CH269472A - Apparatus for treating cashmere and similar fleeces. - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus for treating cashmere and similar fleeces. The object of the present invention is an apparatus for the treatment of cashmere and fleece. of similar fleeces containing coarse fibers and fine fibers.

The invention will be described with reference to Bachemire, although it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is also applicable to camel hair, wool, and any other animal fleece comprising fibers of this kind. - relatively. fine and coarse fibers; res.

The eaelremire fleece comes from the cashew bean which is native to Tbibet and northern India. It comes in the form of balls and it consists of a mixture of bassec fibres. Beard fibres, dandruff, natural oil or grease and dirt. Grease and dirt are removed by cleaning which leaves a confused mass, consisting of about 75% by weight of Low Fibers, 25% of Beard, plus dandruff. Until now, so far as is known, beard fibers and dandruff have been removed by repeated clipping and combing and also, in Japan, by removing beard fibers by hand. During each of the carding and combing operations, many of the Low fibers aerocated with the Beard fibers and were removed with them, so that a cashmere top (long Low fibers more or less freed from the Beard fibers) is very costly, both because of the numerous carding and combing operations necessary to remove the Beard fibers and because of the loss of Low fibers removed with the Beard fibers. In addition, a cashmere top produced by this process contains beard fibers, the percentage often reaching 1011/9 by weight. When carding and combing loose cashmere noil (short low fibers substantially free of beard fibers) is required, it is necessary to adjust the combs very closely in order to comb the low fibers to separate the beard fibers. Beard and this Causes the Low fibers to break into very short sections, of the order of about 1? mm and 1a. The value of these fibers is very limited.

The apparatus forming the object of the present invention is characterized by a device for squeezing a lead material composed of coarse fibers and. of fine fibers ä. a splitting operation by which at least most of the coarse fibers are split into short sections, while at least 1a. majority of the fine fibers is left of greater length than the said short stretches of coarse fibres, means being provided to give the thickness of this sheet of fibres, before the splitting operation, a value not exceeding Gelle the thickness of a sheet produced by a Guard.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, the latter comprises means for separating at least the most Brande part of the short sections of coarse fibers from the most Brande part of the longer Eines fibers, in order to to make the fleeces usable as a textile material. Several embodiments of the apparatus forming the subject of the invention are shown, by way of examples, in the appended drawing.

fig. 1 is a z@.ie in plan of Line First form of execution of the device.

fig. 2 is a Brande erhelle section along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

fig. 3 is a section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

fig. 4 is a Brande eehelle section along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

fig. 5 is Lme eoLipe ä gra.ude erhelle along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

fig. 6 is a side view of the Part of the apparatus visible in FIG. 4.

fig. 7 is a plan view of a very thin sheet of low fibers and lined cashmere whiskers treated with the apparatus.

fig. 8 is a Brande scale section along line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

fig. 9 is a schematic view in elevation of a second embodiment of the apparatus forming the subject of the invention.

Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic elevational views partially showing two other embodiments of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention.

fig. 12 is a schematic elevational view showing yet another embodiment of the apparatus.

The cross-section of the low cashmere fibers is very uniformly circular, the average diameter being about 15 microns and the length varying from about 33 mm to about 90 mm. The cross-section of cashmere beard fibers varies from a wax-like shape to a ribbon-like shape, the diameter in thickness varying from about 30 to about 150 microns, the average diameter being about 60 microns and the length varying from approx. 35 mm ä. about 125mm. Beard fibers are not only thicker than Low fibers, but they are more brittle. Low fibers are normally very flexible and twisted, while Beard fibers are much stiffer and straighter. The apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 6 is to arrange the basset and beard fibers in a very thin sheet or layer (shown schematically in Figs. 7 and 8) in which the beard fibers are substantially along a single fiber thickness and are aligned so as to extend substantially in the same direction, to place this sheet on a rough surface and then to engage cutting devices, spaces, on the most Brandy Part at least of the fibers of Beard , so as to cut them into short stubs without substantially cutting the Low fibers, after which it separates the Substantially uncut Low fibers from the RTI ID="0002.0272" WI="14" HE="4" LX="1284" LY="834"> cut sections of beard fibers and dandruff.

The bulk mass of Bachemire fleece is first subjected to a washing operation, using soap and water, to remove grease and dust; after drying, passes the resulting mass of beard fibres, bass fibers and dandruff through a carding machine (not shown) which is preferably provided with a metal covering. This operation produces a thin sheet 14 (fig. 2) which is about 1.50 m wide and in which the fibers are not aligned, but overlap each other. This carding machine sheet is passed over a belt conveyor 15 (Fig. 2) which continuously passes the carding machine sheet through the gap between cylinders 18 and 20. belt passes around a cylinder 16 which rotates in bearings carried by a frame 30. The speed of this belt can be about 60 cm per second.

