WO2003035980A1

WO2003035980A1 - Method and device for manufacturing formed sheet product

Info

Publication number: WO2003035980A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/011064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kohro Utsui; Yorio Hashimoto
Original assignee: Utsui Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-10-24
Filing date: 2002-10-24
Publication date: 2003-05-01
Also published as: JPWO2003035981A1; JPWO2003035980A1; JP4099147B2; JP4099146B2; WO2003035981A1

Abstract

A method and a device for manufacturing a formed sheet product used as packaging containers and cushioning material for packaging, the device comprising a plurality of copes (4a), (4b), (4c), and (4d) supported on a rotatable support body (3) so as to be movable in circumferential direction, and a forming mold (2) and a plurality of drags (5a), (5b), and (5c) installed under the copes (4a) to (4d) along the circumferential direction; the method comprising the steps of dehydrating and drying a wet sheet product on the forming mold (2) by the forming mold (2) and the cope (4a), holdingly sucking the wet formed sheet product by the cope (4a) and feeding the formed sheet product in the circumferential direction, and pressurizing and heating the wet formed sheet product (12) in order between the cope (4a) and the drags (5a), (5b), and (5c).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for producing a molded article and an apparatus for producing the same.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a paper-formed article made from pulp raw material and used as a packaging container, a packaging cushioning material, and the like. Background art

In recent years, as a packaging container for small electric appliances, precision machinery, or a package for food such as eggs, a molded article formed into a predetermined shape using a pulp raw material liquid has been used. Its use is widespread as suitable for

As a general method for manufacturing the above-mentioned molded article, a raw material such as pulp is dispersed in water.The pulp component in the dispersion is extracted using a papermaking net having a predetermined shape. A method has been widely used in which a water-containing paper-formed molded product formed into a predetermined shape is heated and dried by passing it through a hot-air drying oven, and then dried to obtain a final product.

However, in this method, since the formed paper product containing water is heated and dried in a hot-air drying oven, the thickness of the final product obtained is not uniform, and the formed product is distorted when heated and dried. There was a drawback that the shape and dimensions fluctuated. Another problem is that a mesh pattern is formed on the surface of the molded product on the side in contact with the papermaking net during papermaking, and that irregularities are formed on the other surface. Although the press treatment in the above could flatten to some extent, it was not sufficient and a smooth surface could not be obtained.

Furthermore, a hot-air drying oven is a large device with a very long length from the inlet to the outlet. Therefore, there was a disadvantage that the installation area of the device became large and the manufacturing cost also increased.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-49800 discloses that a hydrated paper-formed article formed by papermaking on a lower mold using a pulp raw material liquid is pressed between the upper mold and dewatered, and then the hydrated paper-formed article is dried. Holding the upper mold and lowering the lower mold, moving the press lower mold waiting at another position to position the press lower mold below the upper mold holding the hydrated papermaking molded product, High frequency drying is performed by sandwiching the hydrated paper-formed product between the upper die and the lower press die, and the lower press die is moved while holding the hydrated paper-formed product in the lower press die. Here, it is disclosed that a heated and heated press is performed by sandwiching a hydrated paper-formed product between the upper press die and the lower press die to obtain a paper-formed product as a final molded product.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-650900 discloses a method for producing a molded article similar to that of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-49800, and a plurality of paper molding machines are provided. It discloses a manufacturing method in which the phase of the production cycle of a molded article is shifted, and a high frequency is applied to each papermaking molding machine in accordance with the phase of the shifted production cycle. Similarly, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-1585999, when a wet-formed paper-formed product is dried and formed, a hot-water-formed paper-formed product is sandwiched between an upper press die and a lower press die and heated and pressed. Is disclosed.

