EP3699334A1 - Feeding device of a non-woven fabric formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The feed device (8) for feeding loosened fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device (6) comprises at least a first feed segment (110) and a second feed segment (210) for feeding a starting material (114, 214), each of which has a feed roller (120, 220) include; and an opener roller (26) which cooperates with the feed rollers (120, 220) of the first and second feed segments (110, 210) for breaking up the starting material (114, 214). At least the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) are arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26). A web-forming plant (2) comprises a transport device (6) and at least one such feed device (8) for feeding fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a feed device for feeding loosened fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device, a web-forming system comprising such a feed device, and a method for forming a fiber pile or non-woven web.

In the production of nonwovens, fiber flocks are usually delivered from a fiber flock feeder to a transport device, which takes them in the form of a fiber flock mat to a pile producer, e.g. a carding machine, a web former or a bonding machine, e.g. a needle loom, transported on. As a rule, it is desirable to produce a fiber fleece with a very high degree of uniformity. Corresponding intervention options exist at various points in the system. For example, the weight of the fiber flock mat can be measured by means of a belt scale and the feed speed of the pile generator can be adjusted on this basis. As an alternative to a very uniform fiber fleece, in some applications it is also desirable to form a fleece with a surface profile.

From the EP 2 695 976 A1 a feeding device for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device is known which comprises a plurality of feed segments arranged transversely to the transport direction and horizontally next to one another. Each of these feed segments has its own draw-in roller, which interacts with an opening roller of the feed device for breaking up a starting material, for example a fiber sliver or a fiber fleece strip. This makes it possible to specifically adjust and vary the amount of fibers or fiber flocks delivered by the feed device transversely to the transport direction of the transport device and thereby compensate for defects or unevenness in the fiber flock mat or the nonwoven web or to generate a predetermined transverse profile.

Each feed segment is fed with its own fiber sliver or its own fiber fleece strip, which is fed to the feed segment centrally with respect to its width in the axial direction of the draw-in roller. This leads to the fact that the dissolved fibers or fiber flocks are sometimes not delivered to the transport device in a completely evenly distributed manner over the width of the respective feed segment, with more fibers in the middle or fiber flocks are dispensed than toward the edges of each feed segment. Since each feed segment has its own draw-in roller, which must be rotatably mounted accordingly, space for such bearings must be provided between the draw-in rollers of the feed segments arranged next to one another, so that the draw-in rollers cannot usually connect directly to one another. All of this has the consequence that a fiber flock, fiber pile or nonwoven web may not be able to be produced with the desired uniformity transversely to the transport direction.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a web-forming system and a feed device for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device, which enable the production of a particularly uniform web and a particularly great flexibility with regard to the design of the fiber pile or web to be produced .

This object is achieved by a feeding device according to claim 1, a web-forming system according to claim 8 and a method according to claim 12. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

According to the invention, a feed device for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device comprises at least a first feed segment and a second feed segment for feeding a starting material, the first and the second feed segment each comprising a feed roller, and an opening roller, which is connected to the feed rollers of the first and of the second feed segment cooperates to dissolve the starting material. The at least one first and second feed segment are arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the opening roller.

In this way, the flexibility with regard to the design of the material web to be produced is considerably increased. Depending on an offset of the first and the second feed segment in an axial direction of the opening roller, various advantages can be achieved which can be combined as desired by providing further feed segments or can also be implemented individually.

The fact that two feed segments are arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the opening roller means that the feed rollers of the two feed segments are not are axially aligned with one another, but are distributed along the circumference of the opening roller in such a way that the axes of these intake rollers are arranged parallel to one another at a predetermined distance along the circumference of the opening roller. It is preferred that the axes of these feed rollers are also aligned parallel to the axis of the opening roller. The distance between the axes of these feed rollers from the axis of the opening roller in the radial direction of the opening roller is preferably the same, but can vary if feed rollers of different dimensions are used.

Because the first and the second feed segment are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the opening roller, it is possible to arrange the feed segments closer to one another in the axial direction of the opening roller and the feed roller, so that the storage space between adjacent feed segments does not negatively affect uniformity affects the material web transversely to the transport direction. By overlapping the feed segments in the axial direction, the uneven fiber or fiber flock distribution over the width of a feed segment can be counteracted. It is also possible to mix different fibers or feed them alternately in the transport direction to the transport device if the first and the second feed segment are aligned with one another without an offset in the axial direction of the opening roller.