The shafts of the cylinders 18 and 19 each rotate in bearings placed at the ends of each cylinder and carried by the first frame 30. The surface of the cylinder 18 is in contact with both the surface of the cylinder 20 and the surface of the cylinder. 19, but the surface of cylinder 19 is some distance away from cylinder 20, as seen in FIG. 2. Each of the cylinders 18 and 19 has a rubber seal and they rotate in two directions.

contrary to the needles of a clock (looking at fiB. 2) with the aid of appropriate linkages with shaft end 31, 1st cylinder 18 rotates at a superficial speed of approximately 60 ein per second and 1st cylinder 19 at a higher speed, which is around 1 m 80 per second.

The shaft 32 of the cylinder 20 rotates in bloes-bearings 33 placed in the vicinity of Elia at its ends and carried by the building elements 30 and. 31. The shaft 32 carries, at u11 botet, a pulley 35 q111 pellt be actuated by a belt (not shown), which is 5 soll turn aetionnee by u11 motor. The end of the shaft 32 carries a toothed roller (not shown) meshing with a toothed roller 36 (fig. 1) wedged on the shaft 37 of the upper roller 21. These rollers 20 and 21 rotate with a peripheral speed greater than that of the roller 18 and their superficial speed can be about 1. in 80 per second, the cylinder 20 rotating in the dextrorotatory direction and the cylinder 21 in the right direction (looking at fiB. 2).

Shaft 37 of cylinder 21 rotates in 38-place bearing blocks near its ends. These blocks can slide vertically in slideways in the frame 30. upper mite of each spring lodged in a cavity in the underside of the block 38. These springs 39 sollt strong enough to carry a. both the first weight of the blocks 38 and that of the cylinder 21. These springs 39 thus inmaintain the surface of the cylinder 21 out of contact and with the sni-f; the cylinder 20 unless applied (111th 1111th additional downward force of sufficient intensity to compress them in <B>11</B> is provided with a -11 screw for the eliac block-bearing 38. The upper part of the eliac rod 41 has a threads engage in engagement in them with a threaded opening in a block of steel 44 welded to the crosspiece 40 of the frame.

shank of each screw is of smaller diameter and carries equal threads in engagement with a threaded opening in a steel block 42 fixed to the top of block 38. There are fewer threads per unit of length at the Baut de the shank of the screw only on its reduced part; for example, on 25 mm, twelve threads for the First and three polish the second and these two sets of threads are both of the same pitch, ä, right oll ä Bauehe. With Bette arrangement, a full turn of screw 41 lowers or raises the associated bearing by approximately 0.16 mm. By turning the two screws 41, one slowly pushes the bearing blocks 38 downwards, in antagonism to the pressure of the springs 39 and thus adjusts, with delicacy, the distance between the peripheral surfaces of the cylinders 21 and 20.

Rings oll threaded collars 45 are screwed onto reduced threaded portions of the opposite ends of the cylinder 21, the peripheral surfaces of the eolliers being substantially flush with the surface of the cylinder. A series of pins 46 are attached to each yoke 45. A steel wire 47, having a diameter of about 0.25 mm, is wrapped around a pin 46, rotates once around the surface of the cylinder. 21, then is wound around an axis 46 directly opposite the first, but at the other end of the cylinder. L711 A single strand of yarn spins the dolle continuously around the eye linder. Each wire trollcon is parallel to the neighboring trunk and is at a distance of about 3 mm from it. You can unscrew the collars 45 with respect to the respective ends of the cylinder, so as to tighten the screws as much as you want on the cylinder and, after removing them, you can fix the screws on the cylinders axles by welding. 0n pellt fix each of the collars 45 in the adjustment position by means of fixing screws (not shown), which pass through openings tai-auded of the end of the rollier and come into engagement on the neighboring end of the cylinder 21.

The surface of ehaeun des eylindres me tallique,z 20 et. 21 is reshaped Ws exactly < 1 both lengthwise and concentric with the portal surfaces of its shaft, and as a result the surface of the Pils 47 exerts a uniform pressure against the surface of the cylinder 20 over all the length of the cylinder surface and during each complete revolution of the cylinders 20 and 21. In this way, 1a. surface of the upper cylinder 21 is halfway through a series of steel wires 47 very close to each other, which rotate with the cylinder and bear on the surface of the lower cylinder 20 with a uniform pressure which can be regulated. precisely by turning the screws 41.

A reservoir 50, containing humidification liquid, is carried by a shelf 51, itself carried by crosspieces 52 of the frame. A sheet of fibrous material 53 is attached to a resilient metal wall 54 of the tank by a series of bolts 55 which pass through a rigid crossbar 56, arranged longitudinally. A series of knurled screws 57 serve to adjust or change the angle of the spring pike 54 thereby changing the pressure with which the fibrous material is applied against the surface of the cylinder 20. The reservoir 50 and the fibrous material 53 have substantially the same length than the surface of the cylinder 20, so that the fibrous material bears on the length of the surface of this cylinder. Preferably, the fibrous material is very compact, degreased wool felt, and thin or film of moisture. The characteristics of this layer can be adjusted by adjusting the fixing screws 57, so as to increase or reduce the pressure of the fibrous material against the surface of the cylinder, and by adjusting the bolts 55, so as to increase or reduce the pressure. of the crossbar 56 against the surface of the fibrous material.

