CH673998A5 - - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing 25 balls of textile yarns made with wool, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers or a mixture of such fibers, in which the ball is formed on a rotatable peloton spindle which has a core central extendable in diameter.

It also relates to a machine for implementing this method, comprising a pelletizing device for forming at least one ball.

Balls of woolen yarn or the like are currently wound on rotary spindles, then are automatically picked up and transferred to further processing units.

Three types of balls are currently known and commonly marketed. These are classic skeins, flat skeins and skein skeins called "Pullskeins". Conventional balls have a central banner which encloses the central part of the ball so that the two ends have a reinforcement on either side of the central part. The so-called flat balls do not include banners, but a kind of rigid arrow stuck in the central area and allowing the marking and identification of the ball. The “Pullskeins” balls have a substantially cylindrical shape and include a central banner. 45 Current automatic machines make it possible to produce a specific type of ball, so that the entire production of a user of these machines corresponds to a single type of ball.

For manufacturing in very large series, this does not constitute a drawback, but this is no longer the case for manufacturing in limited quantities. The producer of balls of wool or yarn must be able to present the balls in one way or another according to the demand of his customers. Current automatic machines do not have this flexibility of use.

The present invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks by making a machine and developing a method as mentioned above, which make it possible to manufacture balls of textile yarn corresponding to various types of presentation.

For this purpose, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the ball thus formed is removed by means of a trans-60 fert device, in that the ball is transported by means of a device linear conveyor to a device for processing and / or conditioning this ball.

During the ball formation phase, the yarn is preferably brought by a rotary fin and the support of this fin is pivoted axially during this formation phase.

At the end of the ball formation phase, the yarn is preferably passed through a notch made at the free end of the pilling spindle before cutting it.

3

673 998

At the end of the ball formation phase, the wire is preferably cut by retaining the cut end downstream using a wire cutter, this end constituting the origin of the wire of the following ball.

Advantageously, the transfer of the ball formed on the pelotonnage spindle is carried out by engaging a transfer mandrel in the hollow pelotonnage spindle, by pinching the ball by means of lateral pliers and by sliding the ball from said spindle onto said mandrel.

During the transfer of the ball from the pelotonnage pin to the transfer mandrel, the end section of the ball of yarn to be transferred is advantageously passed through the interior cavity of this ball.

During a second phase of said transfer, the transfer mandrel is preferably moved to bring it opposite a linear transport rod, and the ball of the transfer mandrel is dragged on this rod by means of said side clips.

For this purpose also, the machine according to the invention comprising a pelletizing device for forming at least one ball is characterized in that it comprises a device for transferring the ball thus formed, a linear transport device for bringing the ball to a device for processing and / or conditioning this ball.

According to a preferred embodiment, the machine according to the invention is characterized in that the pelotonnage device comprises a rotating pelotoning spindle comprising a frame arranged to adopt a deployed position and a retracted position, this frame being equipped with a retaining lug of an end section, forming the take-up thread of the finished ball. The grinding spindle preferably comprises a tip provided with a conical recess and peripheral axial grooves to allow, on the one hand, the coupling of a transfer mandrel of the transfer device and, on the other hand, there retaining the yarn at the end of the ball, intended to be introduced into the center of the ball during the transfer. This pelotonnage device advantageously comprises a wire cutter mechanism provided with a movable blade, a counter knife and a clamping member for retaining one of the ends of the cut wire. This clamping member is preferably associated with a spring screw arranged to adjust the clamping pressure of this member.

According to another preferred embodiment, the machine according to the invention is characterized in that the linear transport device comprises a chain, at least part of the links of which is equipped with horizontal rods arranged to receive a ball respectively after its transfer from the device of pelotonnage. This chain advantageously comprises a set of links provided with rollers arranged to roll in two rectilinear sections of rails of U-shaped section.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transfer device comprises a transfer mandrel, at least one gripper for taking care of a ball, means for individually moving the transfer mandrel and the grippers in horizontal directions, and means for simultaneously moving the transfer mandrel and the clamps in a vertical direction.