Depending on the desired application and arrangement of the feed device in the web formation process, the feed device can form a new material web on the transport device by feeding the fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device or feed fibers or fiber flocks to an existing material web that is conveyed on the transport device under the feed device. In order to generally cover the various possibilities, the following text refers to the material web, which can be a fiber flock mat, a fiber pile or nonwoven web.

The starting material is preferably a fiber sliver or a fiber fleece strip made of fibers. The starting material that is fed from the first feed segment can differ from the starting material that is fed from the second feed segment. In particular, the fibers of the starting materials can differ in at least one property. The at least one property of the fibers of the first and the second starting material in which the fibers differ is preferably selected from: the color of the fibers, the fiber type, the fiber material, the fiber diameter, the fiber length, the fiber treatment, the cross-sectional shape of the fibers, the roughness of the fibers or the fiber crimp. Natural or synthetic fibers, for example, form different types of fiber. Different fiber materials can include different natural fibers or different synthetic fibers, for example. With regard to the fiber treatment, chemical treatments of the fibers can be provided, for example. The properties of the fibers have a corresponding effect on the properties of the material web formed by them. However, the same starting material can also be fed to all feed segments.

The feed rollers and the opening roller work together in an area facing each other to dissolve the starting material. Here, the starting material is drawn in between the respective feed roller and the opening roller and separated into individual components, such as e.g. individual fibers or fiber flakes, dissolved. For this purpose, the feed rollers and the opening roller usually have sets of teeth which engage in the starting material and pull it apart in order to detach fibers or fiber flocks from the starting material. The interaction of feed rollers and an opening roller and their preferred designs are known to the person skilled in the art.

The opening roller is driven, e.g. from a servo motor. The opening roller is preferably formed continuously transversely to the transport direction, but can also be formed by a plurality of opening roller sections axially aligned with one another. It is also understood that, in addition to the first and the second feed segment, further feed segments can be provided in the circumferential direction of the opening roller at a distance from the first and second feed segments.

In order to set the amount of fibers or fiber flocks fed in from the first and second feed segments independently of one another, the feed rollers of the first and second feed segments can preferably be controlled individually.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second feed segment are aligned with one another in the circumferential direction without offset in an axial direction of the opening roller. The first and the second feed segment are so in the circumferential direction in one Arranged row. Furthermore, the opening roller of the feed device is arranged in such a way that its axis extends transversely to a transport direction of the transport device onto which the fibers or fiber flocks are discharged. Fibers or fiber flocks of the starting material of the first and the second feed segment are thereby delivered to the transport device transversely to the transport direction in the same area, since the first and the second feed segment interact with the same section of the opening roller. If the two draw-in rollers of the first and the second feed segment can also be controlled independently of one another, a mixing ratio between the starting materials of the first and the second feed segment can be set as desired. It is thus possible to alternately introduce fibers of different properties in the transport direction of the transport device and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web or to combine fibers of different properties in the desired mixing ratio. The properties of the material web can thus be adapted as required.

For example, the fibers of the different starting materials can differ in their color, which enables a color pattern of the material web. Above all, however, fibers of different fiber types, fiber materials and / or fiber dimensions can also be used, the mixing ratio of which can be regulated as required in order to influence the mechanical properties of the material web.

In one embodiment, the first and the second feed segment are preferably arranged offset from one another in the axial direction of the opening roller. The feed segments can be arranged completely offset to one another, i.e. each feed segment interacts with a section of the outer surface of the opening roller with which no other feed segment interacts. Due to the distance in the circumferential direction, however, the feed segments can have a smaller distance in the axial direction, so that no section of the outer surface of the opening roller remains across the width of the material web transversely to the transport direction that does not interact with one of the feed segments.

The feed segments can, however, also have a smaller offset with respect to one another, so that the sections of the lateral surface of the opening roller with which the feed segments each interact partially overlap. This is particularly advantageous when the delivery of fibers or fiber flocks over the width of a feed segment is uneven and so a smaller amount of fibers is delivered in the edge area of each feed segment. By overlapping the sections of the outer surface of the opening roller, with which the feed segments interact in these edge areas, the uneven delivery of fibers is counteracted.

It is further preferred that the feed device comprises at least one further feed segment which is aligned in the axial direction with the first or the second feed segment. A plurality of further feed segments can also be provided, of which at least one further feed segment is axially aligned with the first feed segment and at least one further feed segment is axially aligned with the second feed segment. The axial direction refers to the feed rollers. As a result, a plurality of feed segments are arranged horizontally next to one another in the axial direction. The feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction can generate or compensate for a profile in the transverse direction of the material web if this is undesirable. Furthermore, since at least the first and the second feed segment are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the opening roller, the advantages of the arrangement of feed segments in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction can be combined and the flexibility in the production of the material web is further increased.