According to these JP-A-6-49800, JP-A-6-690000 and JP-A-6-158959, water is contained between the upper press die and the lower press die. Since the molded paper is sandwiched and pressed and heated and dried, it is possible to produce a molded molded article having a uniform thickness, excellent dimensional accuracy, and a smooth surface and good appearance. Also, there is no need to install large-scale equipment such as a hot-air drying furnace, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The manufacturing methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 6-49800 and Hei 6-690000 include a high-frequency drying step and a heating / pressing step that are linearly connected to each other. As shown in Fig. 11, the press lower die 66 fixed to the transfer table 61 is connected to the cylinder 68 to reciprocate horizontally on the rail 64 as shown in Fig. 11. The first upper die 65 and the second upper die (heated press upper die) 6 are arranged to be separated from each other in the horizontal direction. It is configured so that the lower press die 66 can be arranged at the lower position of each of the 7. After dehydration of the water-containing molded article between the first upper mold 65 and the papermaking mold 62, high-frequency drying is performed between the first upper mold 65 and the lower press mold 66. Then, a heating press is performed between the press lower mold 66 and the second upper mold 67, and along the process, the press lower mold 66 is connected to the first upper mold 65 and the second upper mold 67. It moves to the lower position of the upper mold 67 and reciprocates horizontally. Therefore, while the press lower die 66 is moving, the upper die 65 or the upper die 67 is in a standby state, and time is lost. Therefore, it has been difficult to improve the production efficiency in the above-mentioned production method.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-340700 discloses a method in which a hydrated paper-formed product formed on a surface of a papermaking die is transferred to a die supported by a swing arm, and the rotary die is used to move the die into a lower rotary table. Is placed above the lower mold supported by the mold, and the wet molded article is transferred from the mold to the lower mold, and the swing mold is separated from the mold by rotation of the swivel arm. The upper mold is lowered, and the hydrated paper-molded article is sandwiched between the upper mold and the lower mold. The upper and lower dies are moved in the rotating direction by the rotary table while holding the hydrated paper-molded article, It is disclosed that heating and drying of a hydrated paper-made molded product by a mold is performed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-34070 discloses a method in which heating and drying using an upper and lower mold are performed while moving in the circumferential direction. The hydrated paper-formed product is then transferred to the lower die from the dies, and the upper die is applied to the hydrated paper-formed product on the lower die, and the hydrated paper-formed product is placed between the upper die and the lower die. It requires a complicated process of heating and drying with a water-made molded product in between, and therefore has the disadvantage that the standby time when moving from one process to the next is long, resulting in poor production efficiency. In addition, a moving device is required for transferring the hydrated paper-formed article from the papermaking mold to the take-off die, and for transferring the product to the lower die from the take-off die, which makes the device complicated and large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has a uniform thickness even in a complicated shape, does not generate distortion, and is capable of producing a molded article having excellent dimensional accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a product. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a molded article having a smooth surface and a good appearance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a molded article that can efficiently produce the molded article and improve the production efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a molded article having a simple structure and realizing miniaturization. Disclosure of the invention

In the present invention, a papermaking mold is manufactured by immersing a papermaking mold in a pulp raw material liquid, removing pulp components to form a wet papermaking product on the papermaking mold, and forming a wet papermaking product between the papermaking mold and the upper mold. The product is dehydrated and dried to produce a hydrated paper-formed product, and the obtained hydrated paper-formed product is transferred in the circumferential direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrated papermaking molded article is transferred in the circumferential direction by causing the upper mold to hold the hydrated papermaking molded article by suction and moving the upper mold in the circumferential direction.

At the point where the hydrated paper-formed product is transferred in the circumferential direction, the hydrated paper-formed product is sandwiched between the upper mold and the lower mold and heated and dried. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at the stage when the upper mold holding the hydrated papermaking molded article by suction reaches the upper position of the lower mold The lower mold is raised and the hydrated papermaking molded article is pressurized and heated between the lower mold and the upper mold.

The heating and drying of the paper molded article is preferably performed a plurality of times. For this purpose, a plurality of lower dies are installed along the circumferential direction in which the upper die moves, and the hydrated paper-formed products are successively transferred between the upper die and the lower die while the hydrated paper-formed products are transferred by the upper dies. Heat and dry.

A sheet-shaped molded product is obtained by the heating and drying, and the sheet-shaped molded product is removed from the mold, thereby obtaining a final molded product.

The papermaking molded article manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of upper dies supported by a rotatably provided support and movably provided in a circumferential direction, and a process of moving the upper dies in a circumferential direction. A papermaking molding zone and a plurality of drying molding zones provided in the papermaking tank provided in the papermaking molding zone and a papermaking mold installed in the papermaking tank, and a lower mold provided in each of the drying molding zones. Consists of

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a mechanism for dehydrating and drying a hydrated paper product formed on a papermaking mold between a papermaking mold and an upper mold, and holding the hydrated papermaking molded product obtained by the dehydration drying in the upper mold. It has a mechanism for sequentially transferring to the dry molding zone, and a mechanism for heating and drying the hydrated paper-made molded product between the upper mold and the lower mold in the dry molding zone. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in dehydration and drying, the papermaking mold is raised to sandwich a water-containing papermaking product with the upper mold and pressure dehydration is performed, and in heat drying, the lower mold is raised and the upper mold is raised. And pressurizing and heating the hydrated papermaking molded product.

In the present invention, a hydrated paper-formed product formed by removing a pulp component on a papermaking mold is dehydrated and dried between a papermaking mold and an upper mold, and then a hydrated paper-formed product obtained by the dehydration drying is obtained. Is transferred in the circumferential direction, and at a point in the circumferential direction, the water-containing paper-molded article is sandwiched between the upper and lower dies and heated and dried. The time required to move from the first drying step to the heating and drying step and the time required to move from one heating and drying step to the next heating and drying step can be reduced, and the production cycle can be shortened without wasting standby time. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper mold does not move up and down and always moves only in the circumferential direction, and the upper mold that receives the hydrated paper-formed article from the papermaking mold always thereafter performs the hydrated paper-formed article. Since each process is moved while the suction is maintained, the movement between the processes can be performed smoothly and quickly, and the production efficiency can be greatly improved as compared with the related art.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the hydrated paper-molded article is suction-held in the upper mold and sequentially transferred to each of the drying molding steps, the upper mold always holds the hydrated paper-molded article even during the transfer. Since suction drying and heat drying are performed, sufficient drying treatment can be performed until the molded product is taken out, and the drying treatment can be performed more efficiently.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that a molded article can be efficiently produced and the production efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the present invention, since the hydrated paper-formed product is heated and dried while being sandwiched between the upper die and the lower die, there is no distortion of the paper-formed product, and the wall thickness becomes uniform even in a complicated shape, and the dimensions are reduced. It is possible to manufacture a molded article with excellent accuracy. Further, since the upper and lower molds are pressurized and heated, a molded article having a smooth surface and good appearance can be obtained. The manufacturing apparatus of the present invention has a simple structure, and can be downsized to contribute to cost reduction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

