CA 03064728 2019-11-22
SPECIFICATION
Title of Invention
Apparatus for producing nanofiber and nozzle head used for the same
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing nanofibers and
a nozzle head used for the same.
Background of the Invention
[0002]
A conventional apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics is disclosed in
Patent Document 1. This apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics
comprises, as shown in Fig .40, an extruder 915 for extruding molten resin,
a blower 916 and a heating unit 917 for heating an air from the blower 916.
The apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics comprises a melt blow unit
911 for filamentously spinning the molten resin from the extruder 915, and
for spraying hot blast provided from the heating unit 917 to the filamentous
molten resin.
[0003]
This melt blow unit 911 is provided a resin passage 912 for flowing the
molten resin, and hot blast passages 913a and 913b. These hot blast
passages 913a and 913b are provided on each side of the resin passage 912
with inclination toward the resin passage 912. The hot blast from the hot
blast passages 913a and 913b is sprayed to the molten resin spun from the
resin passage 912 thereby.
Description of Prior Art
Patent Literature
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: JP2010-185153A
Summary of Invention
Problems to be solved by the Invention
[0005]
In the above-mentioned apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics,
however, the hot blast passages 913a and 913b of the hot blast passage
913 is formed with inclination toward a lower surface 911a. When the hot
blast passages 913a and 913b are formed by a drill, the drill is obliquely
contacted the lower surface 911a. Therefore, a top of the drill may slip on
the lower surface 911a, and it is difficult to form the hot blast passages
1
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
913a and 913b precisely. In order to ensure the precision, it has been
necessary to use electrochemical machining having a high cost.
[0006]
The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems,
and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
producing nanofibers and a nozzle head use for the same which can
manufacture by drilling and efficiently carry molten resin on a gas flow.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007]
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for
producing nanofibers comprising a raw material discharge surface on which
a raw material flow passage for discharging a liquid raw material is
arranged, and a gas discharge surface which is arranged with an angle a
(0<a5..900) toward said raw material discharge surface and on which a gas
flow passage for ejecting gas is arranged, wherein said raw material flow
passage is orthogonal to said raw material discharge surface, said gas flow
passage is orthogonal to said gas discharge surface, and said raw material
flow passage and said gas flow passage are arranged so that said liquid raw
material discharged from said raw material flow passage meets gas ejected
from said gas flow passage.
[0008]
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for
producing nanofibers comprising a raw material discharge surface on which
a raw material flow passage for discharging a liquid raw material is
arranged, a gas discharge surface which is arranged downwardly from said
raw material discharge surface and on which a gas flow passage for ejecting
gas is arranged, a connecting surface which is connected with said raw
material discharge surface and said gas discharge surface, and is arranged
with an angle 13 (00<90 ) toward said raw material discharge surface,
wherein said raw material flow passage is orthogonal to said raw material
discharge surface, said gas flow passage is orthogonal to said gas discharge
surface, an opening of said gas flow passage contacts with said connecting
surface, and said raw material flow passage and said gas flow passage are
arranged so that said liquid raw material discharged from said raw material
flow passage reaches to the opening of said gas flow passage along said
connecting surface.
[0009]
According to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle head used for
an apparatus for producing nanofibers comprising: a raw material discharge
2
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
surface on which a raw material flow passage for discharging a liquid raw
material is arranged, and a gas discharge surface which is arranged with an
angle a (0<a90o) toward said raw material discharge surface and on
which a gas flow passage for ejecting gas is arranged, wherein said raw
material flow passage is orthogonal to said raw material discharge surface,
said gas flow passage is orthogonal to said gas discharge surface, and said
raw material flow passage and said gas flow passage are arranged so that
said liquid raw material discharged from said raw material flow passage
meets gas ejected from said gas flow passage.
[0010]
According to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle head used for
an apparatus for producing nanofibers comprising: a raw material discharge
surface on which a raw material flow passage for discharging a liquid raw
material is arranged, a gas discharge surface which is arranged downwardly
from said raw material discharge surface, and on which a gas flow passage
for ejecting gas is arranged, a connecting surface which is connected with
said raw material discharge surface and said gas discharge surface, and is
arranged with an angle 13 (0.0<900) toward said raw material discharge
surface, wherein said raw material flow passage is orthogonal to said raw
material discharge surface, said gas flow passage is orthogonal to said gas
discharge surface, an opening of said gas flow passage contacts with said
connecting surface, and said raw material flow passage and said gas flow
passage are arranged so that said liquid raw material discharged from said
raw material flow passage reaches to the opening of said gas flow passage
along said connecting surface.
Effect of the Invention
[0011]
According to the present invention, a raw material flow passage is formed
so as to be orthogonal to a raw material discharge surface, and a gas flow
passage is formed so as to be orthogonal to a gas discharge surface.
Therefore, the raw material flow passage is formed on the raw material
discharge surface by drilling and the gas flow passage is formed on the gas
discharge surface. It becomes possible to join directly or indirectly with an
angle the liquid raw material discharged from the raw material flow passage
to a gas flow ejected from the gas flow passage through a connecting
surface connected to the raw material discharge surface and the gas
discharge surface. It can be achieved to manufacture precisely by drilling
and to carry efficiently the liquid raw material on the gas flow.
3
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 shows an entire structure of an apparatus for producing nanofibers
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a nozzle head of the apparatus for
producing nanofibers of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle head of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 1 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 2 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 3 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 4 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 5 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 6 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a variation 7 of
the nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a variation 8 of the
nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 8 of
the nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a variation 9 of the nozzle head of
Fig .2.
Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 9 of
the nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a variation 10 of the nozzle head of
Fig .2.
Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 10 of
the nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a variation 11 of the nozzle head of
Fig .2.
Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 11 of
the nozzle head of Fig .2.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a variation 12 of the nozzle head of
Fig .2.
Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 12 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 2.
Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 12 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 2.
4
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a variation 13 of the nozzle head of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 13 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 2.
Fig. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 13 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 2.
Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a variation 14 of the nozzle head of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a variation 15 of the nozzle head of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle head of the apparatus
for producing nanofibers according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the apparatus for producing
nanofibers according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view showing the apparatus for producing
nanofibers of Fig. 28.
Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle head of the apparatus
for producing nanofibers of Fig. 28.
Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 1 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 2 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 3 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 4 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 5 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 6 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 7 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of the variation 8 of
the nozzle head of Fig. 30.
Fig. 39 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a basic concept of the present
invention.
Fig. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a conventional
apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics.
Detailed Description of Preferred embodiments
[0013]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
hereinafter. The present invention is easily applicable to a structure other
than the description of embodiments of the present invention within a scope
not inconsistent with an object of the invention.
[0014]
According to the present invention, nanofibers are formed by
supplying a liquid raw material to gas ejected under relatively high
pressure. In the description, a term "gas" without specifying
composition means gases consisting of any composition and a
molecular structure. Additionally, in the description, a term "raw
material" means all of materials applicable for forming the
nanofibers. In the embodiments hereinafter, an explanation will be
made for an example using synthetic resin as the "raw material", but
not limited to, various kinds of composition material will be usable.
