder material and the fiber-containing material are mixed;
And D. a powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material to which the powder material has been supplied. A powder material comprising: a first particle group having a plurality of first particles; and a second particle group having a plurality of second particles and having a larger average particle size than the first particle group; A powder material supplying step of supplying a fiber-containing material during or after defibration containing fibers;
A stirring step of stirring in a state where the powder material and the fiber-containing material are mixed;
A powder material removing step of removing at least a part of the powder material from the fiber-containing material supplied with the powder material;
A sheet producing method comprising producing a sheet from the fiber-containing material from which the powder material has been removed.

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