EP1686204B1 - Carding machine with linearly movable casing - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of the textile industry, and relates to an improvement made to the recovery means of the rolls of a card.

Prior art

Usually a card has a plurality of cylinders which are supported by a carrier frame. At least one of these cylinders is a carding cylinder which is more commonly referred to as a "big drum" and which is provided with a carding insert. At the periphery of this carding cylinder and at the top are mounted satellite carding members. Some cards may have several successive carding cylinders.

Carding organ structures are diverse, and vary depending on the type of card. For example, in a first embodiment, the carding members are constituted by one or more successive carding groups, each carding group consisting of a first roller commonly called "worker" associated with second roller commonly called "stripper" or "Sweeper". In another embodiment, the carding members may be in the form of a fixed upper work element (also called "carding plate") having a plurality of fixed carding points at the periphery of the carding cylinder.

In operation, the fibers are introduced at the entrance of the card in the form of a fiber mat, and are individualized at the periphery of each carding cylinder (carding action) by the combined actions of the carding members and the carding member. peripheral packing of the carding cylinder.

A card also has other cylinders such as example of the sail forming cylinders which are arranged downstream of the last carding cylinder. Among these sail formation cylinders are usually and mainly the so-called "dough" cylinders, the so-called "condenser" cylinders, and the so-called "counter-drum" cylinders.

During the operation of a card, a greater or lesser amount of fiber is ejected from the rolls, and these flying fibers tend to be dispersed in the surrounding air of the card. Also, it is important that the fibers that are worked in the card is not altered by elements external to the card, in order to preserve the final quality of the nonwoven web or sails produced at the exit of the card.

In order to protect the cylinders of a carding machine and the operators, the card manufacturers have, for many years, equipped their cards with cylinder recovery means see for example FR 2 844 526. These means of recovery delimit a protective enclosure inside which are housed the cylinders of the card. In practice, these covering means generally consist of two side walls fixed to the ground and interconnected by at least one upper wall. This enclosure makes it possible both to protect the cylinders against elements external to the card and to prevent the flying fibers that have escaped from the cylinders from dispersing in the surrounding air. It is also customary to use, in combination with these covering means, a forced circulation of air from the inside to the outside of the enclosure formed by the covering means, for example by means of a fan, for example for the purpose of taking up and evacuating the flying fibers.

However, the implementation of the covering means poses a problem of accessibility to the card rolls. Now it is essential that the user of the card and the personnel responsible for carrying out the maintenance or repair operations of the card can have physical access to the card rolls the easiest and most quickly possible. To date, this access is made possible for example by providing, in the upper wall or in the side walls of the covering means, doors or movable or removable access doors, which is not satisfactory from one point. view of speed and ease of access.

Objective of the invention

The present invention aims at proposing a new technical solution to the problem of access to the rolls of a card comprising means for covering said rolls. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a solution that allows quick and easy access to at least a portion of the rolls of the card, and preferably to all the cylinders of the card.

Summary of the invention

To achieve the above object, the invention relates to a new card, which is known from the prior art in that it comprises a plurality of cylinders and covering means for forming a chamber in which are housed the cylinders of the card; the card of the invention is characterized in that the covering means comprise at least one covering element which is movable in translation.

Preferably, at least one covering element is movable in translation along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rolls of the card.

• chaque élément de recouvrement est mobile en translation entre une position de couverture qui lui est propre et dans laquelle il recouvre au moins une partie des cylindres de la carde, et une position extrême d'ouverture dans laquelle il ne recouvre plus lesdits cylindres ;
• les moyens de recouvrement comportent au moins deux éléments de recouvrement qui sont mobiles en translation selon un axe perpendiculaire à direction longitudinale des cylindres de la carde ;
• au moins deux éléments de recouvrement ont des sens d'ouverture opposés ;
• au moins deux éléments de recouvrement présentent le même sens d'ouverture ;
• chaque élément de recouvrement peut de préférence être déplacé individuellement en translation sans que l'autre élément de recouvrement, qui présente le même sens d'ouverture ne soit déplacé; plus particulièrement, l'un des deux éléments de recouvrement mobiles est apte à recouvrir au moins en partie, et de préférence complètement, l'autre élément de recouvrement présentant le même sens d'ouverture ;
• le ou les éléments de recouvrement sont conçus en sorte que tous les cylindres de la carde sont découverts, lorsque chaque élément de recouvrement est dans sa position extrême d'ouverture ;
• chaque élément de recouvrement comporte deux parois latérales verticales disposées de part et d'autre des cylindres de la carde et une paroi supérieure reliant les deux parois latérales ;
• la carde comporte, pour chaque élément de recouvrement mobile, des moyens de guidage en translation ; plus particulièrement, les moyens de guidage en translation de chaque élément de recouvrement mobile comportent au moins deux rails de guidage rectilignes qui sont fixés de part et d'autre des cylindres et qui coopèrent avec des moyens de roulement solidaires des éléments de recouvrement.