In order to generate or compensate for a transverse profile, it is further preferred that the feed segments aligned with one another in the axial direction can be controlled individually. This is preferably achieved in that the feed segments, which are aligned with one another in the axial direction, each comprise their own draw-in roller.

Because several rows of axially aligned feed segments can be distributed along the circumference of the opening roller, the feed segments of a first row, which are arranged next to one another in the axial direction, can be arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction, so that there is sufficient installation space between them to support the feed rollers. A second row of feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction is then arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction, the feed segments of the two rows being offset from one another in such a way that the feed segments of the second row interact with the sections of the surface of the opening roller with which the first row does not cooperate . This ensures that fibers or fiber flocks are released over the entire working width. This can be done on any Expand the number of rows spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of axially aligned feed segments.

According to the invention, a web-forming system for forming a material web comprises a transport device for conveying the material web in a transport direction and at least one feed device described above for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device. In this way, a web-forming system is provided which benefits from the advantages of the feed device according to the invention described above.

The web-forming system can comprise a device for forming a material web, e.g. a fiber flock feeder, and the at least one feed device adds further fibers or fiber flocks to the material web. Such a device can, however, also be omitted and the at least one feed device forms the material web on the transport device.

The flexibility and variety in the formation of the material web can be further increased in that the nonwoven forming system comprises two of the feed devices described above for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device. The two feed devices then preferably have feed segments in different arrangements. For example, it is possible for the feed segments of a feed device to be arranged without offset in an axial direction to one another and to form several rows of feed segments which are aligned with one another in the axial direction and are distributed in the circumferential direction along the opening roller. The feed segments of one feed device can then be arranged offset in the axial direction of the opening rollers to the feed segments of the other feed device in order to deliver fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device over the entire working width of the web-forming system.

The two feed devices are preferably arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, so that the axes of the opening rollers of the two feed devices are arranged parallel to one another.

• Bereitstellen eines ersten Ausgangsmaterials aus Fasern am ersten Zuführsegment der Zuführvorrichtung;
• Bereitstellen eines zweiten Ausgangsmaterials aus Fasern am zweiten Zuführsegment, wobei sich zumindest eine Eigenschaft der Fasern des ersten Ausgangsmaterials von der entsprechenden Eigenschaft der Fasern des zweiten Ausgangsmaterials unterscheidet;
• Zuführen des ersten und des zweiten Ausgangsmaterials zur Öffnerwalze;
• Auflösen des zugeführten Ausgangsmaterials durch die Öffnerwalze zur Bildung von aufgelösten Fasern oder Faserflocken des zugeführten Ausgangsmaterials; und
• Abstreuen der aufgelösten Fasern oder Faserflocken auf eine Transportvorrichtung.

A method according to the invention for forming a material web by means of a feed device with at least a first and a second feed segment and an opening roller, the first and the second feed segment being arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the opening roller, comprises the steps:

• Providing a first starting material made of fibers at the first feed segment of the feed device;
• Providing a second starting material made of fibers at the second feed segment, at least one property of the fibers of the first starting material differing from the corresponding property of the fibers of the second starting material;
• Feeding the first and second raw materials to the opener roll;
• Dissolving the supplied starting material by the opening roller to form dissolved fibers or fiber flakes of the supplied starting material; and
• Scattering the dissolved fibers or fiber flakes onto a transport device.

In this way it is possible to deliver fibers of different properties in the transport direction and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web and thus to influence and vary the properties of the material web in a targeted manner. As described above, the at least one property of the fibers of the first and the second starting material, in which the fibers differ, can be selected from: the color of the fibers, the fiber type, the fiber material, the fiber diameter, the fiber length, the fiber treatment, the Cross-sectional shape of the fibers, the roughness of the fibers or the fiber crimp.

• Zuführen des ersten und des zweiten Ausgangsmaterials zur Öffnerwalze;
• Variieren der zugeführten Menge des ersten und/oder zweiten Ausgangsmaterials und dadurch Einstellen eines Mischverhältnisses zwischen erstem und zweitem Ausgangsmaterial, wobei das Mischverhältnis zwischen 0:1 und 1:0, vorzugsweise zwischen 0,01:1 und 1:0,01 beträgt.

