EP3699334B1 - Feeding device of a non-woven fabric formation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a feed device for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber tufts onto a transport device, a nonwoven forming plant comprising such a feed device and a method for forming a fibrous web or nonwoven web.

When producing fiber webs, fiber tufts are usually delivered from a fiber tuft feeder to a transport device, which transports them in the form of a fiber tuft mat to a pile producer, such as a carding machine, a nonwoven former or a bonding machine, such as a needling machine. As a rule, it is desirable to produce a nonwoven fabric with a very high level of uniformity. Appropriate intervention options exist at various points in the system for this purpose. For example, the weight of the fiber flock mat can be measured using a belt weigher and the feed speed of the pile generator can be adjusted on this basis. As an alternative to a very uniform fibrous mat, in some applications it is also desirable to form a mat with a surface profile.

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

Each feed segment is fed with its own fiber roving or its own fiber fleece strip, which is fed to the feed segment in the center with respect to its width in the axial direction of the draw-in roller. The result of this is that the loosened fibers or fiber tufts are sometimes not completely evenly distributed over the width of the respective feed segment, with more in the middle Fibers or fiber flocks are discharged towards the edges of each feed segment. Since each feed segment has its own feed roller, which is to be mounted in a correspondingly rotatable manner, space for such bearings must be provided between the feed rollers of the feed segments arranged next to one another, so that the feed rollers cannot usually connect directly to one another. All of this has the consequence that a fibrous flock, fibrous web or non-woven web may not be able to be produced transversely to the direction of transport with the desired uniformity.

In the EP 0 383 246 A2 and the EP 2 119 817 a feeding device is disclosed in each case, in which two feed rollers interact with an opening roller in a flock chute in order to detach fiber flocks. The two feed rollers are spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the opening roller. In these cases, however, the distribution of the flakes over the width of the rollers cannot be influenced.

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

This object is achieved by a feed device according to claim 1, a web formation system according to claim 7 and a method according to claim 11. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

According to the invention, a feed device for feeding opened fibers or fiber tufts 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 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. The feed rollers of the first and second feed segment can be controlled individually.

In this way, the flexibility with regard to the design of the web of material to be produced is increased considerably. 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 realized 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 axially aligned with one another, but are distributed along the circumference of the opening roller in such a way that the axes of these feed rollers are parallel to one another at a predetermined distance along the Scope of the opening roller are arranged. 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 and 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.

The fact that the first and the second feed segment are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the opening roller makes it possible to arrange the feed segments closer to one another in the axial direction of the opening roller and the feed roller, so that a gap between adjacent feed segments caused by the bearing does not have a negative effect the uniformity of the material web transverse to the transport direction. Overlapping the feed segments in the axial direction can counteract the uneven distribution of fibers or fiber tufts across the width of a feed segment. It is also possible to mix different fibers or to feed them onto the transport device alternately in the transport direction if the first and the second feed segment are aligned with one another without 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 web of material on the transport device by feeding the fibers or fiber tufts onto the transport device, or feed fibers or fiber tufts to an existing material web that is conveyed along under the feed device on the transport device. About the different possibilities to cover in general, in the following the material web is mentioned, which can be a fibrous mat, a fibrous web or non-woven web.

The starting material is preferably a fiber roving or a non-woven fiber strip made of fibers. The feedstock fed by the first feed segment may differ from the feedstock fed by 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 second starting material, in which the fibers differ, is preferably selected from: the color of the fibers, the type of fiber, 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 fiber crimping. For example, natural or synthetic fibers form different types of fibers. Different fiber materials can, for example, comprise different natural fibers or different synthetic fibers. 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 web of material formed by them. However, the same starting material can also be fed to all feed segments.

The draw-in rollers and the opening roller work together in an area facing one another to open up the starting material. Here, the starting material is drawn in between the respective feed roller and the opening roller and broken down into individual, separated components, such as individual fibers or fiber flocks. 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 separate fibers or fiber flocks from the starting material. The interaction of feed rollers and an opening roller and their preferred designs are known to those skilled in the art.