More particularly, the card of the invention has the additional and optional features hereafter, taken separately or in combination with each other:

• each covering member is movable in translation between a covering position which is specific to it and in which it covers at least a portion of the rolls of the card, and an extreme open position in which it no longer covers said rolls;
• the covering means comprise at least two covering elements which are movable in translation along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rolls of the card;
• at least two cover elements have opposite opening directions;
• at least two covering elements have the same direction of opening;
• each covering element can preferably be moved individually in translation without the other covering element, which has the same direction of opening is moved; more particularly, one of the two movable covering elements is able to cover at least partly, and preferably completely, the other covering element having the same direction of opening;
• the covering element or elements are designed so that all the rolls of the card are uncovered, when each covering element is in its extreme open position;
• each covering element comprises two vertical side walls disposed on either side of the rolls of the card and an upper wall connecting the two side walls;
• the card comprises, for each mobile covering element, translation guide means; more particularly, the translational guiding means of each movable covering element comprise at least two rectilinear guide rails which are fixed on either side of the cylinders and which cooperate with bearing means integral with the covering elements.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective d'une première variante de réalisation d'une carde de l'invention équipée de moyens de recouvrement mobiles en translation,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la carde de la figure 1 avec un agrandissement en perspective des moyens de roulement d'un élément de recouvrement,
• la figure 3 comporte une vue de face et une vue de coté des moyens de roulement d'un élément de recouvrement,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de côté de carde de la figure 1, sur laquelle tous les éléments de recouvrement de la carde sont dans leur position de couverture,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de côté de carde de la figure 1, sur laquelle les deux éléments de recouvrement centraux de la carde sont dans une position intermédiaire entre leur deux positions extrêmes de couverture et d'ouverture, et les deux autres éléments de recouvrement sont dans leur position extrême de couverture,
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique de côté de carde de la figure 1, sur laquelle tous les éléments de recouvrement de la carde sont dans leur position extrême d'ouverture,
• la figure 7 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective d'une deuxième variante de réalisation d'une carde de l'invention équipée de moyens de recouvrement mobiles en translation,
• la figure 8 est une vue de côté de la carde de la figure 7, tous les éléments de recouvrement étant en position de couverture, et
• la figure 9 une vue de côté de la carde de la figure 7, tous les éléments de recouvrement étant en position d'ouverture.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description below of two preferred embodiments of a card of the invention, which Description is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example of the invention, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is an overall view, in perspective of a first variant embodiment of a card of the invention equipped with translationally movable covering means,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the card of FIG. 1 with a perspective enlargement of the rolling means of a covering element,
• FIG. 3 comprises a front view and a side view of the rolling means of a covering element,
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a card of FIG. 1, in which all the card covering elements are in their covering position,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic card side view of FIG. 1, in which the two central covering elements of the card are in an intermediate position between their two extreme positions of coverage and opening, and the other two elements of FIG. recovery are in their extreme position of cover,
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a card of FIG. 1, in which all the covering elements of the card are in their extreme open position,
• FIG. 7 is an overall view, in perspective of a second variant embodiment of a card of the invention equipped with translationally movable covering means,
• FIG. 8 is a side view of the card of FIG. 7, all the covering elements being in the covering position, and
• FIG. 9 is a side view of the card of FIG. 7, all the covering elements being in the open position.

detailed description

The attached figures show a card comprising a set 2 of cylinders (20, 21, ....) that are substantially parallel, and covering means 1 which delimit a protective enclosure E within which is housed the assembly 2 of cylinders (20, 21, ....).

The set 2 of card rolls is known per se and will therefore be very briefly described. It comprises from the inlet to the card outlet: a food roll 20, a cylinder 21, a first rotary carding cylinder 22, more commonly called a front-end, a transfer cylinder 23, still commonly called a "communicator", a second carding cylinder 24, commonly called "large drum", sail forming cylinders 25 and 26 (for example rollers of the doffer or condenser type) each forming a carding outlet. In addition, several planet gears 27 are mounted at the periphery and in the upper part of the front end 22 and the large drum 24, each carding unit 27 being composed of a sweeping roller 27a and a working roller 27b.

This set 2 of cylinders (20,21, ...) makes it possible to manufacture in parallel two non-woven webs, for example based on synthetic fibers of the polypropylene, polyethylene, ... type, and / or natural fibers of the type cotton, and / or viscose-type artificial fibers, ...

