EP3184676A1 - Fibre processing installation and method for opening and mixing fibre material in a fibre processing installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fiber processing plant for opening and mixing fiber material, comprising a plurality of bale openers (2) for opening fiber bales (FB) and downstream of the bale openers (2) conveying means (4a, 4b, 14a, 14b) for mixing and discharging the open fiber material to a downstream processing device (10), for example, a mixing chamber or Krempelspeisung. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the bale openers (2) are subdivided into at least two breaker groups (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) which each generate a fiber mixture (M1, M2) and in that each breaker group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) is associated with a conveying device (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b), wherein the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) are configured and arranged in such a way that the respective fiber mixture (M1, M2) with respect to its associated one Opener group (3a, 3b, 13a, 13b) in different directions (R1, R2, R1 ', R2') transported away and the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) before or in the processing device (10) to a total fiber mixture (GM) are merged. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for opening and mixing fiber material in a fiber processing plant.

Description

The invention relates to a fiber processing plant for opening and mixing of fiber material, for. B. Cotton u. Like., With a plurality of bale openers for opening fiber bales and with the bale openers downstream conveyors for mixing and discharging the open fiber material to a downstream processing device, such as a mixing chamber or Krempelspeisung. The invention also relates to a method for opening and mixing fiber material in a fiber processing plant.

Bale openers are used to coarse loosening of fibers of natural or synthetic origin from fiber bales. There are different types of bale openers, i.a. those in which the bales are placed close to each other and one arm of the machine slowly passes over it, while he loosens and sucks individual fiber lumps. Since several bales are placed side by side, already here is a mixture of fiber clumps of different bales. This improves the mix. In other known bale openers, each bale opener weighs its fiber material and delivers it to the associated conveyor. Such bale openers are designed for example as a weighing box feeder, in which only a certain predetermined amount of fibers is dispensed. Processed materials are, for example, man-made fibers made of PP, PA, PES etc.

The removal of the opened and weighed fiber material is done either by means of a conveyor belt on which the fiber material taken from the row of bales falls or is deposited. Alternatively, the dissolved fiber material is removed by means of a suction conveyor. The opened and possibly mixed fiber material is generally collected or a subsequent processing machine, for. B. a card, card or the like. fed, which is equipped with a box feeder or a hopper as a feeder.

Frequently, several bale openers are placed side by side to increase the throughput and to make the mixture even more effective by common promotion on the conveyor belt. However, the total number of bale openers is an upper limit of usually up to six machines, since - without redesigns of the facilities involved - the fiber volume of the available conveyors, i. the conveyor belt (s) can no longer be mastered. Also, the scales placed on the transport path are not able to weigh very large amounts of fiber.

It is an object of the present invention to increase the fiber material throughput of a fiber processing plant according to the preamble of the independent claims, without the significant redesigns would have to be made on existing machines.

This object is achieved by a fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bale openers is divided into at least two Öffnergruppen, each producing a fiber mixture. Each opener group in this case is associated with a conveyor, wherein the conveyors are able to remove the fiber mixtures in relation to the associated breaker group in different directions. The conveyors are guided in their further course in the direction of said processing device, before or in which the fiber blends are combined to form a total fiber mixture.

The object is also achieved by a corresponding method according to the independent method claim.

In particular, the invention offers the advantage that at least two conveyors are designed and arranged such that they are capable of transporting the respectively associated fiber mixture of one opener group in each direction relative to the respective breaker group. The conveying devices are preferably brought together again immediately before (or even in) the processing device so that the total fiber mixture can be processed in the processing device, preferably a mixing chamber or a carding feed. In this way, in particular known conveyors and known scales can be used. These are then preferably used in each case for one of the fiber material partial streams or fiber mixtures.

The term fiber mixture in the present case is understood to mean a fiber accumulation which contains fibers obtained from several bale openers and mixed with one another, which are mixed and transported on a conveyor belt (or else several conveyor belts running side by side).

Opener groups according to the invention need not occur as a spatially connected group of bale openers. While this may well be the case in most applications, the term "breaker group" generally refers to the corresponding functional unit which dispenses fibrous material onto a conveyor which transports the fibers of these bale openers in a common direction. Also by the term "conveyor" is meant the device in terms of its function of mixing and transporting away fibers obtained from a breaker group.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bale openers of at least two opening groups are arranged in a row. With a total of two opener groups with a total of, for example, ten bale openers, so these ten bale openers are next to each other, each

Opener group includes, for example, five bale openers. The distribution may also be, for example, six to four bale openers or seven to three bale openers. In these two opener groups, one conveyor conveys the fiber mixture of one opener group in one direction and the other conveyor of the other opener group in another direction.

