GB1392691A - Apparatus for unfolding spreading and guiding a travelling knitted fabric strip - Google Patents

Abstract

1392691 Uncurling webs TOYO MACHINERY CO Ltd 4 June 1973 [21 Aug 1972 18 Jan 1973] 26567/73 Heading B8R [Also in Division D1] Apparatus for uncurling the selvages of and spreading and guiding a moving knitted fabric N comprises moving endless belts 2 having longitudinal projections 1 thereon and disposed at the opposite edges of the fabric N, and push members 8 opposing the belts 2 and each having projections 7 thereon so as to interpose the fabric N between the belt 2 and the member 8. In one embodiment, Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, each belt 2 passes around a drive roller 3 and guide rollers 4, 5, all of the rollers being formed with grooves and projections to co-operate with those of the belts 2. Feeler levers 9 are positioned at each edge of the fabric and are movable under the action of a spring or gravity. When a selvage of the fabric moves inwards and tends to retract from between the belt 2 and the member 8, the respective lever 9 is moved inwards to turn a pivot 29, Fig. 5, which moves an apertured lever 28 to bring an aperture 32 thereof into register with holes of air supply tubes 25, 27 to close an air valve 24. This causes compressed air to be supplied to a nozzle 22, Fig. 4, and act on a diaphragm 19 carrying a push rod 20 which, against the action of a spring 23, pushes the member 8 towards the belt 2 to grip and positively uncurl the fabric selvage. If the selvage is displaced outward to move in between the belt 2 and the member 8 to excess, the selvage pushes the lever 9 outwardly to bring the aperture 32 out of register with the holes of the tubes 25, 27 to close the valve 24 and allow the spring 23 to move the member 8 away from the belt 2 to free the fabric. In another embodiment, Figs. 7 and 8, the push member 80 comprises an endless belt 82 formed with projections and grooves 81 and which is driven by a torque motor 87 driving a roller 83 independently of the belt 2 so that both faces of the fabric N are subjected to spreading and selvage uncurling. Guide rollers 84, 85 for the belt 82 are supported by a link 88 coupled to a link mechanism 89 pivoted at 90 and which mechanism is connected to the push rod 20 operable similarly to that of the first embodiment. In modifications, the feeler lever 9 is replaced by a photoelectric device, the belt 2 and the push member are formed by circular-section belts, Fig. 9, (not shown), or the hold member only may be constituted by circular-section belts, Fig. 10 (not shown).