EP0683255A2 - Textile machine - Google Patents
Textile machine Download PDFInfo
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- EP0683255A2 EP0683255A2 EP95107854A EP95107854A EP0683255A2 EP 0683255 A2 EP0683255 A2 EP 0683255A2 EP 95107854 A EP95107854 A EP 95107854A EP 95107854 A EP95107854 A EP 95107854A EP 0683255 A2 EP0683255 A2 EP 0683255A2
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lap
- roll
- pair
- combing
- carrier
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01G—PRELIMINARY TREATMENT OF FIBRES, e.g. FOR SPINNING
- D01G19/00—Combing machines
- D01G19/06—Details
- D01G19/08—Feeding apparatus
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Preliminary Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a textile machine for processing fibre feed material in the form of a lap. More particularly, this invention relates to a combing machine having at least one combing head comprising a combing unit and a carrier means for a roll of lap for combing. The invention also relates to a ribbon lap machine having a drafting arrangement and a carrier means for a roll of lap to be drafted.
- As is known, combing machines which are supplied with a lap from a roll mounted on a carrier means have been provided with a detector means, for example comprising a photo-electric cell or a light barrier, in order to stop the machine when the end of a lap is reached. The carrier means is then refilled with a new lap roll either manually or by a transport means. The start of the lap from the new roll is then placed manually on the end of the lap from the previous roll (this end may, if required, have been torn to the correct length) and is connected thereto by pressure, whereupon the machine can be re-started. The overlap thickness created by this procedure (despite possible "plucking out" of the incoming lap end by the operator) causes a quality defect in the end product (combed sliver).
- US Patent Specification No. 2,559,074 describes a technique for automating the manual process described above. As described, the end of an incoming lap is superposed on the end of an outgoing lap upstream from the leading lap unwinding roller and the join (overlap) thus formed is passed along the normal lap movement path into the combing unit. The use of "comb teeth" to part the outgoing lap is also described, but this is a mere severing operation without any lap end preparation significance.
- A device in accordance with US 2,559,074 will at least give a severe quality defect due to the overlap and will possibly be inoperable due to blockage of the combing unit caused by the double thickness of feed material presented thereto.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to apply the start of a lap from a new roll to the end of a lap from a previous roll automatically and reliably without causing either a breakdown in the operation of a combing unit (or other lap processing unit) or an unacceptable deterioration in product quality.
- It is another subject of the invention to join lap ends in a lap processing machine in a simple reliable manner without introducing a quality defect at the joined ends.
- Briefly, the invention provides a method of joining an incoming lap with an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit in a lap processing machine wherein both the trailing end of the outgoing lap and the leading end of the incoming lap are prepared, superimposed on each other and then joined together by pressing for feeding to the lap processing unit.
- In one aspect of the present invention, an outgoing lap is joined to an incoming lap in a region downstream from a carrier for a feed lap. In order to enable this, a support means is provided to support a length of outgoing lap extending from the support means to the lap processing unit.
- In a second aspect of the invention, a prepared end is formed (downstream from a carrier for a feed lap) on a length of lap extending to the lap processing unit, a prepared end is formed on an incoming lap and the prepared ends are brought together downstream from the carrier.
- The invention also provides a lap processing machine which has at least one lap processing head comprising a lap processing unit and a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be combed with means to form a prepared end on an outgoing lap, means to support a length of the outgoing lap upstream from the lap processing unit with the prepared end in a substantially predetermined position, means to form a prepared end on an incoming lap, and means to bring the prepared ends together and to feed them to the lap processing unit.
- A lap processing machine according to another aspect of the invention may have at least one lap processing head comprising a lap processing unit and a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be processed with means to form a prepared end on an outgoing lap and prepared end of an incoming lap, means to bring the prepared ends together by superposing one on the other and forwarding means for forwarding the laps with the superposed ends to the lap processing unit.
- One embodiment of the invention may comprise (in accordance with the US-PS 4,996,747, hereinafter referred to as the "prior application"), a combing machine having at least one combing head comprising a combing unit and a carrier means for a roll of lap for combing and having in the path of the lap from the roll to the combing unit a pair of transport rollers, means for severing a first lap from a first roll in order to form a first trailing lap end on the lap running to the combing unit and for severing a second lap from a new roll after the pair of transport rollers in order to form a second leading lap end and means for connecting the second lap end to the first lap end. In this embodiment, the means for connecting the lap ends includes a pair of pressing rollers disposed in the path of the lap and a movable deflector element disposed at the pair of rollers for at least one of the two lap ends for connection. In accordance with this embodiment, the severing means is adapted to form prepared lap ends
- suitable for overlapping and joining without generating a significant quality defect.
- As described in the prior application, a detector means may additionally advantageously be provided to determine the time at which the first lap has approximately completely unwound from the first roll. The detector means can at that time start a control means which then actuates the means for severing the first lap, and then actuates a roll transport means for feeding a new roll to the carrier means, and then actuates the means for severing the second lap and then actuates the means for connecting the second lap end to the first lap end.
- The invention is particularly suitable for a combing machine comprising one or more groups of combing heads, e.g. a group of eight combing heads or two groups each of six combing heads, the lap roll change in all the combing heads of a group being performed simultaneously in each case, the above-described control means simultaneously performing the actuations at all the combing heads of the group. To start the control means, it is advantageous to provide each combing head of the group with its own detector means so that the control means is triggered as soon as the first lap has approximately completely unwound from the first roll at a combing head of the group. The first laps are then automatically severed at the same height at all the combing heads of the group, new rolls are supplied, the second laps are severed from the new rolls at the same height and the lap ends are interconnected.
- These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
- Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a combing head of a combing machine according to the prior application;
- Figs. 2 to 8 show details taken from Fig. 1 with the parts in different positions and states of operation;
- Fig. 9 is a diagram of a combing head in accordance with European Patent Application No. 89105756 for comparison with systems according to the invention;
- Fig. 10 is a diagram of an alternative type of combing head in accordance with Unites States Patent No. 3,479,699;
- Fig. 11 is a diagram of a combing head as shown in Fig. 10 with modifications according to the invention;
- Fig. 12 is a diagram of a first modification of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 8;
- Fig 13 shows a further possible modification of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 8;
- Figs. 14 A, B and C show three possible modifications of the lap end finding arrangement shown in Fig. 1;
- Figs. 15 A and B show diagrams for explanation of the lap end preparation necessary, or at least highly desirable, for forming a piecing in accordance with the invention;
- Fig. 16 is a diagram for explanation of a first possible arrangement for providing lap end preparation as shown in Fig. 15;
- Fig. 17 is a diagram of an alternative arrangement for providing lap end preparation;
- Fig. 18 is a schematic representation of a drive system for a device according to Fig. 1;
- Fig. 19 diagrammatically illustrates elements of a control system for a driving arrangement in accordance with Fig. 18;
- Fig. 20 shows the same system with different elements of the controlling means;
- Fig. 21 illustrates a timing or a sequence diagram for use in explanation of the control system schematically illustrated in Figures 19 and 20;
- Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a simplified embodiment for use with the same type of combing machine as the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 in the normal operation condition;
- Fig. 22A shows a detail taken from Fig. 22;
- Fig. 23 is a diagram similar to Fig. 22 but showing the system in the first stage of end preparation for a subsequent piecing operation;
- Fig. 24 shows the completion of the first end preparation step;
- Fig. 25 shows the end finding procedure after a new lap roll has been put in place;
- Fig. 26 shows the second end preparation step following finding of the new lap end;
- Fig. 27 illustrates the piecing step in which the two prepared ends are brought together;
- Fig. 28 illustrates a further modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 22;
- Fig. 29 shows a modification of the device shown in Fig. 22A;
- Fig. 30 and 31 illustrate a further embodiment in side view;
- Fig. 32 shows a detail in front elevation;
- Fig. 33 illustrates a pressing arrangement for a carrier in accordance with the invention;
- Fig. 34 illustrates a further modified pressing arrangement for a carrier;
- Fig. 35 illustrates an alternative type of a lap processing machine. Known as a ribbon lap machine in accordance with the invention, and
- Fig. 36 shows a modification of the device shown in Fig. 35.
- The present description will refer firstly to the "conventional" combing heads shown in Figures 9 and 10 in order to provide a basis for the subsequent illustration of various embodiments of the present invention. One such embodiment has already been shown in the prior application referred to above, and the diagrams of that application are included again here as Figures 1 to 8 in order to give a starting point for the modifications shown in the other Figures.