1 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the apparatus of the present invention viewed from the direction of the first dry forming zone B in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view from the direction of the second dry forming zone C in FIG. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4 d and 4 e are schematic front views showing the paper making process, FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c are schematic front views showing the dry forming process in the first dry forming zone B, and FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c are FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a dry molding process in the second dry molding zone C, FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a molded product taking-out process, FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which an upper mold and a papermaking mold are matched, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a sheet-formed product obtained by the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a conventional manufacturing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention has a plurality of upper dies 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d supported and fixed on a rotatable support 3. Although FIG. 1 shows a four-pole rotary type in which four upper dies are arranged on the support 3, the number of upper dies is not limited to four in the present invention. An upper mold can be provided. Also, the number of lower molds can be arbitrarily determined accordingly. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is of a 4-pole rotary type will be described below. The support 3 is supported by the rotation shaft 31 and is configured to rotate with the rotation shaft 31. The support 3 has arms branched in four directions from the center, a base 45 is fixed to the end of each arm, and upper dies 4a, 4b, 4c, 4 are provided on the lower surface of each base 45. d is supported and fixed by fasteners such as screws. The upper dies 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are supported by the support 3 via the base 45 so as to be movable in the circumferential direction. The configuration of the support 3 is not limited to the arm shape, and may be a disk-shaped rotary table.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a driving device for driving the rotating shaft 31 to rotate. The driving device 9 is controlled by the control device 32. The rotation axis by this control device 3 2 In addition to controlling the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 31, the rotation angle and the stop time in the intermittent rotation of the rotation shaft 31 can be controlled. An index, a support motor, a positioning knock pin, and the like can be used as such a control device. 10 is a support frame.

The papermaking zone A and a plurality of drying zones B, C, and D are provided in the process in which the upper dies 4 &, 4 13, 4 and 4 d move in the circumferential direction (FIG. 1). In the papermaking zone A, a papermaking tank 7 in which the papermaking mold 2 is installed is disposed. The first dry molding zone B, the second dry molding zone (:, and the third dry molding zone D have Types 5a, 5b and 5c are arranged.

In Figs. 2 and 3, circles below the upper dies 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d so that the papermaking dies 2, and the lower dies 5a, 5b, and 5c face the upper dies, respectively. They are arranged along the circumference.

In FIG. 2, the papermaking mold 2 located below the upper mold 4a is installed inside the papermaking tank 7. A cylinder 33 is provided inside the papermaking tank 7, and a base 42 is attached to an upper end of a shaft body 13 movably provided by the cylinder 13 3, and a papermaking machine is provided on an upper surface of the base 42. The mold 2 is supported and fixed by fixing devices such as screws. Thus, the shaft 13 is moved up and down by the action of the cylinder 33, whereby the papermaking mold 2 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction.

A predetermined amount of pulp raw material liquid 8, which is a molding material for a papermaking molded article, is put in a papermaking tank 7. As the pulp raw material liquid 8, a known pulp raw material liquid in which pulp raw material is dispersed in water is used. be able to. As the pulp raw material, a virgin raw material and a recycled paper raw material such as waste paper may be mixed, or a pulp raw material liquid may be prepared from only the recycled paper raw material. Further, a pulp raw material may be mixed with a water-soluble polymer, a thermoplastic synthetic resin or fiber which is melted by the heat of the heated press. In FIG. 2, the lower die 5 a located below the upper die 4 b is supported and fixed on the upper surface of the base 50 by a fixing tool such as a screw, and the base 50 is a cylinder 3 mounted on the base 14. It is attached to the upper end of a shaft body 49 which can be moved up and down by 4. Similarly, the lower mold 5b located below the upper mold 4c in FIG. 3 and the lower mold 5c located below the upper mold 4d in FIG. The base 50 is attached to a shaft 49 of a cylinder 134 installed on the base 14.

Thus, the lower dies 5a, 5b, and 5c are configured to be able to move upward and downward by the action of the cylinder 134.

The lower dies 5a, 5b, 5c can be moved vertically by the cylinders 34, but are not moved in the circumferential direction and are fixed. It is preferable to use hydraulic cylinders as the cylinders 33, 34 in the papermaking mold 2 and the lower molds 5a, 5b, 5c.

