JP7101737B2 - Filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional conjugate.

As a high-resilience cushioning material used for mattresses, sheets, and the like, a filament three-dimensional bond in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin fibers (molten filaments) in a molten state are three-dimensionally fused and bonded has been attracting attention in recent years. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an apparatus for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional conjugate.

FIG. 5 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of the manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 6 shows explanatory views of the vicinity of the sliding plates (chutes) 104a and 104b shown in FIG. 5, respectively. This manufacturing apparatus discharges the molten filament group 102 made of the thermoplastic resin melted from the extruder 100, drops the molten filament group into the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 101, and causes the molten filament by the buoyancy of water. To form a loop of. At the same time, the manufacturing apparatus three-dimensionally fuse-bonds a plurality of molten filaments to generate a filament three-dimensional bond 103 having a high porosity.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus, in order to adjust the thickness of the filament three-dimensional bond 103 in the process of the above generation, a pair is arranged on the upper part of the cooling water tank 101 at intervals corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional bond. The sliding plates 104a and 104b are provided. Further, the manufacturing apparatus is also provided with water supply units 105a and 105b for supplying water W for forming a cooling water film on the surface thereof.

As a result, both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group (both ends of the molten filament group) are received by the sliding plates 104a and 104b on which the cooling water film is formed before falling into the cooling water, forming a loop and at the same time melting. The filament is smoothly guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group without being deposited on the sliding plate. After that, the molten filament group is conveyed to the downstream side by using the conveyors 106a, 106b, and each roller. At this time, the molten filament group is cooled and solidified by passing through the cooling water, and finally a sufficiently solidified filament three-dimensional bond 103 is obtained.

Japanese Patent No. 4966438

However, when an attempt is made to manufacture a filament three-dimensional bond (for example, a thickness of 250 mm and a width of 2 m) for a mattress having a thickness and a wide width by using a manufacturing apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1, the temperature is high. A large amount of the molten filament group of the above will be put into the cooling water tank. As a result, the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank becomes close to 100 ° C. in the central portion of the molten filament group (the portion indicated by “PM” in FIG. 6), while both ends of the molten filament group (“PL” and “PL” in FIG. 6). In the portion indicated by “PR”), the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank becomes lower than that in the central portion due to the inflow of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate.

In general, the lower the temperature of the molten filament group, the more difficult it is to fuse. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, there is a problem that the fusion force (adhesive force) between the molten filaments becomes small at both ends of the molten filament group. .. If the fusion force becomes smaller than the permissible range, there may be a problem that the filaments do not bond with each other or the bond becomes weak at that portion, which may lead to deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond.

In particular, when a resin material whose crystallization progresses rapidly by cooling is used, the fluidity of the resin tends to be lost (the resin viscosity tends to increase) only by cooling the resin by the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate, so that the resin is strongly melted. It becomes difficult to obtain the force.

On the other hand, if the amount of cooling water flowing through the sliding plate is reduced in order to reduce the temperature difference between the cooling water temperatures in the cooling water tank, the molten filament tends to be deposited on the sliding plate, and the molten filament is melted on the sliding plate. There is a problem that the pulsation phenomenon in which the filament repeatedly slips and grips is likely to occur, and the surface state of both ends of the filament three-dimensional bond in the thickness direction becomes non-uniform. In this case as well, the deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional conjugate becomes a problem.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus capable of making it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end in the thickness direction and suppressing deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond. With the goal.

The filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention receives a molten filament supply device for discharging a molten filament group composed of a plurality of molten filaments and the molten filament group and conveys the molten filaments in the first direction, and the molten filaments are transferred to each other. A three-dimensional bond forming device for forming a fused and bonded filament three-dimensional bond is provided, and the three-dimensional bond forming device has an end portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction of the molten filament group. It is configured to have a conveyor portion that receives and drives the end portion to convey the molten filament group in a second direction approaching the center side in the thickness direction.

According to this configuration, the end portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group can be brought closer to the center side by driving the conveyor portion. Therefore, for example, it is possible to omit the use of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate, make it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end portion in the thickness direction, and suppress the deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond. It should be noted that the molten filament group here is a concept including a state in which the molten filaments are fused to each other in the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus.