- The various diagrams shown in this application illustrate only those elements of a combing mach- ing important for the operation according to the present invention. Furthermore, only those operating steps are disclosed which have a direct connection with an operation according to this invention. A more complete description of a combing machine can be found, e.g., in the book "Drawing, Combing and Roving" by Zoltan S. Szaloki published by the Institute of Textile Technology, Char- lotteville, Virginia, U.S.A, being volume 3 on "The Institute Series on Textile Processing" published by that Institute.
- Against this background, the combing head diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 9 comprises a rotating
lap carrier roll 100, arotating drive shaft 102 for combingcylinder 111 carrying a needledhalf lap 120, a reversibly rotatablenipper drive shaft 103 and a pair of detaching rolls 104. Thenipper drive shaft 103 carries acrank arm 105 to which the rear end of anipper assembly 60 is pivotably connected at 62. The front end of thenipper assembly 60 is pivotably connected to links 67 which in turn can pivot around the axis of thedrive shaft 102 for combingcylinder 111. - Nipper assemly 60 further comprises a bottom or
cushion plate 63, the front end (not specifically indicated) of which is adapted to form a clamping nip K in co-operation with a correspondingly formedupper nipping element 68. Nippingelement 68 is carried by a lever 65 hinged at 69 to the main structural element of thenipper assembly 60. A so- calledfeed roll 110 is located immediately behind thenipper pair - The elements thus far described in relation to Figure 9 make up the essential working elements of the combing unit which performs the essential function of a combing machine. Since the combing operation itself is not directly involved in the present invention and details thereof are available in the literature (e.g. in the book referred to above) that operation will not be disclosed in detail herein. It is sufficient to state here that a lap or sheet of fibre material to be combed is forwarded (by a system to be described in somewhat greater detail hereinafter) to the
feed roll 110 and thence in co-operation with aguide plate 66 to the nip K formed by thenipper jaws half lap 120 and are then passed by the nippers to be "pieced" with a fibre beard projecting from the rear of the detachingrollers 104. - After the nippers have deposited the newly combed fibre beard on the beard projecting from the detaching rollers, the nippers are opened and retracted while the newly combed fibres are withdrawn from the combing unit by the detaching rolls 104. At this stage, the fibres being drawn forward by the detaching rolls are further combed by a so- called top comb (not shown in Figure 9). The nippers, meanwhile, are returned to the starting position shown in Figure 9 and are closed to clamp a fibre fringe newly fed by the
feed roll 110. As will readily be appreciated, this operation is essentially discontinuous, so thatfeed roll 110 is operated only intermittently. - The lap to be combed has a width of, e.g., 30 cms and is presented to the machine in a form of a roll partly indicated in dotted lines at 101 in Figure 9. This roll of lap rests on two carrier rollers, only one of which is shown at 100 in Figure 9. The second carrier roller is arranged parallel to the first and both are rotated so as to unwind the
roll 101 in a sense tending to feed the lap continuously towards the combing unit already described above. In the feed system shown in Figure 9 and described in our earlier European Patent Application No. 338 300, the lap unwound fromroll 101 is passed first to a generallyhorizontal guide plate 113, and thence to a generallyvertical guide plate 114 from which the lap passes to feedroll 110 and guideplate 66 already referred to. -
Guide plates bars pivotal connections plates 113 to adjust their positions relative to each other and to the machine frame in accordance with the reciprocating movement of thenipper assembly 60 as defined by the combing operation referred to above. By providing suitable guiding support for the lap between the lap roll carrier assembly (partly illustrated at 100) and the combing unit it is possible to feed lap continuously at a slow rate from theroll 101 although this lap is taken up and processed only intermittently in the combing unit. - It will be seen from Figure 9 that the "leading carrier roller 100 (i.e. the roller nearer to the combing unit) is set back from the combing unit so that a degree of horizontal travel of the lap is needed after it leaves the
roll 100. This horizontal movement of the lap is guided byplate 113 until the lap reaches a position above thefeed roll 110, whereupon the path of the lap turns approximately vertically downwardly, being guided byplate 114. This pattern of movement ("machine geometry") is not essential. An alternative is illustrated in Figure 10. - The language used in US 3,479,699 will be used here to describe the embodiment according to Figure 10. Thus, a
sliver lap 200 is carried in use by a pair oflap supporting shafts cushion plate 206, afluted feed roll 208, and anipper knife 212 co-operating withcushion plate 206 to form a nip. Detaching rolls 214, 216 take up the fibres after they have been combed by thehalf lap 218 driven onshaft 222. As shown in Figure 10, the nipper assembly lies almost directly below thecarrier roller 202, so that the lap moves generally straight down to the nippers. - The nipper assembly pivots pendulum-fashion about a nipper rock shaft, only partly illustrated at 226. An
accumulator bar 224 moves back and forth between a position illustrated in full lines and a position indicated in dotted lines in synchronism with the movements of the nipper assembly and thereby absorbs slack in the lap arising from the continuous feed from thesliver lap 200 and intermittent take-up atfeed roll 208. - The immediately following description will deal firstly with a proposal for automating an arrangement generally in accordance with Figure 9. Thereafter modifications generally suitable for other combing systems will be disclosed.
- Figure 1 shows the essential parts of a combing head in a diagrammatic view corresponding roughly to a vertical section. The essential combing elements of the combing unit of the combing head are again shown in the form of a rotatable comb 1, a
top comb 2, two detaching rollers 3 and a nipper unit comprising a lower nipper 4 and anupper nipper 5 pivotable with respect to the lower nipper. Adrivable feed roller 6 is mounted in the lower nipper 4 and alap 7 for combing is fed to it. Thelap 7 comes from aroll 8 carried by a carrier means which, in the embodiment illustrated consists of twoparallel lap rollers lap roll 8 bears. - In the path of the
lap 7 from theroll 8 to the combing elements 1 - 5 there are disposed a pair of transport rollers, means for severing the lap and means for connecting a first lap end to a second lap end, the first lap end being a rear end of the lap running to the combing elements and the second lap end being a front end of a lap coming from a new lap roll, as will be explained in detail below. - In the embodiment illustrated, the said transport roller pair is formed by the
front lap roller 9 and apressure roller 11 co-operating therewith. Alternatively a transport roller pair separate from thefront lap roller 9 could be provided for the lap coming from theroller 8. Thetransport roller pair - In the embodiment illustrated the lap severing means are adapted to tear the lap after the
transport roller pair transport roller pair transport roller pair lap 7 tears between the two transport roller pairs. Alternatively, the firsttransport roller pair first roller pair second pair - The means for connecting a first lap end to a second lap end comprises a
pressing roller pair slide 19 which is disposed upstream of thepressing roller pair lap 7 and is moved, for example, by a piston andcylinder unit 20. - Figure 1 shows the combing head as described in normal operation. The
lap 7 is unwound from theroll 8 by rotation of thelap roller 9, is fed to the combing elements 1 - 5 by the pairs oftransport rollers lap 7 has already practically completely unwound from theroll 8. This time is detected by a detector means, e.g. a photo-electric cell 21, which detects the passage of theend 7a of thelap 7 on thecore 8a of theroll 8, by responding, for example, to the different brightnesses and/or colours of thelap 7 and of thecore 8a. Of course other detector means are possible for the said purpose. - The detector means 21 delivers a signal to a control means 22 which then so controls the drive means 12, 15 and 18 and other drive means to be described hereinafter, in the combing machine that a change of lap is performed automatically.