In the third dry molding zone D, a molded article receiving device 36 is provided near the installation location of the upper mold and the lower mold. As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 36 is provided with a receiving table 35 slidably provided in a horizontal direction. The upper die holding the paper-formed product after the pressurizing and heating treatment is completed. The receiving table 35 is moved downward, and the molded article discharged from the upper mold by blowing compressed air is received and moved backward, and when it returns to the original position or while moving backward. The receiving table 35 has a mechanism for tilting and dropping the formed paper product downward. As a mechanism for inclining the receiving table 35, a known mechanism such as rotating the receiving table 35 using a cylinder can be employed. Although not particularly shown, a transfer device such as a belt conveyor is provided at the point where the molded product falls. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of passages 6 are provided inside an upper mold 4a supported and fixed to a lower surface of a base 45. Each of the plurality of passages 6 has an opening in the surface of the mold, and a core vent 25 formed with micropores at the opening end is embedded therein: The core vent 25 has a micropore forming surface on one opening end side. It is a bottom cylindrical body, and a large number of fine holes are provided on the fine hole forming surface. The core vent 25 is attached so that the micropore forming surface is located on the opening end side of the mold surface of the passage 6.

The fine holes provided in the core vent 25 may be circular or slit-shaped, and the diameter of the circular hole is preferably 0.5 to 2.0 Oim, and the slit width of the slit hole is 0. It is preferably 5 to 2.0 dragons. If the above hole diameter and slit width are less than 0.5 mm, clogging may occur and impede the moisture permeation of the hydrated molded article, and if it exceeds 2.0, the hydrated molded article may be damaged. Pulp components may permeate through the pores.

The plurality of passages 6 merge at the upper part of the mold, and the merge portion communicates with a communication passage 15 provided inside the base 45.

Inside the base 45, a vacuum passage 46 and a compressed air passage 47 are provided in communication with the communication passage 15. Both the vacuum passage 46 and the compressed air passage 47 are provided horizontally in the base 45, and the vacuum passage 46 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). Not connected to a compressor. The vacuum pump 46 can reduce the pressure in the vacuum passage 46, the communication passage 15 and the passage 6, and the compressed air can be supplied to the compressed air passage 47 by the function of the compressor. It can be blown out of the mold surface through passage 15, passage 6 and core vent 25.

The vacuum passage 46 and the compressed air passage 47 may be configured as vertical passages communicating with the communication passage 15 in the base 45. Furthermore, this vertical passage is a vacuum passage 4 6 and a compressed air passage 47 may be formed, or the vacuum passage 46 and the compressed air passage 47 may be formed as one passage. In the latter case, the pressure can be reduced through a single passage or compressed air can be supplied. Inside the base 45, a predetermined number of sunflowers 22 are buried.

Each of the upper molds 4b, 4c, and 4d has the same structure as the above-described upper mold 4a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the papermaking mold 2 comprises a mold body 19, a support member 21, and a papermaking net 17 attached to the surface of the mold body 19, and the mold body 19 is supported. It is supported by the member 21 and fixed to the base 42. As the net 17, a mesh having a mesh that allows water in the pulp raw material liquid to pass but does not allow the pulp component to pass is used. Usually, a 15 to 80 mesh wire mesh is used. Stainless steel or brass is used as the material of the wire mesh.

A plurality of passages 18 are provided inside the papermaking mold 2, and each of the plurality of passages 18 is open to the surface of the mold, so that the open end of the passage 18 communicates with the micropores of the net 17. I have. The passage 18 is a passage through which the moisture of the water-containing molded article is permeable, and is composed of a plurality of vertical passages and horizontal passages, and the vertical passages and the horizontal passages communicate at the intersection. Preferably the passage 18 has a pore diameter of 0.5 to 4.0. If the pore size is less than 0.5 thighs, clogging may occur, which may impede the transmission of water through the hydrated paper-formed product, and if the pore size exceeds 4.0, the pulp component of the hydrated paper-formed product may enter. There is a fear.

The plurality of passages 18 join at a lower portion of the mold, and the joining portion communicates with a communication passage 20 provided inside the base 42.

Inside the base 42, a vacuum passage 43 communicating with the communication passage 20 is provided horizontally, and the vacuum passage 43 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). The vacuum passage 43 is a vertical passage communicating with the communication passage 20 in the base 42. You may comprise.

Fig. 8 shows a state in which the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 are matched, and reference numeral 11 denotes a clearance between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2. Therefore, when the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 are clamped, a water-containing molded article having a thickness corresponding to the clearance 11 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the lower mold 5a supported and fixed on the upper surface of the base 50 has a plurality of passages 54 inside. The plurality of passages 54 are respectively opened on the surface of the mold, and a core vent 26 formed with a fine hole at the opening end is embedded. The structure of the core vent 26 is the core vent 2 attached to the upper mold 4a described above. It has the same structure as 5.