Further, more specifically, the first direction may be vertically downward, and the second direction may be a direction inclined toward the first direction from the thickness direction. More specifically, as the above configuration, the conveyor unit has a first conveyor unit that conveys the received end portion in the second direction, and the molten filament group including the conveyed end portion in the first direction. The second conveyor unit to be conveyed to the conveyor belt may be formed by a series of conveyor belts.

According to this configuration, the thickness direction end portion of the molten filament group can be brought closer to the center side by the first conveyor portion, and the molten filament group can be continuously conveyed in the first direction by the second conveyor portion. Further, since these conveyor portions are formed by a series of conveyor belts, it becomes easier to simplify the configuration and improve the drive efficiency as compared with the case where they are formed by separate conveyor belts.

More specifically, as the above configuration, at least a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller are provided as rollers for tensioning and supporting the conveyor belt, and both ends of the first conveyor portion are the first roller and the first roller. The conveyor belt may be supported by the two rollers, and the conveyor belt may be supported at both ends of the second conveyor portion by the second roller and the third roller. According to this configuration, it becomes easier to set the inclination angle (inclination angle) within an appropriate range as compared with the case where the first roller is not used, for example.

More specifically, the conveyor belt is a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral portion is made of a plastic modular chain made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, or a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral surface is made of a smooth silicone rubber material. It may be configured to be. According to this configuration, high mold releasability can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent the molten filament from fusing to the conveyor belt as much as possible.

More specifically, as the above configuration, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus includes a cooling water tank for storing cooling water used for cooling the molten filament group, and at least a part of the second conveyor portion is in the cooling water. It may be configured to be characterized by being located. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably guide the molten filament group into the cooling water by transporting the molten filament group by the second conveyor section.

Further, more specifically, the three-dimensional body forming apparatus may have a partition wall in the cooling water tank provided so as to form a wall around the conveyor portion. According to this configuration, the temperature of the cooling water inside the partition in the tank is less affected by the cooling water on the outside, and the temperature of the cooling water near the conveyor is stabilized by that amount, and the center of the molten filament group in the thickness direction. It is possible to reduce the temperature difference of the cooling water between the portion and the end portion.

More specifically, the three-dimensional bond forming device may have a cooling water stirring device provided vertically below the partition wall in the tank to stir the cooling water. According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently cool the molten filament group that has passed through the cooling water area surrounded by the partition wall in the tank.

According to the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end portion in the thickness direction and to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond.

It is a block diagram of the filament 3D composite manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram in the vicinity of the thickness regulation conveyor shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing about the structure of the thickness regulation conveyor. It is explanatory drawing about the manufacturing apparatus of the filament 3D coupled body of the conventional example. It is explanatory drawing about the manufacturing apparatus of the filament 3D coupled body of the conventional example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions (directions orthogonal to each other) in the following description are as shown in each figure. The downward direction corresponds to the vertical downward direction, and the front-back and left-right directions are included in the horizontal direction. Further, the downward direction in the present embodiment is an example of the first direction according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'of the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the vicinity of the thickness control conveyors 22a and 22b shown in FIG.

The filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing device 1 is a device for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional bond 3 having a high void ratio in which filaments (stripe) made of a thermoplastic resin are fused and bonded to each other, and is a molten filament supply device (extrusion). A molding machine) 10 and a three-dimensional bond forming device 20 are provided.

The molten filament supply device 10 is a device that discharges the molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments vertically downward. In the molten filament group 2 discharged from the molten filament supply device 10 to reach the three-dimensional bond forming device 20, each of the molten filaments is in a state of being translated downward, and the molten filaments are not fused to each other.

The three-dimensional bond forming device 20 cools and solidifies a plurality of molten filaments supplied from the molten filament supply device 10 while three-dimensionally fusion-bonding them, whereby the molten filaments are three-dimensionally fused. It is a device for forming the bonded filament three-dimensional bond 3. In the following description, a state in which molten filaments are fused to each other in the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 may also be referred to as a molten filament group.

