GB2271126A

GB2271126A - Apparatus and method for processing fibre material

Info

Publication number: GB2271126A
Application number: GB9319501A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ferdinand Leifeld
Original assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1992-09-22
Filing date: 1993-09-21
Publication date: 1994-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-21
Also published as: JPH06166918A; JPH06294021A; IT1264687B1; GB2271126B; JP3426297B2; ITMI931476A1; ITMI931476A0; GB9319501D0

Abstract

A carding machine comprises a feed device (4, 5) and a cylinder, at least two licker-in rollers (1, 2, 3) including at least one clothed roller (2, 3) having a saw4ooth clothing provided between the feed apparatus and the cylinder (13). At least one needle roller or pin roller (1) is arranged between the feed device (4, 5) and the clothed roller(s) (2, 3). At least one separating edge (6) provided by a separating blade 10 for impurities with an associated separating opening (7) is associated with each licker-in (1, 2, 3). Each successive licker-in (2, 3) rotates in the opposite direction to the licker-in immediately upstream (1, 2). A guide element 11 may be provided at the upstream end of opening 7 associated with pin roller 1. Adjusting devices for element 11 and blade 10 may exist. The distance between tips of pins/needles and upstream portion of element 11 may be adjustable. The pins of pinned roller 1 may be inclined. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus and Method for Drocessina fibre material The invention relates to an apparatus on a carding machine, for example, a carding machine for processing cotton or synthetic fibres, and to a method of processing fibre material.

In a known apparatus, three licker-ins having a sawtooth clothing are arranged between the feed apparatus and the cylinder. Viewed in the direction of operation, a licker-in having a saw-tooth clothing is arranged immediately downstream of the feed apparatus which comprises a feed roller having a feed table. Fibre material which has previously been opened and cleaned by an upstream cleaning apparatus is fed to the licker-in. The saw-teeth of the licker-in arranged downstream of the feed apparatus engage relatively intensively into this fibre material.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which avoids or mitigates the disadvantages mentioned and enables gentle opening and improved cleaning of the fibre material to be achieved.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use in a carding machine said apparatus having a carding cylinder and a feed means, and further having a plurality of licker-ins comprising a clothed roller arranged between the feed means and the cylinder, and a pin or needle roller arranged between the feed means and the clothed roller.

The present invention also provides an apparatus on a carding machine, especially for cotton, synthetic fibres and the like, in which at least two licker-ins having a saw-tooth clothing are provided between a feed device (fibre feed-in apparatus) and a carding cylinder, each downstream licker-in co-operating with the respective upstream licker-in as a take-off and opening roller, characterised in that at least one needle roller, pin roller or the like is arranged between the feed apparatus and the clothed licker-in.

In the context of the present invention the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are to be understood to be in relation to the general direction of flow of fibre material. The licker-ins are arranged one after the other. The or each succeeding clothed roller is in take-off (doffing) relationship to the clothed roller immediately preceding it. In use, fibre material can pass from the feed means to the first licker-in (that is, the, or the first, pin or needle roller) and thence to the, or consecutively to each, licker-in downstream of the first, the fibre being removed from the last lickerin by the carding cylinder.

The measures according to the invention permit a separation of functions in that at least one pin or needle roller (pin or needle licker-in) is arranged immediately downstream of the feed device so that the pins or needles of that roller comb out the slowly advanced fibre material without causing undesirable damage to the fibres. Arranged immediately downstream of the pin or needle roller is a licker-in having a sawtooth clothing to which the already accelerated fibre material is transferred. That second licker-in may rotate at a higher circumferential speed than the first, pin or needle licker-in, as a result of which intensified cleaning of the fibre material is effected. Cleaning is also already carried out at the first pin or needle licker-in. The fibre material may thus be accelerated gradually while being treated gently.Fibre-opening is gradual and, as a result, gentle, and at the same time the provision of a plurality of cleaning rollers (lickerins) in conjunction with the increase in the circumferential speed bring about a markedly enhanced cleaning effect.

In an advantageous embodiment the feed apparatus comprises a low-speed feed roller and a counter-member, for example, a feed table. An especially gentle opening action is achieved by that arrangement in conjunction with the downstream pin or needle roller.

Preferably at least one separating edge, for example, of a separating blade, for impurities with an associated separating opening is associated with each licker-in. That enables the licker-ins to achieve a further thorough cleaning of the fibre material.