Particularly preferably, the first and the second feed segment are aligned with one another in the circumferential direction of the opening roller without offset in an axial direction of the opening roller, and the method comprises:

• Feeding the first and second raw materials to the opener roll;
• Varying the added amount of the first and / or second starting material and thereby setting a mixing ratio between the first and second starting material, the mixing ratio being between 0: 1 and 1: 0, preferably between 0.01: 1 and 1: 0.01.

This makes it possible to alternately arrange fibers or fiber flocks of the first and second starting material in the transport direction and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web (Mixing ratio 0: 1 or 1: 0) or the mixing ratio can be set anywhere between 0: 1 and 1: 0, preferably in the range of 0.01: 1 and 1: 0.01. As a result, the web-forming system is able to produce a material web patterned in the longitudinal direction or to produce areas of different mechanical properties in the longitudinal direction of the material web.

Finally, the method preferably comprises forming a strip of fibers or fiber flocks on the transport device by changing the mixing ratio between fibers or fiber flocks of the first starting material and the second starting material along the transport direction.

This makes it possible to only introduce materials that are only required in certain areas of the material web or of the end product locally and thereby save material. For example, specific areas can be reinforced by adding carbon fibers, while areas of the material web that do not require reinforcement in an end product contain no carbon fibers. This enables costs to be saved, while at the same time the given requirements for the product to be manufactured can be optimally taken into account.

Fig. 1

ist eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vliesbildungsanlage;

Fig. 2

ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vliesbildungsanlage;

Fig. 3

ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vliesbildungsanlage; und

Fig. 4

ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vliesbildungsanlage.

Further details and advantages of the present invention emerge from the following description with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a web forming plant;

Fig. 2

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a web forming plant according to the invention;

Fig. 3

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a web forming plant according to the invention; and

Fig. 4

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a web forming plant according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a web formation system 2 in a schematic side view. The web formation system 2 is set up to form a material web 4, in particular a fiber batt or nonwoven web. The fleece formation system 2 comprises a transport device 6 for conveying the material web 4 in a transport direction T, as well as at least one feed device 8 for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device 6. In the embodiment shown, the feed device 8 forms a new material web 4. In an alternative Embodiment, a material web 4, e.g. any nonwoven intermediate product, can already be arranged on the transport device 6 with respect to the transport direction T upstream of the feed device 8, and the nonwoven formation system 2 scatters additional fibers or fiber flakes to form a uniform material web 4 or a material web 4 with a surface profile this material web from.

The transport device 6 is preferably moved continuously in the transport direction T. The transport device 6 can be designed as an endlessly revolving transport belt, preferably as a sieve belt with suction. The speed of the transport device 6 is preferably in the range from 0.2 to 20 m / min, more preferably in the range from 0.5 to 10 m / min.

The feed device 8 comprises a plurality of feed segments 10 (110, 210, 310 in Figs. 2 to 4 ), of which to explain the general structure and the general mode of operation in the side view Fig. 1 only one feed segment is shown. One or more measuring devices (not shown), which measure the mass per unit area of the material web 4 over its width running transversely to the transport direction T, can be provided upstream and / or or downstream of the feed device 8 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Based on the information from these measuring devices, the transverse profile and, due to the movement of the transport device 6 in the transport direction T, also the longitudinal profile of the material web 4 can be determined.

The material web 4 formed can alternatively be fed to various processing steps by means of the transport device 6. In a first alternative, the material web 4 is fed to a pile producer, preferably a carding machine, and is made uniform there. In a second alternative, the material web is fed directly to a web former, e.g. B. fed to an aerodynamic web former. In a third variant, the material web redissolved before further processing. In a fourth alternative, the material web is fed directly to a consolidation machine, for example a needle loom.

Each feed segment 10 of the feed device 8 has a dispensing device 12 for the storage and controlled delivery of a starting material 14, for example a fiber sliver or a nonwoven strip (as in Figs. 2 to 4 shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing device 12 is designed as a coil, but it can also be designed as a spinning can or the like. The starting material runs from the dispensing device 12 to a preferably rubberized storage roller 16, which extends transversely to the transport direction T and horizontally, preferably over the entire width of the feed device 8. One turn of a starting material 14 provided by the dispensing device 12 is wound around the storage roller 16. The storage roller 16 is driven, preferably by means of a servo motor 18 and also preferably continuously at a relatively slow speed. In certain embodiments, the storage roller 16 can also be omitted.

The storage roller 16 can be formed in one piece. Are transverse to the transport direction T, in Fig. 1 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, several feed segments arranged horizontally next to one another, the storage roller can simultaneously take up several strands of the starting material 14 for these feed segments 10 next to one another. However, a separate storage roller 16 can also be present for each feed segment 10.