The machine according to the invention can advantageously comprise a series of pelotoning devices working simultaneously, a series of transfer devices for simultaneously taking charge of the set of balls formed and a single linear transfer device comprising a series of rods for take charge simultaneously of all the balls brought by the transfer devices.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the description of an exemplary embodiment and the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 represents an elevation view of the machine according to the invention, illustrating more particularly the device for forming the ball, the device for transferring the ball thus formed and the means of linear transport;

2 shows another view in elevation of the machine according to the invention, but seen along an axis offset by 90 ° relative to that according to which we see this machine in Figure 1;

FIG. 3 represents a schematic view illustrating the start of the ball formation phase;

FIGS. 4 to 18 illustrate the different phases of forming the ball and of transferring this ball onto the means of linear transport;

Figures 19 and 20 show two detailed views showing said linear means of transport;

FIG. 21 represents a view in longitudinal section of the grinding spindle;

Figures 22 and 23 show two cross-sectional views of the pelotonnage pin of Figure 21, respectively in the closed position and in the open position;

FIG. 24 represents an elevation view of a thread-cutting mechanism equipping the device for forming the ball, and FIG. 25 represents a detailed view of the drive means of the mechanism of FIG. 24.

With reference to the figures, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 20 2, the machine as shown comprises a frame 10 on which are mounted the various devices which make it possible to implement the various phases of the process of the invention. The first device is the ball forming device called pelotonnage device 11 which makes it possible to form the ball. The second positive device is the device 12 for transferring the ball previously formed on the pelota device 11. The third device is the linear transport device 13 which is intended to transport the ball to a processing and / or packaging which is, for example, a banding device possibly followed by a packaging unit (not shown).

As part of a complete automation of the production of balls, all the devices mentioned above are necessary to form the line. However, the packaging device could be omitted and replaced by any other independent automatic, semi-automatic or manual device capable of ensuring proper packaging of the balls.

The pelotonnage device 11 is continuously fed by a feed device 14 which may be constituted by a conveyor belt 15 carrying turns of threads, or by a thread cake 40 16 deposited on an appropriate support 17, via 'A feed mechanism comprising a support rod 18 carrying a roller 19 and a tilting arm 20 serving as a regulator of the tension of the wire 21.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the machine 45 in fact comprises a series of wrapping devices 11, mounted in parallel on the chassis 10, which are intended to simultaneously form a set of balls, for example about twenty balls which are then transferred simultaneously by as many transfer devices 12 to the linear transport device 13.

n / a The first phase of the process, consisting in forming the balls, will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. The pelotonnage device 11 includes a pelotonnage spindle 30, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23, carried by a support 31 and driven in rotation by a drive motor (not re-55 presented) via a pulley 32 fixed on a shaft mounted in the axial extension of the grinding spindle 30. These various elements are mounted on a support vertical 34 secured to the frame 10 and which also carries the linear transport device 13 which will be described in detail below. The pelotonnage pin 30 cons-60 tituates the rotary support of the ball 35 during its formation.

To form the turns, the superimposition of which constitutes the coil 35 proper, the grinding device 11 comprises a hollow fin 36 driven in rotation around the axis 37 of a drive motor 38 whose support (not shown) can 65 pivot in the directions indicated by the double arrow A. A counterweight 39 makes it possible to balance the fin 36 during its rotation.

The transfer device 12 is shown for the record in this figure. The coils are wound up until the moment when

673 998

4

the ball is considered to be finished, according to a determined winding program which defines the number of rotations of the fin 36 and the angular position of the support of the drive motor 38 of this fin.

This moment is illustrated, seen from above, by FIG. 4. The wire 21 coming from the end of the fin 36 has formed the last turn of the ball. A wire cutter 40 is then in its withdrawal position shown in the figure.

During the next phase shown in Figure 5, the wire cutter 40 moves along arrow B in the position shown, while the fin 36 remains at rest.

During the next phase illustrated in FIG. 6, the fin 36 describes an arc corresponding to approximately three quarters of a turn, and the wire 21 is hooked to the wire cutter 40 without however being cut by this member. It will be noted that the free end of the pelotonnage spindle 30 has a recess or at least a notch 41 in which the wire 21 engages during this phase. This position of the wire is particularly important since it allows, as will be described later, to produce a ball in which the end of the wire is brought inside the central cavity of the ball. It will also be noted that the wire cutter 40 has a double function: that of maintaining the wire in position and, subsequently, that of cutting it.