The molten filament supply device 10 includes a pressure melting unit 11 (extruder) and a die 12. The pressure melting unit 11 includes a material charging unit 13 (hopper), a screw 14, a screw motor 15, a screw heater 16, and a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown).

Inside the pressure melting section 11, a cylinder 11a for transporting the thermoplastic resin supplied from the material charging section 13 while heating and melting is formed, and the screw 14 is rotatably accommodated. A filament discharge portion 11b for discharging the thermoplastic resin toward the die 12 is formed at the downstream end portion of the cylinder 11a.

The die 12 includes a nozzle portion 17, a plurality of die heaters 18a to 18f, and a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown). Inside the die 12, a guide flow path 12a for guiding the molten thermoplastic resin discharged from the filament discharge portion 11b to the nozzle portion 17 is formed.

The nozzle portion 17 is a substantially rectangular cuboid metal thick plate in which a plurality of circular nozzles 17a (holes having a circular cross section) are formed, and is provided at the lower part of a die 12 which is the most downstream portion of the guide flow path 12a. .. The plurality of circular nozzles 17a are arranged in a matrix so as to form a plurality of rows in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, for example. In the present embodiment, the circular nozzle 17a has an inner diameter of 1 mm and the distance (pitch) between adjacent circular nozzles 17a is set to 10 mm. The nozzle inner diameter, nozzle spacing, and nozzle arrangement can be adjusted as appropriate.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin that can be used as the material of the filament three-dimensional bond in the present embodiment include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyvinyl chloride resins and polystyrene resins. Examples thereof include thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based elastomers, vinyl chloride-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, urethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, nitrile-based elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers, and fluorine-based elastomers.

The thermoplastic resin supplied from the material charging unit 13 is heated and melted in the cylinder 11a, then supplied as a molten thermoplastic resin from the cylinder discharge port 11b to the guide flow path 12a of the die 12, and then a plurality of circular nozzles. The molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments is discharged from 17a toward the lower three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20. Since the direction of this discharge coincides with the direction of gravity, the discharged molten filament group 2 reaches the three-dimensional bond forming device 20 so as to fall almost straight.

The three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 includes a cooling water tank 21 for storing cooling water for cooling the molten filament group 2, and a pair of thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b for forming a three-dimensional bond while restricting the width of the molten filament group 2. A pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b surrounding the thickness-regulated conveyors 22a and 22b, a pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b, a pair of transfer conveyors 24a and 24b, and a plurality of transfer rollers 25a to 25f. including.

The pair of thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, the pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b, and the pair of conveyors 24a and 24b are symmetrical as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is provided symmetrically in the front-rear direction with respect to the surface S (the surface located at the center in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2). Hereinafter, these configurations and roles will be described in order.

(1) Thickness Control Conveyor The pair of thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b are installed with a gap corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional bond 3. One of these thickness-regulating conveyors 22a includes a first roller 22a1, a second roller 22a2, a third roller 22a3, a pressure roller 22a4, and a heat-resistant belt 22a5 rotatably supported by these rollers. including. The third roller 22a3 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven, and the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 are driven rollers.

The other thickness-regulating conveyor 22b includes a first roller 22b1, a second roller 22b2, a third roller 22b3, a pressure roller 22b4, and a heat-resistant belt 22b5 rotatably supported by these rollers. .. The third roller 22b3 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven, and the first roller 22b1 and the second roller 22b2 are driven rollers. The heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 described above are arranged so as to partially come into contact with the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 21.

Each of the above-mentioned rollers rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 (direction in which the molten filament group 2 is conveyed downward). In the present embodiment, endless belts are used as the two heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, but in addition, for example, an endless belt longer than the filament three-dimensional bond 3 to be molded may be used.

Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of one of the thickness regulation conveyors 22a will be described in more detail. The configuration of the other thickness-regulating conveyor 22b is the same as that of the thickness-regulating conveyor 22a, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the molten filaments in each row constituting the molten filament group 2 are referred to as A, B, C, D, E, F ... In order from the front side.