[0015]
A term "liquid raw material" in the description does not limit
property of the material to liquid. The "liquid raw material", for
example, includes "solvent" which is prepared by dissolving in
advance a solid raw material or a liquid raw material as a solute in a
predetermined solvent so that a predetermined concentration is
obtained. Additionally, "liquid raw material" also includes "molten
raw material" which the solid raw material is molten. In short, the
"liquid raw material" of the present invention needs property having
viscosity enough to supply (eject, discharge) "raw material" from
supply holes (ejection holes, discharge holes), and the "raw
material" having such liquid property is described as "liquid raw
material" in the present invention.
[0016]
A basic concept of the present invention is, as shown in (I) Fig.
39(a) is to comprise a raw material discharge surface 22, a gas
discharge surface 23, a raw material flow passage 24 for discharging
the liquid raw material which is formed so as to be orthogonal to the
raw material discharge surface 22, and a gas flow passage 26 for
discharging the gas which is formed so as to be orthogonal to the
gas discharge surface 23. The raw material discharge surface 22
and the gas discharge surface 23 are arranged with an angle a
(0<a590 ), and an axis line P of the raw material flow passage 25 and an
axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26 are intersected with the angle a.
[0017]
Additionally, as shown in (II) Fig. 39 (b), a basic concept of the
6
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
present invention is to comprise the raw material discharge surface
22, the gas discharge surface 23, the raw material flow passage 25
which is formed so as to be orthogonal to the raw material discharge
surface 22 and from which the liquid raw material is discharged, the
gas flow passage 26 which is formed so as to be orthogonal to the gas
discharge surface 23 and from which the gas is discharged, and a
connecting surface 24 connected with the raw material discharge surface
22 and the gas discharge surface 23. The gas discharge surface 23
and the connecting surface 24 are arranged with an angle 0
(0513<900), and aa surface direction R of the connecting surface 24 and the
axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26 are intersected with the angle a
(a=90 -13).
[0018]
Accordingly, the liquid raw material discharged from the raw
material flow passage 25 is directly as shown in Fig. 39(a), or indirectly as
shown in Fig.39(b) meets the gas flow discharged from the gas flow
passage 26 with the angle a through the connecting surface 24 connected
with the raw material discharge surface 22 and the gas discharge
surface 23.
[0019]
In Fig. 39(a), positional relationship of each component is as
follows. If the gas discharge surface 23 which the gas flow passage
26 is formed is considered as a reference position, "distance a"
represents a distance to the raw material flow passage 25, and "distance b"
represents a distance to an meeting point of the liquid raw material from
the raw material flow passage 25. "Distance c" represents an opening
diameter of the gas flow passage 26, and "distance d" represents a distance
orthogonal to the axis line Q between the raw material flow passage 25 and
the gas flow passage 26. The same can be said about Fig. 39(b) (provided
that a = 0 ).
[0020]
Herein, the axis line P of the raw material flow passage 25 has an angle a
against the axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26. The raw material
supply tangent angle a is obtained from the following Equation
tan a = d/(b-a)
wherein 0.13<90
[0021]
The raw material supply tangent angle a should be determined by the
distance "a", the distance "b", and the distance "d", and moreover, should
7
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
be determined by relation among the opening diameter "c" of the high-
pressure gas, pressure and temperature of the ejected gas the gas flow
passage 26.
[0022]
Regarding an arrangement condition of the raw material flow
passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26, it is also capable of
forming nanofibers having an ununiformed diameter or fiber length
by changing the number of passages, an arrangement interval, an
arrangement distance (distance "a" from the gas ejection hole), an
arrangement angle (angle a), and a diameter of the flow passage.
According to types of the produced nanofibers, the arrangement
condition of the raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow
passage 26 may be appropriately selected and changed.
[0023]
(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an apparatus for producing nanofibers according to a first
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
Figs. 1 to 26.
[0024]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an entire structure of the apparatus for
producing nanofibers according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. (a) is a side view, and (b) is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a perspective
view showing a nozzle head of the apparatus for producing nanofibers of
Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle head of the
first embodiment. (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross sectional view taken
along the line A-A', and (c) is a cross sectional view taken along the line B-
B'. Figs. 4 to 26 show explanatory diagrams of structures of variations 1
to 15 of the nozzle head showing a basic structure in Fig. 2 and in each
figure, show a perspective view (including an exploded perspective view),
or a front view and a cross sectional view as show in Figs. 2 and 3.
Hereinafter, terms representing "front, back, left, right, up and down" may
be used, which show a relative positional relationship of each component,
not an absolute relationship unless otherwise explicitly. In each
figure, a component having same function has a same reference number
and the detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0025]
The apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 of the first embodiment uses a
solvent which is prepared by dissolving in advance a solid raw
material or a liquid raw material as a solute in a predetermined
8
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
solvent so that a predetermined concentration is obtained.
[0026]
As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 comprises a
rectangular flat-shaped base 10, a solvent storage 11 which is disposed on
the base 10 and has function for extruding the solvent with the
predetermined pressure, a hose 12 for supplying the solvent from the
solvent storage 12 to a nozzle head 20 described later, a gas ejection unit
13 which is disposed on the base 10 and ejects high-pressure gas and the
nozzle head 20 connected to a top of the gas ejection unit 13. When
temperature control is provided to the solvent in accordance with
manufacturing conditions, a temperature control function (not illustrated),
such as a heater may be provided in each of the solvent storage 11, the
hose 12 and the nozzle head 20. In the present embodiments, the solvent
storage 11, the hose 12 and the nozzle head 20 which are made of metal
are used, however, they may be made of resin, glass and other materials in
accordance with types of the solvent and condition of nanofiber products.
[0027]
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the nozzle head 20 has an approximately
rectangular shape, and comprises a front surface 21 facing in a front side
(left side of Fig. 1), a raw material discharge surface 22, and a gas
discharge surface 23 which are connected in order in a downward direction.
The front surface 21 and the gas discharge surface 23 are arranged in
parallel each other, and the gas discharge surface 23 is arranged
backwardly with a distance t away from the front surface 21. The raw
material discharge surface 22 and the gas discharge surface 23 are
arranged with an angle of a (0<a90 ), and the raw material discharge
surface 22 faces an oblique downward direction. The nozzle head 20 is
provided with a back surface 27 which is parallel with the front surface 21
and faces backwardly.
[0028]
The nozzle head 20 comprises the raw material flow passage 25
orthogonal to the raw material discharge surface 22, and the gas
flow passage 26 orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23. The
raw material flow passage 25 is communicated with a raw material
supply passage 28 orthogonal to the back surface 27 in the nozzle
head 20. The gas flow passage 26 is provided so as to linearly
penetrate the gas discharge surface 23 and the back surface 27.