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

In order to set the quantity of fibers or fiber tufts fed in from the first and the second feed segment independently of one another, the draw-in rollers of the first and the second feed segment can 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 thus arranged in a row in the circumferential direction. 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 tufts are delivered. Fibers or fiber tufts of the starting material of the first and the second feed segment are thereby discharged onto 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 feed rollers of the first and second feed segment can also be controlled independently of one another, a mixing ratio between the starting materials of the first and second feed segment can be set as desired. It is thus possible to introduce fibers with different properties alternately in the transport direction of the transport device and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web, or to combine fibers with different properties in the desired mixing ratio. The properties of the material web can thus be adjusted as desired.

For example, the fibers of the different starting materials can differ in their color, which enables a colored patterning 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 desired in order to influence the mechanical properties of the material web.

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

However, the feed segments can also have a smaller offset from one another, so that the sections of the lateral surface of the opening roller with which the feed segments interact in each case partially overlap. This is particularly advantageous when the delivery of fibers or fiber tufts is uneven across the width of a feed segment and a smaller quantity of fibers is delivered in the edge area of each feed segment. The uneven release of fibers is counteracted by the overlapping of the sections of the outer surface of the opening roller, with which the feed segments interact, in these edge regions.

It is further preferred that the feeding device comprises at least one further feeding segment which is aligned in the axial direction with the first or the second feeding segment. A plurality of further feed segments can also be provided, of which at least one further feed segment is aligned axially with the first feed segment and at least one further feed segment is aligned axially with the second feed segment. The axial direction refers to the feed rollers. As a result, several 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 produce or compensate for a profile in the transverse direction of the material web if this is undesirable. 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 to compensate for a transverse profile, it is also 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 aligned with one another in the axial direction each have their own draw-in roller.

Since several rows of axially aligned feed segments can be distributed along the circumference of the opening roller, the feed segments of a first row arranged next to one another in the axial direction can be arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction, so that sufficient space remains between them for mounting the feed rollers. A second row of feed segments arranged next to one another in the axial direction is then arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction, with 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 interact . This ensures that fibers or fiber tufts are released over the entire working width. This can be extended to any number of circumferentially spaced rows of axially aligned feed segments.

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

The web formation system can have a device for forming a material web, e.g. a fiber tuft feeder, arranged upstream of the at least one feed device with respect to the transport direction of the transport device, and the at least one feed device adds further fibers or fiber tufts to the material web. However, such a device can 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 web of material can be further increased by the fleece formation system comprising two of the feed devices described above for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber tufts onto the transport device. The two feed devices then preferably have feed segments in different arrangements. It is thus possible, for example, for the feed segments of a feed device to be arranged without offset relative to one another in an axial direction and to form a plurality of rows of feed segments which are aligned with one another in the axial direction and which extend in the circumferential direction are distributed along the opening roller. The feed segments of one feed device can then be arranged offset in the axial direction of the opening rollers relative to the feed segments of the other feed device in order to deliver fibers or fiber tufts onto the transport device over the entire working width of the nonwoven formation 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 according to one of Claims 1-6 with at least a first and a second feed segment and an opening roller, wherein the first and the second feed segment are arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the opening roller, comprises the steps:

• providing a first feedstock of fibers to the first feed segment of the feeder;
• providing a second starting material of fibers at the second feed segment, wherein at least one property of the fibers of the first starting material differs from the corresponding property of the fibers of the second starting material;
• feeding the first and second stock materials to the opening roll;
• opening the feedstock feed by the opening roll to form opened fibers or fiber flocks of the feedstock feed; and
• Scattering of the loosened fibers or fiber tufts onto a transport device.

In this way it is possible to release fibers with 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 second starting material, in which the fibers differ, can be selected from: the color of the fibers, the type of fiber, 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 stock materials to the opening roll;
• Varying the supplied quantity 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 arrange fibers or fiber tufts of the first and second starting material alternately in the transport direction and thus in the longitudinal direction of the material web (mixing ratio 0:1 or 1:0) or to set the mixing ratio anywhere between 0:1 and 1:0, preferably in Range of 0.01:1 and 1:0.01. The fleece forming plant is thereby able to produce a material web which is 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 introduce materials that are only required in certain areas of the material web or the end product only locally, thereby saving 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. As a result, costs can 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 result from the following description with reference to the figures.

1

Fig. 12 is a schematic side view of a mat forming line;

2

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a nonwoven forming plant according to the invention;

3

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a web forming system according to the invention; and

4

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a web forming system according to the invention.