The lower end of each of the plurality of passages 54 communicates with a communication passage 23 formed inside the base 50, and the inside of the base 50 communicates with the communication passage 23 to form the vacuum passage 51 and the compressed air. A passage 52 is provided. Both the vacuum passage 51 and the compressed air passage 52 are provided horizontally in the base 50, the vacuum passage 51 is connected to a vacuum pump not shown, and the compressed air passage 52 is connected to a compressor not shown. Are linked. The inside of the vacuum passage 51, the communication passage 23 and the passage 54 can be reduced in pressure by the function of the vacuum pump, and compressed air is supplied to the compressed air passage 52 by the function of the compressor. It can be blown out from the mold surface through the communication passage 23, the passage 54, and the core vent 26.

The vacuum passage 51 and the compressed air passage 52 may be provided in the base 50 as a vertical passage communicating with the communication passage 23. Further, the vertical passage may be constituted by two passages divided into a vacuum passage 51 and a compressed air passage 52, or the vacuum passage 51 and the compressed air passage 52 may be constituted as one passage. In the latter case, the pressure can be reduced through a single passage or compressed air can be supplied. Be A predetermined number of heat sinks 24 are buried inside the grounds 50.

Each of the lower molds 5b and 5c has the same structure as the above-described lower mold 5a. FIG. 9 shows a state where the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a are matched, and reference numeral 16 denotes a clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a. Therefore, when the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a are clamped, a water-containing paper molded article having a thickness corresponding to the clearance 16 is formed.

The material of the mold body 19, the upper molds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the lower molds 5a, 5b, 5c in the papermaking mold 2 is generally a metal, but may be an elastic material. Examples of the metal include aluminum and nickel, and examples of the elastic material include rubber, an elastic synthetic resin, and a synthetic resin foam. The upper molds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the lower molds 5a, 5b, 5c each have a mold surface that reduces the frictional resistance between the mold surface and the molded product when removing the molded product. It is preferable to perform fluororesin processing in order to improve the mold release.

The above embodiment shows a case where the papermaking mold 2 is configured as a convex type, the upper dies 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are configured as a concave type, and the lower dies 5a, 5b, and 5c are configured as a convex type. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, the papermaking mold 2 is concave, the upper molds 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are convex, and the lower molds 5a, 5b, and 5c are concave. Each may be configured as.

The method for producing a molded article of the present invention comprises a papermaking molding step, a drying molding step, and a molded article removal step. Papermaking is performed by a papermaking mold 2 and an upper mold 4a arranged in a papermaking molding zone A. As shown in FIG. 4 a, the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking tank 7 is located above the liquid level of the pulp raw material liquid 8. By the operation of the cylinder 33, the papermaking mold 2 is once lowered from the above position and immersed in the pulp raw material liquid 8 (FIG. 4b). The vacuum pump connected to the vacuum passage 43 is operated to put the inside of the papermaking mold 2 into a reduced pressure state. Position it above the liquid level in Figure 8 (Figure 4c). By this operation, the pulp component is taken out on the net 17 of the papermaking mold 2 to form a hydrated paper 27 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the papermaking mold 2.

Since the papermaking mold 2 rises while vacuum-sucking the hydrated paper 27, the water in the hydrated paper 27 is sucked and dehydrated during the upward movement. That is, the water in the water-containing paper 27 is sucked into the mold through the net 17 and guided into the passage 18. The water guided to the lower side of the mold through the passage 18 is guided to the vacuum passage 43 via the communication passage 20 and discharged to the outside of the mold through the discharge passage.

The papermaking mold 2 holding the hydrated paper 27 by suction is located at a position where the hydrated paper 27 contacts the upper mold 4a and presses the hydrated paper 27 with the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2. When the clearance 11 between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 becomes a constant value, the ascent movement of the papermaking mold 2 stops. That is, the value of the clearance 11 between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 is set in advance as the operating condition of the cylinder 33, and based on this, the upward moving distance of the papermaking mold 2 is controlled by the controller. . As such a control device, a sensor, a spacer, or the like can be used. The value of the clearance 11 is 10% to 40% of the thickness of the wet papermaking product 27 when pressed between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 before being pressed. A numerical value that results in a thickness is preferred.

FIG. 4D shows a state in which the upward movement of the papermaking mold 2 is stopped at the above-described predetermined position, and a pressing force is applied to the upper mold 4a. The hydrated paper product 27 is sandwiched between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 and pressed, whereby the hydrated paper product 27 is pressed and formed into a shape according to the mold, and a hydrated papermaking molded product 12 is obtained.

In the dehydration and drying treatment by the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2, suction dehydration and heating in the upper mold 4a are performed in addition to the suction dehydration by the papermaking mold 2 described above. Operate the vacuum pump connected to the vacuum passage 4 6 to move the vacuum Is depressurized, and the water in the water-containing molded article 12 is suction-dehydrated. That is, the water in the water-containing molded article 12 is sucked into the mold through the core vent 25 and guided into the passage 6. The water guided to the upper part of the mold through the passage 6 is guided to the vacuum passage 46 through the communication passage 15 and discharged to the outside of the mold through the discharge passage. In addition, the upper mold 4a is heated by the heater 22. Thereby, the water-containing molded article 12 is heated and dried. The water vapor generated by the heating is discharged through the core vent 25-the passage 6-the communication passage 15-the vacuum passage 46 through the discharge passage. The heating temperature of the upper mold 4a by the heater 22 is preferably 100 ° C to 250 ° C, and the degree of vacuum in the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 when performing suction dehydration is both 70 ° C. 0 to: LO mmHg is preferred.