Of the heat-resistant belt 22a5, the portion (first conveyor portion C1) whose both ends are supported by the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 has an inclination angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) as shown in FIG. It stretches to incline only. The first conveyor portion C1 can receive a predetermined portion (parts A and B in the example shown in FIG. 4) on the front end portion side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2 supplied from the upper side. It is exposed on the upper side.

Further, a portion (second conveyor portion C2) of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 whose both ends are supported by the second roller 22a2 and the third roller 22a3 extends in the vertical direction. The second conveyor section C2 is connected to the first conveyor section C1 at a position where it is in contact with the second roller 22a2. Further, in the present embodiment, the position near the uppermost portion of the second conveyor portion C2 is the water surface position of the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 21.

With the above configuration, the first conveyor unit C1 receives the molten filaments A and B and conveys them in a direction inclined downward by an inclination angle θ from the thickness direction (front-back direction) of the molten filament group 2. The direction of this transport is a direction approaching the center side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. The molten filaments A and B are conveyed by the first conveyor unit C1 to a position where they merge with the molten filament on the central side in the thickness direction, and then further downward by the second conveyor unit C2.

The inclination angle θ can also be seen as the inclination angle of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 with respect to the horizontal plane at the position where the molten filament group 2 comes into contact with the molten filament located at the end in the thickness direction (position P shown in FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ is set to 30 degrees.

If the inclination angle θ is close to vertical (90 degrees) when receiving the falling molten filament, the molten filament tends to slip on the first conveyor portion C1 and it becomes difficult to form a stable loop. On the contrary, when the inclination angle θ is close to horizontal (0 degree), the molten filament conveyed by the first conveyor portion C1 bends at an angle close to a right angle near the end of the first conveyor portion C1, and the molten filament Fusion is likely to occur when the loop is bent. These phenomena can be a cause of impairing the quality maintenance of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3. In order to prevent such a problem as much as possible, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ is set in an appropriate range (usually in the range of 25 to 40 degrees).

The number of rollers (driving rollers and driven rollers) on which the heat-resistant belt 22a5 is stretched is preferably three or more, including two rollers arranged in the vertical direction as in the present embodiment. If only two rollers (second roller 22a2 and third roller 22a3) arranged in the vertical direction are used for tensioning, the inclination angle θ of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 is greatly affected by the curvature of the second roller 22a2. It becomes difficult to keep the tilt angle θ within an appropriate range (for example, in the range of 25 to 40 degrees).

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the first roller 22a1 is also provided, both ends of the first conveyor portion C1 are supported by the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2, and both ends of the second conveyor portion C2 are the second roller 22a2. Since it is supported by the third roller 22a3, it is easy to keep the inclination angle θ within an appropriate range. The positions of one or both of the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 may be made variable so that the inclination angle θ can be adjusted as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 3, when the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 (the transport speed of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3) becomes equal to or higher than the falling speed of the molten filament from the nozzle portion 17, the loop of the molten filament is appropriately formed. Not done. Therefore, the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 is set to a speed slower than the falling speed of the molten filament.

The slower the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, the higher the density of the molten filament, and the high-density filament three-dimensional bond 3 having a high repulsive force is formed. Using this principle, the repulsive force can be adjusted by the moving speed of the heat resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5. The repulsive force is determined according to the specifications of the mattress, cushion, etc. in which the filament three-dimensional bond 3 is used, but the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 is usually 5 to 20% with respect to the falling speed of the molten filament. Set to degree.

As described above, both ends of the molten filament group 2 supplied from the nozzle portion 17 in the thickness direction are received by the pair of front and rear first conveyor portions C1 to form a high-density surface layer while forming a loop of the molten filament. After that, it is guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. On the other hand, in the central portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction, a plurality of molten filaments can be retained to form a loop by utilizing the buoyancy action of the cooling water.

Further, the loop is formed in this way, and the adjacent molten filaments are three-dimensionally fused and bonded to each other to form a filament three-dimensional bonded body 3 having a high porosity. The fusion of the looped molten filaments is started from the vicinity of the water surface of the cooling water, and the molten filament group 2 including the fused portion is conveyed downward in the cooling water by the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. Fusing bonding and cooling solidification of the molten filament group 2 proceed. As described above, since both ends of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction form a high-density surface layer and are guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2, the molten filament group 2 has a high-density and smooth surface. It is cooled and solidified with the layer formed.

The heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 are required to have a function of receiving the falling molten filament and peeling the molten filament in cooling water. In consideration of this, the specifications of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 may be selected according to the material characteristics of the thermoplastic resin used for forming the filament and the like. Usually, as the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral portion is made of a plastic modular chain made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral surface is made of a smooth silicone rubber material, or the like is suitable. If these are adopted, high mold releasability can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent the molten filament from fusing to the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 as much as possible.

Further, the release agent such as wax may be applied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 by providing the release agent application device in the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20. However, if a wax having a low melting point (for example, a melting point of 100 ° C. or lower) is used as the mold release agent, it becomes a liquid in the cooling water and easily mixes. Therefore, it is preferable to use a wax having a high melting point (for example, a melting point of 101 ° C. or higher) so that such a situation can be avoided as much as possible.

(2) In-tank partition walls The pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b are provided so as to form a wall around the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, and cool the inside of the cooling water tank 21 and the outside of the in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b. It plays a role of preventing water from easily flowing into the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. In the molten filament group 2, fusion of the molten filaments progresses in the process of being conveyed by the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. By providing the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank, it is possible to make it difficult to be affected by the cooling water having a low temperature at this time and to make it difficult to reduce the fusion force at both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2.

The front partition wall 23a in the tank has a front vertical plate 23a1 and a front horizontal plate 23a2. The front vertical plate 23a1 is a vertical wall arranged in the vicinity of the front side of the thickness regulating conveyor 22a, and covers the entire thickness regulating conveyor 22a by looking forward. The upper edge of the front vertical plate 23a1 is located above the water surface of the cooling water, and the lower edge is located below the lower end of the thickness regulating conveyor 22a.

The front horizontal plate 23a2 is a horizontal wall arranged near the lower side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22a. The front edge of the front horizontal plate 23a2 is in close contact with the front vertical plate 23a1 as a whole, and the lateral dimension of the front horizontal plate 23a2 is the same as that of the front vertical plate 23a1.

The rear tank partition wall 23b has a rear vertical plate 23b1 and a rear horizontal plate 23b2. The rear vertical plate 23b1 is a vertical wall arranged in the vicinity of the rear side of the thickness regulating conveyor 22b, and covers the entire thickness regulating conveyor 22b by rear view. The upper edge of the rear vertical plate 23b1 is located above the water surface of the cooling water, and the lower edge is located below the lower end of the thickness regulating conveyor 22b.

The rear horizontal plate 23b2 is a horizontal wall arranged near the lower side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22b. The rear edge of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 is in close contact with the rear vertical plate 23b1 as a whole, and the lateral dimension of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 is the same as that of the rear vertical plate 23b1.

A gap is provided between the rear edge of the front horizontal plate 23a2 and the front edge of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 to allow the molten filament group 2 conveyed downward by the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b to pass through. ing. Through this gap, the cooling water can enter and exit or circulate inside and outside the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank to some extent, but if necessary, holes for cooling water circulation are provided in the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank. You may. However, it is usually preferable to arrange such holes within a range in which the cooling water temperature in the vicinity of the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b does not fluctuate significantly.

When the left and right ends of the pair of tank partition walls 23a and 23b reach the left and right inner walls of the cooling water tank 21, it is possible to prevent external cooling water from flowing from the left and right directions to the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. Is possible. Further, in order to obtain an effect similar to this, in-tank partition walls may be provided on both left and right ends of the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, and the front-back and left-right sides of the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b may be surrounded by the in-tank partition walls.

In the present embodiment, by providing the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2, it is possible to sufficiently block the movement of the cooling water in the vertical direction (vertical direction). However, since the specific gravity of warm water is smaller than the specific gravity of cold water and it is difficult for warm cooling water to move downward, even if one or both of the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 are omitted, the cooling water will move. The effect on ease of use is relatively small. In consideration of this point, the configuration of the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 may be simplified by omitting the installation of one or both of the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2. In this case, it is desirable that the vertical positions of the lower ends of the vertical plates 23a1 and 23b1 are lower than the lower ends of the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b.