Alternatively or additionally, the bale openers of at least two breaker groups are arranged opposite one another (directly opposite or offset from one another), said conveyors conveying the fiber mixtures relative to the respective breaker group in opposite directions and in absolute terms in a common direction. In the case of two opposing breaker groups, the fiber mixture of one opener group to the right and the fiber mixture of the oppositely disposed breaker group to the left are removed, viewed from the back of a bale opener in the direction of its exit. Both directions then run parallel and are the same orientation (have the same orientation). In particular, in this embodiment, it makes sense if the two conveyors as a common conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, are formed, on which the two fiber blends are conveyed in the transport direction substantially side by side. The two fiber blends can also be mechanically pushed against each other to reduce their overall conveying width.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the conveyors comprises one or more conveyor belts. In this case, a conveyor belt is able to transport the fibers off one or more or all bale openers of an opener group. For example, a single conveyor belt may be responsible for an opener group, or else a plurality of conveyor belts connected in series, in particular to allow directional changes of the conveying direction. In this case, several conveyor belts can then be arranged one behind the other at an angle to one another. According to one embodiment, a plurality of conveyor belts run close to each other to convey away the fiber material from the bale openers of an opener group. On the conveyor belt (s), the fiber material obtained from an opener group is mixed. When changing the direction of the conveyor then joins another, angled series of closely adjacent conveyor belts.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the conveying devices is designed as a conveying tube, in which a fiber mixture is pneumatically conveyed.

Particularly preferably, the processing device is preceded by a separate collecting device, to which the conveying devices lead and in which the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) are brought together. The collecting device is therefore upstream of the processing device and ensures that the processing machine is supplied with the total fiber mixture.

The collecting device is advantageously designed as a fiber storage or as a fiber air separator, in which the fibers are at least partially separated from the surrounding air. The air is sucked out, for example, through a sieve that the fibers can not pass.

Preferably, the processing device is a supply device, in particular a box feeder or a hopper, upstream, which is preceded by the collection device. The delivery sequence of the fibers is therefore as follows: fiber bales - bale openers - conveyors that run in different directions - collecting device - possibly feeding device - processing machine.

In another embodiment, the fiber blends are first brought together in the processing machine.

It is also possible for each fiber mixture to pass through a fiber air separator before the fiber mixtures are brought together, for example in a funnel or a further fiber air separator, in order then to be transferred to the processing machine.

The invention also relates to a method for opening and mixing fiber material in a fiber processing plant, in particular a fiber processing plant as described above, wherein the fiber material is obtained by opening fiber bales by means of a plurality of bale openers. In this case, the plurality of bale openers is subdivided into at least two breaker groups, one breaker group each producing a fiber mixture. The at least two fiber mixtures are deposited on a respective conveyor, and each conveyor transports the respective fiber mixture - in relation to the respective opening group - in a different direction. These fiber blends are combined again before or in a downstream processing device.

This method offers i.a. the advantage that the conveying and weighing processes in principle, as hitherto, i. in particular without conversions in terms of a larger design of the known machines, can be performed. For example, no extra-wide conveyor belts or scales with oversized support surfaces need to be constructed. Rather, the transport of the dissolved fiber material is divided into at least two transport paths which are different in relation to the respective breaker group and which are provided by a respective conveyor.

As stated above, in the case of opposing breaker groups, the two conveyors can also be combined in a single conveyor.

Preferably, the at least two on different transport paths (with at least partially different directions of conveyance) guided fiber mixtures in a collecting device, preferably formed as a fiber air separator or fiber mixer, mechanically and / or pneumatically together. It is for example possible that one of the at least two fiber mixtures is fed mechanically into the collecting device, while the other fiber mixture is sucked in pneumatically. In the case of more than two fiber mixtures fed to the collecting device, preferably the majority of the fiber mixtures are fed to the collecting device by means of pneumatic suction.

The combined fiber mixtures form a total fiber mixture, which is preferably first fed to a box feeder or a hopper, which in turn feeds the processing machine, for example a mixing chamber or a card feeding.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Ausführungsform einer schematisch dargestellten Faserbearbeitungsanlage, und

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine zweite Ausführungsform einer schematisch dargestellten Faserbearbeitungsanlage.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. It shows:

FIG. 1

a plan view of a first embodiment of a schematically illustrated fiber processing plant, and

FIG. 2

a plan view of a second embodiment of a schematically illustrated fiber processing plant.

In FIG. 1 schematically a fiber processing plant 1 is shown with ten in a row set bale openers 2 in plan view, which are designed for example as a weighing box feeder. The bale openers 2 are divided into two breaker groups 3 a, 3 b, which in the present case each comprise five bale openers 2 arranged directly next to one another. In some of the bale openers 2, a fiber bale FB is indicated, from which a not shown Removal device breaks off fibers. In this case, several fiber bales FB can also be placed side by side in a bale opener 2 in front of its removal device (not shown). Each of these breaker groups 3a and 3b is associated with a conveyor 4a and 4b, respectively, on which the bale openers 2 discard the fibers that are detached or opened. According to the invention, the conveying directions of the conveying sections of the two conveying devices 4a and 4b opposite the bale openers 2 run in different, here opposite, directions R1 and R2.