[0029]
In the present embodiments, the raw material flow passage 25 has a
9
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
cylindrical space (every cross sectional orthogonal to the axis line
has the same circular shape), and the gas flow passage 26 also has
the cylindrical space. The raw material discharge surface 22 has a
width (a length in up and down direction of Fig. 3) larger than a
diameter of the raw material flow passage 25 (about twice of the
diameter), and the raw material flow passage 25 is arranged at a
center area in a width direction. The gas flow passage 26 is
arranged with an interval from the raw material discharge surface
22. An axis line P of the raw material flow passage 25 and an axis
line Q of the gas flow passage 26 are provided so as to be on a plane
and the axis line P and the axis line Q are intersected at a point in
front of the nozzle head 20 with an angle a.
[0030]
An opening on the back surface 27 of the raw material supply
passage 28 is connected with a hose 12, and a solvent provided from
a solvent storage 11 is passed through the hose 12, the raw material
supply passage 28 and the raw material flow passage 25, and
discharged from the opening of the raw material flow passage 25 on
the raw material discharge surface 22.
[0031]
The opening on the back surface 27 of the gas flow passage 26 is
connected with the gas ejection unit 13, and high-pressure gas
supplied from the gas ejection unit 13 is passed through the gas flow
passage 26 and discharged from the opening of the gas flow passage
26 on the gas discharge surface 23.
[0032]
The such structure is only an example, and if there are provided the
raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26
orthogonal to the raw material discharge surface 22 and the gas
discharge surface 23 which are arranged with an angle a (0<as90 ),
respectively, the stricture may be optional within a purpose of the present
invention. In the present embodiment, the nozzle head 20 is directly
connected with the hose 12 and the gas ejection unit 13. For example,
however, a manifold block connected with the hose 12 and the gas ejection
unit 13 may be provided on a side of the back surface 27 of the nozzle head
20. In such structure, the nozzle head 20 may be detachable to the
manifold block, and the raw material and gas may be supplied to the nozzle
head 20 from the hose 12 and the gas ejection unit 13 through the manifold
block.
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
t
[0033]
A description will be made of operation of the apparatus for
producing nanofibers 1 and the nozzle head 20 according the present
embodiments. The apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 is supplied
with the solvent from the solvent storage 11 and discharges from the
opening of the raw material flow passage 25 on the raw material
discharge surface 22. The apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 is
supplied with the high-pressure gas from the gas ejection unit 13
and ejects the same from the opening of the gas flow passage 26 on
the gas discharge surface 23. The solvent discharged from the raw
material flow passage 25 meets the gas flow ejected from the gas
flow passage 26 with the angle a and is carried out in the front direction
while being elongated, so that the nanofibers are manufactured.
[0034]
According to the apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 and the nozzle
head 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the raw material flow
passage 25 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the raw material
discharge surface 22, and the gas flow passage 26 is arranged so as
to be orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23. Thereby, by
drilling, the raw material flow passage 25 can be formed on the raw
material discharge surface 22, and the gas flow passage 26 can be
formed on the gas discharge surface 23. The solvent discharged
from the raw material flow passage 25 directly meets the gas flow
ejected from the gas flow passage 26 with the angle a.
It can be achieved to manufacture precisely by drilling and to carry
efficiently the solvent on the gas flow.
[0035]
The apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 of the present embodiment
is capable of establishing the structure without using a complicated
device, such as a heating cylinder, a motor, a screw and so on
because the solvent which is prepared by dissolving the raw material
in the solvent. Therefore, size of the apparatus becomes small and
mounting space is saved. The structure of the apparatus becomes
compact, so that it may be achieved to realize a portable the
apparatus for producing nanofiber. The portable-type apparatus for
producing nanofibers is configured to spray nanofibers toward a
place where the nanofibers should be adhered and the nanofibers are
formed. Use of the nanofibers may be expanded by using such
portable-type apparatus.
11
=
* CA 03064728 2019-11-22
[0036]
(Variation 1 of the first embodiment)
Fig. 4 shows a variation 1 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1 (hereinafter referred
to as a basic structure of the nozzle head 20). The nozzle head 20A
of the variation 1 is configured so that a width of the raw material
discharge surface 22 (a length in an up and down direction of Fig. 4)
becomes same as a diameter of the raw material flow passage 25.
Other structure of the nozzle head 20A of the variation 1 is the same
as a basic structure of the nozzle head 20.
[0037]
Variation 2 of the first embodiment
Fig. 5 shows a variation 2 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20B of the variation 2 is configured so that a width of the raw
material discharge surface 22 (a length in an up and down direction
of Fig. 5) is larger than the diameter of the raw material flow
passage 25 (about three times of the diameter), and a part of the
gas flow passage 26 is arranged so as to contact with the raw
material discharge surface 22. Other structure of the nozzle head
20B of the variation 2 is the same as the basic structure of the
nozzle head 20.
[0038]
Variation 3 of the first embodiment
Fig. 6 shows a variation 3 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20C of the variation 3 is configured so that a width of the raw
material discharge surface 22 (a length in an up and down direction
of Fig. 6) becomes same as the diameter of the raw material flow
passage 25, and a part of the gas flow passage 26 is arranged so as
to contact with the raw material discharge surface 22. Thereby, the
raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26 are
contact with each other. Other structure of the nozzle head 20C of
the variation 3 is the same as the basic structure of the nozzle head
20.
[0039]
Variation 4 of the first embodiment
Fig. 7 shows a variation 4 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20D of the variation 4 is configured so that the raw material flow
12
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
=
passage 25 has a space in a square column shape which a cross
section is rectangular. Other structure of the nozzle head 20D of
the variation 4 is the same as the basic structure of the nozzle head
20.
[0040]
Variation 5 of the first embodiment
Fig. 8 shows a variation 5 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20E of the variation 5 is configured so that the gas flow passage 26
has a space in a square column shape which a cross section is
rectangular. Other structure of the nozzle head 20E of the variation
is the same as the basic structure of the nozzle head 20.
[0041]
Variation 6 of the first embodiment
Fig. 9 shows a variation 6 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20F of the variation 6 is configured so that the raw material flow
passage 25 has a space in a square column shape which a cross
section is rectangular and the gas flow passage 26 also has a space
in a square column shape which a cross section is rectangular.
Other structure of the nozzle head 20F of the variation 6 is the same
as the basic structure of the nozzle head 20.
[0042]
(Variation 7 of the first embodiment)
Fig. 10 shows a variation 7 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. The nozzle head
20G of the variation 7 is configured so that a shape is rectangular
parallelepiped, the front surface 21 is not provided at a front side of
the nozzle head 20, and the gas discharge surface 23 facing the
front side (a front side of a paper of Fig. 10(a), left side of (b) and
(c)) is provided at the entire front side. The gas flow passage 26 is
arranged so as to be orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23, and
the raw material discharge surface 22 arranged at the angle a toward
the gas discharge surface 23 in the gas flow passage 26. The gas flow
passage 26 has a space of column by cutting away a part of a cylinder
taken along a chord. The nozzle head 20G of the variation 7 is configured
so that a width of the raw material discharge surface 22 (a length in
an up and down direction of Fig. 10(a)) becomes same as the
diameter of the raw material flow passage 25. Other structure of
the nozzle head 20G of the variation 7 is the same as the basic
13
a CA 03064728 2019-11-22
structure of the nozzle head 20.