A cylinder 22, lined with rubber, is mounted on a rotating shaft in bearings carried by the frame 30. The cylinder 22 rotates in the dextrorotatory direction (looking at FIG. 2), with the aid of suitable links. with a motor shaft 66, the superficial speed of this cylinder being substantially the same as that of cylinder 20.

Two metal conditions 60 extend from a point near the surface of cylinder 22 to fan housings 61. tive dann the output of the corresponding housing 63. The output 63 is connected by -Lm connector 64 at the end .dun tron @ on glass tube 70 whose opposk 1'extremite Wears a Hat 100 (fig. 1, 4 and 6) RTI ID="0004.0271" WI="7" HE="4" LX="1397" LY="791"> whose end part is of larger diameter than the body, so as to form a channel circumferential 101. The exit tube 102 descends from the bottom of this channel 101.

A branch 71, substantially perpendicular to the tube 70, communicates, at one end, with the interior of the tube 70 in the vicinity of the cap 100. The other end of this branch carries a cap 100 similar to that which has just been described. The tube 71 carries a branch 72 whose axis is substantially perpendicular to that of the tube 71 and it communicates with the latter just before its end carrying the cap 100. The tubes 70 and 71 are the first of a series of branched tubes. - ch6s, which, as represented here, still include connections 73, 74, 75 and 76, but, of course, an can use more or less of them, depending on the circumstances and, in particular, depending on the type of fiber ä, to treat and the degree of triage desired. It should be noted that the various branches diverge, the two from the others, substantially perpendicularly, as shown here, so that the air current, passing from one branch to the next, is forced to flow from one branch to the next. change direction very suddenly. Although the different branches have been represented here as each perpendicular to the previous one, they can also be arranged so that the direction changes even more abruptly, if desired. It will further be noted that each branch extends beyond its point of junction with the next

of the Series, in such a way as to form an inner air chamber in the first extension, following Faxe, of each branch, chamber provided in each case with a cap 100 with an annular chamber 101 from which an outlet tube 102 starts. .

There is seen a series of closing discs or shutters 81, one for each of the tubes 102 and each having one of its faces located near the lower end of the corresponding trabe 102 and closing it norina lenietit. Each of these discs has an opening 82 (fi-. 4) substantially the same as the opening of the lower end of the corresponding tube 102. Each disc is mounted on a shaft 83 which rotates continuously under the control of a motor. tor, so that the orifice of each disk ejects intermittently with the opening of the corresponding tube 102, thus establishing the communication between the interior end of the tube 102 and the interior of an attached tube 85, coaxial with the first tube 102 and of which 1 the open end is close to the opposite radial face of the disc. The various tubes 85 lead to a common collector 86.

A tube 77 is received at the rear end branelia 76 of the system and ensures the connection between the interior of this last branehe tiient 7<B>(;</B> and a chamber 90 contained in an elongated koitier (fig. 1 and 5).

the plate of chamber 90 has a series of parallel slots through which pass the upper portions of fiber-holding discs 91, rough edges and, preferably, rough radial surfaces. For example, the discs can be made of rigid metal fabric. They are fixed on 9`? place shafts 5. outside the casing and which turn in the levogyratory direction, looking at fig. 5.

The raeloirs 93, located at. 1'extei@i@ieur of the casing, remove the fibers attached On the 1e Edge of each disc; of course, there is a scraper from each side of the disc eliac. The fibers thus removed from the discs are placed on a conveyor belt 94.

In operation, the sheet 14, consisting of films and eroded Low and Beard fibers, is fed by the roller 15 into the range between the cylinders 18 and 20 (Fig. 2), the speed of the sheet being about 60 cm per second, the superficial speed of the cylinder 18 being about Gele of the sheet and. the superficial velocity of cylinder 20 being greater than that of cylinder 18. surface of cylinder 20 as they exit between cylinders 18 and 20 and until they come between cylinders 21 and 20.