The arrows not provided with reference numerals on the conveyors 4a, 4b indicate the running direction of the conveyors 4a, 4b.

The conveying devices 4a, 4b comprise conveyor belts, which also serve as so-called mixing belts for mixing the fiber material deposited thereon on a respective opening group 3a or 3b of presently five bale openers 2 in each case. In this case, the mixture does not result from active mixing, but rather from the placement and / or juxtaposition of the fiber material of the bale opener 2 of a respective opening group 3a or 3b.

A conveyor 4a or 4b may be formed as a single conveyor belt or as a juxtaposition of individual conveyor belts or as a plurality of closely adjacent conveyor belts.

The conveyor 4a carries the fiber mixture M1 transported by it, which is created by depositing the bale openers 2 of the opener group 3a, directly in the direction R1 of a fiber processing device 10, while the conveyor 4b removes the fiber mixture M2 in the opposite direction R2. The fiber blends M1, M2 are indicated only on a short piece of their respective transport path.

The conveyor 4b is subdivided into a plurality of conveyor sections 5i, 5ii, 5iii, 5iv, which together form an approximately U-shaped course. Of the Conveyor section 5i leads along the opener group 3b (in the opposite direction R2 compared to the direction R1 of the conveyor 4a). After passing through the last bale opener 2, the conveyor section 5ii connects, which extends at 90 ° to the conveyor section 5i. The configuration of the conveying sections 5i, 5ii for transferring the fiber mixture M2 from one to the other conveying section 5i, 5ii (and the other subsequent transfers) is known to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained in more detail here. At the end of the conveyor section 5ii, the further conveyor section 5iii connects, wherein both conveyor sections are also offset by 90 ° to each other and the two conveyor sections 5i, 5iii are opposite. The conveyor 4b thus ensures a 180 ° deflection of the fiber mixture M2.

In each case, a weighing device or balance 6 in the transport path of the two conveyors 4a, 4b, which weighs the fiber mixture M1 or M2 and controls subsequent textile machines (for example the processing device 10) and / or upstream machines (for example the bale openers 2 and / or the Conveyors 4a, 4b) controls.

The two fiber mixtures M1, M2 finally transported in parallel in the direction R1 are fed to a collecting device 7, into which the two conveying devices 4a, 4b open. In the present case, it is indicated that the two fiber blends M1, M2 are not fed into the collecting device 7 side by side. Rather, a further conveyor section 5iv is provided on the last section of the conveyor 4b, which leads obliquely to the collecting device 7 here. Other transport methods and directions for merging the fiber blends M1, M2 are readily possible.

The collecting device 7 is presently designed as a fiber air separator, in which the fiber mixtures M1, M2 are introduced. Here, the conveyor 4a, the fiber mixture M1, for example, directly into the Discharge device 7 (mechanical feed), while the fiber mixture M2, for example, is sucked pneumatically into the collecting device 7. In the collecting device 7, the fiber mixtures M1, M2 are separated from air and combined to form a total fiber mixture GM. According to an alternative, a fiber storage may be used instead of a fiber air separator.

The collecting device 7 is adjoined by a feeding device 9, in which the total fiber mixture GM is transported, for example, by means of a belt conveyor 8. From the feed device 9, which is preferably designed as a box feeder or filling store, the total fiber mixture GM is ultimately fed into the processing device 10, for example a mixing chamber or a card feeding or a carding machine. From this, the resulting fiber mixture RM is transported away by means of a further conveyor 11. The transport of the fiber blends from the collector 7 is shown by a dashed arrow.

In the following description of the in FIG. 2 illustrated alternative embodiments are for features compared to in FIG. 1 represented in its configuration and / or mode of action identical and / or at least comparable, the same reference numerals used. Unless these are explained in detail again, their design and / or mode of action corresponds to the design and mode of action of the features already described above.

In the FIG. 2 are two opener groups 13a, 13b, each with five bale openers 2 shown schematically in plan view. When in the Fig. 2 upper opener group 13a whose fiber mixture M1 by means of the conveyor 14a - seen in relation to the output of the bale opener 2 of this Öffnergruppe 13a - transported to the right in the direction R1 ', while at the lower breaker group 13b whose fiber mixture M2 by means of the conveyor 14b - seen in relation on the exit of her bale opener 2 - is transported to the left in the direction of R2 '. With regard to the respective breaker group 13a, 13b, the two fiber mixtures M1, M2 are thus conveyed away in different, opposite directions here. These directions R1 ', R2' coincide in absolute terms (that is, not relative to the opening groups 13a, 13b) and lead to the collecting device 7.

