GB2041016A

GB2041016A - Container Changing Device for Carding Machines

Info

Publication number: GB2041016A
Application number: GB7942622A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-12-15
Filing date: 1979-12-11
Publication date: 1980-09-03
Also published as: ES486930A1; IT7805283A0; FR2443993A1; DE2948078A1; IT1104290B; FR2443993B1; GB2041016B

Abstract

A horizontally displaceable thrust arm (2) for engaging with a container to be brought to a position for collecting material produced by the carding machine is operated by a cylinder and piston rod (10, 11) actuated by a pressurised fluid, and is guided on a horizontal rod (6) enclosed in a box-shaped protective body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Container Changing Device for Carding Machines The present invention concerns an automatic container changing device for carding machines.

The material leaving a card machine is generally collected in a container or so-called "pot", which, after filling to the desired level, has to be removed and replaced with an empty container.

At present, for the removal and replacement of containers, each carding machine is provided with a device comprising an electric motor which, by means of a reduction gear and a large screw, horizontally moves a thrust arm against the empty container until it brings said container under the outlet of the carding machine, whilst the full container is simultaneously removed therefrom.

Such a device, given the special features of the environment in which it is located to operate, is also subjected to rapid and frequent obstructions which involve periodic stopping of the machine for the maintenance of the device and the resumption of regular operating conditions.

Furthermore, with such a device, if the travel limiting devices should not become activated, due to obstructions and other obstacles, the motor would not stop, thus causing the breakage or jamming of the apparatus.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a container changing device for carding machines, using a pneumatic or like fluid control, of simpler design and reliable operation, in order to eliminate or minimise the said disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having the above-mentioned functions and not subject to jamming and capable of eliminating or reducing the necessities of maintenance and, correspondingly, the periods of breakdown and stoppage of the carding machine with which problems the carding machine have been associated.

According to the present invention there is provided a container changing device for carding machines, comprising a horizontally displaceable thrust arm for engaging with a container to be brought to a position for collecting material produced by the carding machine; said thrust arm being controlled by a cylinder and piston rod actuated by a pressurised fluid, and being guided on a horizontal rod enclosed in a box-shaped protective body.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of a container changing device comprising a protective body of guide means of a disengaged thrust arm; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2.

A carding machine 1 is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings and at the side thereof is mounted the device of the present invention, comprising a conventional horizontal thrust arm 2, of suitable shape, secured to a plate-like support 3 having a sleeve 4 which is slidable by means of interposed bearings 5, along a horizontal guide rod 6 secured in a box-shaped protective casing or body 7. The plate-shaped support 3 is also preferably provided with at least two rollers 8 and 9-a lower roller and an upper one-acting between the bottom and the cover of the body 7 (see Fig. 3) for more efficient and stable support of the thrust arm 2 in combination with a roller 2' secured below the arm itself and supported on the ground.

The end of the rod 10 of a pneumatic cylinder 11 or of a double acting cylinder actuated by a pressurised fluid suitably arranged in alignment with the box-shaped body 7, is secured to the support 3 for the horizontal displacement of the arm 2 along the guide rod 6. The feeding of said cylinder 11 for the outward travel and return of the rod 10 is controlled by a valve assembly (indicated as a whole by 1 2 in Fig. 1), associated with a contactor, and more particularly with meter counter 1 3. The counter is normally provided in the carding machine for measuring the length of the material produced which is sent periodically to a collecting vessel 14 located below the outlet for the material of the carding machine itself.

For the centering and stability of said container 14, the present invention provides below the outlet of the carding machine, positioning means operating in conjunction with said cylinder 11 for controlling the thrust arm 2.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings the positioning means are formed by two arms 15, 1 5' pivoted on a support bracket 16 and angularly displaceable in opposite directions towards and away from the container 14; said arms being interconnected by a single-acting cylinder and piston unit 1 7 which is suitably fed and acts in opposition to the springs 1 8 also connected to said arms.

The arms 15, 15' are also preferably provided with end rollers 1 9 intended to bear against the container 14 in order to retain said container in the correct position.

The operation of the above-described assembly is as follows: During the filling of an initial container 14 located and secured by means of arms 15, 1 5' below the outlet of the carding machine, an operator proceeds to position a second, empty container 14' between said first container 14 and the previously withdrawn thrust arm 2-as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

When the pre-determined quantity of material-measured by the meter counter 13has been collected in the first container 14, said meter counter sends a pulse to the valve assembly 1 2 so that the cylinder 11 is fed for displacing the thrust arm 2 forwardly whilst the arms 15, 15' for retaining the container 14 are opened to release the container itself. The advance of the thrust arm 2 effects the simultaneous displacement of both containers 14', 14 so that the full container 14 is removed from the carding machine whilst the second container 14', which is empty, is positioned in the place of the first one below the outlet for the material of the carding machine.

The advance of the thrust arm 2 is limited by an end micro-switch 20 disposed in the box-shaped body 7. When the micro-switch is contacted by the arm 2 or by its support 3, it controls the valve group 12 to reverse feeding of the cylinder, and, consequently, to displace said arm 2 backwardly until in the initial rest position. When the return movement of the arm 2, the cylinder 1 7 interconnecting the arms 15, 15' is actuated in a direction to bring the arms close to the container 14' for the correct centring and the locking thereof during the entire filling period thereof. This operation therefore takes place automatically with the action of the replacement of the filled container from time to time by another empty container.

The simplicity and operation of the above described assembly are thus evident and, since the control and guiding means for the arm are sealed within the box-like body, such are not subjected to frequent blockages or stoppages.

It should finally be noted that in addition to the end stop micro-switch, a safety end stop may be associated with the thrust arm 2, and be formed, for example, by screw 21 mounted on the end of the box-shaped body, as shown in Fig, 1.

Claims

1. A container changing device for carding machines, comprising a horizontally displaceable thrust arm for engaging with a container to be brought to a position for collecting material produced by the carding machine; said thrust arm being controlled by a cylinder and piston rod actuated by a pressurised fluid, and being guided on a horizontal rod enclosed in a box-shaped protective body.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which a thrust arm is secured to a plate-shaped support having a sleeve with a bearing for running along said horizontal rod, and in which lower and upper rollers are provided engaging between the bottom and the cover of said box-shaped protective body.

3. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 2, in which the cylinder and rod for controlling the thrust arm is fed via a valve group associated with a counting device, and in which the movement of said thrust arm is limited by electrical and/or mechanical stops combined with said valve group.

4. A container changing device for carding machines, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in combination with one or more centering and locking devices for the container in the position for collecting the material produced by the carding machine; said means comprising two arms pivotally mounted on a stationary support and capable of effecting angular displacements in opposite directions towards and away from said container, a cylinder and piston unit connecting said arms together and springs engaging on said arms in opposition to said cylinder and piston unit.

5. An automatic container changing device for carding machines constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.