- The control means 22 first actuates a piston and
cylinder unit 23 which pivots therear lap roller 10 away downwards as shown in Figure 2. The almostempty core 8a therefore rolls by gravity rearwardly on asuitable guide 24 as far as a collector means in the form of a trough-shapedplate 25. The remaining lap is unwound from thecore 8a in these conditions. - The control means 22 then controls the drive means 12 (Figure 1) so that it stops the
transport roller pair lap 7 is therefore torn by the secondtransport roller pair rear lap end 7b is formed at an accurately defined location on thelap 7 running to the combing elements 1 - 5, as shown in Figure 3. - The second
transport roller pair pressing roller pair rear lap end 7b stops just before thepressing roller pair pressing roller pair - When the first
transport roller pair lap 7, the severedrear end portion 7c of thelap 7 is still retained in saidtransport roller pair transport roller pair transport roller pair end portion 7c to a suction-extraction duct 26 by means of which it is removed. Alternatively, theend portion 7c may also be removed by a suction-extraction duct 27 disposed further to the rear, the firsttransport roller pair end portion 7c drops into this suction-extracton duct 27. If, however, the firsttransport roller pair lap 7, the start of theend portion 7c can drop without difficulty into theduct 27 and no further rotation is required. - The
rear lap roller 10 is then pivoted back into its top position or the normal working position by actuation of the piston andcylinder unit 23. - The control means 22 then actuates a lap roll transport device, of which Figure 5 shows only an
arm 28 with a supportingtrunnion 29. The roll transport device brings up a new lap roll 8' and places it on thelap rollers - The transport roller pairs, 9, 11 and 13, 14 are then rotated in the forward direction. The
lap roller 9 rotates the lap roll 8' resting on it. The surface of thelap roller 9 is air-permeable, e.g. perforate, and astationary tube 9a is disposed in its interior and has aslot 9b in a top zone. Suction is now producd in thistube 9a so that air is sucked through theslot 9b and the air-permeable surface of thelap roller 9. Thestart 7a' of the lap 7' from the new roll 8' is therefore subjected to suction from thelap roller 9 as soon as it reaches the latter. Consequently, as shown in Figure 5, thestart 7a' is applied to the circumference of thelap roller 9. The lap 7' is then moved downwards by the transport roller pairs 9, 11 and 13, 14. - After the
start 7a' of the lap 7' has passed through the secondtransport roller pair transport roller pair transport roller pair first pair front lap end 7b' is formed at an accurately defined location on the lap 7' coming from the roll 8' as shown in Figure 6. - The severed
front end portion 7c' of the lap 7' is then sucked into the suction-extraction duct 26 and removed by the latter after passing completely through the secondtransport roller pair - The two transport roller pairs 9, 11 and 13, 14 then continue to run at the same circumferential speeds and move the lap 7' downwards as it comes from the roll 8'. Once the new
front lap end 7b' has approximately reached the position shown in Figure 7 in front of thepressing roller pair slide 19, the control means 22 actuates the pistonend cylinder unit 20 to move theslide 19 to the left against thepressing roller pair slide 19 comes into contact with thefront lap end 7b' and places it on therear lap end 7b of thelap 7 which is still held in the nip of thepressing roller pair bottom pressing roller 17. - The drive means 18 for the
pressing roller pair lap 7 is pulled, together with thefront end 7b' of the lap 7' resting thereon, into thepressing roller pair ends slide 19 is again pulled back to the right by the piston and cylinder unit. The combing head then resumes normal operation. - Figure 8 also shows that the collecting means 25 with the
empty roll core 8a lying thereon has been lifted into an upper position by a drive means in the form of a piston andcylinder unit 30. In this upper position theempty roll core 8a is engaged and discharged by the roll transport means 28, 29 (Figure 5), whereupon the collecting means 25 is again lowered into its starting position, as shown in Figure 1. - The combing head described can be disposed in a combing machine in a group of combing heads in which combined drive means are provided for the combing elements 1 - 5 of all the combing heads of the group. The control means 22 is then associated jointly with all the combing heads of the group. The drive means controlled by the control means 22, more particularly the drive means 12,15 and 18, and the piston and
cylinder units front lap roller 9 and in the suction-extraction ducts - On the other hand, each combing head of the group has its own associated detector means 21 (Figure 1). As soon as the
lap 7 has substantially completely unwound from theroll 8 at one of the combing heads, the associated detector means 21 delivers a signal to the common control means 22 which then simultaneously perform the above-described lap roll change at all the combing heads of the group. At the start of the lap roll change operation there may still be different lengths oflap 7 on thelap roll cores 8a in the various combing heads of the group; the new rear lap ends 7b formed by the simultaneous severing (tearing) of the lap slivers 7 between the transport roller pairs 9, 11 and 13, 14 are, however, then at the same height in all the combing heads of the group. Similarly, the new front lap ends 7b' formed by tearing the new lap slivers 7' are at the same height in all the combing heads even if thestart 7a' of the lap on the new lap rolls 8' supplied by the lap roll transport means (28, 29) did not lie exactly at the same place on the circumference. The front lap ends 7b' can therefore then be joined to the rear lap ends 7b without difficulty in the same way in all the combing heads by the slides 19 (or a common slide 19) and thepressing rollers - In the combing head described, on the change of lap, both the
lap 7 and then the lap 7' are respectively severed or torn from thelap roll 8 and the new lap roll 8' by differential drive of the two transport roller pairs 9, 11 and 13, 14. In modified embodiments, however, separate means could of course be provided for severing thelap 7 and for severing the lap 7'. Also, there is no absolute need for a second transport roller pair for severing purposes. Instead, other severing means adapted to be actuated by the control means 22 may be provided. - The prior application refers to tearing or severing of the lap. However, it is not desirable to produce either of two results, namely
- - a ragged tear with deep indentations in the lap end to be joined, or
- - a very clean cut with practically no fibres projecting beyond the cut surface (as though the sheet had been cut with scissors).
- The preferred form of lap end is a fibre beard or fringe projecting from a substantially straight base line, which preferably extends at right angles to the length of the lap. The beard or fringe should be "thinned-out" relative to the normal thickness of the lap sheet. In this form, the two prepared ends approximate "combed" ends which are conventionally joined in a combing machine by a "piecing" at the detaching rolls. The lap piecing operation is then similar to the piecing of combed web as conventionally performed for example at rolls 104 (Fig. 9) or 214, 216 (Fig. 10).
- This form of prepared end can be best generated by applying a clamping force to the lap along a straight line (similar to the clamping force applied by the nipping elements) while removing fibres not held either directly by the clamping force or indirectly by the sheet of fibres. The clamping force is preferably evenly distributed along the length of the clamping line, i.e. preferably across the width of the lap.
- The desired result can be achieved by clamping between a pair of rolls and drawing the lap apart in the region of the clamping nip (as described with reference to Figures 1 to 8) by means of a second pair of rolls. The distance between the clamping nips should be at least slightly greater than the longest fibre in the assembly. This distance may be several centimetres longer than the longest fibre in the lap. This procedure forms two "prepared" ends, i.e. upstream and downstream from the "tear" or "break", although only one if these ends will be of interest for forming a join.
- A similar result could be obtained by clamping the lap along a first line (for example between a pair of nippers), clamping the lap along a second line (for example by another pair of nippers) and then moving the clamping lines apart. The distance between the clamping lines should satisfy the requirements already described in relation to the nip lines of the draw roll pairs. This procedure will also form two prepared ends.
- The desired form of end preparation is shown diagrammatically in Figures 15A and 15B. Fig. 15A shows a plan view of a prepared end of a lap, while Fig. 15B shows the same lap end viewed from one side and drawn to a much larger scale.
- The lap of width W, and thickness T unrolled from the lap roll is indicated at 250 in Figures 15A and 15B. The line N in Fig. 15A represents the nip or clamping line generated for example by the pair of
rolls - The nip line N is indicated in Fig. 15B by the pair of arrows N indicated in that Figure. As shown in Figure 15B, the preferred lap end is then in the form of a thinned out fibre beard or fibre fringe 252 projecting form the nip line where the lap has substantially the same thickness as in the roll (the compression applied by the clamping elements is ignored for the purpose of this explanation - the lap "thickness" is taken as directly proportional to the mass of fibre per unit length of lap).
- In the theoretically perfect join between the lap ends (outgoing and incoming), the thinned out ends when superposed will compensate each other to give a new feed lap of substantially constant "thickness" (fibre mass per unit length) for feeding to the nipper assembly. This can be easily visualised in relation to Fig. 15B which shows the gradual reduction in fibre mass per unit length from the nip line to the free lap end.
- However, consideration of Fig. 15A will show that it is virtually impossible to achieve an absolutely perfect join over the full width of the lap. The variability of the prepared lap ends therefore has to be held within acceptable limits in order to achieve an acceptable join. The absolute limits are given on the one hand by blockage of the combing assembly and on the other hand by a "thin place" such that the lap breaks before reaching the combing assembly or in that assembly.