The feed segment 10 comprises a rotating feed roller 20 to which the starting material 14 is fed. In the embodiment shown, the feed roller 20 pulls the starting material 14 provided by the associated dispensing device 12, either with the interposition of the storage roller 16 or directly. The draw-in rollers 20 of the plurality of feed segments 10 are preferably individually controllable. For this purpose, each draw-in roller 20 is preferably driven by a servomotor 22. Each draw-in roller 20 also has a set of protruding teeth (not shown) for drawing in the starting material 14.

The starting material 14, which is moved along by the intake rollers 20, is preferably guided to an opening roller 26 by means of a trough 24. The opening roller 26 can be formed in one piece and extend transversely to the transport direction T over the entire width of the feed device 8 preferably extend over the entire width of the material web 4 to be formed. The opening roller 26 can, however, also comprise individual segments which are axially aligned with one another transversely to the transport direction T.

The opening roller 26 can be driven in the same direction of rotation as the feed roller 20. In addition, the opening roller 26 also has a set of protruding teeth. For example, each feed roller 20 comprises a set with teeth protruding backwards with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective feed roller 20 and the opening roller 26 comprises a set with teeth protruding forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the opening roller 26. The tooth sets of the feed rollers 20 and the opening roller 26 can, however, also be designed in other conventional ways.

The opening roller 26 cooperates with the feed rollers 20 to dissolve the starting material 14. In particular, the opening roller 26 and the infeed rollers 20 dissolve the twisted or compacted starting material 14 of a fiber sliver or a fiber fleece strip particularly well, so that loose fiber flocks or even fine fibers are detached. These fall into a corresponding delivery chute 28 and from there onto the transport device 10. Furthermore, a cleaning roller 30 can optionally be provided, which wipes off fibers or fiber flocks that have stuck to the teeth of the opening roller 26 so that these are also delivered into the delivery chute 28 .

In Fig. 2 a first embodiment of a web-forming system 2 according to the invention comprising a feed device 8 according to the invention is shown schematically in a perspective view. As described above, the feed device 8 is used to feed dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device 6 and comprises an opening roller 26 and a plurality of feed segments 110, 210, 310, which are analogous to those in relation to FIG Fig. 1 described feed segments 10 can be formed. In particular, the feed device 8 comprises at least a first feed segment 110 and a second feed segment 210. The first and second feed segments 110, 210 are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26. In the embodiment shown, an optional third feed segment 310 is also arranged in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26 at a distance from the first and second feed segments 110, 210.

Each feed segment 110, 210, 310 is fed with a strand of twisted or compacted starting material 114, 214, 314. Alternatively, each feed segment 110, 210, 310 can also be fed with a plurality of strands of the starting material 114, 214, 314, for example with two or three strands.

The first feed segment 110 comprises a feed roller 120, the second feed segment 210 comprises a feed roller 220 and the third feed segment 310 comprises a third feed roller 320. The opening roller 26 works with the feed rollers 120, 220, 320 to dissolve the respective starting material 114, 214, 314 together. For this purpose, the feed segments 110, 210, 310 are arranged on the circumference of the opening roller.

The spaced arrangement of the first and the second feed segment 110, 210, and here the optional third feed segment 310, in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26 results in new possibilities for the arrangement of the plurality of feed segments of a feed device 8 as well as new application possibilities for the web-forming system 2 as such .

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the first and the second feed segment and the third feed segment 110, 210, 310 are aligned with one another in the circumferential direction U without an offset in an axial direction A of the opening roller 26. The axial direction A of the opening roller 26 extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the opening roller 26 and thus, in the preferred embodiment, transversely to the transport direction T. Because the first, the second and the third feed segment 110, 210, 310 are aligned with one another in the axial direction A. they form a row of feed segments 110, 210, 310 arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U. The fibers or fiber flocks of such a row of feed segments 110, 210, provided by the first, second and third feed segments 110, 210, 310 together with the opening roller 26 310 form a strip of fiber flocks or fibers on the transport device 6.

Starting materials 114, 214, 314 that differ from one another in at least one property can be fed to the feed segments 110, 210, 310 of such a row. As a result, the properties of the material web 4 in the transport direction T and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web can be set in a targeted manner. For example, a first starting material 114 is fed to the first feed segment 110, a second starting material 214 is fed to the second feed segment 210, and a third starting material 314 is fed to the optional third feed segment 310. At least one property of the fibers of the first, second and third starting materials 114, 214, 314 can differ from the corresponding property of the fibers of the respective other starting materials 114, 214, 314. The at least one property of the fibers of the first, second and third starting material 114, 214, 314, in which the fibers differ, is preferably selected from the color of the fibers, the fiber type, the fiber material, the fiber size or the fiber treatment, as at the beginning described.