In the sheet of fibers which penetrates between the eye linders 18 and 20, the fibers cross and recross and there are several fibers in the thickness. When an end of a fiber advanced between the rolls and leaves them, the wet <B>f</B> side of the roll 20 moves faster, by acting on the surface of this free end part of the fiber, holds it on the surface of the cylinder 20 and arranges it on this surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the line of tangency of the cylinders 18 and 20 between which the rear end of the fiber is still in engagement. This alignment effect results from the tendency of only the free end of the fiber to assume the position of least resistance on the surface of the rapidly rotating shaft 20 Taken with the first cylinder 18. The different fibers are thus gradually brought into alignment as they advance between the cylinders, so that before passing between the cylinders 21 and 20, they are arranged according to vant a sheet having approximately only one fiber in thickness and in which the fibers are aligned so as to extend over the surfaee of the cylinder 20, substantially in the same direction. 0n a. schematically represents this sheet of aligned fibers In figs. 7 and 8, the fleehe of fig. 7 indicating the first direction of displacement of the surface of the cylinder 20, the fibers of Beard being indicated in Strong lines and the Low fibers in Eins lines. The moisture from the surface of cylinder 20 serves to keep the fibers in engagement with the surface of cylinder 20, both while they are being aligned and after it is completed. Without moisture, the low twisted fibers would tend to separate from the surface of the cylinder 20, so that the alignment would be less complete and they would not stay so easily in this realigned arrangement, until until they enter between the cylinders 21 and 20.

Cylinder 19 has the function of removing fibers adhering thereto from the surface of cylinder 18 and returning them to the surface of cylinder 20.

As this sheet of aligned fibers passes between the cylinders 20 and 21 (see Figs. 7 and 8), the spaced metal Pils 47 progressively take up each Barbe fiber at intervals and the arcuate surface of the wire ( a radius of approximately 0.12 mm) cuts the most Brande Part, at least, of the fibers of Beard to separate them progressively into short tron@ons of approximately 3 mm long. When the pressure of the wire against the surface of the lower cylinder 20 is suitably regulated, at least the most significant part of the Beard fibers is thus cut into short sections, but at least the most significant part of the Lower fibers is not substantially cut. . It is thought that this result is due to the fact that the Beard fibers are thicker and more brittle than the Low fibers, so that by adjusting the Cutting Pressure of the metal Pils exactly, their Pressure On the Low fibers is insufficient to cut most of them, while their Pressure on the Beard Fibers is stronger and is enough to cut most of them. The line of contact between the cylinders 21 and 20 is preferably a little more than 9 cm from the line of contact of the cylinders 18 and 20, so that the Low fibers are not caught between the cylinders 18 at the same time. and 20 and by the wires 47, which would break them. By reducing the pressure between the cylinders 18 and 20, the apparatus can, however, operate satisfactorily at a shorter distance than that mentioned above.

The material having passed between the cylinders 20 and 21 consists of cut tron@ons of Beard fibers, of substantially uncut Low fibers and of films. The length of the cut stalks of beard fibers varies. This is probably because the diameter or thickness of the beard fibers varies, so that the pressure exerted by the wires is insufficient to cut the fiber in some places, while it is sufficient in most. Some Low fibers can be cut, but most are not, and after removal of the short sections of Beard fiber, the resulting mass, consisting of substantially uncut Low fibers, is of considerable value in the manufacture of yarn and fabrics. Even if all the Bassec fibers have been cut once or twice (which can be done by passing the carding machine sheet directly between cylinders 21 and 20), the Bassec fibers obtained are long enough to make an end product acceptable for certain applications.

Commercially acceptable noils of varying lengths and degrees of looseness can be made from cotton candy fibers, with or without the use of cylinders 18 and 19, by varying the pressure exerted by the wires on the fibers, thereby adjusting the 1st degree and the frequency of cut of the Low fibers and also of the fibers of Beard. The degree and frequency of this cutting action can also be adjusted by adjusting the extent to which the fibers are paralleled and the extent to which the thickness of the sheet is reduced by cylinders 18 and 20. The degree and frequency of this cutting action can be further adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the sheet given by the carding.

The suction created by the fans at the mouth of the ducts 60 draws material, exiting between the cylinders 21 and 20, through the ducts 60. is removed by the cylinder 22 and the suction ä. the mouth of the conduits 60 removes material from the surface of the cylinder 22 as well as gel which adheres to the surface of the cylinder 21 and draws it into the conduits 60.

The mass of bass fibers, cut beard fibers and dandruff then passes through the east fan housing 61. agitated by fan 62 and is then forced out through outlet 63, shaft 64 and tube 70. rotating, in the tube 71, while many of the shorter sections of the beard fibers pass past the entrance of the tube 71 and enter the shaft 100. The exit opening of the tube 102 is normally closed, so that the sections of beard fibers collect in this tube. Part of the skins and part of the lower fibers pass beyond the inlet of the tube 71, into the adjacent part of the tube 70 and Jans the hat 100. and return them continuously to the entrance of the tube 71, past the tube 71. 70, the films and the beard fiber sections being projected outwardly into the channel <B>101</B> from where they fall into the tube 102.

When the opening 82 of the disc 81 periodically coincides with 1a. Coming out of tube 102, the sections of beard fibers and the skins which have collected at the end of this tube are pushed back through opening 82 into tube 85 and then into collecting tube 86.

