EP3964468B1 - Method for operating a can changer, can changer and textile machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a can changer, a can changer set up for this purpose and a textile machine equipped therewith.

Can changers are used to automatically exchange a can filled with fiber material for an empty can so that it can be filled.

There are basically three concepts for this, in which the cans are moved to change the cans:
A first concept relates to so-called rotary can changers, which move empty cans from a guideway by means of a turnstile with usually three arms around the center of rotation of the turnstile in a circle, with a full can being moved away from the can filling station by means of one arm, the empty can immediately following by means of the second arm on the Can filling station is moved and the third arm is rotated in such a way that, during the next can change, it can take over the second can following the full can. The disadvantage of this arrangement is the structurally complex structure with guideways for the full and empty cans.

A second concept relates to so-called linear can changers, in which, in particular, large-format cans (for example with a diameter of 1,200 mm) due to their width in the production direction Textile machine is moved linearly to the can filling station and, after filling, is moved further in the same direction or at an angle of, for example, 90°. The disadvantage of this solution is that a very large movement path is required to move these cans. Another disadvantage is that this type of can changer cannot be adjusted to smaller cans, since the can pushers in particular are designed for the respective can size.

From the DE 10 2008 000 921 A1 a draw frame with a can drive for the linear conveying of sliver cans is known. The sliver obtained at an outlet of the drafting system is deposited in the can, with the can to be filled being transported from an input side of the drafting system under the drafting system to the can filling station and, after filling, being ejected on the output side of the drafting system in the direction of sliver travel.

A third concept relates to can changers whose depositing head is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between two cans. The disadvantage of this concept is the mechanically complex structure and the fact that this concept cannot be used on textile machines with an integrated can filling station (e.g. draw frame, sliver winder, combing machine) in which the laying head is fixed.

The object of the invention is to counteract the aforementioned disadvantages.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a method for operating a can changer is provided. The can changer has at least two parking spaces, specifically one parking space and at least one intermediate parking space arranged behind the parking space in a direction along a predetermined movement path. Furthermore, the can changer comprises a can filling station arranged behind the last intermediate parking station in one direction and a drive section. The drive section comprises a drive device and a can pusher which is operatively connected thereto in terms of movement. The drive device is designed, upon actuation To move the can slide in such a way that the can slide moves a can in one direction from the parking space, either to the intermediate parking space or to the can filling space. According to the invention, the method comprises a can changing process. The can changing process has a first sub-process that is executed if there is only one can in the parking space or the intermediate parking space. The first sub-process comprises a first step of actuating the drive device in such a way that the can pusher is moved from a starting position in one direction and the can is thereby moved in one direction onto the can filling station. Any full can on the can filling station is automatically pushed away from the can filling station and the storage locations. This is followed by a return movement step of moving the can pusher in another direction opposite to the one direction along the predetermined movement path to its starting position. If, instead, there are cans on both positions, the method includes a second sub-process. The second sub-process includes a second step of actuating the drive device in such a way that the can pusher is moved out of the starting position in one direction and the can located on the parking space is moved in one direction to the intermediate parking space and automatically by means of the moved can can located on the intermediate parking space is moved in one direction to the can filling location. Here, too, any full can on the can filling station is automatically pushed away. The aforementioned return movement step then takes place again. This solution has the advantage that an empty can is always safely moved to the can filling station, regardless of how the parking spaces are occupied, provided there is a can on one of the parking spaces. This also makes it possible to operate the can changer with more than two parking spaces and/or with cans of different diameters; operating parameters may have to be adjusted.

The method preferably has a can filling process which is carried out when there is a can to be filled at the can filling station and the can to be filled is still to be filled. The can changing process is carried out when the can to be filled is full.

The can filling process preferably includes a step of determining when the can to be filled is full. This ensures that the can is always full before a can change.

Each of the aforementioned methods preferably also includes a determination step in which it is determined on which of the locations a can is located. The can pusher can thus be moved faster, for example, as long as it is not pushing a can, i.e. it is being moved while it is idling.