- In order to enable a "quality piecing", the length L (Fig. 15B) of the prepared end must be substantially predetermined. A "ragged" end (indicated by
dotted lines 254 in Fig. 15A) will be undesirable because it is most unlikely that this ragged end will "match" an equally ragged end on the other lap involved in the joining operation. It will not be possible to ensure an absolutely constant length L of the prepared lap end across the whole width W of the lap. This effect is indicated diagrammatically by the lines ("fibres") projecting from the nip in Fig. 15A. The effect arises, for example, because of differences in the lengths of the fibres clamped at the nip line and therefor held fast during the severing operation. - The length of the lap end may, however, be influenced by the way in which the prepared lap end is formed, as will now be explained by reference to Figures 16 and 17.
- Figure 16 shows a severing (and end preparing) means in the form of two pairs of nip rolls 256, 258 with the
lap 250 still extending continuously between them (before the severing operation). The distance D between the nip lines created by these roll pairs will exert an influence on the lap ends created by holding nip rolls 256 stationary and driving theroll pair 258 in the direction of the arrows marked thereon. This distance D should be at least slightly greater than the length of the longest fibre in the sheet of fibres to be severed. This ensures avoidance of "gripping", which would lead to fibre breakage or at least running defects. - However, the distance D showed not be made much longer than the longest fibre because otherwise packets of uncontrolled or imperfectly controlled fibres can be formed, leading to the ragged end problem indicated in Fig. 15A. The arrangement should be such that substantially all fibres in the sheet extending between the roll pairs 256, 258 at the time of stopping of
roll pair 256 either remain firmly controlled by the fibre beard projecting fromroll pair 256 or pass cleanly into the fibre beard drawn out byroll pair 258. Those fibres clamped in the nips of roll pairs 256, 258 will not cause any problems (provided they are not clamped in both nips) - the remaining "swimming" (shorter) fibres between the nips will be subjected to a drafting force during the severing operation, but should remain under control due to the frictional engagement with their neighbours in the fibre sheet as it is drawn apart (due to the "force fields" created in the fibre sheets by the nips). An operation of this type gives two properly prepared ends (upstream and downstream). - In a short staple combing machine, the longest fibre in the sheet of fibres to be processed will normally have a fully extended length not greater than about 45 mm. The distance D should normally be chosen in the
range 60 mm to 120 mm, the preferred distance being 90 mm. This will give fibre beard lengths L in therange 20 mm to 60 mm, the preferred length L being about 40 mm. - Fig. 17 shows an alternative arrangement. The
sheet 250 of fibres is clamped betweennipper jaws 260, 262 (for example, similar to the nipper jaws of the combing unit). If thesheet 250 extends to a nip roll pair (similar to roll pair 258) downstream (to the right) ofnippers 260, then the relevant considerations regarding spacing of the nip lines are the same as those explained for Fig. 16, and they will remain the same if that downstream roll pair is replaced by a second pair of nipper jaws similar to thenippers - A severing (and end preparing) operation could, however, be performed on the
sheet 250 to the right ofnipper jaws straight comb 264 into the sheet to the right of the nip line and combing out the fibre beard clamped in the nip. Such an operation could be used, for example, to prepare the end of an incoming lap. In order to ensure a controlled lap end, thecomb 264 must be inserted into the lap at a distance from the nip line such that the fibres remaining in the fibre beard are either clamped in the nip or controlled by engagement with other fibres in the sheet (by the "force field" created by the nip). The same effect can be obtained by exerting a very strong suction force on a sheet end projecting from thenippers 260, 262 (for example by means of a suction nozzle diagrammatically indicated in dotted lines at 266) or by processing the lap end with a rotary comb indicated at 265. Such an operation gives only one prepared end. An arrangement as described with reference to Fig. 17 has been used as the basis of the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, representing a modification of the conventional arrangement shown in Fig. 10: - As shown in Fig. 11, the "accumulator bar" 224 is replaced in the modified embodiment by a pair of transport rolls 228, 230 and a pressure roll 232 (similar to the
pressure roll 11 in Figure 1) is associated withlap carrier roller 202. A suction nozzle, diagrammatically indicated at 234, is connected by a flexible lead (indicated schematically at 236) to a source ofunderpressure 238. The suction nozzle is movable between a withdrawn position (not shown) and an advanced position (Figure 11) in which the suction effect exerted by the nozzle acts on the lap immediately downstream from the nip created by theroller 202 and thepressure roll 232. - The device operates as follows:
- - First a prepared end is formed on the outgoing lap by stopping
roller 202 while drivingrolls roller 202 withpressure roll 232, - - As already described, this will give an upstream prepared end (on the lap extending back to the roll 202) and a downstream prepared end (on the "trailing" end of the length of lap extending to the nipping elements). The prepared trailing end of the latter is held just upstream from the nip line of the
roll pair 228, 230 (as already described with reference to therolls roll pair roll 208 end cushion plate 206). - - Next the remaining lap on the old roll is then removed by any suitable means (for example, only, by feeding it forward into the
suction nozzle 234 which has been moved to its operative position shown in Figure 11). The expired roll is then replaced by a new roll, e.g. as described with reference to Figure 5, - - Then, a prepared end is then formed on the new lap by feeding it into the nip formed by
roller 202 andpressure roll 232 and then applying suction fromnozzle 234 to the lap end exposed from the nip, thereby carrying away any fibres not firmly held by the nip or the force field generated thereby (as described with reference to Fig. 17), - - The prepared, leading end on the new lap is then moved straight down until it lies on the prepared end previously formed on the old lap still "threaded" with the
rolls roll pair 228 is preferably located in the dotted line position shown in Figure 11 - it is then unnecessary to provide for diversion of the prepared lap end from its movement straight downwards. Ifroll pair - - The join is formed as described with reference to Figure 1 by restarting the feed at all points along the path from the
carrier roller 202 to thefeed roll 208, the superposed lap ends being pressed together in this case by therolls - It will be clear that, the
pressure roll 232 shown in Figure 11 could be replaced by a clamping bar laid against thestationary carrier roller 202 to form a nip. - In comparing the arrangement shown in Figure 11 with that shown in Figure 1, the following can be noted:
- - The arrangement shown in Figure 11 does not require a diverter means (similar to the
elements - - The arrangement shown in Figure 11 also does not require an additional pair of rolls similar to the
rolls suction device 234 in conjunction with a nip formed on thecarrier roller 202. - The arrangement according to Figure 1 has two advantages:
- 1. First, the basic arrangement of a machine as illustrated in Figure 9 remains unaffected - the
roll pair - 2. Second, the end preparation provided by drawing the lap apart by means of roll pairs (16, 17; 13, 14; 11, 9) is likely to be better than that obtainable from a suction device such as nozzle 234 (Figure 11).
- Figure 11 does show that the first end preparation step (on the outgoing lap) can be performed by the roll pair subsequently used to press the lap ends together (the "joining" or "pressing" rolls 16, 17 in Figure 1). Thus, in the arrangement of Figure 1, the outgoing lap end can be prepared by nipping the lap at the
roll pair operating roll pair roll pair - After performing this first end preparation step, roll
pair additional roll pair roll pair 16, 17 (as shown in Figure 1) thereby necessitating the diverter means 19, 20 in order to place the downwardly moving incoming lap onto the prepared end of the outgoing lap held by theroll pair - In the light of these remarks, several further possible modifications of the arrangement shown in Figure will be readily understandable, namely:
- First if the machine can be widened, then the incoming lap can be fed horizontally from the
roller 9 to theroll pair - Second, the
roll pair plates 113, 114 (Figure 9) instead of at the infeed to plate 113 (as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1). The other clamping nip could then be provided at infeed toplate 113. In this case also, means would be required to "carry" the prepared end of the incoming lap over the horizontal path from the upstream nip to rollpair - Third, the
roll pair nozzle 234 in Figure 11) or comb could be used to prepare the end of the incoming lap held at the nip formed bycarrier roller 9 and pressure roll 11 (Fig. 1). - A practical difficulty may arise where it is necessary to transmit drive to an element which is not fixed relative to the machine frame during normal operation (e.g., the
roll 228 in Figure 11). It is, however, possible to form the clamping nip only at the time of performing a lap piecing operation by moving the second roll of the pair (roll 230) from a withdrawn position into engagement with the guiding roll (228) in response to a signal that lap piecing is required. Drive can be applied to the second roll and can be transmitted by friction to the guide roll (228) which is merely supported for free rotation about its own axis. - During normal operation, when the drive roll (roll 230) is returned to its withdrawn position, the guide roll (228) is free to swing as required by the normal machine operation. Drive contact of the drive roll with the guide roll can be broken off as soon as the joined lap ends have passed through the nip formed between the joining or pressing rolls.