[0043]
(Variation 8 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 11 and 12 show a variation 8 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. In a nozzle
head 20H of the variation 8, there are shown as a separate body a
portion of the front surface 21, the raw material discharge surface
22 (a first portion 20a), and another portion of the gas discharge
surface 23 (a second portion 20b). These two portions may be
connected detachably with a connection means, such as a belt and a screw
not illustrated.
[0044]
The first portion 20a of the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8 is a
rectangular parallelepiped which a one side is chamfered, the front
surface 21 and the raw material discharge surface 22 (corresponding
to the chamfered portion) are connected in order in the downward
direction, and the raw material flow passage 25 is provided orthogonally to
the raw material discharge surface 22. The second portion 20b is a
rectangular parallelepiped, the gas discharge surface 23 is provided
at the entire front surface, and the gas flow passage 26 is provided
orthogonally to the gas discharge surface 23. When the first
portion 20a and the second portion 20b are connected, the raw
material discharge surface 22 and the gas discharge surface 23 are
arranged with the angle a. The nozzle head 20H of the variation 8
has a structure which the first portion 20a and the second portion
20b are detachable, and has the same structure of the basic structure of
the nozzle head 20 when these portions are not connected.
[0045]
(Variation 9 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 13 and 14 show a variation 9 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. In a nozzle
head 201 of the variation 9, the second portion 20b has the same
structure as that of the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8, the raw
material discharge surface 22 and the gas discharge surface 23 are
made an anglea' when the first portion 20a and the second portion
20b are connected so as to have a different angle from the nozzle
head 20H of the variation 8 (a'#a, 0<a'5909 . As the variations 8 and
9, an intersecting angle of the axis line P of the raw material flow passage
25 and the axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26 can be easily changed by
varying combination of the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b if a
14
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
=
plurality of the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are prepared
which have different connection angles of the raw material discharge
surface 22 and the gas discharge surface 23. Furthermore, an intersecting
angle of the axis line P and the axis line Q can be easily changed if the
first
portion 20a is shifted toward the second portion 20b in the front and back
direction. In this case, a spacer to which the raw material or the gas flow
passage are provided may be disposed at a back side of the first portion
20a or the second portion 20b.
[0046]
(Variation 10 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 15 and 16 show a variation 9 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. A nozzle
head 203 of the variation 9 has the first portion 20a and the second
portion 20b as a separate body in a similar manner as the nozzle
head 20H of the variation 8. These two portions may be connected
detachably with a connection means, such as a belt and a screw not
illustrated.
[0047]
The first portion 20a of the nozzle head 203 of the variation 10 is
configured so that a shape is rectangular parallelepiped, the front
surface 21 is provided at the entire front surface thereof for facing
the front side (a front side of a paper of Fig. 16(a), left side of (b)
and (c)), the raw material discharge surface 22 is provided at the
bottom surface facing downwardly, and the raw material flow
passage 25 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the raw material
discharge surface 22. The second portion 20b has a similar
structure as the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8 and has a
rectangular parallelepiped shape. The gas discharge surface 23 is
provided at the front surface and has the gas flow passage 26
orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23. In the nozzle head 203
of the variation 10, the raw material discharge surface 22 and the
gas discharge surface 23 are arrange orthogonally (a=90 ) when the
first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are connected.
[0048]
(Variation 11 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 17 and 18 show a variation 11 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. Fig. 17(a)
is an exploded perspective view showing the nozzle head 20K of the
variation 11, and (b) is a perspective view showing an unprocessed
component K before cutting away the first portions 20a of the nozzle head
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
20A. The nozzle head 20K of the variation 11 comprises a raw material
discharge pipe 29 which projects from the raw material discharge surface
22 and the raw material flow passage 25 is arranged inside thereof. Other
structure of the nozzle head 20K of the variation 11 is the same as
the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8. Additionally, in a similar
manner as the discharge pipe 29, another discharge pipe (not
illustrated) may be arranged which projects from the gas discharge
surface 23 and the gas flow passage 26 is arranged inside thereof.
[0049]
(Variation 12 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 19 and 20 show a variation 12 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. A nozzle
head 20L of the variation 12 is provided with a concave groove 31
having a rectangular cross section on a top surface of the second
portion 20b instead of the gas flow passage 26 having the cylindrical
space of the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8. The nozzle head
20L of the variation 12 has the gas flow passage 26 having the space
in a square column shape which a cross section is rectangular by
means of one surface of the first portion 20a contacting with the
second portion 20b and the concave groove 31 of the second portion
20b when the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are
connected. Other structure of the nozzle head 20L of the variation
12 is the same as the nozzle head 20H of the variation 8. As shown
in Fig. 21, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b may be shifted
in the front and back direction so that the front surface 21 and the gas
discharge surface 23 are included on the same plane.
[0050]
(Variation 13 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 22 and 23 show a variation 13 of the nozzle head 20 of the
above-mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. A nozzle
head 20M of the variation 13 is provided with a concave groove 31
having a rectangular cross section on a top surface of the second
portion 20b instead of the gas flow passage 26 having the cylindrical
space of the nozzle head 203 of the variation 10. The nozzle head
20M of the variation 13 has the gas flow passage 26 having the
space in a square column shape which a cross section is rectangular
formed by one surface of the first portion 20a contacting with the
second portion 20b and the concave groove 31 of the second portion
20b when the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are
connected. Other structure of the nozzle head 20M of the variation
13 is the same as the nozzle head 203 of the variation 10. As
16
. CA 03064728 2019-11-22
shown in Fig. 24, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b may be
shifted in the front and back direction so that the front surface 21 and the
gas discharge surface 23 are included on the same plane.
[0051]
(Variation 14 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 25 shows a variation 14 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. A nozzle head 20S
of the variation 14 comprises two the raw material flow passages 25,
25, and the gas flow passage 26 arranged between these two the
raw material flow passages 25, 25. In other words, the nozzle head
20S of the variation 14 comprises a set of flow passages including
two the raw material flow passages 25, 25 and the gas flow passage
26. The nozzle head 20S of the variation 14 comprises two the raw
material discharge surfaces 22, 22 to which the gas discharge
surface 23 is inserted. The raw material discharge surfaces 22, 22
and the gas discharge surface 23 are arranged with the angle a
(0<a90 ). The nozzle head 20S of the variation 14 comprises two the
raw material flow passages 25, 25 orthogonal to the raw material discharge
surfaces 22, 22, respectively, and the gas flow passage 26 orthogonal to
the gas discharge surface 23. The nozzle head 20S of the variation 14, in
a similar manner of the apparatus for producing nanofibers 1, the axis line
P, P (not illustrated) of the raw material flow passages 25, 25 and
the axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26 are intersected at a point
in front of the nozzle head 20S with an angle a. Thereby, the solvent
discharged from the two raw material flow passages 25, 25 meets
the gas flow ejected from the gas flow passage 26 with the angle a
and is carried out in the front direction while being elongated. In the
present structure, different kinds of raw materials may be discharged from
these two raw material flow passages 25, 25, respectively. Therefore, two
different kinds of fibers can be manufactured and mixed with these two
different kinds of raw materials by using the same gas.