The diameters of each of the licker-ins are preferably the same, with the result that manufacture is more economical and storage is simpler.

The diameter of the licker-ins is advantageously approximately from 160 to 200 mm.

The direction of rotation of the or each downstream licker-in may be counter to the direction of rotation of the respective upstream licker-in. The circumferential speed of the or each downstream licker-in may be higher than the circumferential speed of the or each upstream licker-in. By increasing the speed of each successive licker-in in relation to that preceding it, the fibres are opened more finely and cleaning is further improved.

The cleaning action is further enhanced according to a preferred embodiment of the invention by associating at least one clothed fixed carding element with each licker-in.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the pins or needles are inclined in the direction of rotation with respect to the radial direction of the pin or needle rollers. The angle of inclination a of the pins or needles in the direction of rotation may be, for example, 5" to 25" and is advantageously approximately from 10 to 15". The inclined orientation of the pins or needles allows improved combing-out of the fibre material with an especially gentle opening action.

The height of the pins or needles above the securing face is preferably approximately from 4 to 20 mm. The pins or needles are advantageously arranged at a density of approximately from 0.5 to 2 pins or needles per cm2.

The carding machine can be adapted in an optimum manner to the material being processed by a suitable choice of pin or needle height and density.

The distance between the cutting edge of the separating blade, if present, and the enveloping surface of the free ends of the pins or needles is preferably from 0.5 to 5 mm. A clothed fixed carding element is advantageously arranged downstream of the separating blade.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a suction arrangement for trash and the like is associated with a separating blade, and there is preferably arranged upstream of the separating edge of the separating blade a guide element, the distance of which from the pin or needle roller may be adjustable.

By adjusting the distance of the guide element it is possible to vary the degree of separation of fibre material and thus to suit it to the material being treated. A suction arrangement may be arranged downstream of the separating blade. That allows for the immediate removal of foreign matter.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention a separating opening for impurities is provided, arranged between the separating edge and the respective upstream covering and upstream guide element. It is thereby possible to remove impurities from each licker-in at different sites, thus enhancing the cleaning action further.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one curved covering surface is arranged above and/or below the pin or needle rollers, resulting in improved guiding of the impurities contained in the fibre material towards the discharge openings.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus on a carding machine, especially for cotton, synthetic fibres and the like, in the case of which a licker-in having a saw-tooth clothing is provided between a feed apparatus (fibre feed-in apparatus) and a carding cylinder, characterised in that at least one needle roller, pin roller or the like is arranged between the feed apparatus and the clothed licker-in. As a result of the provision of a pin or needle roller and a saw-tooth roller as licker-ins, it is possible to feed fibre material to the carding machine whilst achieving an enhanced cleaning action and more gentle opening in comparison with the prior art arrangements.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of carding fibre material, in which fibre material is passed from a feed means via a plurality of licker-ins comprising at least one pin or needle roller and at least one clothed roller to a carding cylinder, the fibre material being subjected to opening and cleaning by said at least one pin or needle roller before being subjected to further opening and cleaning by said at least one clothed roller.

Certain illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a carding machine having three licker-ins and a feed means; Fig. 2 is a side view of the licker-ins and the feed means of a modified form of the carding machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 3a is a side view of a segment of a pin or needle roller; Fig. 3b is a plan view of the segment of the pin or needle roller; Fig. 3c is a side view of another segment of the pin or needle roller; Fig. 4 is a side view of a modified form of the carding machine of Fig. 1 having two needle rollers and one clothed roller; Fig. 5 is a side view of a further modified form of the carding machine of Fig. 1 having one needle roller and one clothed roller; and Fig. 6 is a further side view of a segment of a pin or needle roller.

Throughout the drawings, parts corresponding to those already shown in and described with reference to an earlier drawing are designated by the same reference numerals as in the earlier drawing and are not necessarily described again.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a carding machine, which may for example be a high-performance carding machine generally of the type made by Trutzschler GmbH & Co. KG and known as the DK 760, comprises a cylinder 13 to which fibre material is conveyed via licker-ins 1, 2, 3 from a feed means comprising a feed roller 4 and a feed table 5.

A covering or housing comprising a plurality of covering surfaces 12 is provided about the licker-ins 1, 2, 3, which are each of substantially the same diameter.