If the first, the second and the third starting material 114, 214, 314 of the feed segments 110, 210, 310 arranged one behind the other in a row in the circumferential direction U are fed to the opening roller 26, it is possible to determine the fed quantity of the first and / or the second and / or of the third starting material 114, 214, 314 to vary independently of one another. This can be achieved in particular in that the feed rollers 120, 220, 320 of the first, second and third feed segments can be controlled individually. As a result, each of the intake rollers 120, 220, 320 can be driven or not driven, whereby the supply of the respective starting material 114, 214, 314 can be switched on or off. In addition, the speed of rotation of the respective feed roller 120, 220, 320 can be regulated, as a result of which the quantity of the respective input material 114, 214, 314 can be regulated.

This means that any desired mixing ratio can be set between the first, the second and the third starting material 114, 214, 314. In particular, the mixing ratio can also be adjusted during operation.

In addition, one of the starting materials 114, 214, 314 or any desired mixtures of one of the starting materials 114, 214, 314 with one or both of the other starting materials can be fed to the transport device 6 in the transport device T. This allows z. B. produce colored patterns in the material web 4. But it can also influence the mechanical properties of the material web by z. B. fibers of different fiber types, different fiber material or different fiber sizes are fed.

It is further preferred that the feed device 8 comprises at least one further feed segment which is aligned in the axial direction A with the first or the second feed segment 110, 210. This results in a number of feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction A. The other feed segments are in Figs. 2 to 4 marked by the addition "a" or "b". The further feed segments are optionally provided and a further feed segment or a plurality of further feed segments can be assigned to each of the first, second and third feed segments 110, 210, 310. The further feed segments are preferably designed analogously to the feed segments 10, 110, 210, 310 described above, unless otherwise described.

In the embodiment shown, the feed device 8 comprises the further feed segments 110a and 110b, which are axially aligned with the first feed segment 110, the further feed segments 210a and 210b, which are axially aligned with the second feed segment 210, and the further feed segments 310a and 310b, which are axially aligned with the third feed segment 310. It is preferred that each of the further feed segments 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b, 310a, 310b can also be activated individually. For this purpose, each feed segment 110, 110a, b, 210, 210a, b, 310, 310a, b of the feed device 8 preferably has its own draw-in roller 120, 220, 320, whereby the feed of the starting material 114, 214, 314 of each feed segment can be individually regulated.

According to Fig. 2 the further feed segments 110a, 210a, 310a are also aligned with one another in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26 without offset in the axial direction A and the further feed segments 110b, 210b, 310b are correspondingly aligned with one another in the circumferential direction U, so that they each have a further row of consecutive feed segments 110a, 210a, 310a and 110b, 210b, 310b, respectively.

The feed device 8 consequently comprises a total of nine feed segments 110, 110a, 110b, 210, 210a, 210b, 310, 310a, 310b, which are arranged one behind the other in three rows in the circumferential direction U and next to one another in three rows in the axial direction A.

The feed segments 110, 110a, 110b or 210, 210a, 210b or 310, 310a, 310b arranged next to one another in a row in the axial direction A can be operated synchronously so that a newly formed material web 4 is essentially transverse to the transport direction T is formed homogeneously. These feed segments can, however, also be operated independently of one another in order to generate a surface profile transverse to the transport direction T of the material web 4, or to compensate for an undesired surface profile in a material web already on the transport device 6.

The feed segments 110, 110a, 110b or 210, 210a, 210b or 310, 310a, 310b, which are arranged next to one another in the axial direction A, can each be fed with a starting material 114, 214, 314 that corresponds to the starting material 114, 214, 314 of the respective corresponds to other feed segments of the axial row. However, each of these feed segments can also be fed with a starting material 114, 214, 314, the fibers of which differ in at least one property from the corresponding property of the fibers of the other starting materials 114, 214, 314, as described above.

The three rows of feed segments arranged one behind the other, aligned in the circumferential direction U, are arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction A. A minimum distance between feed segments that are adjacent in the axial direction A is determined by the installation space required for mounting the axial ends of the respective feed rollers in the feed device 8. As a result, the fiber distribution transversely to the transport direction T on the transport device 6 is non-uniform even if the feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction A are operated synchronously. This effect is further enhanced by the fact that the starting material is usually fed centrally to the respective feed segment and the fiber distribution therefore decreases over the width of a feed segment towards the edges of the feed segment.