By dehydration and drying using the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2, the water content of the water-containing molded article 12 becomes about 30 to 70% by weight. After the completion of the papermaking process, the papermaking mold 2 descends, separates from the upper mold 4a, and returns to the old position in the papermaking tank 7. At this time, the water-containing paper-molded article 12 is in a state of being suction-held by the upper mold 4a (FIG. 4e). _C Then, the driving device 9 is operated to rotate the rotating shaft 31 and thereby the support 3 is rotated so that the rotation angle a becomes 90 °. Due to the rotation of the support 3, the upper die 4a moves in the circumferential direction, and is displaced to a position above the lower die 5a in the first dry forming zone B. At this time, the upper mold 4b is simultaneously displaced to a position above the lower mold 5b in the second dry molding zone C, the upper mold 4c is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5c in the third dry molding zone D, and The upper mold 4d is displaced to a position above the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking molding zone A, and the processing in each zone is performed synchronously.

For example, while the upper mold 4a moved to the first dry molding zone B is performing the heating and drying process with the lower mold 5a, in the papermaking molding zone A, the formation of the above-described hydrated paper and the upper mold 4a are performed. Then, dehydration and drying treatment by papermaking mold 2 is performed. The rotation angle a of each upper die is controlled by the control device 32, and the upper die is accurately positioned.

When the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5a in the first dry molding zone B, the cylinder 34 is actuated to raise the shaft body 49, thereby moving the lower mold 5a upward. (Fig. 5a) _{0 The} lower mold 5a contacts the hydrated papermaking molded article 12 held by the upper mold 4a and continues to rise until it is pressed, and the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a When the clearance 16 during the period becomes constant, the upward movement of the lower mold 5a stops. That is, the numerical value of the clearance 16 between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a is preset as the operating condition of the cylinder 34, and based on this, the upward moving distance of the lower mold 5a is controlled by the control device. . The clearance 16 between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a is smaller than the clearance 11 between the upper mold 4a and the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking zone A. The value of the clearance 16 is preferably such that the thickness is 5% to 50% of the thickness of the hydrated paper-made article 27 in the state of being removed.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the upward movement of the lower mold 5a stops at the above-described predetermined position, and a pressing force is applied to the upper mold 4a. The hydrated paper-molded article 12 is sandwiched between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a, pressed and heated and dried.

The upper mold 4a performs suction and heating while holding the hydrated papermaking molded product 12, but continues to perform suction and heating even after the matching with the lower mold 5a. The suction and heating mechanism of the upper mold 4a is as described with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, the lower mold 5a starts suction and heating after this mold matching. The suction mechanism and the heating mechanism in the lower mold 5a are shown in FIG. That is, a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum passage 51 of the lower mold 5a is operated to make the inside of the lower mold 5a in a reduced pressure state, and the water in the water-containing molded article 12 is suctioned and dehydrated. Hydrated The water in the molded article 12 is sucked into the mold through the core vent 26 and guided into the passage 54. The water guided to the lower side of the mold through the passage 54 is guided to the vacuum passage 51 through the communication passage 23, and is discharged to the outside of the mold through the discharge passage. Further, the lower mold 5a is heated by the heater 24, whereby the hydrated paper molded article 12 is heated and dried. The water vapor generated by the heating passes through the core vent 26-the passage 54-the communication passage 23-the vacuum passage 51 and the discharge passage, and is discharged to the outside of the mold. The heating temperature of the lower mold 5a by the heater 24 is preferably 100 ° C. to 250 ° C., and the degree of vacuum of the lower mold 5a is preferably 700 to 1 OmmHg. The heating temperature of the upper mold 4a in this dry molding step is preferably from 100 ° C. to 250 ° C., and the degree of vacuum is preferably from 700 ° C. to 1 O mmHg.

After the heating press by the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a is completed, the cylinder body 34 is operated and the shaft body 49 is slightly lowered while the hydrated papermaking molded product 12 is suction-held in the upper mold 4a. Then, the lower mold 5a is slightly moved downward, and the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. Next, the compressor is operated to feed compressed air from the compressed air passage 47 of the upper mold 4a, and to blow air from the core vent 25 through the communication passage 15 and the passage 6. Since the upper mold 4a is heated by the heater 22, the air flowing in the passage 6 is also heated, and thus the heated air blows out from the upper mold 4a. Simultaneously with the blowing of heated air by the upper mold 4a, vacuum suction is performed from the lower mold 5a. As a result, the water-containing molded article 12 is released from the upper mold 4a and is suction-held by the lower mold 5a. Then, compressed air is supplied from the lower mold 5a. That is, by operating the compressor, compressed air is sent from the compressed air passage 52 of the lower die 5a, and air is blown out of the core vent 26 through the communication passage 23 and the passage 54. Since the lower mold 5a is heated by the heater 24, the air flowing in the passage 54 is also heated, and the heated air is blown out from the lower mold 5a. Heated by lower mold 5a At the same time as the air blown, vacuum suction is performed from the upper mold 4a. As a result, the hydrated papermaking molded product 12 is released from the lower mold 5a, and is suction-held by the upper mold 4a. In this way, by switching the air blowing and the vacuum suction between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a alternately, the hydrated papermaking molded article 12 moves up and down between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a. Rocks. The up-and-down swing of the water-containing molded article 12 is repeated several times.