[0052]
(Variation 15 of the first embodiment)
Figs. 26 shows a variation 15 of the nozzle head 20 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 1. A nozzle head 20T
of the variation 15 comprises two the raw material flow passages 25,
25, and two the gas flow passages 26, 26. In other words, the
nozzle head 20S of the variation 14 comprises a set of flow passages
including two the raw material flow passages 25, 25 and the gas flow
passage 26. The nozzle head 20S of the variation 14 comprises a
plurality of (two) sets of flow passages each including one raw
17
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
material flow passage 25 and one gas flow passage 26. The nozzle
head 20T of the variation 15 comprises two first portions 20a, 20a
and the second portions 20b inserted into the two first portions 20a,
20a. The first portions 20a, 20a has the same structure as the first
portion 20a of the above-mentioned variation 8. The second portion
20b has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is provided the
concave grooves 31, 31 on the top surface and a lower surface. The
nozzle head 20T of the variation 15 has the gas flow passages 26, 26
having the space in a square column shape which a cross section is
rectangular formed by one surfaces of the first portions 20a, 20a
contacting with the second portion 20b and the concave grooves 31,
31 of the second portion 20b when the first portions 20a, 20a and
the second portion 20b are connected. The relationship between
the raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26 of the
nozzle head 20T of the variation 15 is the same the relationship
between the raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow passage
26 of the nozzle head 20L of the variation 12. In the present
structure, different kinds of raw materials may be discharged from these
two raw material flow passages 25, 25, and different kinds of gas may be
ejected from the gas flow passages 26, 26. Therefore, two different kinds
of fibers can be manufactured at the same time and mixed by using these
two different liquid raw materials and two different gases.
[0053]
In Table 1, an outline of the basic structure and the structures of the
variations 1 to 15 of the nozzle head 20 according to the
Embodiment 1.
18
=
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
[0054]
[Table 1]
Shape of Raw material Shape of gas Difference of
Variation from
1st Embodiment
Figure
flow passage flow passage basic structure
Basic Structure Cylindrical Cylindrical ¨ Fig.
2, 3
Width of raw material discharge surface is
Variation 1 Cylindrical Cylindrical same as diameter of raw
material flow Fig. 4
passage i
Variation 2 Cylindrical Cylindrical Gas flow passage contacts
with raw
Fig. 5
material discharge surface
Variation 3 Cylindrical Cylindrical Raw material flow passage
contacts with
Fig. 6
gas flow passage
Raw material flow passage is formed in
Variation 4 Square column shape
Cylindrical Fig. 7
square column shape
Variation 5 Cylindrical Square column shape Gas flow passage
is formed in square
Fig. 8
column shape
Variation 6 Square column shape Square column shape Raw
material flow passage and gas flow
Fig. 9
passage are formed in square column shape
Shape of cylinder taken Raw material flow passage is arranged in
Variation 7 Cylindrical Fig.
10
along chord gas flow passage
Variation 8 Cylindrical Cylindrical First portion and second
portion are
arranged which are detachable each other Fig. 11, 12
Variation 9 Cylindrical Cylindrical There is arranged with an
angle a'
Fig. 13, 14
different from an angle a of Variation 8
There is arranged with an angle (90
Variation 10 Cylindrical Cylindrical degrees) different from
an angle a of Fig. 15, 16
Variation 8
Variation 11 Cylindrical Cylindrical Raw material discharge
pipe is added to
Fig. 17, 18
structure of Variation 8
Variation 12 Cylindrical Square column shape Gas flow passage
is concave groove in a
Fig. 19, 20, 21
(concave groove) similar structure of
Variation 8
Variation 13 Cylindrical Square column shape Gas flow passage
is concave groove in a
Fig. 22. 23, 24
(concave groove) similar structure of
Variation 10
There are provided two raw material flow
Variation 14 Cylindrical Cylindrical
Fig. 25
passages and one gas flow passage
There are provided two sets of flow
Square column shape
Variation 15 Cylindrical (concave groove)
passages consisting of one raw material Fig. 26
flow passage and one gas flow passage
19
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
[0055]
(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an apparatus for producing nanofibers according to a
second embodiment of the present invention will be described
referring to Fig. 27.
The apparatus for producing nanofibers 2 of the second embodiment
(not illustrated) comprises the nozzle head 20U instead of the nozzle
head 20, however, other structure is the same as of the apparatus
for producing nanofibers 1 of the first embodiment in Fig. 1.
[0056]
Fig. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzle head of the
apparatus for producing nanofibers 2 according to a second embodiment of
the present invention. (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross sectional view
taken
along the line A-A', and (c) is a cross sectional view taken along the line B-
B'.
[0057]
The nozzle head 20U of the apparatus for producing nanofibers 2 of
the second embodiment comprises the raw material discharge
surface 22 facing the front side (front side of a paper of Fig. 27(a),
left side of (b) and (c)), a connecting surface 24, and the gas
discharge surface 23, which are connected in order in a downward
direction as an absolute positional relationship. The raw material discharge
surface 22 and the gas discharge surface 23 are arranged in parallel each
other, and the gas discharge surface 23 is arranged forwardly with a
distance t away from the front surface 21. The nozzle head 20U is
provided with a back surface (not illustrated) which is parallel with the
front
surface 21 and faces backwardly (back side of a paper of Fig. 27(a),
right side of (b) and (c)).
[0058]
The nozzle head 20U comprises the raw material flow passage 25
orthogonal to the raw material discharge surface 22, and the gas
flow passage 26 orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23. The
raw material flow passage 25 is configured to linearly penetrate the
raw material discharge surface 22 and a back surface. The gas flow
passage 26 is also configured to linearly penetrate the gas discharge
surface 23 and the back surface 27. The axis line P of the raw
material flow passage 25 and the axis line Q of the gas flow passage
26 are provided so as to be on a plane.
=
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
s
[0059]
The connecting surface 24 and the gas discharge surface 23 are
arranged with an angle f3 (00<90 ), and the connecting surface 24 faces
an oblique upward direction. In order words, a surface direction R of the
connecting surface 24 and the axis line Q of the gas flow passage 26 has an
angle a (a=90-13) . The nozzle head 20U is configured to intersect the
surface direction R and the axis line Q at a point in front of the nozzle
head 20U with an angle a from a side direction (a front side to a back
side of Fig. 27(b), (c)). The "side direction" is a direction parallel to the
connecting surface 24 and the gas discharge surface 23.
[0060]
According to the present embodiment, the raw material flow passage
25 and the gas flow passage 26 have cylindrical spaces (cross
sections orthogonal to the axis lines are entirely same), respectively.