Fig. 3 therefore shows an embodiment of the feed device 8 or the web-forming system 2, in which the feed segments are arranged in order to counteract this effect. The preceding statements apply analogously to the web-forming system 2, the feed device 8 and their feed segments 110, 110a, 210, 210a, 210b, with the difference that the feed segments have a different arrangement relative to one another.

As described above, the first and the second feed segment 110, 210 are here also arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26. Optionally, a further feed segment 110a is aligned with the first feed segment 110 and two further feed segments 210a and 210b are aligned with the second feed segment 210. More or fewer further feed segments can also be provided, as well as analogously to Fig. 2 a third feed segment 310 with or without associated further feed segments.

However, the first and second feed segments 110, 210 are after Fig. 3 arranged offset to one another in the axial direction A of the opening roller 26. The first and second feed segments 110, 210 therefore do not form a row of feed segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U without an offset in the axial direction A. The further feed segments 110a, 210a, 210b also do not form such rows.

It is preferred that the working areas of the first and the second feed segment 110, 210 overlap in the circumferential direction U. This means that a part of the area of the lateral surface of the opening roller 26 which interacts with the draw-in roller 120 of the first feed segment 110 also interacts with the draw-in roller 220 of the second feed segment 210. The working areas of the first and second feed segments 110, 210 that overlap in this way cause fibers or fiber flocks of both the first and second feed segments 110, 210 to be scattered on the transport device 6 in the region of this overlap. The smaller amount of fibers in the edge area of each individual feed segment 110, 210 can thereby be compensated for.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the feed segments 110, 110a, 210, 210a, 210b are arranged in two rows of feed segments 110, 110a or 210, 210a, 210b arranged axially next to one another. The feed segments 110, 110a of one row are arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the feed segments 210, 210a, 210b of the other row. In this case, it is preferred that, as a result of this arrangement, there are no areas in the axial direction of the opening roller 26 in which the opening roller does not interact with at least one draw-in roller of the feed segments. More precisely, the first feed segment 110 is arranged in the axial direction in such a way that its work area overlaps with the work areas of the second feed segment 210 and the further feed segment 210a. Despite the axial distance between the second feed segment 210 and the further feed segment 210a, there is no area between them on the transport device on which no fibers or fiber flocks are scattered. Correspondingly, the further feed segment 110a is arranged in the axial direction such that its working area coincides with the Working areas of the further feed segment 210a and the further feed segment 210b overlap. This arrangement can be scaled as desired both in the circumferential direction U and in the axial direction A.

In this embodiment, however, it is only possible to a limited extent to set a mixing ratio between fibers of different properties or to feed fibers or fiber flocks of different properties in the transport direction T of the material web 4, as with reference to FIG Fig. 2 is described.

Fig. 4 therefore shows an embodiment of a web-forming system 2 according to the invention, which shows the advantages of the embodiments described above Fig. 2 and 3 united. The web forming plant 2 after Fig. 4 comprises a first feed device 40 and a second feed device 42 for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device 6. The two feed devices 8, 40 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T so that the axes of the opening rollers 26 of the two feed devices 8, 40 are parallel to each other are arranged.

The first feed device 40 corresponds to the feed device 8 according to FIG Fig. 2 . The corresponding statements also apply here.

The second feed device 42 corresponds essentially to the feed device 8 according to FIG Fig. 2 ., wherein it has only two rows of feed segments 110, 210, 310 and 110a, 210a, 310a arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U. More precisely, the first, the second and the third feed segment 110, 210, 310 of the second feed device 42 form a first row of feed segments arranged one behind the other and the further feed segments 110a, 210a, 310a of the second feed device 42 form a second row of feed segments arranged one behind the other, the first and second rows extend in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26.

As described above, the feed device 8 has three rows of feed segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26, one row of the feed segments 110, 210, 310, another row of the feed segments 110a, 210a and 310a and another row from the feed segments 110b, 210b, 310b.

Both in the first and in the second feed device 40, 42 each row of feed segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U enables different starting materials to be fed within a row, whereby the different fibers or fiber flocks can be dispensed in any mixing ratio.

In order to counteract the disadvantages of gaps in the axial direction between the rows of feed segments arranged one behind the other, i.e. between two feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction, the rows of feed segments of the first feed device 40 arranged one behind the other are offset from the rows in the axial direction A of the opening roller 26 one behind the other arranged feed segments of the second feed device 42.