- In all embodiments, it is desirable to provide a "channel" through which the joined ends have to pass to the feed roll (110, Figure 1; 208, Figure 10) after leaving the pair of joining rolls. The "channel" should provide guide faces directed towards both major surfaces of the lap. A suitable channel can be formed by modifying the
plates 113, 114 (Figure 9), e.g. as shown byplates 313, 314 (Figure 12). This (partial) "enclosure" of the joined ends as they travel to the feed roll reduces the risk of drawing apart of the (relatively) weak join region of the sheet of fibres. - Figure 13 illustrates a modification of the lap roll carrier. In this case, the axis of the roller 10 (Figure 1) is fixed relative to the machine frame and a
pusher 300 is provided to push the expiredroll core 8a out of the carrier unit. Piston andcylinder unit 23 acts in this case on thepusher 300 instead of on the support forcarrier roller 10. - Figure 14A, 14B and 14C show respective modifications of the lap end finding arrangement. In each case, the outermost winding of lap on the roll is indicated diagrammatically. These arrangements can be used in case it is desired not to provide a perforated roller as the carrier roller 9 (Figure 1). In Figure 14A, a mechanical "scraper" 302 is used to "peel" the lap end off the roll as the latter is rotated by the carrier rollers.
Scraper 302 extends over the whole width of the lap roll and is moved against the roll surface (e.g. by a piston and cylinder unit 304) in response to a signal from the control unit when a new lap roll is placed on the carrier unit (e.g. as shown in Figure 5). The free edge of the scraper can be indented. - Figure 14B shows a perforated tube or
nozzle 304 which can be used to generate an airstream at the roll surface to peel off the lap end. This airstream can be generated by pressure air or by suction. The tube ornozzle 304 can also be moved into place (from a suitable withdrawn position, not shown) for the lap end finding operation. The tube or nozzle extends over the whole width of the lap roll. - Figure 14C shows a roller 306 with radially extending "arms" 308 which can be brought against the external surface the roll to peel off the lap end. The roller 306 is also carried, for example by a swingarm (not shown), for movement between a with drawn position (not shown) and an operative position as illustrated. In the operative position, the roller can be rotated about its own longitudinal axis. Roller 306 also extends over the whole width of the lap roll.
- Figure 18 shows schematically a drive system suitable for an arrangement as shown in Figure 1. In this arrangement, the lower pressing or joining
roll 17 is driven from the normal combing machine drive system, replacing in this respect the lap roll carrier roller 100 (Fig. 9) which is normally integrated into the combing machine drive system. The operation of theroll 17 is therefore directly linked with the operation of the combing unit by the normal combing machine control system. - An auxiliary drive is now provided for the additional elements involved in the piecing operation, namely
- - the carrier unit comprising the
carrier rollers 9, 10 (together with pressure roll 11), and - - the transport or end-preparing
rolls - A first
auxiliary motor 340 is provided (for example in the machine end head) and is linked by a suitable transmission (for example a toothed belt 342) withgear wheels 344 associated withrollers tensioning roll 346 can be provided to keep the belt taut. - A second
auxiliary motor 348 is provided (also, for example, in the machine end head) and is coupled for example by a toothed belt with agear wheel 352 associated with thelower roll 14 of theroll pair rolls - The drive arrangement shown in Fig. 18 is the preferred arrangement in which the end preparation is carried out by means of the auxiliary drive (acting an roller pairs 9,11 and 13, 14) and the joining operation (performed by
roll pair 16, 17) is integrated into the normal machine drive system i.e. is compled with the drive to the combing unit. - The
rolls support frame 354 can then be swung upwardly about the pivot mounting 356 to move the pressure rolls away from their drive cylinders and to give access to the lap movement path for servicing the combing head. - Referring to Figures 19 and 20, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the combing machine has a pair of joining or pressing
rollers preparation rollers rollers motor 340 driving thecarrier rollers motor 348 driving the transportingroller 14. These motors are additional to the main combing machine drive schematically illustrated at 360. Drive 360 operates the combing assembly (not shown in Fig. 19) and also the joining or pressingrollers pulse signal generator 362 is included in the drive transmission to theroller pair generator 362 provides a signal to acentral control 364 which can thereby ensure synchronization of the auxiliary drives 340, 348 with the main combing machine drive 360 as and when necessary (e.g. during normal operation of the machine). - Figure 19 concentrates upon the drive arrangements and their integration into the overall control system. As already described with reference to Figure 18,
rollers first sensor 366 to determine the presence or absence of lap on thetube 8a supported on thecarrier rollers second sensor 368 to detect the presence or absence of lap on the path extending between the roller pairs 13, 14 and 16, 17. - The operation of the system can be seen from Figure 21 which will first be described as a timing diagram. Section A of Figure 21 illustrates the change in condition of the
drive 340 to thetransport rollers drive 348 for carrier rolls 9, 10 over the same time interval. Section C of Figure 1 represents the condition of thedrive 360 for the combing machine (and in particular for the joiningroller pair 16, 17) over the same time interval. Finally, sections D, E, F and G indicate respectively the operating conditions of the divertingsystem 19, 20 (Figure 1) the tube ejecting means 23 (Figure 1), the vacuum source 370 (Figure 19) for thesuction removal system 26 and the source of vacuum (not shown) for perforated end finding device represented in Figures 1 and 19 by theperforated carrier roll 9. At time T0, the machine is in its normal operating condition so that all of thedrives main drive unit 360. This speed is dependent upon a setting fed into the machine (e.g. manually) via thecontrol system 364. Thedrives drive 360 by means of the output signal fromgenerator 362 and the corresponding control signals fed todrives control unit 364. The other elements whose operating conditions are indicated in the diagram of Figure 21 are inoperative at time T0. - At time T1, one of the sensors 366 (Figure 20) detects the end of the lap in its combing head and sends a corresponding signal to the
central control unit 364.Control unit 364 immediately cancels the synchronisation ofdrives drive 360, taking direct control of the operating speeds of all motors. After a short delay,control unit 364 disables thedrive 340 so that thecarrier rollers drives stationary roller pair roller pair - After a predetermined time delay t,
control 364 disables themain machine drive 360 so that the combing heads in general and the joiningrollers rollers - At time T3,
control 364 restarts thedrive 340 for thecarrier rollers carrier rollers transport rollers suction system 26 as quickly as possible. The suction system itself has been previously energized, preferably at the time of first stopping ofcarrier rollers - Operation of
drives suction removal system 26 is continued until all of the sensors 368 (Figure 20) have indicated to thecontrol system 364 that no lap can be detected within their sensing fields.Control 364 therefore has to register the condition of each of thesensors 368 and can only proceed to the next stage of the piecing operation when the appropriate signal is received from thelast sensor 368 to detect continuing presence of lap in its combing head. When the end of this last lap is detected (T4)control 364 switches off thedrive 340 to thecarrier rollers transport rollers - There follows a brief time interval in which the device 23 (Figure 1) is operated (section F of Figure 21) to eject the empty
lap support tube 8a and a new lap roll is placed upon thecarrier rollers machine control 364, the movements of the incoming lap rolls will be separately determined by a transport system control. During the interval in which new lap rolls are being put in place by the transport system, the combing machine itself will be inoperative but since this interval is very short, the drive to thetransport rollers - At time T5, the transport system indicates to the
control 364 that new lap rolls have been placed on the carrier rolls 9, 10 at each of the combing heads under the control ofunit 364. This unit therefore causes restart of the carrier rolls 9, 10 to enable performance of a lap end finding operation as described with reference to preceding Figures. For this purpose, suction is applied to the perforated roller 9 (section G of Figure 21). Thedrive 340 torollers control unit 364 indicates that a new lap has been detected within its sensing field. The machine is therefore ready for the second end preparation step. - At time T6, therefore,
unit 364 again switches off thedrive 340 while maintaining drive to transportrollers roller pair roller pair suction system 26 which is still operative. The second end preparation step is thus completed and it is now necessary to move the prepared end of the new lap forward in order to superimpose it upon the prepared end of the old lap previously located at the joiningrollers - After a predetermined time delay (not particularly indicated in the diagram) sufficient to allow the end preparation step (including removal of the waste material), drive 340 is restarted at time T7 in order to feed the prepared lap end forward to the joining