(3) Cooling Water Stirrer The pair of cooling water stirrers 26a and 26b are devices that generate a water flow by stirring the cooling water using, for example, a fan, and promote the cooling of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3. In the present embodiment, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b are arranged between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 and the pair of conveyors 24a and 24b (positions sandwiched above and below by these).

One of the cooling water agitators 26a is arranged below the horizontal plate 23a2 and faces the front end portion of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3 that emerges from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2. The other cooling water agitator 26b is arranged below the horizontal plate 23b2 and faces the rear end portion of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3 that emerges from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2. As described above, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b are respectively arranged at positions near both ends of the filament three-dimensional bond 3.

The specifications, positions and orientations of the cooling water agitators 26a and 26b may be appropriately set so that the filament three-dimensional bond 3 is cooled to a desired degree by the generated water flow. For example, both cooling water agitators 26a and 26b may generate a water flow in the direction toward the filament three-dimensional bond 3. However, usually, it is better that one of the cooling water agitators 26a and 26b generates a water flow in the direction toward the filament three-dimensional bond 3 and the other generates a water flow in the direction away from the filament three-dimensional bond 3. , It is preferable in that the central portion and both end portions in the thickness direction of the filament three-dimensional bond 3 can be cooled more uniformly.

The molten filament group 2 is in a state of a filament three-dimensional bonded body 3 in which the fused filaments are sufficiently fused and bonded at the stage from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 until the molten filament group 2 comes out downward. Therefore, there is no need to worry about a decrease in the fusion force due to cooling with respect to the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 at the stage of protruding downward from between the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2.

(4) Conveyor Conveyor The pair of conveyors 24a and 24b are each composed of slat conveyors, and are arranged with a gap corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3. The conveyors 24a and 24b are preferably formed by using a conveyor member having a smooth transport surface, and for example, a conveyor using a metal mesh belt or a plastic modular chain may be adopted. The pair of transport conveyors 24a and 24b sandwich the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 that has passed between the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b in the front-rear direction, and further transport the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 downward.

The filament three-dimensional coupler 3 conveyed by the pair of conveyors 24a and 24b is further conveyed by a plurality of conveyor rollers 25a to 25f while changing the direction of the cooling water in a U shape, and finally the cooling water tank 21. It is transported to the outside. The thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, the conveyors 24a and 24b, and the plurality of conveyors 25a to 25f described above are driven by a drive motor and a drive gear (not shown), and the molten filament group 2 or the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 is appropriately used. To transport to.

4. Summary As described above, the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus 1 receives the molten filament supply device 10 for discharging the molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments and the molten filament group 2 in the first direction (the present embodiment). Then, it is provided with a three-dimensional bond forming device 20 that is conveyed vertically below) to form a filament three-dimensional bond 3 in which molten filaments are fused and bonded to each other. Further, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 receives the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction (front-back direction), and the end portion approaches the center side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2 in the second direction (in the present embodiment). The thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b (conveyor portions) are driven so as to convey the conveyor in the direction (inclined downward by 30 degrees from the thickness direction).

According to the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus 1, the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b can be driven to appropriately bring the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction closer to the center side. Therefore, for example, the use of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate (cooling water W in the example shown in FIG. 6) is omitted, and the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank is lower than that of the central portion at both ends of the molten filament group. It is possible to avoid it. As a result, it is difficult to reduce the fusion force (adhesive force) between the molten filaments at both ends of the molten filament group, and the surface state of both ends of the filament three-dimensional bond 3 in the thickness direction is prevented from becoming uneven as much as possible. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond 3.

Further, in the thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b, the first conveyor portion C1 that conveys the received molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction in the second direction and the molten filament group 2 including the conveyed end portion are first. The second conveyor portion C2 that conveys in the direction is formed by a series of conveyor belts.

Therefore, it is possible to bring the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction closer to the center side by the first conveyor portion C1 and to continuously convey the molten filament group 2 in the first direction by the second conveyor portion C2. Further, since these conveyor portions are formed by a series of heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, the configuration is simplified and the drive efficiency is improved as compared with the case where these are formed by separate belts.