The cap 100 and the portion of the tube 70 located beyond the inlet of the tube 71 form a substantially dead air chamber. It can be designated as such despite the swirling air currents existing in this part of the apparatus, since the main air current created by the fan 62 is directed towards the dead air chamber, but, since 1 At the outlet end of tube 102 is normally closed, the larger portion of this main air stream does not pass through the dead air chamber and is twisted back into tube 71. Each of the lower fibers is longer than each of the beard fiber sections and has substantially the same weight and, therefore, when the main air current RTI ID="0007.0274" WI="10" HE="4" LX= "1123" LY="551"> turns Jans 1e tube 71, it can more easily change the direction of the longer Low fibers than Gelle of the short tron of the Beard fibers. This is why many of the barb fiber sections pass through the substantially dead air chamber, while most of the low fibers pass directly into tube 71.

All of the dandruff and stumps of Beard fiber are not removed in the first substantially dead air space of tube 70 and the Low fibers, with the dandruff and stumps of Beard fiber remaining, continue through the first substantially dead air space. tube 71 where the same removal operation is carried out as Gelle described in connection with tube 70. A sufficient number of connections similar to tubes 70 and 71 are provided, so as to completely remove the Low fibers from the beard fibers and unwanted dandruff; an represented seven of Ges tubes associated with each of the two fan boxes 61, in the form of execution represented in FIGS. 1 to 6.

The Low fibers exiting the last of the tubes 76 and entering the tube 77 are suitable for yarn manufacturing. However, they are somewhat tangled and look untidy due to the agitation to which they have been subjected by the air currents in the series of tubes. The rotating discs 91 tend to. to disentangle the Low fibers and to rearrange them, so that they have a more favorable appearance for sale. When the fibers are blown from tube 77 into chamber 90, they strike the edge of rotating discs 91 at a point intermediate their tips and are thus drawn out of the mass. The discs cause the fibers to fall off and some of them fall from the edge of the discs onto the conveyor belt 94, while those which continue to adhere to the discs are removed by the scrapers 93 from where they fall. on the surface of the belt 94. The final product is removed from the surface of the belt 94 and may consist substantially of low, uncut fibers containing substantially no shavings and dandruff fibers.

It is believed that where and how the moistening takes place should be unimportant as long as a sufficient amount of moisture is evenly distributed along the length of the cylinder 20 to that the fibers adhere to the surface of the cylinder when they have just left the cylinders 18 and 20. The quantity of moisture desired depends on the quantity of material treated in a given treated fiber and the difference between the surface velocities of rolls 18 and 20. For example, rather than applying moisture directly to the surface of roll 20, one can spray it onto the sheet as on the conveyor belt 15 or spray it on the surface of the cylinder 18. The amount of moisture applied can be adjusted by adjusting the sprays.

The cylinder 19 can be eliminated, and the cylinder 18 can be metal instead of rubber lined. A rotating brush can be used in place of the rubber coated cylinder 2'' and it can be operated at superficial speed a little higher than that of the cylinder 20.

Instead of the pneumatic separation device called the fug. 1 to 6, an apparatus can be used which adequately agitates the sheet, so that at least the greater part of the coarse fiber stalks follow different trajectories from the greater part of the fiber. Part, at least, of the long Eines fibres. Various separate devices have been found satisfactory and will now be described. In the device represented in fug. 9, the parts of the apparatus for drawing and dividing the raw fibers are the same as those shown in Fig. 1 and 2, only the cylinders 18, 19, 20 and 21 being represented on the fug. 9. In this apparatus, a rotating brush 22a is substituted for the rubber coated cylinder 22. A cylinder 110, provided with a guard gasket, is continuously rotating in a clockwise direction. Three groups of workers and strippers 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b, 113a and 113b are mounted above the guard lining drum 110. gradually increasing thickness and, as is customary, they are mounted progressively closer to the surface of the guard lining cylinder 110. The brush 22a is intended to remove the thin sheet 14, which comprises tron@ons Courts of coarse fibers and longer fine fibers, the cylinder 20 by transporting it to the cylinder 110. When 1a. sheet 14 is advanced jusqiu'au cylinder 110, the workers and strippers combine the fibers into a more uniform sheet, in which the Eines fibers intertwine.

A doffer roller 115 is for Tll of a guard trim whose teeth are directed Jans 1e direction indicated. Leckt cylinder 115 rotates counterclockwise (see fig. 9) at a peripheral speed less than that of cylinder <B>110;</B> the Proportion can be on the order of 1 to 10.

A rotating brush 116 is provided ä. this surface of relatively stiff bristles which can be about 25 mm long. This brush rotates at a substantially higher peripheral speed than the comber's gel 115. It has been found that the peripheral speed of the brush 116 should be four to ten times higher than the comber's gel. gneur 115 and the order of about 120 to 360 meters per minute. The brush 116 is as long as the doffer 115, so that it advances the sheet 14 across its full width and, as shown, the tips of the bristles rub against the back of the teeth of the Bard's padding. comber.