1 shows a web formation plant 2 in a schematic side view. The nonwoven forming plant 2 is set up to form a material web 4, in particular a fibrous web or nonwoven web. The web formation system 2 comprises a transport device 6 for conveying the material web 4 in a transport direction T, and at least one feed device 8 for feeding dissolved fibers or fiber tufts onto the transport device 6. In the illustrated embodiment, 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 upstream of the feed device 8 with respect to the transport direction T, and the nonwoven forming system 2 scatters additional fibers or fiber flocks to form a uniform material web 4 or a material web 4 with a surface profile this web of material.

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

The feeding device 8 comprises a plurality of feeding segments 10 (110, 210, 310 in Figures 2 to 4 ), from which to explain the general structure and the general mode of operation in the side view 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 across its width running transversely to the transport direction T, can be installed upstream and/or or downstream of the feeding device 8 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Based on the information from these measuring devices, the transverse profile and, based on 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 supplied 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 made uniform there. In a second alternative, the material web is sent directly to a web former, e.g. B. fed to an aerodynamic web former. In a third variant, the web of material is broken up again before further processing. In a fourth alternative, the material web is fed directly to a bonding machine, e.g.

Each feed segment 10 of the feed device 8 has a dispensing device 12 for the storage and controlled dispensing of a starting material 14, e.g. a fiber roving or a fiber fleece strip (as in Figures 2 to 4 shown), assigned. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing device 12 is designed as a coil, but it can also be designed as a sliver can or the like. The starting material runs from the dispensing device 12 to a preferably rubberized storage roller 16, which preferably extends transversely to the transport direction T and horizontally over the entire width of the feed device 8. A winding 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 designed in one piece. Are transverse to the transport direction T, in 1 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, several feed segments arranged horizontally next to each other, the storage roller can simultaneously take up several strands of the starting material 14 for these feed segments 10 next to each other. However, a separate storage roller 16 per feed segment 10 can also be present.

The feed segment 10 includes a rotating draw-in roller 20 to which the starting material 14 is fed. In the illustrated embodiment, 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 feed rollers 20 of the plurality of feed segments 10 can preferably be controlled individually. For this purpose, each draw-in roller 20 is preferably driven by a servo motor 22 . Each feed roller 20 also has a set of protruding teeth (not shown) for feeding in the starting material 14 .

The starting material 14 moved along by the feed 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 can extend transversely to the transport direction T over the entire width of the feed device 8, preferably over the entire width of the material web 4 to be formed. However, the opening roller 26 can 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 includes a set with teeth projecting backwards with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective feed roller 20 and the opening roller 26 includes a set with teeth projecting forwards with respect to the direction of rotation of the opening roller 26 . However, the sets of teeth of the draw-in rollers 20 and the opening roller 26 can also be designed in other conventional ways.

The opening roller 26 interacts with the feed rollers 20 to open the starting material 14 . In particular, the opening roller 26 and the draw-in rollers 20 break up the twisted or compacted starting material 14 of a fiber roving or a fiber fleece strip particularly well, so that loose fiber tufts or even fine fibers are detached. These fall into a corresponding discharge chute 28 and from there onto the transport device 10. Furthermore, a cleaning roller 30 can optionally be provided, which strips fibers or fiber tufts that have gotten caught on the teeth of the opening roller 26, so that these are also discharged into the discharge chute 28 .

In 2 a first embodiment of a web formation 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 feeding device 8 serves for feeding of resolved fibers or fiber flocks on the transport device 6 and comprises an opening roller 26 and a plurality of feed segments 110, 210, 310, which are analogous to those relating to 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 the second feed segment 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 segment 110 , 210 .

Each feed segment 110,210,310 is fed with a strand of twisted or compacted stock 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 open 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 second feed segments 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 after 2 the first and the second feed segment as well as the third feed segment 110, 210, 310 are aligned with one another in the circumferential direction U without 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 are, they form a row of feed segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U 110, 210, 310. The fibers or fiber tufts provided by the first, second and third feed segment 110, 210, 310 together with the opening roller 26 of such a series of feed segments 110, 210, 310 form a strip of fiber tufts or fibers on the transport device 6 .