During the next step shown in Figure 7, the transfer device 12 comes into action. This transfer device essentially comprises a transfer mandrel 50 and clamps 51. This transfer mandrel 50 and the clamps 51 move in the direction of arrow D in a direction corresponding to the axis of the grinding spindle 30. L the free end of the transfer mandrel 50 is designed to engage in the recess 41 formed at the tip of the spindle 30, which has the effect not of pinching the wire 21, but of keeping it trapped in a space or a transverse passage formed in the coupling zone of these two members.

During the next step illustrated in FIG. 8, the thread cutter 40 moves in the direction of the arrow B ′ opposite to the arrow B (see FIG. 5), and the fin 36 pivots slightly in the direction of the axis of the spindle 30. The wire cutter 40 has cut the wire 21 so that the cut end corresponding to the wire from the ball 35 which has just been completed is free and the other end, that which will constitute the beginning of the following ball, remains maintained by this organ.

During the next step represented by FIG. 9, the transfer clamps 51 move into position on either side of the ball 35 by moving in the direction of the arrow E.

FIG. 10 illustrates the next step during which the transfer clamps 51 move respectively in the directions illustrated by the arrows F and F ′ to grip the ball 35.

FIG. 11 illustrates the next step during which the grippers 51 move in the direction of the arrow E ′ opposite to the arrow E (see FIG. 9) by carrying with them the ball 35 which turns the pin 30 in order to be put in position on the transfer mandrel 50.

It is at this moment that the transfer mandrel moves in the direction illustrated by the arrow D 'opposite the arrow D (see Figure 7) by disconnecting from the spindle 30. The ball 35, clamped between the clamps 51 and carried by the transfer mandrel, will then be transferred to the linear transport device, as shown in Figures 15 to 18.

During the step represented by FIG. 12, one can start to form a new ball on the pelotonnage spindle 30. The wire 21 coming from the fin 36 which moves in the direction illustrated by the arrow G is always retained by the wire cutter 40.

FIG. 13 illustrates the following phase during which the pelotonnage pin 30 is opened in the manner of an umbrella, the wire 21 is retained by means of an appropriate lug, integral with the pelotonnage pin, and the pliers of the wire cutter 40 so as to release the corresponding end of the wire.

During the next step illustrated in FIG. 14, the wire cutter 40 is returned to its initial position and the fin 36 is again driven in rotation in the direction of arrow C according to the predetermined curling program corresponding to the type of ball to be formed.

FIG. 15 corresponds substantially to the step illustrated in FIG. 12 during which the ball 35, which has just been formed, is removed from the grinding spindle and transferred in the direction of arrow D 'onto the mandrel of transfer 50. This transfer mandrel 50 is integral with a support 60 carried by a platform 60a, axially movable, which is coupled to a control mechanism ensuring its movement in the direction of the double arrow 60b. The transfer clamps 51 are mounted on a support 61 carried by a platform 61a, axially movable, which is coupled to a control mechanism ensuring its movement in the direction of the double arrow 61b. The two platforms 60a and 61a are carried by a common support 62, fixed on a vertical rod 62a, which is coupled to a control mechanism ensuring vertical movement in the direction of the double arrow 62b. In this way, the grippers and the transfer mandrel can be raised or lowered simultaneously and moved forward or backward horizontally independently.

FIG. 16 illustrates the next phase during which the platforms 60a and 61a rise in the direction of the arrow H to bring the transfer mandrel 50 carrying the ball 35 opposite the linear transport device. This linear transport device, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, essentially comprises a chain 63 forming a continuous loop circulating on a guide 64 and comprising a series of rods 65 intended to receive the balls 35 and to transport to a processing unit located downstream from the line. As shown in Figure 16, during the corresponding phase of the process, the platforms 60a and 61a are brought into a position such that the transfer mandrel 50 coincides with a rod 65, which allows, as illustrated by the figure 17, to transfer the ball 35 to this rod by displacement of the mandrel 50 and the side clamps 51 in the direction of the arrow I.

The next phase, represented by FIG. 18, corresponds to the opening of the clamps 51 and the return of the transfer mandrel 50 and of said clamps 51 in the direction indicated by the arrow I 'opposite the arrow I in FIG. 17. L 'next step, not shown, corresponds to the return of the platform 61 to its low position following a displacement of the rod 62 in the direction of the arrow H' opposite to the arrow H in FIG. 16.