Alternatively or additionally, the method has a notification process that is executed when the parking spaces are empty and a can located on the can filling station is full and/or the can filling station is empty. The notification process includes a notification response. The purpose of this process is to signal to a person that in the next can changing process no empty can can be moved to the can filling station because there is no empty can in any of the parking spaces or there is currently no can in the can filling station. As a result, it is possible for an operator to be able to place an empty can in good time, preferably in the parking space. Alternatively, however, the operator can also provide not to move any empty cans to a parking space. In this case, the can filling station is emptied after the current can has been filled, so that cleaning work can be carried out, for example. In the course of a safety reaction is also possible, for example in the form of an automatic (emergency) shutdown of the drive section and/or the textile machine which is coupled to the can changer or into which the can changer is integrated.

In each of the aforementioned methods, the can changing process is preferably only carried out if a can is to be filled and either the can filling station is empty or the can located on the can filling station is filled. This ensures that there is only a can on the can stand when a can filling process is pending. If there is no such request, the can filling station preferably remains empty, so that it is ensured that no can is moved onto the can parking station unnecessarily.

A can changer according to the invention is designed to be operated according to one of the aforementioned methods. The can changer has the components specified at the outset, a can filling section and a can changing section. The can filling section is set up to fill a can located on the can filling station. The can changing section has the aforesaid drive section. The can changing section is therefore set up to carry out the aforementioned can changing process.

The can changer preferably also has a guide section, by means of which the can pusher is guided along the movement path. This makes it possible to use cans with a smaller diameter with can changers that are actually intended for larger cans, and thus creates the possibility of being able to adapt one and the same can changer to cans of different diameters. This increases the number of identical parts, which has a favorable effect on the manufacturing costs.

The can pusher can be arranged or designed to be rigid, apart from being able to move along the movement path. Consequently, classic can slides can be used.

Alternatively or additionally, the parking space is preferably open on one side, which extends parallel or at an acute angle to the movement path in the area of the parking space. An empty can can thus be placed on the parking place from the side of the can changer or at a preferably right angle to the path of movement of the can pusher. From a functional point of view, this keeps the overall length of the can changer to a minimum. This also promotes user-friendliness if the can changer is part of a draw frame, for example. Adjusting the empty can does not affect the arrangement of a creel.

Alternatively or additionally, the can changer also preferably has a can guide section. The can guiding section is designed to guide cans between the intermediate storage place and the can filling place along the movement path in the area of these two places.

Each of the aforesaid can changers may have a sensor section. The sensor section can be designed to detect the presence of a can at the storage location, the intermediate storage location and/or the can filling location. This can prevent the can changing process from being triggered unnecessarily. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor section can be able to determine how far a can on the can filling station is filled and/or when the can on the can filling station is filled. In this way, an automatic can filling and can changing operation can be implemented without manual operations being necessary, apart from setting up new empty cans and transporting away the filled can. For this purpose, for example, non-contact sensors such as light barriers or mechanical sensors such as buttons can be used. If the sensor section can determine whether the can pusher is moving a can, this enables, for example, a controller of the drive section to automatically trigger the aforementioned notification or safety reaction. For this purpose, for example, a button can be used in such a way that it points in the direction of the can filling station and is actuated when a can is knocked against. If the sensor section is able to determine where the can pusher is located, this enables an optimal operation of the drive section. In particular, the sensor section can be set up to determine whether the can slide and/or the drive section has reached at least a predetermined position as part of the movement of the can slide in the direction of the can filling station. As an (additional) sensor, a button can be used at the respective position, which is actuated when the can pusher is pushed or moved past. Apart from that, the sensor section can be set up to determine how many empty cans the can pusher moves. In the case of moving two empty cans, this makes it possible to operate the drive section only until the empty can closest to the can filling station has reached this same can filling station. In this case, the drive section only has to move the can pusher about half of its maximum movement path in the direction of the can filling station, ie it only has to be operated for about half that time at the same movement speed. Again alternatively or additionally, the sensor section is designed to determine when to initiate the reverse motion step. This prevents the can slide from being extended too far.

In each of the aforementioned can changers, the drive device can have a pneumatic cylinder as drive means. This is a classic drive means and therefore inexpensive.

Alternatively or additionally, the can changer can also have a section or be coupled to one that is set up to cause the first or the second sub-process to be carried out when the can changing process is carried out. i.e. one and the same section of the can changer is able to carry out both sub-processes. This reduces the manufacturing costs and serves to simplify the construction of the entire can changer.