The doffer roller 117, provided with a Bard's lining, rotates at a peripheral speed less than Belle of the brush 116; the proportion may be of the order of 1 to 10. It removes the sheet 14 from the periphery of the brush 116 and advances it towards a stripper cylinder 118. The stripper cylinder 118 is provided with a card covering and it removes the 14 from the periphery of the cylinder 117 and advances it towards a brush 119. The stripper cylinder 118 can rotate at a peripheral speed greater than Belle of the roller 117; the proportion may be of the order of 2 to 1.

The rotating brush 119 is of similar construction to the brush 116 and lifts the sheet 14 from the periphery of the stripper cylinder 118 and advances it to the periphery of a barding cylinder 120. The brush 119 preferably rotates. at a peripheral speed which is four to clix times more Brande than Belle du débourreur 118, and whose order of grancleiu, is between 120 to <B>360</B> meters per minute. The points of the bristles rub on the back of the teeth of the lining of the eyelid # 11.5.

The cylinder 1.20 is fitted with a Bard's lining and rotates (in a clockwise direction (see fig. 9) at a speed greater than the speed of the brush 119; the proportion may be of the order of 2 to 1. Three groups of workers and strippers 121a, 1211), 122a. 1221, 123a and 123b are mounted on the cylinder 120. eire present) in the form of a relatively thin sheet; these fibers have been somewhat disordered under the action of the brushes <B>116</B> and 119, throwing the fibers towards the teeth of the rollers 117 and 120.

A comb roller 125 removes the sheet 14 from the periphery of the roller 120 and a stripping comb 126, driven by a back and forth movement, removes the sheet from the periphery of the dozer roller 125, this sheet being A, this stage sufficiently cleared of coarse fibres, the leaf then being collected by a reeeptaele 128.

In the apparatus represented in fig. 9, the short portions of the coarse fibers are separated from the Eines and longer fibers under the face of the brushes 116 and 119. The tips of the bristles of the brushes 116 and 119 pick up the Eines curly fibers while they are on the surface of the cylinders 115 and<B>118</B> and,RTI ID="0009.0272" WI="12" HE="4"LX="1664" LY="630"> since the brushes 116 and 119 are rotating at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the peripheral speed of cylinders 115 and 118 respectively, the spirally arranged bristles straighten the fine fibers, remove them from the retaining packing of the cylinders and advance them at a greatly accelerated speed. This causes proper agitation of the sheet 14 and causes many of the coarse, stiff fibers to fall down, releasing them from the sheet substantially at the location of the removal of the sheet from the barding.

With each of these sets of brushes and rollers, many short portions of coarse fibers are removed without losing a significant amount of fine fibers. The amount of coarse fiber removed at each point of transfer from roller to brush is assumed to be a direct function of the percentage of short portions of coarse fiber found in the whole sheet, and this percentage varies greatly. according to the different batches of raw raw materials. By conveying the raw material from cylinder 120 to a cylinder within cylinder 115 and passing it through an additional set of brushes and cylinders similar to groups 116, 117, 118 and 119, a surplus of short fibers coarse can be removed, if necessary.

The device of 1a fig. 10 features a modification of the Tim's set of brushes and cylinders. 9. Cylinder 135 is provided with a Bard's packing and advances sheet 14 comprising short intermingled portions of coarse fibers and fine fibers obtained, for example, by doffer 115 of FIG. 9. Brush 136 rotates at a substantially greater peripheral speed than that of cylinder 135 (the gear ratio and peripheral speeds preferably being within the magnitude described above for brush 116), and removes with 135 the coarse fibers at the point where the web 14 is removed. It should be noted that the result of this operation is the same despite rotates in the 1st direction anti-clockwise. In each Gas, the brushes 116 and 136 scrub behind the teeth of the guard lining and the amount of coarse fibers removed is substantially the same.

*Second brush 137 has somewhat stiffer bristles than those of first brush 136 and rotates in the same direction and at greater peripheral speed than those of brush 136. Successive brushes 138 and 139 are each provided with slightly stiffer bristles than the preceding brush and each rotates within the same bosom and at a greater peripheral speed than the preceding brush. Preferably, the peripheral speed of the last brush 139 does not exceed 360 meters per minute and is 120 meters per minute or more. The bristle tips of one brush, acting against the bristle tips of the preceding brush rotating at a slower speed, straighten the fine fibres, removing them from the bristles of the preceding brush and advancing them at an accelerated speed, throwing off much coarse fibers downward and freeing them from the sheet 14. It has been found that with a rotating brush rubbing against another rotating brush, satisfactory separation is obtained when the peripheral speed of the brush is faster than Brande West. 151/o greater than Gelle of the previous brush.