The preceding description corresponds to the manufacture of a ball, its transfer and its transport on the linear transport device. In practice, around twenty balls of textile threads are produced simultaneously, which are taken up simultaneously by as many transfer mandrels and placed simultaneously on the linear transport device. They are then brought to a subsequent processing device, for example a wrapping or packaging unit which takes them up one by one or in a group.

As shown in FIG. 19, the linear means of transport essentially comprise two rails 70 each having a U-shaped profile and which are arranged parallel to each other so that the two linear branches of the chain 63 are housed inside the cavities longitudinal 71 defined by the walls of the rails 70.

With reference to FIG. 20, the chain 63 consists of links 72 articulated on rods 73 serving as an axis for two pairs of rollers 74 and 75. At regular intervals, the links 72 are equipped with rods 65 which, as has previously mentioned, are intended to receive the balls 35 brought by the transfer device and to transport them in the direction of the pelotonnage device. A fixed support 76 is housed inside the rails 70 to guide the chain 63 during its movement inside the cavities 71.

With reference to FIGS. 21 to 23, the pelotonnage pin is in the form of a member which can be extended in diameter and which opens under the action of a control rod, somewhat in the manner of an umbrella. It consists of a tabular element 80 which is made integral with the drive shaft 33 and whose displacements

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

5

673998

allowed are exclusively rotary and not axial. Inside this element slides a control rod 81 which carries at its free end a part 82 capable of moving axially inside a sector crown 83 disposed longitudinally, partly around the tabular element 80 , and which is held, on the one hand, by a ring 84 mounted on this tabular element 80 and, on the other hand, by a nozzle 85 provided with a conical recess 86 and peripheral axial grooves 87. A series of blades 88, for example eight in number, are mounted parallel to the axis of the spindle by means of articulated links 89. These links are mounted in such a way that the blades 88 can be folded back inside the spindle and lodge between the sectors 83, when the control rod 81 is pulled into a position of withdrawal towards the outside of the tabular element 80, and that it can occupy the deployed position, represented by FIG. 22, when the control rod command 81 is fully pushed inside the tabular element 80. As shown more particularly in FIG. 21, the articulated links 89 have one end fixed to one of the blades 88 and another end fixed to the part 82 or to the tabular element 80.

The peripheral axial grooves 87 of the endpiece 85 allow 2o to create channels in which the wire can be held captive when the transfer mandrel provided with a conical end engages in the conical recess of said endpiece 85 of the spindle. pelotonnage, in order to allow the transfer of the ball formed on this spindle. 25

One of the articulated links 89 is associated with a lug 90 which occupies a folded position when the spindle is deployed and an upright position when the spindle is closed, that is to say when the blades 88 are recessed. This lug has the function of retaining the original yarn of the ball, pinched during the whole pelotonage operation, which makes it possible to produce a ball whose end of the original yarn, that is to say -to say the end which is taken up by the user when she unrolls the ball, remains visible on the outside of this ball. This embodiment has an important advantage in allowing easier use of the balls, thanks to the fact that the take-up thread is completely visible, which eliminates any risk of error leading to tangling of the thread at the time of course of the ball.

Figures 24 and 25 show two views, respectively from the front and from the side, of the thread-cutting mechanism. This mechanism has 40

essentially a support 100 constituted for example by a foundry piece, articulated around an axis 101 mounted on a bracket 102 of the frame of the machine. The pivoting of this support around its axis is controlled by a control rod 103, axially movable and making it possible to bring the support into a position 100 'illustrated in dashed lines. The support carries a cutting blade 104, the end of which is provided with a sharp edge 105 in the form of a hook. The blade is suspended, at its end opposite the cutting edge 105, from a link 106 articulated at 107 at the end of an elbow 108 which is pivotable about an axis 109 carried by the support 100. The other end of the elbow 108 is connected to an axially movable control rod 110 and is intended to control the raising or lowering of the cutting blade. It can be seen that the mechanism described has in fact two different functions: the purpose of pivoting the support is to enable the cutting blade to be positioned relatively close to the lug 90 of the grinding spindle and to cut the wire so as not to leave as small as possible. The purpose of pivoting the elbow 108 is to drive the cutting blade to raise it and bring the cutting edge 105 into contact with a counter knife 111 held in abutment against the blade by a spring 112 in abutment against a cover 113 .