Preferably, the path of movement of each of the aforementioned can changers runs along a straight line. This enables a particularly cost-effective and space-saving design of the can changer. Last but not least, the can changer can easily be adapted to different can external dimensions and shapes.

A textile machine according to the invention has a processing section which is set up to process fiber material according to predetermined conditions. On the output side, the processing section is coupled to one of the aforementioned can changers. The can changer can therefore be designed either as a part of the textile machine or as a downstream, separate machine part.

The can changer is preferably integrated into the textile machine. This keeps the overall dimensions of the textile machine within limits.

When the movement path of the can changer is rectilinear, the movement path in each of the aforementioned textile machines preferably runs along a fiber processing direction of the textile machine from the processing section to the can filling section. As a result, the width dimensions of the textile machine in particular are hardly increased or not increased at all transversely to the processing direction.

Figur 1

eine Strecke mit einem Kannenwechselabschnitt gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf den Kannenwechselabschnitt von Figur 1,

Figur 3

zwei perspektivische Teilansichten des Kannenwechselabschnitts von Figur 1,

Figur 4

den Kannenwechselabschnitt von Figur 1 in zwei Betriebszuständen im Fall drei vorhandener Kannen,

Figur 5

den Kannenwechselabschnitt von Figur 1 in einem End-Betriebszustand im Fall zwei vorhandener Kannen und

Figur 6

den Kannenwechselabschnitt von Figur 1 in einem End-Betriebszustand bei nur einer vorhandenen Kanne.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred embodiment. Show it:

figure 1

a draw frame with a can changing section according to an embodiment of the invention,

figure 2

a plan view of the can changing section of FIG figure 1 ,

figure 3

two perspective partial views of the can changing section of FIG figure 1 ,

figure 4

the can changing section of figure 1 in two operating states in the case of three existing cans,

figure 5

the can changing section of figure 1 in a final operating state in the case of two existing cans and

figure 6

the can changing section of figure 1 in a final operating state with only one can present.

figure 1 shows a drawing frame 1 with a can changing section 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. Route 1 is unregulated here executed and includes a trained in a known manner, not designated stretch section.

The drafting section comprises a drafting system hood 18, which covers a drafting system lying underneath and a can depositing device. Both are known and will not be described further.

In the processing direction V represented by a block arrow in front of the drafting system, an infeed table 15 is arranged, via which slivers from cans typically enter the drafting system via a creel. On the side of the drafting system hood 18 there are side hoods 17 which cover other components of the draw frame 1 such as drive belts, deflection rollers of the drafting system, etc.

In the processing direction V before the infeed table 15, the draw frame 1 preferably comprises a housing 16, in which a suction channel for the drafting system and a control of the draw frame 1 are housed, for example.

The stretching section is arranged in a known manner on a plate 3 of the draw frame 1 or partially integrated into it (for example in the form of the depositing plate of the can depositing device). The draw frame 1 comprises a turntable 7, on which a can 4 to be filled stands below the aforementioned storage plate, and a motor 8 which causes the turntable to rotate. Here on the right side of can 4 are two empty cans 5.

The plate 3 is set up on columns 2 on a base plate 6 of draw frame 1, so that a free space for the can-changing section 20 is created.

The cans 4, 5 are between two guide walls 24 along their path of movement to the turntable 7 and, after filling, from the turntable 7 and the in figure 1 illustrated empty cans 5, 5 led away.

A can pusher 22 of the can changing section 20 is located on the side of the right-hand empty can 5 facing away from the can 5. The can pusher 22 is moved by means of a drive means, here in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 21, not visible in Figure 1, in the processing direction V from an initial position, in which from the right coming an empty can 5 can be pushed onto the place where there is already a right empty can 5 (storage place 10), in the direction of the turntable 7 and then moved back to its starting position.

If there is no can 4 on the turntable 7 , the can slide 22 is moved until either a (new) can 5 is detected on the turntable 7 or until the can slide 22 has reached its end position in the direction of the turntable 7 . In the second case, i.e. if no new can 4 is detected on the turntable 7, a signal can be emitted, for example by a flashing red signal lamp on draw frame 1, to make it visible to the outside that no can can be filled at the moment. Along with this, line 1 can also be automatically shut down in an emergency as part of a safety response.

figure 2 shows a plan view of the can changing section 20 without the elements of draw frame 1 arranged above the cans 4, 5.