Cylinder 120 removes the fibers from brush 139 and advances them to the next operation which may take place among workers and cleaners, as described above in connection with cylinder 120, and employing a doffer cylinder and a roller. stripping comb, the end product can be collected in a receptacle similar to celtii (128) shown in FIG. 9.

While four brushes have been represented in fig. 10, another embodiment of RTI ID="0010.0275" WI="17" HE="4" LX="1296" LY="597"> the invention may comprise two or more brushes, each rubbing against the other, and one or more groups of doffer and conveyor rollers provided with card linings can be inserted between each group of cooperating brushes to lower the speed of the sheet between the groups of brushes.

The apparatus of fig. 11 constitutes another variant of the assembly eliminating the coarse fibers, represented in FIG. 9; Dann this device, cylinders 146 and 1.49, each of which is provided with tme Guard trim, are substituted respectively for brushes 116 and 119. Cylinder 145 corresponds to cylinder 115, except that it rotates in the opposite direction. Cylinders 147 and 148 correspond to cylinders 117 and 118, respectively, and cylinder 120 corresponds to cylinder 120 of FIG. 9. Cylinders 145, 146, 147, 148 and 149 can rotate at peripheral speeds which correspond to the peripheral speeds given above for cylinders and brushes 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 respectively.

The tips of the teeth of the cylinder guard lining 146 rub against the back of the teeth of the cylinder guard lining 145, and many short portions of coarse fibers are thrown down and are released from the flame 14. , substantially at the location of its removal from cylinder 145. Cylinder 149 cooperates in the same manner with cylinder 148, and cylinder 149 removes the fibers from cylinder 148. cylinders 146 and 149 is substantially the same qne Gelle of the tips of the bristles of the brushes 116, 119 respectively, of the exdeution form of FIG. 9..

Another advantageous form of execution of the apparatus, not shown in the drawing, consists of one or more pairs of workers and unloaders under the bottom of the guard cylinder. The workers and the strippers can turn in the agreed direction and at speeds corresponding to the clock speeds for cylinders 145 and 1-16 and the short portions of coarse fibers fall to the ground, under the worker and the cylinder. , between the worker and the tamper.

Another advantageous embodiment comprises a reciprocating reed, acting against the back of the teeth of the lining of a doffer such as under the action of the reed 126 against the back of the teeth of the lining of the cylinder 125; the short portions of coarse fibers fall ä. land 1e along the line along which 1a. feudle is elevated from the ey lindre comber.

Another advantageous form of execution for separating the short portions of coarse fibers is a lined main cylinder and a lined doffer cylinder. The main roller rotates at relatively high peripheral speed, the doffer roller rotates at lesser peripheral speed and in the opposite direction with the tips of its lining teeth facing the tips of the main roller lining teeth. The main cylinder throws the veil of fibers towards the teeth of the doffer's topping and the short portions of coarse fibers fall out of the line where the veil is thrown towards the doffer. The Barde cylinder 110 and the doffer 115 (fig. 9<B>)</B> represent this form of execution of Fanpareil.

Another advantageous form of execution of the apparatus is represented in FIG. 12, in which the drawing means and parts of the apparatus intended to draw the coarse fibers may be the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 and. 2, although only rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 are shown in FIG. 12. In the Tür. 12, as well as in FIG. 9. an evlindrique brush 22a is substituted for the eylindre covered with rubber cabbage 22 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Sheet 14 is compiled

bound on the brush 22a and brought by the latter to a cylinder 160 of diameter Brand, which is covered with a guard gasket. The brush 22a rotates prefei, ence at a peripheral speed more Brande than Gelle of the cylinder 20, and. cylinder 160 can rotate at a higher than high peripheral speed of brush 22a. The fuel 1-1 which is collected by cylinder 160 passes over the upper rim of the cylinder and is delivered to cylinder 1a. Lower rotating part Tun plus Brand eylin dre 161 which is also provided with a Guard fitting. Suitable peripheral speeds for the brush <I>22a,</I> the cylinder 160 and the cylinder 161 are, for example, of the order of 60, 90 and 150 to 210 meters. the minute, respectively.

Preferably, in order to prevent fibers from felting at the periphery of cylinder 160, a rotating brush <B>162</B> is mounted in the angle between the downwardly rotating portions of cylinders 160 and 161. This brush rotates at such a speed and in such a direction that fibers adhering to the bristles of the brush are removed from roller 161.

Sheet 14, when driven downward by cylinder 161, is pushed outward, toward the tips of the teeth of the guard gasket, under the action of the centrifugal force, and is suspended freely from the teeth of the Guard fitting, so that their lower surfaces are freely exposed.