As mentioned above, when the wire is cut, the left section (in FIG. 24) which is part of the ball which has just been finished falls, while the right part remains fixed between the blade and a pinching element 114 whose the pinch pressure is adjustable by a spring screw system 115.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and to the accompanying drawings. It is likely to undergo different modifications and to appear in various variants obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, the embodiment of the pelotonnage pin can be modified provided that its main functions remain unchanged and in particular on condition that the end of the take-up wire is maintained throughout the phase of pelotonnage. Similarly, the general shape and the constituent components of the thread-cutting mechanism can be modified provided that its essential functions are preserved, in particular that the function of maintaining the original thread of the ball which constitutes the take-back thread. of the completed ball is maintained after the other end section, which constitutes the final section of the previous completed ball, has been cut.

10

R

7 sheets of drawings

Claims (16)

673 998 9 1. Method for manufacturing a ball of textile yarns made with wool, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers or a mixture of such fibers, in which the ball is formed on a rotary peloton spindle which has an extendable central core in diameter, characterized in that the ball thus formed is removed by means of a transfer device, and in that the ball is transported by means of a linear conveyor device to a treatment device and / or conditioning of this ball. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the ball formation phase, the wire is brought by a rotary fin and in that the support of this fin pivots axially during this phase. 3. Method according to claim I, characterized in that at the end of the ball formation phase, the wire is passed through a notch formed at the free end of the pelotonnage pin before cutting it. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that at the end of the ball formation phase, the wire is cut by retaining the cut end downstream using a wire cutter, this end constituting the origin of the next ball yarn. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one carries out the transfer of the ball formed on the pelotonnage spindle by engaging a transfer mandrel in the hollow pelotonnage spindle, pinching the ball by means of side pliers and by sliding the ball of said pin on said mandrel. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that, during the transfer of the ball from the pelotonnage spindle to the transfer mandrel, the end section of the thread of the ball to be transferred is passed through the internal cavity of this ball. 7. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that during a second phase of said transfer, the transfer mandrel is moved to bring it opposite a linear transport rod and in that one does slide the ball of the transfer mandrel onto this rod by means of said lateral pliers. 8. Machine for manufacturing a ball of textile threads made with wool, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers or a mixture of such fibers, for the implementation of the method according to claim 1, comprising a curling device (11) for forming at least one ball, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for transferring the ball thus formed, and a linear transport device (13) for bringing the ball to a treatment device and / or packaging of this ball. 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the pelotonnage device (11) comprises a rotary pelotoning spindle (30) comprising a frame arranged to adopt a deployed position and a withdrawal position, and in that this frame is equipped with a retaining lug (90) with an end section forming the take-up wire for the finished ball. 10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the grinding spindle (30) comprises a nozzle (85) provided with a conical recess (86) and peripheral axial grooves (87) to allow, on the one hand, the coupling of a transfer mandrel of the transfer device and, on the other hand, the retention of the end of ball of yarn, intended to be introduced into the center of the ball during transfer. 11. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the curling device (11) comprises a thread cutting mechanism (40) provided with a movable blade (104), a counter knife (111) and a clamping member (114) for retaining one of the ends of the cut wire. 12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the clamping member (114) is associated with a spring screw (115) arranged to adjust the clamping pressure of this member. 13. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the linear transfer device (13) comprises a chain (63) at least part of the links of which is equipped with horizontal rods (65) arranged to receive a ball respectively after its transfer of the pelotonnage device. 14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the chain (63) of the linear transport device comprises an assembly 5 of links (72) provided with rollers (74, 75) arranged to roll in two rectilinear sections of rails (70) with U-shaped section. 15. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the transfer device (12) comprises a transfer mandrel (50), at least one clamp (51) for handling a ball, io means (60a, 61a) for individually moving the transfer mandrel and the clamps in horizontal directions, and means (62, 62a) for simultaneously moving the transfer mandrel and the clamps in a vertical direction. 16. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a series of pelotonnage devices (11) working simultaneously, a series of transfer devices (12) for simultaneously taking charge of the set of balls formed and a single linear transport device (13) comprising a series of rods to simultaneously take care of all the balls supplied 20 by transfer devices.