By performing the above-mentioned vertical shaking treatment of the hydrated paper molded article, the hydrated paper molded article 12 can be efficiently heated and dried, and the release of the hydrated paper molded article '12 can be improved. That is, when the hydrated paper molded article 12 swings up and down, air heated from the upper mold 4a or the lower mold 5a is blown to the hydrated paper molded article 12 so that the hydrated paper molded article 12 is heated and dried. Is promoted. In addition, since the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the water vapor retained on the surface of the hydrated paper molded article 12 escapes from the space between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a. This promotes the drying of the water-containing molded article 12.

In addition, by oscillating the hydrated paper-made molded product 12 up and down, even if the molded product 12 has a complicated shape, the mold can be easily separated, and the molded product can be easily removed from the mold in the final step. be able to.

After the up-and-down swinging process of the hydrous molded article 1 2, the hydrous molded article 1 2 is sucked and held by the upper mold 4 a and the lower mold 5 a is moved downward to return the lower mold 5 a to the old position. (Fig. 5c).

Next, the support 3 rotates, and the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5b in the second dry molding zone C while holding the wet papermaking molded article 12. At this time, the upper mold 4b is simultaneously displaced to a position above the lower mold 5c in the third dry molding zone D, the upper mold 4c is displaced to a position above the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking molding zone A, and 4 d is the upper orientation of the lower mold 5 a 2 in the first dry molding zone B The processing in each zone is performed synchronously.

When the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5b in the second dry molding zone C, the lower mold 5b is moved upward (FIG. 6a). When the clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5 reaches a constant value, the upward movement of the lower mold 5b stops. The clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b is preferably smaller than the clearance 16 between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a, but may be equal. When the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5 are matched with a predetermined clearance, the water-containing paper-molded product 12 is sandwiched between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b, and is pressed and heated and dried. (Figure 6b). In this heating and drying, suction and heating are performed in the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b, respectively, but since the structure of the lower mold 5b is the same as that of the above-described lower mold 5a, the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a have the same structure. The suction mechanism and the heating mechanism in the mold 5b are the same as the suction mechanism and the heating mechanism shown in FIG.

By dry molding with the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b, a water-containing paper-molded article having a further reduced moisture content is obtained.

After the heating press by the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b is completed, the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b are slightly separated from each other, and air blowing and vacuum suction are performed in the same manner as described above. Switch between the 4a and the lower mold 5b alternately, and swing the wet molded article 1 2 up and down.

After the up-and-down swinging process of the hydrous molded article 12 is completed, the hydrous molded article 12 is sucked and held by the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5a is moved downward, and the lower mold 5a is returned to the old position. Return (Fig. 6c).

Next, the support 3 is rotated, and the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5c in the third dry molding zone D while holding the wet papermaking molded article 12. At this time, the upper mold 4b is simultaneously moved to a position above the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking molding zone A, and the upper mold 4c is moved to a position above the lower mold 5a in the first dry molding zone B. And the upper mold 4d is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5b in the second dry molding zone C, and the processing in each zone is performed synchronously.

When the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the lower mold 5c in the third dry molding zone D, the lower mold 5c is moved upward, and the clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c is increased. When the value becomes constant, the upward movement of the lower mold 5c is stopped. The clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c is preferably smaller than the clearance between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5b, but may be equal.

By combining the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c, the wet paper-formed molded article 12 is sandwiched between the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c, pressed and heated and dried. In this heating and drying step, suction and heating are performed by the same mechanism as described above (the mechanism shown in FIG. 9).

The remaining moisture is removed by dry molding using the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c, and a final molded article 28 is obtained. The moisture content of the sheet-formed article 28 is 0 to 10% by weight.

After the heating press by the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c is completed, the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c are slightly separated from each other, and air blowing and vacuum suction are performed on the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 5c. The paper-formed article 28 is swung up and down alternately. Thereafter, the sheet molding 28 is sucked and held by the upper mold 4a, and the lower mold 5c is further moved downward to return to the old position. In accordance with the downward movement of the lower die 5c, the receiving table 35 of the molded article receiving device 36 moves forward and stops when it reaches the lower position of the upper die 4a.