One or more series of beater flywheels 164 cooperate with the cylinder 161. These beaters are rollers or rollers of relatively small diameter and rotating at high speed, for example 500 rpm. minute, and are provided with ribs 165 which are disposed of preferenc.e helix ä. the periphery of the rollers 164. These rollers are arranged so that the ribs 165 are separated by approximately a quarter of a mm from the tips of the teeth of the Barde lining of the cylinder 161, and by a real contact with the sheet 14, or by causing currents of air to strike the sheet, the latter is subjected to a rapid and violent vibration of small amplitude The result of these vibrations is that many short portions of coarse fibers are separated from the sheet 14. Sheet 14 is then removed from cylinder 161 by cylinder 166, which is provided with a card clothing, and doffer cylinder 167 removes sheet 14 from cylinder 166. Reciprocating reed 126 removes the sheet from the periphery of the cylinder 167 and places it in a receptacle 168.

Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus for separating the coarse fibers comprises a cylinder provided with a card clothing and a brush or a series of brushes mounted on this cylinder, so that when the cylinder clothing carries the sheet 14 suspended at its lower part, the bristles of the brush or of the series of brushes rotate against the tips of the teeth of the garnish-Read. This apparatus is similar to that shown in FIG. 12, except that the brushes are substituted for the flywheels 164.

Claims (18)

CLAIM: Apparatus for processing cashmere and similar fleeces containing coarse fibers and fine fibers, characterized by a device for subjecting a thin sheet composed of coarse fibers and fine fibers to. a splitting operation whereby at least the majority of the coarse fibers are split into short sections, while at least the majority of the fine fibers are left longer than said short sections of coarse fibres, means being provided for give to the thickness of this sheet of fibres, before the division operation, a value not exceeding that of the thickness of a sheet produced by a card. SUB-CLAIMS 1. Apparatus according to claim, characterized in that the dividing device comprises a cylinder with circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending dividing elements. 2. Apparatus according to sub-claim 1, characterized in that the dividing elements consist of metal wires arranged in a helix around the periphery of the cylinder. 3. Apparatus according to sub-claim 1, characterized in that the fiber contact surface of each divider element has an arcuate cross-section. 4. Apparatus according to claim, characterized in that the dividing device comprises a pair of cylinders, one of the cylinders being provided with dividing elements projecting from its peripheral surface and one of these cylinders having bearings adjustable, which allows. to precisely adjust the pressure of the dividing elements on the periphery of the other cylinder. 5. Apparatus according to claim, characterized by means for arranging the fibers constituting the thin sheet at least for the most part parallel to each other before the coarse fiber splitting operation. 6. Apparatus according to claim, characterized by means reducing the thickness of the thin sheet substantially to the thickness of a single fiber before the coarse fiber splitting operation. 7. Device. according to claim, characterized by means for moistening the thin sheet prior to the coarse fiber splitting operation. 8. Apparatus according to claim, characterized by a pair of cylinders rotating in opposite directions at different peripheral speeds and by means intended to bring the thin sheet towards the line of tangency of the cylinders before the operation of dividing the coarse fibers . 9. Apparatus according to sub-claim 8, characterized by means for moistening the periphery of that of the cylinders rotating at the higher peripheral speed. 10. Apparatus according to sub-claim 5, characterized by means comprising a wet surface arranged so as to retain the fibers substantially parallel to each other and thus to cause them to advance towards the positive coarse fiber divider device. 11. Apparatus according to sub-claim 6, characterized by means comprising a wet surface arranged so as. retaining the fibers in a thickness of substantially a single fiber and thereby advancing them to the coarse fiber divider device. 12. Apparatus according to claim, intended to make the treated fleeces usable as textile material, characterized by means for separating at least the greater part of the short sections of coarse fibers from the greater part of the longer fine fibers. 13. Device. according to claim, characterized in that the means-, coarse fiber separators comprise members intended to agitate the thin sheet during the coarse fiber separation operation. 14-. Apparatus according to claim, characterized in that the coarse fiber separator means comprises. a rotating brush, the ends of the bristles of which rub against the teeth of a card covering. 1,. Apparatus according to sub-claim 1-1, characterized in that the card clothing is mounted on a cylinder, which rotates at a substantially lower peripheral speed than that of the brush. 16. Apparatus according to claim, charac terized in that the coarse fiber separator means comprise several cooperating brushes, rotating in the same direction at a peripheral speed increasing from brush to brush. following, the bristles of the suc eessive brushes being stiffer and stiffer. 17. Apparatus according to claim, charac terized in that the coarse fiber separator means comprise a first cylinder provided with a card clothing, a second cylinder provided with a card clothing, the tips of its teeth rub on the back of the teeth of the card clothing of the first cylinder, and tine means for rotating the second cylinder at a peripheral speed substantially greater than that of the first cylinder. 18. Apparatus according to. claim, characterized in that the coarse fiber separator means comprise a cylinder provided with a card covering and several rapidly rotating beater wheels, operating against the thin sheet when the latter is carried away by the said covering (the card.