The two conveyors 14a, 14b are in the FIG. 2 shown as a separate conveyors, for example as a separate conveyor belts. But it is also advantageous that the two conveyors 14a, 14b are formed as a single common conveyor (not shown), for example, as a relatively wide conveyor belt, which may be 2 m wide, for example. On one half of this conveyor belt, the fiber mixture M1 is then deposited from one side, while the fiber mixture M2 is dropped from the other side to the other half of the conveyor belt. By mechanical slide, the total delivery width can be reduced so that it is, for example, 80 cm and thus can go through a balance according to the prior art.

The invention has been explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are readily possible, as well as a combination of features, even if they are shown and described in different embodiments. For example, three or more breaker groups each having the same or at least partially different number of bale openers, each with a connected conveyor possible. Also, the number of bale openers per breaker group is not set to a certain number. The several opening groups of a fiber processing plant can also each have different numbers of bale openers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Fiber processing plant

2

Bale

3a

Öffnergruppe

3b

Öffnergruppe

4a

Conveyor

4b

Conveyor

5i

conveyor section

5ii

conveyor section

5iii

conveyor section

5IV

conveyor section

6

Libra

7

collecting device

8th

Conveyor

9

Power supply

10

processing device

11

Conveyor

13a

Öffnergruppe

13b

Öffnergruppe

14a

Conveyor

14b

Conveyor

M1

fiber blend

M2

fiber blend

GM

Total fiber blend

RM

Resulting mixture

R1

direction

R2

direction

R1 '

direction

R2 '

direction

Claims (13)

A fiber processing plant for opening and mixing fiber material, comprising a plurality of bale openers (2) for opening fiber bales (FB) and conveyors (4a, 4b, 14a, 14b) connected downstream of the bale openers (2) for mixing and discharging the opened fiber material into one downstream processing device (10), for example, a mixing chamber or card feeding, characterized in that the bale opener (2) in at least two Öffnergruppen (3a, 3b, 13a, 13b) are divided, each producing a fiber mixture (M1, M2), and that each opener group (3a, 3b, 13a, 13b) is assigned a conveying device (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b), wherein the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) are designed and arranged such that the respective fiber mixture (M1, M2) with respect to the associated breaker group (3a, 3b, 13a, 13b) in different directions (R1, R2, R1 ', R2') transported away and the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) before or in the Bearbeitungsse device (10) to a total fiber mixture (GM) are merged. Fiber processing plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the bale opener (2) of at least two breaker groups (3a, 3b) are arranged in a row. A fiber processing plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bale openers (2) of at least two Öffnergruppen (13a, 13b) are arranged opposite each other, wherein said conveying means (14a, 14b) the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) relative to the respective Opener group (14a, 14b) convey in opposite directions and in absolute terms in a common direction. A fiber processing plant according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two conveying devices (14a, 14b) are designed as a common conveying device, in particular a conveyor belt, on which the two fiber blends (M1, M2) are conveyed substantially side by side in the transporting direction. A fiber processing plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) comprises one or more fiber conveyor belts, preferably a conveyor belt comprising the fibers of one or more or all bale openers (2) of an opener group (3a, 3b, 13a, 13b) can carry away. Fiber processing plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) is designed as a conveying tube. Fiber processing plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (10) is preceded by a collecting device (7), to which the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) lead and in which the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) be merged. Fiber processing plant according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the collecting device (7) is designed as a fiber air separator or as a fiber storage. Fiber processing plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (10) is a feed device (9), in particular a box feeder or a hopper, upstream of which in turn the collecting device (7) is connected upstream. Method for opening and mixing fiber material in a fiber processing plant, in particular a fiber processing plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein fiber bales (FB) are opened by means of a plurality of bale openers (2), characterized in that the bale openers (2) in at least two breaker groups (3a, 3b) are subdivided, wherein in each case an opener group (3a, 3b) generates a fiber mixture (M1, M2), that the at least two fiber mixtures (M1, M2) are deposited on a respective conveying device (4a, 4b) wherein the conveying devices (4a, 4b) transport the respective fiber mixtures (M1, M2) in different directions (R1, R2; R1 ', R2') with respect to the associated opening group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b); these fiber mixtures (M1, M2) are combined before or in a subsequent processing device (10) to form a total fiber mixture (GM). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bale openers (2) of at least two opening groups (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) are arranged side by side in a row or facing each other. Method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the at least two fiber mixtures (M1, M2) in a collecting device (7), preferably formed as a fiber air separator or as a fiber storage, mechanically and / or pneumatically together. Method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the from the merger resulting total fiber mixture (GM) a feed device (9), preferably designed as a box feeder or hopper, is fed, which in turn feeds the processing machine (10).

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