Further, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 includes a cooling water tank 21 for storing cooling water used for cooling the molten filament group 2, and at least a part of the second conveyor portion C2 is located in the cooling water. Therefore, it is possible to reliably guide the molten filament group 2 into the cooling water by transporting the molten filament group 2 by the second conveyor portion C2.

Further, the three-dimensional body forming apparatus 20 has in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b provided so as to form a wall around the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b in the cooling water tank 21. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling water inside the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank is less likely to be affected by the cooling water outside, and the temperature of the cooling water in the vicinity of the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b is stabilized by that amount, and the molten filament group 2 It is possible to reduce the temperature difference of the cooling water between the central portion and the end portion in the thickness direction.

If the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank are not provided, the cooling water having a low temperature (cooling water at a position away from the molten filament group 2) will be greatly affected at both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. , There is a risk that the fusion force between the molten filaments will decrease. In this respect, if the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank are provided as in the present embodiment, the molten filament group 2 is less likely to be affected by the cooling water having a low temperature even at both ends in the thickness direction, and such a problem can be prevented as much as possible. Is possible.

Further, the three-dimensional bond forming device 20 has cooling water stirring devices 26a and 26b provided vertically below the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank and stirring the cooling water. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently cool the molten filament group 2 that has passed through the cooling water area surrounded by the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank.

Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. That is, the above embodiment should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. It is understood that the technical scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, not the description of the above embodiment, and includes all modifications belonging to the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Should be.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional conjugate used for a mattress, a pillow, a cushion, or the like.

1 ・ ・ ・ Filament 3D bond manufacturing device 2 ・ ・ ・ Fused filament group 3 ・ ・ ・ Filament 3D bond 10 ・ ・ ・ Fused filament supply device 11 ・ ・ ・ Pressurized melting part 11a ・ ・ ・ Cylinder 11b ・・ ・ Filament discharge part 12 ・ ・ ・ Die 12a ・ ・ ・ Lead flow path 13 ・ ・ ・ Material input part 14 ・ ・ ・ Screw 15 ・ ・ ・ Screw motor 16 ・ ・ ・ Screw heater 17 ・ ・ ・ Nozzle part 17a ・ ・・ Circular nozzles 18a-18f ・ ・ ・ Die heater 20 ・ ・ ・ 3D bond forming device 21 ・ ・ ・ Cooling water tanks 22a, 22b ・ ・ ・ Thickness control conveyor (conveyor part)
22a1, 22b1 ... 1st roller 22a2, 22b2 ... 2nd roller 22a3, 22b3 ... 3rd roller 22a4, 22b4 ... Pressurized roller 22a5, 22b5 ... Heat resistant belt (conveyor belt)
23a, 23b ... In-tank partition walls 24a, 24b ... Conveyor conveyors 25a to 25f ... Conveyor rollers 26a, 26b ... Cooling water agitator C1 ... First conveyor section C2 ... Second conveyor Department

Claims (3)

A molten filament supply device that discharges a group of molten filaments composed of a plurality of molten filaments,
A three-dimensional bond forming apparatus that cools the molten filament group using the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank to form a filament three-dimensional bond in which the molten filaments are fused and bonded to each other.
A conveyor unit that is at least partly located in the cooling water and receives the molten filament group and conveys it downward.
It has an in-tank partition wall provided so as to form a wall around the conveyor portion in the cooling water tank.
The three-dimensional bond forming apparatus is
It has a cooling water agitator that agitates the cooling water to generate a water flow and promotes cooling of the filament three-dimensional conjugate .
The cooling water agitating device is a filament three-dimensional composite manufacturing device provided below the conveyor portion in the cooling water tank and below the partition wall in the tank . It has a pair of the cooling water agitators.
On the other hand, the cooling water agitator is arranged so as to face one end in the thickness direction of the filament three-dimensional bond.
The filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the other cooling water stirring device is arranged so as to face the other end in the thickness direction of the filament three-dimensional bond. On the other hand, the cooling water agitator generates a water flow in the direction toward the filament three-dimensional bond.
The filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the other cooling water stirring device generates a water flow in a direction away from the filament three-dimensional conjugate.

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