In the example shown, the drawing frame 1 comprises a sensor 9 which is arranged in such a way that it detects a can 4 standing on the can filling station 12 and, when the can 4 moves to the left away from the can filling station 12, temporarily no cans 4, 5 are detected. The sensor 9 can Include a light barrier whose detection beam runs along the axis of rotation of the turntable 7 in the region of the edge of the illustrated can 4 facing away from the empty cans 5 . In this case, the detection beam preferably runs in an area outside of a line along the processing direction V, which intersects the center of rotation of the turntable 7 . This ensures that the detection beam is arranged in an area where two immediately adjacent cans 4, 5 do not touch one another when they are moved, as in FIG figure 2 represented by a digit 14.

If there is already a can 4 filled in this way on the turntable 7, the signal from the sensor 9 for detecting the presence of a can 4 on the turntable 7 is ignored until it sends a signal that a can 4 is not present on the turntable 7. The pot 4 is held in position on the turntable 7 by two, preferably four, pivoted levers 13, 13.

The can pusher 22 shifts the can 4, 5 closest to it here in the processing direction V and pushes the can/s 4, 5 possibly arranged behind it with it.

Alternatively, a mechanical switch is arranged in the base plate 6, which protrudes so far from the base plate 6 that it can be safely actuated by a can 4, 5 as soon as it is in the can-filling position on the turntable 7 (i.e. on the can-filling station 12). The switch can also be positioned in such a way that it remains permanently actuated when there are several cans 4, 5 when they are moved. In this context, a controller for the pneumatic cylinder 21 only needs to detect when the can pusher 22 has been displaced by one can position. If the operation of the switch has not been canceled in the meantime, a pot 4 has previously been on the intermediate parking space 11, which is now on the can filling station 12. This means that the pneumatic cylinder 21 can be switched off and the can pusher 22 can move to the starting position according to Figure 1 or figure 2 be moved back.

This ensures safe operation.

figure 3 shows two perspective partial views of the can changing section 20 from FIG figure 1 . In particular from Figure 3b It can be seen that the can pusher 22 is guided on the base plate 6 at its end remote from the pneumatic cylinder 21 by means of a roller 23 . In the area of the pneumatic cylinder 21, the can pusher 22 can also be mounted using rollers or, as shown here, slide-mounted. The can pusher 22 comprises a centering section 26 which securely holds the nearest can 4 between the opposing guide walls 24, 24; 24 towards turntable 7 pushes.

The can pusher 22 is attached to the end of the piston rod which can be moved out of the pneumatic cylinder 21 and is not visible and which points forward here. In the area of the pneumatic cylinder 21 , the can slide 22 is preferably slidably guided here under the pneumatic cylinder 21 by means of a guide 27 , so that the can slide 22 can be moved freely in relation to the pneumatic cylinder 21 . Alternatively, the can pusher 22 can be guided along its path of movement, for example via a groove arranged in the base plate 6 .

The guide walls 24 are fixed here to the base plate 6 via brackets 25 and are designed in such a way that the can pusher 22 can be moved safely.

figure 4 shows the can changing section 20 in two operating states in the case of three existing cans 4, 5, 5. In in Figure 4a shown state, the can 4 is full and must be replaced by an empty can 5. For this purpose, the can pusher 22 in the in Figure 4a shown starting position by means of the pneumatic cylinder 21 in the direction of the turntable 7 moves. If the sensor 9 (not shown here) has been used to detect that the can 5 has left the can filling station 12 and a new can 4 has been moved onto the turntable 7 (final operating state according to Figure 4b ), the pneumatic cylinder 21 is actuated, the can pusher 22 back into the in Figure 4a return to the starting position shown.

figure 5 shows the can changing section 20 in the final operating state in the case of two existing cans 4, 5. The pneumatic cylinder 21 is fully extended, and it does not matter where the can 5 was before the can pusher 22 was moved.

figure 6 shows the can changing section 20 in the final operating state with only one can 4 present. It can be seen that the full can 4 has not moved. If the can slide 22 is moved to the maximum and there is no intermediate signal from the sensor 9 that there was no can 4, 5 in its detection range at any time during the movement of the can slide, it is clear that there is no empty can 5, so that a can is filled is simply impossible. i.e. Using a simple sensor system, draw frame 1 can be automatically shut down in an emergency to avoid unnecessary processing of fiber material in the drafting system and thus waste.