rollers means 19, 20 (Figure 1) is operated as indicated in section D of Figure 21. At time T8 after a further selectively adjustable time delay (not particularly indicated in Figure 21) drive 340 and also drive 348 are deenergised bycontrol unit 364 so that the feed of the new lap end ceases with that lap end correctly placed for joining with the old lap end. The adjustability of the time delay at this stage ensures correct superposition of the two prepared lap ends. - After a very short delay to ensure run out of the drives, the combing
machine drive 360 is re- started at time T9. At this time also, the synchronising control link from thesignal generator 362 via thecontrol unit 364 to the auxiliary drives 340, 348 is reestablished, so that the latter drives now operate in synchronism once more with themain comber drive 360. All of these drives are therefore accelerated in synchronism until they reach the normal operating speed and they continue in that condition until the next piecing operation is initiated by one of the sensors 366 (Figure 20). - The deflecting device 23 (Figure 1) is returned to its retracted position at some time after reestablishment of normal operating conditions, in order to set the machine in a predetermined state in readiness for the next piecing operation. The timing of this step is not critical, however, because the diverting
plate 19 does not interfere with normal operation. Thesuction system 26 is deenergised by thecontrol unit 364 at the time of extension of the divertingplate 19 to its operative position. - Figure 21 has been interpreted in the above description in terms of a timing diagram corresponding to the use of timing means to cause initiation of the various operating steps and also to control the movements of the prepared lap ends. It may be preferred, however, to eliminate time as a control parameter for the latter function and instead to use pulse signals indicating the distance travelled by the relevant lap end. For example, in relation to the first prepared lap end (on the old lap), it would be possible to use pulses emitted by the
signal generator 362 to control the positioning of the prepared lap end at the joiningrollers machine drive 360 could then be continued in operation after the start of a parting operation until a predetermined number of pulses has been counted by thecontrol unit 364. By this means, it is possible to avoid dependence of the positioning of the prepared lap end on the operating speed of the comber. This dependence arises where the optimising setting is effected in terms of a time delay t. - The second adjustable timing operation to position a lap end (the interval T7 to T8) can be eliminated by using, e.g. stepping motors in the auxiliary drives 340 and 348 and supplying operating pulses under the control of the
unit 364. - Figures 22 to 27 illustrate the basic structure and operating steps of a modified embodiment of a piecing apparatus for a comber of the same type as that illustrated in Figure 1. In particular, the arrangement shown in Figures 22 to 27 is intended for use with a lap movement path involving a "knee-bend" 380 created (e.g.) by a pair of
guide plates 113, 114 (Figure 9). The arrangement shown in Figure 22 comprises a pair oflap roll carriers rollers bend 380. - The arrangement also includes
auxiliary guide plates 381 ensuring at least partial enclosure of the path of the lap from the joiningroller pair - The arrangement furthermore comprises a
suction head 390 connected by a suitable pneumatic lead (not shown) to a vacuum source (not shown). Thishead 390 is located at a position below the length of lap travelling from the "leading"carrier roller 382 to the joiningrollers lap 385 extending betweencarrier roller 382 androller pair suction head 390 by aguide plate 392 which is shown to a larger scale in the detail sketch Figure 22A. - As shown in the Figure 22A,
plate 392 is pivotally mounted at its edge nearest tocarrier roller 382 on apivot axis 394 parallel to the axis of theroller 382. A piston andcylinder unit 396 act between theplate 392 and the machine frame (schematically indicated at 398) to hold theguide plate 392 either in the operative position shown in Figure 22 and in full lines in Figure 22A or in a retracted position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 22A. In this latter position, the lap path betweencarrier roller 382 androller pair suction head 390. -
Suction head 390 also has a special construction as illustrated in Figure 22A. The mouth section of the suction head comprises a fixedwall 400 with alip 402 and amovable wall 404 pivoted on aaxis 406 to the main head structure and provided at its outer end with alip 408. By means of asuitable operating device 410, thewall section 404 can be pivoted around theaxis 406 to movelip 408 towards and away from thelip 402, thus forming an openable and closable clamping nip at the mouth of the suction head. A further controllably adjustable means (not shown) is provided to move thecomplete suction head 390 relative to the other illustrated elements, as will become apparent from the description of the subsequent Figures. - When a signal is received from one of the combing heads indicating that lap is about to run out (e.g. from a
sensor 366 as described with reference to Figures 20 and 21), the drive toroller pair carrier rollers Plate 392 is pivoted from its normal operating condition (Figure 22) into its retracted position (Figure 23) and theloop 412 of lap formed between theroller 382 and theroller pair suction head 390 to which suction has been applied. At this time,wall 404 ofhead 390 is pivoted to a position at which the mouth of the suction head unrestricted to take up the double thickness of lap. - After an adequate length of the looped lap has been taken up by
suction head 390, the drive tocarrier rollers wall 404 is pivoted to movelip 408 into a clamping position relative tolip 402, andsuction head 390 is moved away from therollers roller pair roller 382. By observance of the conditions already described in relation to the preceding Figures it is possible in this way to produce a properlyprepared end 413 on the lap still extending to the combing assembly. In addition to parting the length of lap in thesuction head 390 from the length of lap still threaded with therollers rollers prepared end 413 relative to the joiningrollers - The mouth of
suction head 390 is now reopened to enable removal of the waste material from the clamping nip 402, 408. Anyremnant lap 415 extending back over thecarrier roller 382 is also removed by restarting feed of thecarrier rollers head 390. - In an alternative, preferred arrangement, feed of a loop (double thickness) of lap into the
suction head 390 continues until all of the lap has been removed from the (now)empty tube 414. Accordingly, when thenip suction head 390 to theroller pair carrier rollers sensor 381 having a sensing field including thecarrier roller 382. - The empty lap support tubes 414 (Figures 22 to 24) can then be ejected and replaced by fresh lap rolls 417 (Figures 25 to 27) as previously described. The
suction head 390 is then moved through the gap betweencarrier roll 382 and the pair of joiningrolls end 419 of the new lap. In this position thesuction head 390 can cooperate with other lap end finding elements as previously described with reference to the other drawings. A suitable sensor (not shown) can be provided along the tube leading tosuction head 390 in order to indicate the presence of lap within that tube, and hence the success of the end finding operation. The drive tocarrier rollers suction head 390 is operated to clamp the found lap end. The head itself is withdrawn back through the gap betweencarrier roller 382 androller pair 386, 388 (Figure 26). In the course of this movement, the new lap is parted just upstream from the clamping nips 402, 408 so that the freshleading end 416 of the new lap is properly prepared for joining with the previouslyprepared end 413 of the old lap. - The device 396 (Figure 22A) is now reoperated in order to return
guide plate 392 to its normal operating position (Figure 27). The prepared leadingend 416 of the new lap is therefore placed in a position in readiness for joining with theprepared end 413 of the old lap. The clampingnip - The
carrier rollers end 416 of the new lap into the nip of theroller pair bend 380 into the combing assembly as already described with reference to the preceding Figures. - Figure 28 illustrates a modification of the arrangement described with reference to Figures 22 to 27. In the arrangement as shown in Figure 28, the pair of joining
rollers bend 380 so that the lap leaving these rollers is diverted downwardly directly into the combing assembly (not shown). The arrangement is otherwise identical to that shown in Figures 22 to 27. In this case, however, the lower joiningroller 388 would be required to perform a swinging movement in synchronism with the operation of the combing assembly and it would accordingly be preferable to provide this lower roller as a pressure roller which is driven only by contact with the drivenupper roller 386. The latter can be withdrawn from contact withroller 388 when the piecing operation has been completed. - Figure 29 shows a modification of the device for moving the guide plate 392 (Figure 22A). In the modified arrangement, this plate is carried by a pair of
pivotable levers common axis 395 "forward" of the joiningrollers guide plate 392 is pivotable about this axis between a first position (full lines) in which the guide plate is located to guide material to the joining rollers and a second position (dotted lines). In this latter position, thesuction head 390 can take up material delivered from the carrier rolls 382, 384 and can be moved to an end finding position as shown in Figure 25. When the guide plate is swung back to its operative or first position, its leading edge is in a position very close to the joiningroller 388 to guide the new lap end safely onto the previously prepared end on the old lap. - Figures 30 to 32 illustrate a further possibility for parting a lap to form a prepared lap end. In this case, the joining