The feed segments 110, 210, 310 of such a row can be fed with starting materials 114, 214, 314 which differ from one another in at least one property. 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 adjusted 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, the second and the third starting material 114, 214, 314 can differ from the corresponding property of the fibers of the other starting materials 114, 214, 314 in each case. The at least one property of the fibers of the first, the second and the 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 initially 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 the circumferential direction U are fed to the opening roller 26, it is possible to increase the quantity of the first and/or the second and / or the third starting material 114, 214, 314 to vary independently. This can be achieved in particular by the feed rollers 120, 220, 320 of the first, second and third feed segment being individually controllable. As a result, each of the feed rollers 120, 220, 320 can be driven or not driven, as a result of which the feed of the respective starting material 114, 214, 314 can be switched on or off. In addition, the rotational speed of the respective feed roller 120, 220, 320 can be regulated, as a result of which the quantity of the starting material 114, 214, 314 fed in can be regulated.

As a result, any mixing ratio between the first, the second and the third starting material 114, 214, 314 can be set. In particular, the mixing ratio can also be adjusted during operation.

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

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

In the illustrated embodiment, 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, 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 controlled 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 feed roller 120, 220, 320, whereby the feed of the starting material 114, 214, 314 of each feed segment can be regulated individually.

According to 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 form a further row of feed segments arranged one behind the other 110a, 210a, 310a or 110b, 210b, 310b.

The feeding device 8 consequently comprises a total of nine feeding 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 in three rows in the axial direction A next to one another.

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 transverse to the transport direction T is essentially homogeneous . However, these feed segments can also be operated independently of one another in order to generate a surface profile transversely 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 arranged next to one another in the axial direction A can each be fed with a starting material 114, 214, 314 which 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 whose fibers 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 and 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 that is required for mounting the axial ends of the respective draw-in rollers in the feed device 8 . This led to the fiber distribution being non-uniform transversely to the transport direction T on the transport device 6 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 source material is generally fed to the respective feed segment in the middle and the fiber distribution therefore decreases across the width of a feed segment towards the edges of the feed segment.

3 FIG. 10 therefore shows an embodiment of the feed device 8 or of the web formation system 2, in which the feed segments are arranged in order to counteract this effect. The preceding explanations apply analogously to the web formation 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 also arranged here in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26 at a distance from one another. 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 additional 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 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 offset in the axial direction A. The other feed segments 110a, 210a, 210b also do not form such rows.

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

In the embodiment after 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 offset in the axial direction to the feed segments 210, 210a, 210b of the other row. It is preferred that this arrangement means that 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 working area overlaps with the working 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 onto which no fibers or fiber tufts are scattered. Correspondingly, the further feed segment 110a is arranged in the axial direction in such a way that its working area overlaps with the working areas of the further feed segment 210a and the further feed segment 210b. 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 with different properties or to feed fibers or fiber tufts with different properties to the material web 4 in the transport direction T, as with reference to FIG 2 is described.

4 10 therefore shows an embodiment of a nonwoven forming system 2 according to the invention, which has the advantages of the embodiments described above 2 and 3 united. The fleece formation system 2 after 4 comprises a first feed device 40 and a second feed device 42 for feeding loosened fibers or fiber tufts 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 one another are arranged.

The first feeding device 40 corresponds to the feeding device 8 2 . The corresponding statements also apply here.

The second feeding device 42 essentially corresponds to the feeding device 8 2 . 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, with the first and the second row in the circumferential direction U of the opening roller 26 extend.

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, a row of feed segments 110, 210, 310, a further row of feed segments 110a, 210a and 310a and yet 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 makes it possible to feed different starting materials within a row, whereby the delivery of the different fibers or fiber flocks is achieved in any mixing ratios.

In order to further 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 arranged one behind the other of the first feed device 40 are offset in the axial direction A of the opening roller 26 relative to the rows successively arranged feed segments of the second feed device 42 are arranged.

In this way, the first feed device 40 feeds fibers or fiber tufts to areas of the transport device 6 to which the second feed device 42 can feed no or only a few fibers or fiber tufts due to the design. As a result, equalization or profile formation can be achieved across 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 in any mixing ratios can be used.