The set 2 of card rolls (20, 21, ...) of the appended figures is given by way of example only, and is not limiting of the invention. The covering means of the invention can indeed be used with any possible configuration of set of card rolls. In particular the invention can be implemented not only on any type of nonwoven card, but also on any type of wool card.

The covering means 1 are made according to a preferred embodiment of the invention which will now be detailed.

The covering means 1 consist of four individual covering elements 10, 11, 12, 13 distinct.

With reference to FIG. 1, each individual covering element 10, 11, 12, or 13 comprises two vertical lateral walls V, arranged on either side of the card rolls and an upper wall. H connecting the two side walls V. Preferably each wall H, V is translucent at least on a portion of its surface, so as to allow a visual inspection of the cylinders from the outside, when all the covering elements are in their position closure. Each individual element 10, 11, 12, 13 is for example constituted by a frame 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a (FIG. 2) which is formed of an assembly of metal sections and on which glass panels are fixed or translucent plastic 10b, 11b, 12b, 13b.

Each covering element 10, 11, 12, 13 is movable and individually guided in translation relative to the ground along an axis MD (FIG. 1) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction CD of the rolls (20, 21, ...) of the card (direction CD parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cylinders).

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the means used for the guided translation of each covering element 10, 11, 12, 13. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, to enable its guided translation movement, each covering member 10, 11, 12, 13 comprises, at the lower edge of its side walls V, rollers R mounted free in rotation, and cooperating with a raceway. More particularly, this raceway consists of a rectilinear guide rail R ', which is fixed to the ground, being oriented parallel to the translation axis MD of the covering elements. Each covering element 10, 11, 12 13 is placed, by means of its rollers R on two guide rails R ', which are specific to it, and which are fixed parallel to one another on the other hand and other cylinders of the card, and can thus roll on these two rails R 'being guided in translation.

The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned rolling structure of the type of wheels R / guide rails R ', but can be implemented with any equivalent means fulfilling the same function, that is to say with any means allowing translational guidance relative to the ground of each covering element. The rolling means (R, R ') may for example be replaced by slide-type sliding means.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show the covering elements 10, 11, 12, and 13 when they are each in their first extreme so-called covering position. In this configuration, the covering elements 10, 11, 12, 13 are substantially juxtaposed along their MD translation axis, and delimit the aforementioned protective enclosure E.

In its covering position, the covering element 10 covers the cylinders 20, 21, substantially an upstream half of the first carding cylinder 22, and the carding groups 27 at the periphery of this upstream cylinder half 22.

In its covering position, the covering element 11 covers the other downstream half of the carding cylinder 22 and the carding unit 27 at the periphery of this other downstream cylinder half 22, the communicating cylinder 23, substantially an upstream half of the second carding cylinder 24, and the rollers of the carding groups 27 at the periphery of this upstream cylinder half 24.

In its covering position, the covering element 12 covers the other downstream half of the carding cylinder 24 and the rollers of the carding groups 27 at the periphery of this other downstream half of the cylinder 24, almost all of the formation cylinder. lower sail 26 and substantially an upstream half of the upper sail forming cylinder 25.

In its covering position, the covering element 13 covers the other downstream half of the upper sail forming cylinder 25.

It will be noted that the upper walls H of the covering elements 10 and 11 are curved so as to follow as closely as possible the cylinders which are covered by these elements 10 and 11 in the covering position.

FIG. 6 shows the covering elements 10, 11, 12, and 13 when they are each in their second extreme position called opening. In this configuration, all the cylinders of the card are discovered, and are thus advantageously very easily accessible.

To bring the cover elements 10 and 11 into their extreme open position, simply pull them or push them manually so as to move them along the MD axis and in the G direction (to the left in the figures) . Conversely, to bring the cover elements 12 and 13 into their extreme open position, simply pull or push them manually so as to move them along the MD axis and in the opposite direction D (to the right on figures).

Preferably, to facilitate its operation between its two extreme positions of coverage and opening, each covering element 10, 11, 12, 13 is equipped with at least one handle or equivalent (not shown) which is fixed on one of its side walls (V).

With reference to FIG. 6, the two covering elements 10 and 11 which have the same direction of opening (direction G) are designed in such a way that the central covering element is able to completely cover the other covering element. 10, especially when the two elements 10 and 11 are in their open position. It is the same for the two covering elements 12 and 13 which have the same direction of opening (direction D), the central covering element 12 being able to completely cover the other covering element 13. of this solution, the guide rails R 'of the covering element 10 (respectively 13) are offset in position relative to the guide rails R' of the covering element 11 (respectively 12) .