the inside figure 2 The right lever 13 can be designed in such a way that it actuates or releases a preferably mechanical switch as a sensor when the right lever 13 is moved from the position shown in figure 2 swing-out position shown due to a passing can 5 upwards in figure 2 is swung in. This results in the following scenarios for the operation of Route 1: Condition position reaction Can pusher 22 right lever 13 no pot 4, 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung out between parking space 10 and intermediate parking space 11 swung out Intermediate parking space 11 swung out behind intermediate parking space 11 swung out Emergency shutdown, alarm an empty can 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung out between parking space 10 and intermediate parking space 11 swung out Intermediate parking space 11 swung in behind intermediate parking space 11 swung out can filling two empty cans 5, 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung in between parking space 10 and intermediate parking space swung out can filling a full can 4 and no empty can 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung out between parking space 11 and intermediate parking space 11 swung out Intermediate parking space 11 swung out behind intermediate parking space 11 swung out Emergency shutdown, alarm a full can 4 and an empty can 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung out between parking space 10 and intermediate parking space 11 swung out Intermediate parking space 11 swung in behind intermediate parking space 11 swung out can filling one full can 4 and two empty cans 5, 5 in front of parking space 10 swung out Parking space 10 swung in between parking space 10 and intermediate parking space 11 swung out can filling

As can be seen, it is necessary for the right-hand lever 13 to be swiveled in in the meantime. Otherwise it is clear that the can pusher 22 cannot have moved a can 4 onto the can filling station 12 or the turntable 7 . It is therefore not necessary to detect how many cans 4, 5 were located between the can pusher 22 and the turntable 12 before the can changing process. It is therefore possible by means of the simplest sensor system to ensure reliable operation of draw frame 1 with regard to can filling.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

The sensor section can be set up to detect when the piston of the pneumatic cylinder 21 has reached an intermediate extended position, which corresponds to a position in which the can pusher 22 would have pushed a can 5 onto the intermediate parking space 11, and/or has reached a final extended position which corresponds to a position in which the can pusher 22 would have pushed a can 5 onto the can filling station 11 . In this case, the sensor section can be detected for each exit position have a detection sensor which, for example, detects the (temporary) presence of the can pusher 22 . A button, for example, which is actuated (temporarily) by the can pusher 22 moved past or the connection to the piston of the pneumatic cylinder 21, is suitable as a detection sensor. In connection with the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 21 in the direction of the can filling station 12, it is possible for the controller to determine which path the piston has already covered. If the detection sensor is also arranged in such a way that it can also detect a can 5 located on the respective location 10, 11, separate sensors for locations 10-12 can be omitted. In extreme cases, a single sensor is sufficient for the intermediate storage location 11: If the detection sensor has not been triggered beforehand, i.e. before the can slide 22 is detected as the can slide 22 moving past, it is clear that the can slide 22 is not moving a can 5 onto the can filling station 12. This enables the aforesaid notification response and/or security response; in any case, the piston is moved back again. If the detection sensor has only been triggered once previously, it is clear that the can pusher 22 is currently only moving one can 5 . In that case, the piston must be moved to its final extended position. If the final extension position corresponds to the maximum stroke of the piston, no additional sensor is required. When the piston has reached its final extended position, the piston is moved back again. If the detection sensor has already triggered twice beforehand, it is clear that the can pusher 22 is currently moving two cans 5 . This means that the can filling station 12 is already occupied by a new empty can 4, and the piston 22 is moved back again before it is detected by the detection sensor. Whether the detection sensor now detects a can 5 or the piston or can slide 22 (indirectly) can be determined on the basis of the movement speed and the elapsed time from the start of operation of the pneumatic cylinder 21 to the respective triggering of the detection sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, a collision sensor is provided on the can pusher 22, by means of which it can be detected when the can pusher 22 strikes a can 4, 5. In the simplest case, this is a button. However, contactless proximity sensors are also available. If the collision sensor detects bumping against a can 4, 5 and the piston has not yet reached its final extended position, this is a signal for the controller to only move the piston further out by the distance that corresponds to the movement of a can 5 onto the nearest place 11, 12 corresponds. If the piston is already fully extended when such a detection is made, this is the signal for the controller that no empty can 5 is present, so that an advisory reaction and/or a safety reaction can take place. With the presence of the collision sensor, sensors for monitoring the storage locations 10, 11 and possibly also the can filling location 12 with regard to the respective presence of a can 4, 5 could be omitted.