It goes without saying that the embodiments described herein are examples of a large number of possible embodiments of feed devices and web formation systems according to the invention and that the person skilled in the art within the scope of the claimed teaching will determine both the number of feed segments of a feed device both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction as well as the number of feed devices in of a nonwoven formation plant 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 (14)

1. Feeding device (8) for feeding loosened fibres or fibre tufts onto a transport device (6), wherein the feeding device (8) comprises:

   at least one first feeding segment (110) and one second feeding segment (210) for feeding a raw material (114, 214), wherein the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) each comprise one intake roller (120, 220); and

   one opening roller (26) which for loosening the raw material (114, 214) interacts with the intake rollers (120, 220) of the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210);

   wherein at least the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart in a circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26);

   characterized in that

   the intake rollers (120, 220) of the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) are individually actuatable.
2. Feeding device (8) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) in the circumferential direction (U) are mutually aligned without any offset in an axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26).
3. Feeding device (8) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) are disposed so as to be mutually offset in the axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26).
4. Feeding device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said feeding device (8) comprises at least one further feeding segment (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) which in the axial direction (A) is aligned with the first or the second feeding segment (110, 210).
5. Feeding device (8) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the feeding segments (110, 110a, 110b; 210, 210a, 210b) that are mutually aligned in the axial direction (A) are individually actuatable.
6. Feeding device (8) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the feeding segments (110, 110a, 110b; 210, 210a, 210b) that are mutually aligned in the axial direction (A) each comprise one dedicated intake roller (120, 220).
7. Non-woven forming system (2) for forming a material web (4), wherein the non-woven forming system (2) comprises:

   a transport device (6) for conveying the material web (4) in a transport direction (T); and

   at least one feeding device (8, 40, 42) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 for feeding loosened fibres or fibre tufts onto the transport device (6).
8. Non-woven forming system (2) according to Claim 7, characterized in that said non-woven forming system (2) comprises two feeding devices (40, 42) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 for feeding loosened fibres or fibre tufts onto the transport device (6).
9. Non-woven forming system (2) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the two feeding devices (40, 42) in the transport direction (T) are disposed behind one another so that the axes of the opening rollers (26) of the two feeding devices (40, 42) are disposed so as to be mutually parallel.
10. Non-woven forming system (2) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the feeding segments (110, 110a, 110b, 210, 120a, 210b, 310, 310a, 310b) of the one feeding device (40) in the axial direction (A) of the opening rollers (26) are disposed so as to be offset from the feeding segments (110, 110a, 210, 120a, 310, 310a) of the other feeding device (42).
11. Method for forming a material web (4) by means of a feeding device (8) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, having
    at least one first and one second feeding segment (110, 210) and one opening roller (26), wherein the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart in a circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26), wherein the method comprises:

    providing a first raw material (114) from fibres at the first feeding segment (110) of the feeding device (8);

    providing a second raw material (214) from fibres at the second feeding segment (210), wherein at least one property of the fibres of the first raw material (114) differs from the corresponding property of the fibres of the second raw material (214);

    feeding the first and the second raw material (114, 214) to the opening roller (26);

    loosening the fed raw material (114, 214) by the opening roller (26) so as to form loosened fibres or fibre tufts of the fed raw material (114, 214); and

    dispensing the loosened fibres or fibre tufts onto a transport device (6).
12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the at least one property of the fibres of the first and the second raw material (114, 214) in which the fibres differ is selected from: the colour of the fibres, the type of fibre, the fibre material, the fibre diameter, the fibre length, the fibre treatment, the cross-sectional shape of the fibres, the roughness of the fibres or the crimp of the fibres, respectively.
13. Method according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the first and the second feeding segment (110, 210) in the circumferential direction (U) of the opening roller (26) are mutually aligned without any offset in an axial direction (A) of the opening roller (26), and the method comprises:

    feeding the first and the second raw material (114, 214) to the opening roller (26);

    varying the quantity of the first and/or the second raw material (114, 214) fed, and thereby setting a mixing ratio between the first and the second raw material (114, 214), wherein the mixing ratio is between 0:1 and 1:0, preferably between 0.01:1 and 1:0.01.
14. Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the method furthermore comprises:
    forming a strip of fibres or fibre tufts on the transport device (6) in that the mixing ratio between fibres or fibre tufts of the first raw material (114) and of the second raw material (214) varies along the transport direction (T).

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