Alternatively, the raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow
passage 26 may have the spaces in a square column shape. One
part of the raw material flow passage 25 contacts with the
connecting surface 24, and also one part of the gas flow passage 26
contacts with the connecting surface 24. The connecting surface 24
is provided with a raw material flow groove 24a linearly connecting
the raw material flow passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26.
[0061]
A description will be made of operation of the apparatus for
producing nanofibers 1 and the nozzle head 20U according the
present embodiments. The apparatus for producing nanofibers is
supplied with the solvent from the solvent storage 11 and discharges
from the opening of the raw material flow passage 25 on the raw
material discharge surface 22. The apparatus for producing
nanofibers is supplied with the high-pressure gas from the gas
ejection unit 13 and ejects the same from the opening of the gas
flow passage 26 on the gas discharge surface 23. The solvent
discharged from the raw material flow passage 25 reaches at the
opening of the gas flow passage 26 through the raw material flow
groove 24a, meets the gas flow ejected from the gas flow passage
26 with the angle a, and is carried out in the front direction while being
elongated, so that the nanofibers are manufactured.
[0062]
According to the apparatus for producing nanofibers 2 and the nozzle
head 20U of the above-mentioned embodiment, the raw material
flow passage 25 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the raw
21
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
material discharge surface 22, and the gas flow passage 26 is
arranged so as to be orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 23.
Thereby, by drilling, the raw material flow passage 25 can be formed
on the raw material discharge surface 22, and the gas flow passage
26 can be formed on the gas discharge surface 23. The solvent
discharged from the raw material flow passage 25 directly meets the
gas flow ejected from the gas flow passage 26 through the raw
material flow groove 24a with the angle a. It can be achieved to
manufacture precisely by drilling and to carry efficiently the solvent on the
gas flow.
[0063]
(Third Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an apparatus for producing nanofibers according to a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
Figs. 28 to 38.
The apparatus for producing nanofibers 3 has a structure by using
molten raw material prepared by melting a solid raw material.
[0064]
Figs. 28 and 29 are a perspective view and a cross sectional view showing
the apparatus for producing nanofibers according to a third embodiment of
the present invention. Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the
nozzle head of the apparatus for producing nanofibers of Fig. 28, (a) is a
front view, and (b) is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A'.
Figs. 31 to 38 are explanatory diagrams showing structures of the
variations 1 to 8 of the nozzle head having the basic structure of Fig. 30,
and a front view and a cross sectional view are illustrated in each figure in
the same manner of Fig. 30. Hereinafter, terms representing "front, back,
left, right, up and down" may be used, which show a relative positional
relationship of each component, not an absolute relationship unless
otherwise explicitly. In each figure, a component having same function
has a same reference number and the detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0065]
The apparatus for producing nanofibers 3 according to the present
embodiment comprises a hopper 62 for feeding a pellet-shaped resin (a
granular synthetic resin having a fine particle) to be a material for the
nanofibers into the apparatus for producing nanofibers 3, a heating cylinder
63 for heating and melting the resin supplied from the hopper 62, a heater
64 as a heating unit for heating the heating cylinder 63 from outside, a
screw 65 which is rotatably stored in the heating cylinder 63 and functions
as an extruding unit for moving the molten resin to the end of the heating
22
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
cylinder 63 by rotating, a motor 66 as a driving unit for rotating the screw
65 through a connecting unit 69 (not shown in detail), and a cylindrical
nozzle head 70 which is provided at the end of the heating cylinder 63.
The nozzle head 70 is connected with a gas ejection unit (not illustrated)
through a supply pipe 68. In the present embodiment, each structure such
as the heating cylinder 63 and the nozzle head 70 is mainly made of metal,
however, other materials may be applicable such as resin and glass in
accordance with conditions of modes, such as kinds of resin as materials of
the nanofibers or nanofiber products.
[0066]
As shown in Fig. 30, in the nozzle head 70, there are connected in
order in the downward direction a front surface 71, facing the front
side (front side of a paper of Fig. 30(a), left side of (b) and (c)), a
raw material discharge surface 72, and a gas discharge surface 73.
The front surface 71 and the gas discharge surface 23 are arranged in
parallel each other, and the gas discharge surface 23 is arranged
backwardly (right side of Fig. 30(b)) with a distance t away from the front
surface 71. The raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas
discharge surface 73 are arranged with an angle a (0<a590 ), and the
raw material discharge surface 72 faces an oblique downward direction.
The nozzle head 70 is also provided with the back surface (not illustrated)
which is parallel with the front surface 71 and faces backwardly.
[0067]
The nozzle head 70 comprises a plurality of raw material flow
passages 75 orthogonal to the raw material discharge surface 72,
and the gas flow passage 76 orthogonal to the gas discharge surface
73. In the present embodiment, the number of the raw material
flow passage 75 and the gas flow passage 76 is same (seven), and
the raw material flow passage 75 and the gas flow passage 76
arranged in up and down direction correspond each other. In other
words, there are a plurality (seven) of flow passage sets of one the
raw material flow passage 75 and one gas flow passage 76. These
sets are arranged in one direction so that the raw material flow
passage 75 and the gas flow passage 76 become are arranged in two
line in parallel.
[0068]
In the present embodiments, the raw material flow passage 75 has a
cylindrical space, and the gas flow passage 76 also has the
cylindrical space. The raw material discharge surface 72 has a
width (a length in up and down direction of Fig. 30(a)) larger than a
23
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
diameter of the raw material flow passage 75 (about twice of the
diameter), and the raw material flow passage 75 is arranged at a
center area in a width direction. The gas flow passage 76 is
arranged with an interval from the raw material discharge surface
72. An axis line P of the raw material flow passage 75 and an axis
line Q of the gas flow passage 76 are provided so as to be on a plane
and the axis line P and the axis line Q are intersected at a point in
front of the nozzle head 70 with an angle a.
[0069]
A plurality of the raw material flow passages 75 communicates with
the heating cylinder 63, and the molten resin raw material supplied
rom the heating cylinder 63 flow a plurality of the raw material flow
passages 75 and is discharged from the opening of the plurality of
raw material flow passages 75 on the raw material discharge surface
72.
[0070]
A plurality of the gas flow passage 76 communicates with a gas
supply pipe 68 in the nozzle head 70, and high-pressure gas supplied
from the gas ejection unit flows the gas supply pipe 68 and a
plurality of gas flow passages 76 and is ejected from the opening of
the plurality of the gas flow passages 76 on the gas discharge
surface 73.
[0071]
The such structure is only an example, and if there are provided the
raw material flow passage 75 and the gas flow passage 76
orthogonal to the raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas
discharge surface 73 which are arranged with an angle a (0<a590 ),
respectively, the stricture may be optional within a purpose of the present
invention.