This solution advantageously allows a saving of space when the covering elements are brought into their open position, with respect to another possible solution of the invention in which the covering elements can not overlap. Indeed, in the variants of the appended figures, the covering elements 10 and 11 (respectively 12 and 13), when in their open position, advantageously occupy substantially the same space on the ground as a single element 11 (respectively 12), which makes it possible to minimize the bulk of the covering elements.

In the preferred embodiment of the accompanying figures, in the extreme open position, the covering element 11 (respectively 12) completely covers the covering element 10 (respectively 13). In another variant embodiment not shown, the covering element 11 (respectively 12) could cover only part of the covering element 10 (respectively 13).

Preferably, when all the covering elements are in the extreme open position, all the rolls of the card are uncovered. Nevertheless, in another variant embodiment of the invention allowing a more limited access to the cylinders, a part of the cylinders (for example in the upstream part and / or in the downstream part of the card) could remain covered when all the elements of recovery are in their extreme open position.

When the covering elements 10, 11, 12, 13 are in their extreme open position (FIG. 6), an operator can easily physically access the open cylinders of the card, and perform, for example, routine cleaning maintenance operations or of repair. Once these operations are completed, it is sufficient for the operator to close the card by manually translating each covering element along the MD axis and in the opposite direction to its opening direction, to its covering position.

Also, in the preferred embodiment of the appended figures, it is advantageously possible to individually move a single covering element so as to discover only the cylinders to which it is desired to access. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, if it is desired to access only the upstream (respectively downstream) half of the carding cylinder 24 or the communicating cylinder 23 (respectively at the lower outlet cylinder 26 and the upstream half of the upper outlet cylinder 25), it moves in its open position only the covering element 11 (respectively 12), the other cover elements can remain in the covering position.

The variant embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 differs from the variant of FIGS. 1 to 6 in that the individual covering elements 12 and 13 above have been replaced by a single covering element 12 'that can move in translation along the axis. MD (opening direction D). Also in this variant, at least one of the vertical side walls of this covering element 12 'comprises two panels P1 and P2, one of which P2 is preferably pivotally mounted relative to the other P1, by means of hinges (FIG. 8).

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments of the appended figures. In the more general context of the invention, it will be possible, in particular, to provide covering means comprising a different number of individual covering elements. Also, in the simplest variant embodiment, the card could have only one movable covering member in translation and dimensioned so as to cover, in its covering position, all the cylinders of the card.

Claims (13)

1. A carding machine comprising a plurality of cylinders (20, 21, 22, ..., 27) and covering means enabling to form an enclosure (E) in which the carding machine cylinders are accommodated, characterised in that the covering means (1) comprise at least a covering element, designed to cover at least a part of the carding machine cylinders and which is mobile in translation.
2. A carding machine according to claim 1 characterised in that at least one covering element is mobile in translation according to an axis (MD) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (CD) of the carding machine cylinders.
3. A carding machine according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that each covering element is mobile in translation between an own covering position and in which it covers at least a part of the carding machine cylinders, and an extreme opening position in which it does not cover said cylinders anymore.
4. A carding machine according to claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the covering means (1) comprise at least two covering elements which are mobile in translation according to an axis (MD) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (CD) of the carding machine cylinders.
5. A carding machine according to claim 4 characterised in that at least two covering elements (11 and 12) have opposite directions of opening (G and D).
6. A carding machine according to one of the claims 4 or 5 characterised in that at least two covering means (10 and 11/12 and 13), have the same direction of opening (G or D).
7. A carding machine according to claim 6 characterised in that each covering means can be individually moved in translation without the other covering element, which have the same direction of opening (G or D), be moved.
8. A carding machine according to claim 6 or 7 characterised in that one (11/12) of the two mobile covering elements is able to cover at least partly the other covering element (10/13) having the same direction of opening (G/D).
9. A carding machine according to claim 8 characterised in that one (11/12) of the two mobile covering elements is able to entirely cover the other covering element (10/13) having the same direction of opening (G/D).
10. A carding machine according to one of the claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the covering elements (10, 11, 12, 13) are so designed that all the carding machine cylinders are uncovered when each covering element (10, 11, 12, 13) is in its extreme opening position.
11. A carding machine according to one of the claims 1 to 10 characterised in that each covering element comprise two vertical side walls (V) laid out on both sides of the carding machine cylinders (20, 21,...) and an upper wall (H) linking the two side walls.
12. A carding machine according to one of the claims 1 to 11 characterised in that it comprises for each mobile covering element (10, 11, 12, 13) means of guidance in translation.
13. A carding machine according to claim 12, characterised in that the means of guidance in translation of each mobile covering element (10, 11, 12, 13) comprise at least two rectilinear guide rails (R') fixed on both sides of the carding machine cylinders (20, 21,...), and which act in concert with integral means of rolling (R) of the covering elements.

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