The pneumatic cylinder 21 can be replaced by any other drive means, such as an electric motor, possibly with a connected gear. In this case, the sensor system for monitoring the extended position of the piston would be replaced by a corresponding sensor system. In the case of an electric motor as the drive means, a rotary encoder can be used, the line or code disk of which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, for example, on the output shaft of the electric motor.

The number of can parking spaces 10, 11 in the can changing direction in front of the can filling station 12 can vary, is at least 2 and can also be reduced to one (one) parking space with one and the same design of the can pusher construction.

The control can be designed to be adaptable in such a way that the movement path of the can pusher 12 for the can changing process can be adapted to the respective diameter of the cans to be filled and can even be changed during operation, as long as the guide walls 24 permit this. The guide walls 24 can be arranged to be displaceable, for example via grooves on the base plate 6, so that the drawing frame 1 can also be switched over to cans with a larger diameter. The same applies to the levers 13; for example, they would have to be movable horizontally in FIG. 4a and locked in different (locking) positions.

The brackets 25 can be attached to the columns 2 via spacers, for example.

In addition or as an alternative to the sensor system for detecting when a can 4 is located on the can filling station 12, the parking spaces 10, 11 can also be monitored.

Again additionally or alternatively, a sensor system can be provided, which monitors the fill level of the currently filled can 4 . This makes it possible to recognize when the can 4 has to be exchanged for an empty can 5, so that the entire process can take place fully automatically.

Even if the path of movement from the parking area 10 to the can filling station 12 has been shown running along a straight line along the processing direction V of a section 1, the path of movement can have any shape, for example in the form of an arc and/or at an angle between 0° and 180° to the processing direction V get lost. In the case of an arc, the can pusher 22 can be guided along an arc, with the drive means being, for example, an in the can pusher 22 integrated motor, which drives the roller 23, for example, can be provided.

Draw frame 1 preferably has or is coupled to a controller that can automatically carry out the can filling and can changing process.

The guide walls 24 are designed partially curved in order to form an end stop for cans 5 to be placed on the parking space and to deflect the movement of the can 5 in the direction of the can filling station 12 . The guide walls can have any other shape and can be straight, for example.

Preferably, parking space 10 is at in figure 1 forward-facing side open to allow the insertion of a pot 5. However, it is just as possible to make the parking space open at another point, as long as the starting position of the can pusher 22 is behind the can 5 in the direction of movement toward the turntable 12 .

The can changing section 20 can be integrated into any device for depositing fiber material in round or rectangular cans, for example in pure can depositing devices that are connected downstream from cards, combing machines and sliver winders.

As a result, the invention offers a very simply constructed and cost-effective solution for being able to easily integrate can changers for a wide variety of can sizes into existing devices with as many identical parts as possible.

Reference List

1

Route

2

pillar

3

plate

4

jug to be filled/full

5

empty can

6

bottom plate

7

turntable

8th

engine

9

sensor

10

parking space

11

intermediate parking space

12

can filling station

13

centering lever

14

Job

15

infeed table

16

Housing

17

side hood

18

drafting system hood

20

can changing section

21

pneumatic cylinder

22

can pusher

23

roller

24

guide wall

25

bracket

26

center section

27

guide

V

processing direction

Claims (18)

1. Method for operating a can changer (20), wherein

   • the can changer (20) comprises

   - two positions (10, 11), namely

   · an entry position (10) and

   · an intermediate position (11) arranged downstream of the entry position (10) in one direction (V) along a predetermined movement path,

   - a can filling position (12) arranged downstream of the intermediate position (11) in the one direction (V), and

   - a drive zone (21, 22),

   · comprising

   ∘ a drive device (21) and

   ∘ a can pusher (22), and

   · configured, on actuation of the drive device (21), to move the can pusher (22) in such a manner that the can pusher (22) moves a can (5) in the one direction (V) from the entry position (10) either to the intermediate position (11) or to the can filling position (12), and

   • the method comprises a can changing process, comprising

   - a first sub-process, which

   · is carried out when a can (5) is situated at only one position (10, 11), and

   ·· comprises

   ∘ a first step of actuating the drive device (21, 22) so that the can pusher(22)