[0072]
A description will be made of operation of the apparatus for
producing nanofibers 3 and the nozzle head 70 according the present
embodiments. In the apparatus for producing nanofibers 3, the
pellet-shaped raw material (resin) fed into the hopper 62 is supplied
and melted in the heating cylinder 63 heated by the heater 64 and
delivered to a front side of the heating cylinder 63 by the screw 65
rotated by the motor 66. The molten raw material (molten resin)
arrived at the top of the heating cylinder 63 is discharged from the
plurality of raw material flow passages 75 through the inside of the
24
s
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
s
nozzle head 70. The high-pressure gas is ejected from the plurality
of the gas flow passage 76 arranged in the nozzle head 70. The
molten raw material discharged from the raw material flow passage
75 is meets the gas flow ejected from the gas flow passage 76 with
the angle a, and is carried out in the front direction while being elongated,
so that the nanofibers are manufactured.
[0073]
According to the apparatus for producing nanofibers 3 and the nozzle
head 70 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the raw material flow
passage 75 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the raw material
discharge surface 72, and the gas flow passage 26 is arranged so as
to be orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 73. Thereby, by
drilling, the plurality of the raw material flow passage 75 can be
formed on the raw material discharge surface 72, and the plurality of
the gas flow passage 26 can be formed on the gas discharge surface
23. The molten raw material discharged from the raw material flow
passage 75 directly meets the gas flow ejected from the gas flow
passage 76 with the angle a. It can be achieved to manufacture
precisely by drilling and to carry efficiently the solvent on the gas flow.
Since the apparatus comprises a plurality of the raw material flow passages
75 and the gas flow passages 76, a large amount of nanofibers are
manufactured efficiently in short time.
[0074]
(Variation 1 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 31 shows a variation 1 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3 (hereinafter referred
to as a basic structure of the nozzle head 70). The nozzle head 70A
of the variation 1 comprises the plurality of the gas flow passage 76
configured to have a space in a square column shape which a cross
section is rectangular. As other structures, the nozzle head 70A of
the variation 1 is the same as the basic structure of the nozzle head
70.
[0075]
(Variation 2 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 32 shows a variation 2 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. The nozzle head
70B of the variation 2 comprises a slit-like shape gas flow passage
76 extending in a side direction (a left and right side of Fig. 32(a), a
front and back side of a paper in (b)), and the gas flow passage 76
has a space in a square column shape which a cross section is
. CA 03064728 2019-11-22
rectangular. As other structures, the nozzle head 70B of the
variation 2 is the same as the basic structure of the nozzle head 70.
The nozzle head 70B of the variation 2 comprises a set of flow
passage of the slit-like shaped gas flow passage 76 extending in one
direction and the plurality of the raw material flow passages
arranged in one direction. The nozzle head 70B of the variation 2 is
configured to intersect the axis line P of the raw material flow passage 75
and the axis line Q of the gas flow passage 76 at a point in front of the
nozzle head with an angle a from a side direction. The "side direction"
is a direction parallel to the raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas
discharge surface 73.
[0076]
(Variation 3 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 33 shows a variation 3 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. The nozzle head
70C of the variation 3 comprises m raw material flow passages 75
and n gas flow passages 76 (rn n). The nozzle head 70C of the
Variation 3 comprises six the raw material flow passages 75 and the gas
flow passages 76, which are arranged so that a position of the side
direction (the left and right direction of Fig. 33(a), the front to back side
of
a paper in (b)) of each raw material flow passage 75 becomes an
intermediate position of the gas flow passage 76 adjacent thereto. As
other structures, the nozzle head 70C of the variation 3 is the same
as the basic structure of the nozzle head 70. The nozzle head 70C
of the variation 3 comprises a set of the flow passage of m the raw
material flow passages 75 and n the gas flow passages 76. The
nozzle head 70C of the variation 3 is configured to intersect the axis line
P of the raw material flow passage 75 and the axis line Q of the gas flow
passage 76 at a point in front of the nozzle head 70 with an angle a
from a side direction.
[0077]
(Variation 4 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 34 shows a variation 4 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. In the nozzle
head 70D of the variation 4, there are shown as a separate body a
portion of the front surface 71, one portion having the raw material
discharge surface 72 (a first portion 70a), and another portion
having the gas discharge surface 73 (a second portion 70b). These
portions may be connected detachably with a connection means, such as
a belt and a screw not illustrated.
26
=
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
[0078]
The first portion 70a of the nozzle head 70D of the variation 4 is
prepared by cutting the cylinder taken along a radius, and one side
corresponding to the radius is chamfered. The front surface 71 and
the raw material discharge surface 72 (chamfered portion) are
connected in order in a downward direction, and the plurality of raw
material flow passages 75 orthogonal to the plurality of the raw material
discharge surface 72 is provided. The second portion 70b is prepared by
cutting the cylinder taken along a radius and becomes the cylinder as a
whole by connecting the first portion 70a. The gas discharge surface 73 is
provided at the entire front surface and the gas flow passage 76 orthogonal
to the gas discharge surface 73 is provided. In a nozzle head 70D of the
variation 4, the raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas discharge
surface 73 are arranged with the angle a when the first portion 70a and the
second portion 70b are connected. The nozzle head 70D of the variation 4
comprises these two portions may be connected detachably, and has the
same structure as the nozzle head 70 of the basic structure other than
connecting each other.
[0079]
(Variation 5 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 35 shows a variation 5 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. The nozzle head
70E of the variation 5 comprises an annular front surface 71 of a
cylindrical body facing the front side (the front side of the paper of
Fig. 35(a), left side of (b)), the annular raw material discharge
surface 72, and the circular gas discharge surface 73 which are
connected in order from the periphery to the center and arranged
concentrically. The front surface 71 and the gas discharge surface 73 are
arrange in parallel each other, and the gas discharge surface 73 is arranged
backwardly (Fig. 30(b)) with a distance t away from the front surface 21.
The raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas discharge surface
73 are arranged with an angle a (0<a590 ), and the raw material
discharge surface 72 is tapered and faces inwardly. The nozzle head 70E
of the variation 5 is also provided with the back surface (not illustrated)
which is parallel with the front surface 71 and faces backwardly.
[0080]
The nozzle head 70E of the variation 5 comprises a plurality of the
raw material flow passage 75 which are orthogonal to the raw
material discharge surface 72 and arranged at an equal interval in a
circumferential direction, and the gas flow passage 76 orthogonal to a
center of the gas discharge surface 73. The nozzle head 70E of the
27
=
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
-
variation 5 comprises the plurality of (eight) raw material flow passages 75
are arranged around the gas flow passage 76. The nozzle head 70E of the
variation 5 has a set of flow passage of the gas flow passage 76 and the
plurality of the raw material flow passages 75 arranged round the gas flow
passage 76.
[0081]
In the nozzle head 70E of the variation 5, the raw material flow
passage 75 has a cylindrical space and the gas flow passage 76 also
has a cylindrical space. The raw material discharge surface 72 has a
width (a length in a radius direction) same as that of a diameter of
the raw material flow passage 75. The gas flow passage 76 is
arranged with an interval from the raw material discharge surface
72. The axis line P of the raw material flow passage 75 and an axis
line Q of the gas flow passage 76 are intersected at a point in front
of the nozzle head 70B with an angle a.