rollers carrier rollers Rollers prepared end 447 rests in this case on aguide plate 443 fixed between the leadingcarrier roller 444 and the pair of joiningrollers - The weight of an
empty tube 448 resting on thecarrier rollers rollers roller pair empty tube 448 down onto therollers tube 448 therefore forms a nip 450 together with thefront carrier roller 444, and this is adequate (on reverse rotation of roller 444) to draw back the lap and cause the required severing operation. - Figure 31 illustrates an appropriate pressing means in the form of a pair of
carrier rods ciprocable connecting rod 456 of double-acting piston andcylinder unit 458. Eachcarrier rod support 460 which is fixed to part of themachine frame 462 between thelap carrier rollers roller 464 visible in Figure 31) for feeding material to the adjacent combing head. Eachrod roller 466 rotatably mounted on its free end. - When piston and
cylinder unit 458 is operated in one sense, therods empty tubes 448 at the associated (adjacent) combing stations (or with the laps previously carried by those tubes). However, as one step in placing the machine in condition for a piecing operation,unit 458 is operated to moverods roller 466 engages the internal surface of the associatedempty tube 448 to push the tube down firmly onto therespective carrier rollers rollers tube 448 has two associatedpressing rollers 466, one at each end of the tube. - The pressing means could of course apply a force to the exterior of the
tube 448 and could even be provided by the incoming lap resting on the old tube. However, it is preferred to provide a device directly under the control of the machine and located at a position such that it cannot interfere with an incoming lap. - The lap remnant severed from the old lap section still extending through the joining
rollers rearward carrier roller 446. For this purpose, the rotation of thecarrier rollers suction head 470 and the rotation of these rollers is then reversed again so that they rotate once more in the normal feed direction. As the severed end of the lap remnant is brought back over the mouth of the suction head, it is separated from thetube 448 and diverted into the suction head by air flows generated by the suction then applied. Rotation of the tube is continued in the normal feed sense until asuitable sensor 469 indicates that all the remnant has been taken into the suction head. - The now
empty tube 448 is first released by operation of unit 458 (Fig. 31) to retract thepressing rollers 466 and is then ejected by a suitable mechanism (for example as previously described). A fresh lap 480 (Figure 32) is then placed on thecarrier rollers free lap end 482 lies close to but "upstream" from therear carrier roller 446 considered in the normal direction of rotation of the lap for feed of material into the combing head, i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 32. - The
carrier rollers free lap end 482 is thus brought into alignment with thesuction head 470 which is still subjected to underpressure from amanifold 484. The free lap end is peeled off the lap by the suction air flow and is drawn into thesuction lead 470. -
Suction head 470 is similar to thesuction head 390 described with reference to Figure 22A in that it has an openable and closable mouth portion comprising alip 486 on apart 488 joined to the main body of the suction head by means of aflexible strip 490. A piston andcylinder unit 492 is provided to open and close the mouth portion thereby opening and closing a clamping nip formed by thelip 486 and the surface of the suction head facing that lip. - The manifold 484 is carried by a
link 494 pivotable about the axis of therear carrier roller 446. Thus, when the free lap end has been taken in by the suction head 470 (which can be detected by a suitable sensor, not shown, in the suction head itself), thecarrier rollers suction head 470 is closed by operation ofunit 492 and the manifold 484 is pivoted in an anti-clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 32) around the axis of theroller 446. The lap section held by the clamping nip inhead 470 is thereby parted from the fibre "fringe" or "beard" projecting from the "nip" formed between the main body of the lap roll itself and therear carrier roller 446. By attention to the end preparation requirements already explained with reference to Figures 15A and 15B, a properly prepared end is thereby provided on the fresh lap. - The lap 480 is now again rotated in the normal feed direction (by setting
carrier rollers - The newly found end is then permitted to drop onto the
guide plate 443 which is still carrying the previously prepared end of the old lap as already described with reference to Figure 30. A mechanical device (not shown) could be provided both to assist peeling of the new lap end off the main lap roll, to direct it downwards onto theplate 443 with the old lap end and to hold those lap ends together as the system is restarted to move the superposed ends into the joiningrollers - Referring to Figure 33 the pressing means for urging lap core or
tube 448 against the lap carrier rolls 464 (only one roll visible in Figure 33) may include a pair ofrollers 475. As shown, therollers 475 are independently mounted, one at each end of thetube 448 when the latter is in a normal position on the carrier rolls 464. Eachroller 475 is carried by a piston andcylinder unit 472 operable to reciprocate therespective roller 475 between a retracted position (shown in full lines in Figure 33) and an extended position (partially shown in dotted lines). Eachroller 475 is freely rotatable on a rod (not visible in Figure 33) connecting the roller with its associated piston so as to rotate on a common axis of rotation with the other roller. Eachroller 475 has a frusto-conical end portion 474 which engages a correspondingbevelled surface 487 on the adjacent end of thetube 448. - As indicated in Fig. 33, the carrier rolls 464 can be fluted. When the
pressing rollers 475 are urged into their extended positions, the contact with thebevelled surfaces 487 forces thetube 448 downwardly onto the fluted rolls 464 and forms an adequate friction drive connection such that therollers 475 rotate with thetube 448. - Figure 34 shows a modification of the pair of joining or
pressing rolls upper roll 440 between an operative position for pressing lap ends together and a retracted position. In the arrangement shown, the moving means includes a piston (not seen) of a piston and cylinder unit 489 connected to theupper roll 440 for movement of theroll 440 between the retracted position (shown in full lines) and an extended or operative position (partly illustrated in dotted lines). When in the operative position, theupper roll 440 forms the nip required for end preparation and for piecing the lap ends. Theupper roll 440 can be retracted when these operations have been completed. - The
lower roll 442 is driven by suitable means (not shown) and is freely rotatable on its support. The drive to thelower roll 442 may be switched off when theupper roll 440 is retracted. Thelower roll 442 then serves as a simple guide. - In the embodiment shown in Fig. 32, pivoting of the manifold 484 may be unnecessary if the
rolls suction device 470 and clamped therein. It is of course also possible to perform the end preparation step on the new lap by both pivoting the manifold 484 and simultaneously setting therolls - Fig. 35 indicates diagrammatically the application of the invention to an alternative type of lap processing machine, known as a ribbon lap machine. This machine is used in preparing the laps to be fed to the combing machine itself.
- The ribbon lap machine is the second machine in a pair of combing preparation machines, the first machine (the sliver lap machine) of the pair converting sliver infeed material to a lap and the second machine (the ribbon lap machine) drafting and doubling the resultant laps to ensure an appropriate feed to the comber. Accordingly, there is also a need for a good piecing system to enable automated operation of the ribbon lap machine. Further details of the ribbon lap machine can be found in the book of Zoltan S. Szaloki already referred to.
- The conventional ribbon lap machine includes, as indicated in Fig. 35, a pair of lap carrier rolls 500, 502 essentially the same as those shown, for example, at 444, 446 in Fig. 30. The full lap (partially indicated in dotted lines at 504) presented to the ribbon lap machine for processing therein is also formed on a central core or
support tube 506, which remains resting on therolls - A
guide plate 508 is conventionally provided between thelap carrier unit 510 and a lap processing unit provided in this machine by adrafting unit 512. The drafting unit comprises three drafting zones defined between aninfeed roller pair 514, adelivery roller pair 516 and two middle roller pairs 518, 520. The sets of upper and lower drafting rollers haverespective cleaning belts rollers 526. The moving clearing belts collect lint from the sides of rollers remote from the nips between the roller pairs. - After leaving the
drafting unit 512, the drafted lap is doubled with laps similarly drafted in neighbouring drafting heads, and the doubled laps are fed to a lap roll building unit (not shown). This aspect of the machine is irrelevant to the present invention and will not be dealt with further herein. - The conventional arrangement shown in Fig. 35 can be modified as follows to enable operation in accordance with the present invention:
- 1. a lap tube ejecting mechanism 534 (Fig. 6), for example as shown in Fig. 1 at 23 or in Fig. 13, is associated with the
lap roll carriers - 2. a pair of pressing or joining rollers 530 (Fig.