   ◊ is moved from a starting position in the one direction (V) and

   ◊ thereby moves the can (5) in the one direction (V) towards the can filling position (12), and

   ∘ then a return movement step of moving the can pusher (22) along the predetermined movement path in another direction contrary to the one direction (V) into the starting position, and,

   · when a can (4) is situated in both positions (10, 11), a second sub-process, comprising

   ∘ a second step of actuating the drive device (21, 22) so that the can pusher(22)

   ◊ is moved from the starting position in the one direction (V) and

   ◊ thereby moves the can (5) situated at the entry position (10) in the one direction (V) towards the intermediate position (11) and the can (5) situated at the intermediate position (11) in the one direction (V) towards the can filling position (12), and

   ∘ then the return movement step.
2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising a can filling process

   • carried out when a can (4) to be filled is situated at the can filling position (12) and

   • comprising

   - filling the can (45) to be filled by means of the can changer (20) and

   - then carrying out the can changing process.
3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the can filling process comprises a step of determining when the can (4) to be filled is full.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a determination step of determining at which of the positions (10-12) a can (4, 5) is situated.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a notification process, which

   • is carried out when

   - the positions (10, 11) are empty and

   - a can (4) situated at the can filling position (12) is full and/or the can filling position (12) is empty, and

   • comprises a notification response.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the can changing process is carried out only when

   • a can (4) is to be filled and

   • either

   - the can filling position (12) is empty or

   - a can (4) situated at the can filling position (12) is full.
7. Can changer (20),

   • configured to be operated in accordance with a method according to any one of the preceding claims, and

   • comprising

   - two positions (10, 11), namely

   · an entry position (10) and

   · an intermediate position (11) arranged downstream of the entry position (10) in one direction (V) along a predetermined movement path,

   - a can filling position (12) arranged downstream of the intermediate position (11) in the one direction (V), and

   - a drive zone (21, 22),

   · comprising

   ∘ a drive device (21) and

   ∘ a can pusher (22), and

   - configured, on actuation of the drive device (21), to move the can pusher (22) in such a manner that the can pusher (22) moves a can (5) in the one direction (V) from the entry position (10) either to the intermediate position (11) or to the can filling position (12),

   - a can filling zone (7, 8) adapted to fill a can (4) situated at the can filling position (12), and

   - a can changing zone (20),

   · having the drive zone (21, 22) and

   · adapted to carry out the can changing process.
8. Can changer (20) according to claim 7, further comprising a guide zone (27) by means of which the can pusher (22) is guided along the movement path.
9. Can changer (20) according to claim 8, wherein the can pusher (22), apart from being movable along the movement path, is fixedly arranged or configured.
10. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the entry position (10) is open on one side which extends parallel or at an acute angle to the movement path in the region of the entry position (10).
11. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a can guiding zone (24), configured to guide cans (5) between the intermediate position (11) and the can filling position (12) along the movement path in the region of those two positions (11, 12).
12. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a sensor section (9), configured

    • to detect the presence of a can (4) at the entry position (10), the intermediate position (11) and/or the can filling position (12), and/or

    • to determine

    - to what extent and/or when a can (4) situated at the can filling position (12) is full,

    - whether the can pusher (22) is moving a can (4, 5),

    - where the can pusher (22) is situated,

    - whether the can pusher (22) and/or the drive zone has reached at least one predetermined position within the context of the movement of the can pusher (22) in the direction towards the can filling position (12),

    - how many empty cans (4) the can pusher (22) is moving, and/or

    - when the return movement step is to be initiated.
13. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the drive device (21, 22) has as the drive means (21) a pneumatic cylinder (21).
14. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 13, further comprising or coupled with a section which is adapted to cause the first or second sub-process to be carried out when the can changing process is carried out.
15. Can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the movement path runs along a straight line.
16. Textile machine (1) having a processing section, which

    • is adapted to process fibre material in accordance with predetermined conditions, and

    • is coupled on the output side with a can changer (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 15.
17. Textile machine (1) according to claim 16, wherein the can changer (20) is integrated in the textile machine (1).
18. Textile machine (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein

    • the can changer (20) is configured according to claim 15, and

    • the movement path runs in a fibre processing direction of the textile machine (1) from the processing section to the can filling section (7, 8).

Images