In this way, fibers or fiber flocks are fed by the first feed device 40 to areas of the transport device 6 to which the second feed device 42 can feed no or only a few fibers or fiber flocks due to the design. As a result, an equalization or a profile formation can be achieved over the entire width of a material web 4 transversely to the transport direction T, while at the same time the variety of different starting materials and their supply can be used in any mixing ratio.

It goes without saying that the embodiments described herein are examples of a large number of possible embodiments of feed devices and web-forming systems according to the invention and that the person skilled in the art within the scope of the teaching claimed both the number of feed segments of a feed device both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction and the number of feed devices in a fleece formation system can be adapted to the given requirements and wishes. Any number of feed segments can be arranged next to one another in a row in the axial direction and any number of feed segments can also be arranged along the same in the circumferential direction of the opening roller.

Claims (15)

Feeding device (8) for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto a transport device (6), the feeding device (8) comprising: at least a first feed segment (110) and a second feed segment (210) for feeding a starting material (114, 214), wherein the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) each comprise a feed roller (120, 220); and an opener roller (26) which cooperates with the feed rollers (120, 220) of the first and second feed segments (110, 210) for breaking up the starting material (114, 214); characterized in that at least the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) are arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26). Feeding device (8) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the feed rollers (120, 220) of the first and second feed segments (110, 210) can be controlled individually. Feed device (8) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) are aligned in the circumferential direction (U) without offset in an axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26). Feed device (8) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second feed segments (110, 210) are arranged offset from one another in the axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26). Feed device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one further feed segment (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) which is aligned in the axial direction (A) with the first or the second feed segment (110, 210) is. Feed device (8) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the feed segments (110, 110a, 110b; 210, 210a, 210b) aligned with one another in the axial direction (A) can be controlled individually. Feed device (8) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the feed segments (110, 110a, 110b; 210, 210a, 210b) aligned with one another in the axial direction (A) each comprise their own draw-in roller (120, 220). Nonwoven forming system (2) for forming a material web (4), the nonwoven forming system (2) comprising: a transport device (6) for conveying the material web (4) in a transport direction (T); and At least one feed device (8, 40, 42) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device (6). Nonwoven forming plant (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises two feed devices (40, 42) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber flocks onto the transport device (6). Nonwoven forming plant (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the two feed devices (40, 42) are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction (T) so that the axes of the opening rollers (26) of the two feed devices (40, 42) are arranged parallel to one another. Nonwoven forming plant (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the feed segments (110, 110a, 110b, 210, 120a, 210b, 310, 310a, 310b) of the one feed device (40) in the axial direction (A) of the opening rollers (26) offset from the feed segments (110, 110a, 210, 120a, 310, 310a) of the other feed device (42). Method for forming a material web (4) by means of a feed device (8) with at least a first and a second feed segment (110, 210) and an opening roller (26), the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) in a circumferential direction ( U) of the opening roller (26) are arranged at a distance from one another, the method comprising: Providing a first starting material (114) made of fibers on the first feed segment (110) of the feed device (8); Providing a second starting material (214) of fibers at the second feed segment (210), at least one property of the fibers of the first starting material (114) differing from the corresponding property of the fibers of the second starting material (214); Feeding the first and second starting materials (114, 214) to the opener roll (26); Dissolving the supplied starting material (114, 214) by the opening roller (26) to form dissolved fibers or fiber flakes of the supplied starting material (114, 214); and Scattering the dissolved fibers or fiber flakes onto a transport device (6). The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one property of the fibers of the first and second starting material (114, 214) in which the fibers differ is selected from: the color of the fibers, the fiber type, the fiber material, the Fiber diameter, fiber length, fiber treatment, cross-sectional shape of the fibers, the roughness of the fibers or the fiber crimp. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first and the second feed segment (110, 210) in the circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26) are aligned with each other without offset in an axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26), and the method comprises: Feeding the first and second starting materials (114, 214) to the opener roll (26); Varying the supplied amount of the first and / or second starting material (114, 214) and thereby setting a mixing ratio between the first and second starting material (114, 214), the mixing ratio between 0: 1 and 1: 0, preferably between 0.01: 1 and 1: 0.01. The method of claim 14, characterized in that the method further comprises:
Forming a strip of fibers or fiber flakes on the transport device (6), in which the mixing ratio between fibers or fiber flakes of the first starting material (114) and the second starting material (214) changes along the transport direction (T).

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