Next, compressed air is supplied from the compressed air passage 47 of the upper mold 4a, and air is blown from the surface of the upper mold 4a through the core vent 25. As a result, the molded article 28 is released from the upper mold 4a and falls onto the lower receiving table 35 (FIG. 7). The receiving table 35 moves rearward after receiving the molded article 28. When the receiving table 35 returns to the original position or while moving backward, the receiving table 35 is inclined to drop the paper-formed product 28 downward. A transport device such as a belt conveyor is provided at a lower position where the molded article 28 falls, and receives the dropped molded article 28 and transports it to the next process.

After the above-mentioned molded product removal step is completed, the support 3 rotates and the upper mold 4a is displaced to a position above the papermaking mold 2 in the papermaking molding zone A, and thereafter, the same steps as described above are repeated.

In the above-mentioned papermaking molding step and dry molding step, the vacuum passages 43, 46, 5 of the papermaking mold 2, the upper molds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the lower molds 5a, 5b, 5C respectively. The water discharged from (1) can be collected and reused as water for pulp raw material production, thereby saving water resources and preventing environmental pollution.

According to the present invention, for example, a container 29 as shown in FIG. 10 can be manufactured as a sheet-formed product, and a cushioning material for packaging can also be manufactured. Industrial applicability

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, since the manufacture of a molded article can be performed efficiently and the apparatus is miniaturized, it is useful for the molding of small electric appliances, containers for packaging precision machinery, containers for packaging food such as eggs, and the like. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A papermaking mold is immersed in a pulp raw material liquid, a pulp component is removed to form a wet paperwork on the papermaking mold, and dehydration drying is performed by sandwiching the wet paperwork between the papermaking mold and the upper mold. Performing a step of obtaining a hydrated paper-formed article, transferring the hydrated paper-formed article in the circumferential direction, and transferring the hydrated paper-formed article to the upper and lower molds at the point where the hydrated paper-formed article is transferred in the circumferential direction. A method for producing a molded article, comprising: a step of heating and drying with the sheet interposed therebetween; and a step of taking out the molded article obtained by the heating and drying from a mold.

2. When dewatering and drying the paper-containing mold between the papermaking mold and the upper mold, the papermaking mold and the upper mold are depressurized by vacuum suction means to suction the moisture of the water-containing papermaking paper and dehydrate and dry. 2. The method for producing a paper-molded article according to item 1.

3. The method for producing a paper-molded article according to claim 2, wherein the dehydration and drying is carried out by heating the upper mold and heating and drying.

4. The method for producing a molded article according to claim 1, wherein the molded article is transferred in the circumferential direction by suction-holding the hydrated molded article on an upper mold movably provided in the circumferential direction.

5. A papermaking molding zone and a plurality of drying molding zones are provided within the process in which the upper die moves in the circumferential direction, and the hydrated papermaking moldings are sequentially transferred to each drying molding zone, and the hydrated papermaking moldings are transferred to each drying molding zone. 5. The method for producing a sheet-shaped molded product according to claim 4, wherein the heating and drying are performed while sandwiching the resin between the upper mold and the lower mold.

6. When heating and drying the wet-formed paper product sandwiched between the upper and lower dies, the upper and lower dies are depressurized by vacuum suction means to suction the moisture of the wet-formed paper product and dehydrate and dry. Item 6. The method for producing a paper-molded article according to Item 1 or 5.

7. Remove the paper-formed product produced in the last dry molding zone from the upper mold. 6. The method for producing a molded article according to claim 5, wherein the upper mold is moved to a papermaking molding zone after being discharged.

8. A plurality of upper dies supported by a rotatably provided support so as to be movable in the circumferential direction, and a papermaking zone provided in a process in which the upper dies move in the circumferential direction. And a plurality of dry molding zones; a papermaking tank provided in the papermaking molding zone; a papermaking mold installed in the papermaking tank; a lower mold provided in each of the dry molding zones; and a pulp component. A mechanism for dehydrating and drying the wet paper formed on the papermaking mold by sandwiching the paper between the papermaking mold and the upper mold; and holding the wet papermaking molded article obtained by the dehydration and drying in the upper mold to the drying molding zone. An apparatus for manufacturing a paper-formed article, comprising: a mechanism for sequentially transferring the paper; and a mechanism for heating and drying the hydrated paper-formed article between an upper mold and a lower mold in a drying / molding zone.

9. The apparatus for manufacturing a paper-molded article according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of passages capable of discharging water are provided in the upper die, and the passages are communicated with the vacuum passage and the compressed air passage.

1 0. Papermaking type vertically movably provided, papermaking forming ft opening of claims 8 Claims configured to sandwich the water paper product between the upper mold is raised papermaking type ¹

11. The apparatus for producing a molded article according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of passages capable of discharging water are provided in the papermaking mold, and the passages are connected to a vacuum passage.

12. The apparatus for manufacturing a molded article according to claim 8, wherein the lower mold is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the lower mold is raised to sandwich the water-containing molded article with the upper mold. .

13. The apparatus for manufacturing a paper-molded article according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of passages capable of discharging water are provided in the lower mold, and the passages are connected to a vacuum passage and a compressed air passage.

14. The apparatus for producing a molded article according to claim 8, further comprising a molded article receiving device near the dry molding zone where the molded article is produced.