- 6) is provided, similar to the
rollers rollers - 3. an end preparation device is provided to prepare the end of an outgoing lap to be located just upstream from the joining or pressing rollers (this device could be in the form of a
suction unit 532, Fig. 6, such as theunit 390 in Fig. 22, or it could comprise means to use the empty lap support tube to form a nip as described with reference to Fig. 31 and Fig. 33), - 4. an end preparation device is also provided to prepare the end of the incoming lap (this device can be the
device 532 as referred to under Point 3 above, or it can be a separate end preparing device, for example theunit 470 in Fig. 30). - The piecing procedure for a ribbon lap machine so modified is identical to that already described with reference to the combing machine, so that it is not believed necessary to repeat the piecing sequence or the details of the drives and control sequences.
- A modified arrangement with
additional elements
Claims (7)
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9009939 | 1990-05-02 | ||
GB9009939A GB2244726A (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-05-02 | Combing machine |
US552697 | 1990-07-16 | ||
US07/552,697 US5027475A (en) | 1989-11-03 | 1990-07-16 | Method and apparatus for automatic piecing of comber laps |
EP19910106835 EP0455171B1 (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1991-04-26 | Textile machine |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910106835 Division EP0455171B1 (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1991-04-26 | Textile machine |
EP91106835.1 Division | 1991-04-26 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0683255A2 true EP0683255A2 (en) | 1995-11-22 |
EP0683255A3 EP0683255A3 (en) | 1996-01-10 |
EP0683255B1 EP0683255B1 (en) | 1998-12-09 |
Family
ID=26297029
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910106835 Expired - Lifetime EP0455171B1 (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1991-04-26 | Textile machine |
EP95107854A Expired - Lifetime EP0683255B1 (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1991-04-26 | Textile machine |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910106835 Expired - Lifetime EP0455171B1 (en) | 1990-05-02 | 1991-04-26 | Textile machine |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP0455171B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2763968B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1049459C (en) |
CS (1) | CS126691A3 (en) |
DE (2) | DE69130619T2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999015453A1 (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 1999-04-01 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Preparation of a cotton wool end of a line of cotton wool |
ITBS20100130A1 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-01-24 | Marzoli Combing & Flyer S P A | LAPTOP DEVICE FOR A STRAINER |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1260518B (en) * | 1992-06-03 | 1996-04-09 | Claudio Locatelli | PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL OF A COMBINING MACHINE |
CH685945A5 (en) * | 1992-10-16 | 1995-11-15 | Rieter Ag Maschf | Apparatus for reel change. |
US5430917A (en) * | 1992-12-11 | 1995-07-11 | Howa Machinery, Ltd. | Method and apparatus for piecing lap sheets |
WO1995000686A1 (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1995-01-05 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Device for feeding a lap to a combing head of a combing machine |
EP0770716A1 (en) | 1995-10-23 | 1997-05-02 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Production of a combed ribbon-lap |
IT1306948B1 (en) * | 1999-01-14 | 2001-10-11 | Marzoli Spa | PROCEDURE AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR REPLACING THE CABLE, PREPARING AND JOINING ITS LINES AND STARTING UP IN A |
DE102006002390B4 (en) * | 2006-01-17 | 2021-04-15 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Adjustment device for a textile material processing machine |
JP5201234B2 (en) * | 2011-03-22 | 2013-06-05 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Wrap supply control device and wrap supply control method in comber |
JP5967119B2 (en) * | 2014-03-11 | 2016-08-10 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Automatic lap joint |
JP6670541B2 (en) * | 2014-10-30 | 2020-03-25 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Lap cutting method at lap change in comba |
JP6295922B2 (en) * | 2014-11-05 | 2018-03-20 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Preparation method of lap edge in comber |
JP6194871B2 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2017-09-13 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Wrap splicer in comber |
JP6372476B2 (en) * | 2015-11-02 | 2018-08-15 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Method and device for lap cutting in comber |
CN106319693B (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2023-04-11 | 江苏凯宫机械股份有限公司 | Intelligent combing machine tail roll finishing device |
CN106435856B (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2023-09-08 | 江苏凯宫机械股份有限公司 | Intelligent comber material conveying device |
JP6766749B2 (en) * | 2017-05-18 | 2020-10-14 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Comb |
CN107794604B (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2023-07-18 | 江苏凯宫机械股份有限公司 | Tail roll sucking system of intelligent comber for blending various fiber rolls |
CN108754688A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2018-11-06 | 江苏凯宫机械股份有限公司 | The transmission device of intelligent combing machine automatic joint delivery roller |
CH717160A1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2021-08-31 | Rieter Ag Maschf | Combing machine with a lap guide device for an automatic lap piecer. |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2559074A (en) | 1945-05-17 | 1951-07-03 | Terrell Mach Co | Lap changer for combing machines |
US3479699A (en) | 1966-10-10 | 1969-11-25 | Maremont Corp | Combers |
EP0338300A1 (en) | 1988-04-19 | 1989-10-25 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Arrangement in a combing machine for guiding the fleece between a lap roll and a feed roll |
US4996747A (en) | 1988-11-03 | 1991-03-05 | Rieter Machine Works, Ltd. | Combing machine |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB191510394A (en) * | 1915-07-17 | 1916-10-17 | John William Nasmith | Improvements in or relating to Combing Machines. |
JPS439470Y1 (en) * | 1967-11-16 | 1968-04-24 | ||
JPS563932B2 (en) * | 1973-07-20 | 1981-01-28 | ||
CH571072A5 (en) * | 1974-02-28 | 1975-12-31 | Zellweger Uster Ag | |
IT1011122B (en) * | 1974-03-21 | 1977-01-20 | Tematex Spa | DEVICE FOR OVERLAPPING THE INITIAL CIOCCA OF A TAPE OF TEXTILE FIBERS TO THE FINAL CIOCCA OF A TAPE ALREADY TREATED IN COMBERS OR SIMILAR |
JPS5810496A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-01-21 | 田中 和幸 | Inflation tube cutting-in device |
-
1991
- 1991-04-19 JP JP3087950A patent/JP2763968B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-04-26 DE DE1991630619 patent/DE69130619T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-04-26 EP EP19910106835 patent/EP0455171B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-26 EP EP95107854A patent/EP0683255B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-26 DE DE1991615110 patent/DE69115110T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-30 CN CN 91102986 patent/CN1049459C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-05-02 CS CS911266A patent/CS126691A3/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2559074A (en) | 1945-05-17 | 1951-07-03 | Terrell Mach Co | Lap changer for combing machines |
US3479699A (en) | 1966-10-10 | 1969-11-25 | Maremont Corp | Combers |
EP0338300A1 (en) | 1988-04-19 | 1989-10-25 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Arrangement in a combing machine for guiding the fleece between a lap roll and a feed roll |
US4996747A (en) | 1988-11-03 | 1991-03-05 | Rieter Machine Works, Ltd. | Combing machine |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
ZOLTAN S. SZALOKI: "Drawing, Combing and Roving", INSTITUTE OF TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY, CHARLOTTEVILLE, VIRGINIA |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999015453A1 (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 1999-04-01 | Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag | Preparation of a cotton wool end of a line of cotton wool |
ITBS20100130A1 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-01-24 | Marzoli Combing & Flyer S P A | LAPTOP DEVICE FOR A STRAINER |
WO2012011055A1 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-01-26 | Marzoli Combing & Flyer S.P.A. | Lap forming device for a lap-winder |
JP2013535584A (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2013-09-12 | マルゾーリ エス.ピー.エー. | Lapping device for lapping machine |
DE112011102470B4 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2021-12-09 | Marzoli S.P.A. | Lap forming device for a lap winder |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH04222234A (en) | 1992-08-12 |
EP0455171A1 (en) | 1991-11-06 |
JP2763968B2 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
DE69130619T2 (en) | 1999-04-29 |
DE69115110T2 (en) | 1996-06-13 |
CN1049459C (en) | 2000-02-16 |
DE69115110D1 (en) | 1996-01-18 |
EP0455171B1 (en) | 1995-12-06 |
EP0683255A3 (en) | 1996-01-10 |
DE69130619D1 (en) | 1999-01-21 |
CN1056321A (en) | 1991-11-20 |
EP0683255B1 (en) | 1998-12-09 |
CS126691A3 (en) | 1992-01-15 |
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