[0082]
(Variation 6 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 36 shows a variation 6 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. The nozzle head
70F of the variation 6 comprises a plurality of raw material discharge
pipes 79 which projects from the raw material discharge surface 72 and the
plurality of the raw material flow passages 75 are arranged inside thereof.
Other structure of the nozzle head 70F of the variation 6 is the same
as the nozzle head 70E of the variation 5.
[0083]
(Variation 7 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 37 shows a variation 7 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. The nozzle head
70G of the variation 7 comprises an annular front surface 71 of a
cylindrical body facing the front side (the front side of the paper of
Fig. 37(a), left side of (b)), the annular raw material discharge
surface 72, and the circular gas discharge surface 73 which are
connected in order from the periphery to the center and arranged
concentrically. The front surface 71 and the gas discharge surface 73 are
arrange in parallel each other, and the gas discharge surface 73 is arranged
backwardly (Fig. 30(b)) with a distance t away from the front surface 21.
The raw material discharge surface 72 and the gas discharge surface
73 are arranged with an angle a (0<a90 ), and an the raw material
discharge surface 72 is tapered and faces inwardly. The nozzle head 70G
of the variation 7 is also provided with the back surface (not illustrated)
28
= CA 03064728 2019-11-22
which is parallel with the front surface 71 and faces backwardly.
[0084]
The nozzle head 70G of the variation 7 comprises a plurality of the
raw material flow passage 75 which are orthogonal to the raw
material discharge surface 72 and arranged at an equal interval in a
circumferential direction, and the plurality of the gas flow passages 76
which are orthogonal to the gas discharge surface 73 and arranged at an
equal interval in a circumferential direction. The nozzle head 70G of the
variation 7 comprises the plurality of (eight) raw material flow passages 75
and the gas flow passages 76, respectively. The nozzle head 70G of the
variation 7 has eight sets of flow passage of one raw material flow passages
75 and one gas flow passage 76 corresponding thereto. A plurality of flow
passage sets are arranged annularly so that the raw material flow passage
75 and the gas flow passage 76 are arranged on the circumference of two
circles which become concentric.
[0085]
In the nozzle head 70G of the variation 7, the raw material flow
passage 75 has a cylindrical space and the gas flow passage 76 also
has a cylindrical space. The raw material discharge surface 72 has a
width (a length in a radius direction) larger (about two times) than
the raw material flow passage 75. The plurality of the gas flow
passages 76 are arranged with contacting with the raw material
discharge surface 72, respectively. The axis line P of the raw
material flow passage 75 and an axis line Q of the gas flow passage
76 are intersected at a point in front of the nozzle head 70G with an
angle a.
[0086]
(Variation 8 of the third embodiment)
Fig. 38 shows a variation 8 of the nozzle head 70 of the above-
mentioned apparatus for producing nanofibers 3. In the nozzle
head 70H of the variation 8, the plurality of the gas flow passages
76 are configured to have a space in a square column shape which a
cross section is rectangular, and are arranged with an interval from
the raw material discharge surface 72. As other structures, the
nozzle head 70H of the variation 8 is the same as that of the nozzle
head 70G of the variation 7.
[0087]
In table 2, an outline of the basic structure and the structures of the
variations 1 to 8 of the nozzle head 70 according to the Embodiment
29
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
3.
[0088]
[Table 2]
Shape of Raw material Shape of gas Difference of Variation from
3rd Embodiment
Figure
flow passage flow passage basic structure
A plurality of raw material flow passage and a
Basic Structure Cylindrical (7) Cylindrical (7)
plurality of gas flow passage are arranged on Fig. 30
two line in parallel
Variation 1 Cylindrical (7) Square column shape (7) Gas flow passage is
formed in square columnFig. 31
shape
Variation 2 Cylindrical (7) Slit¨type shape (1) Gas
flow passage is formed in slit¨type shape Fig. 32
Raw material flow passage and gas flow passage Fig. 33
Variation 3 Cylindrical (6) Cylindrical (7)
are arranged shifted in side direction
First portion and second portion are arranged
Variation 4 Cylindrical (7)
Cylindrical (7) Fig. 34
which are detachable each other
A plurality of raw material flow passages are
Variation 5 Cylindrical (8)
Cylindrical (1) arranged in a circumferential direction so as to Fig. 35
surround one gas flow passage
Raw material discharge pipe is added to
Variation 6 Cylindrical (8)
Cylindrical (1) Fig. 36
structure of Variation 5
A plurality of raw material flow passages and a
Variation 7 Cylindrical (8)
Cylindrical (8) plurality of gas flow passages are arranged in a Fig. 37
circumferential direction
Variation 8 Cylindrical (8) Square column shape (8) Gas flow passage is
formed in square columnFig. 38
shape in a structure of variation 7
(1)(6)(7)(8): number of flow passage
[0089]
Though description is made of the embodiments of the present invention in
detail, the present invention is not limited to the prescribed embodiments,
and various modifications may be possible within a scope of the present
invention.
[0090]
For example, in the above embodiment, the horizontal apparatus for
producing nanofibers is disclosed which the molten resin and the gas
ejection hole are provided in a horizontal direction, however it is not
limited
to, and there is no problem to arrange the vertical apparatus and the nozzle
head in the downward direction. Rather, such vertical apparatus is capable
of efficiently preventing influence by the gravity.
CA 03064728 2019-11-22
[0091]
In each embodiment and variation, positions of the raw material flow
passage and the gas flow passage may be replaced each other.
Specifically, in the nozzle head 20 of the embodiment 1, the position
of the raw material discharge surface 22 may be replaced with the
position of the gas discharge surface 23, the raw material discharge
surface 22 and the front surface 21 are arranged in parallel, the gas
discharge surface 23 is arranged with an angle a toward the raw
material discharge surface 22. The raw material discharge surface 22 and
the gas discharge surface 23 may be provided with the raw material flow
passage 25 and the gas flow passage 26, respectively. The structure is not
limited to any arrangement shown in figures of each embodiment. For
example, the figures of each embodiment may be upside down and the raw
material flow passage (the raw material discharge surface) and the gas flow
passage (the gas discharge surface) may be replaced. Additionally, by
rotating by 900 degrees, the raw material flow passage (the raw material
discharge surface) and the gas flow passage (the gas discharge surface)
may be arranged in horizontal direction.
[0092]
The extruding means is described as the screw, an intermittent
extrusion with a piston by supplying solution sequentially such as a
die casting may be applicable.
[0093]
The apparatus for producing nanofibers and the nozzle head
according to the present invention preferably comprise a raw
material temperature control function (not illustrated) in accordance
with conditions of the liquid raw material and production of the
nanofibers.
[0093]
The apparatus for producing nanofibers and the nozzle head
according to the present invention preferably comprises a gas
temperature control function (not illustrated) for controlling a
temperature of the gas at the gas exit.
31