Fibre material in the form of a lap 18 is conveyed from an apparatus (not shown in Fig. 1) to the feed means. The web is held securely between the feed roller 4 and the feed table 5 and is slowly conveyed in the direction towards the pin roller 1 by means of the rotation of feed roller 4 in the direction shown by the arrow (that is, anticlockwise when viewed as in Fig.l).

Referring now to Fig. 2, the pin roller 1 has pins 9 which engage the front end of the web 18 and detach fibres therefrom. Fibre material retained by the pins or needles 9 is conveyed by the pin roller 1. The pin roller 1 rotates at a substantially greater circumferential speed than does the feed roller 4 and rotates in the same direction as the feed roller 4, that is, the pin roller 1 rotates in an anticlockwise direction when viewed as in Fig. 1. Associated with the pin roller 1 is a separating opening 7 provided in the housing 12. At the downstream end of the opening 7 there is provided a separating blade 10 having a separating edge 6. A suction device 16 is associated with the separating opening 7. Downstream of the separating arrangement 7, 10, 6, 16 there is provided a fixed carding element 8.In the embodiment of Fig. 2, a further separating arrangement 7, 10, 6, 16 is provided downstream of the fixed carding element 8. The detached fibres are conveyed by the pin roller 1 past the separating opening 7 where impurities are removed by the separating edge 6 of the separating blade 10. The impurities are transported away by means of the suction device 16. The fibres then pass the fixed carding element 8 and (in the case of the embodiment of Fig. 2) pass the further separating arrangement 7, 10, 6, 16, before reaching the succeeding, clothed licker-in 2.

The licker-in 2 is clothed with a saw-tooth clothing 15.

The licker-in 2 is also provided with a suction device 16, associated with a separating blade 10. The licker-in 2 rotates in the opposite direction to, and at a greater speed than the pin roller 1. Thus, the licker-in 2 rotates in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 shows in detail a guide element 11 provided at the upstream end of the separating opening 7 associated with the needle or pin roller 1, providing one boundary of the separating opening 7, the other boundary being provided by the separating edge 6 of the separating blade 10. The guide element 11 and separating edge 6 are separated by a distance b. There are provided adjusting devices (not shown) for the guide element 11 and the separating blade 10. Suitable adjusting devices are known in the art. The upstream portion of the guide element 11 is separated from the tips of the pins or needles 9 by a distance f which is adjustable.

In the same manner, a guide element 11 can be provided at the upstream end of the separating opening 7 associated with the licker-in 2 shown especially in Figs. 2 and 5, providing one boundary of the separating opening 7, the other boundary being provided by the separating edge 6 of the separating blade 10. The blade 10 and the guide element 11 can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device 17 (not shown). The distance d, as indicated in Fig. 3c between the separating edge 6 and the tips of the pins 9, can be adjusted so as to suit the particular fibre material to be processed. The distance d between the separating edge 6 and the enveloping surface defined by the tips of the pins 9 is from 0.5 to 5 mm.

The licker-in 2, rotating in the clockwise direction when viewed as in the Figs. 1 and 2, transfers the fibres to the clothed licker-in 3. The licker-in 3 rotates in an anticlockwise direction (when viewed as in Figs. 1 and 2) at a greater circumferential speed than the licker-in 2. The licker-in 3 is clothed with a saw-tooth clothing 15, the teeth of which are finer than those with which in the licker-in 2 is clothed.

Fibre material is transferred from the licker-in 3 to the cylinder 13. To the extent that it is possible, all of the licker-ins 1, 2, 3 (the pin roller 1 is also a licker-in) are covered with the housing 12.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 in which there are three licker-ins, comprising two pin rollers 1 and a clothed licker-in 2. Fibre material is transferred from the first pin roller 1 to the second pin roller 1, and fibre material is transferred from the second pin roller 1 to the clothed licker-in 2 and from the clothed licker-in 2 to the cylinder 13.

A further embodiment still of the invention is shown in Fig. 5 in which there are two licker-ins, namely a pin roller 1 and a clothed licker-in 2. Fibre material is transferred from the pin roller 1 to the clothed lickerin 2 and from the licker-in 2 to the cylinder 13.

Fig. 3a shows a segment-like portion of the outer surface 14 of the pin roller 1, a plurality of pins 9 projecting from the surface 14 of the pin roller 1. The pins 9 which are pointed on one side, are inclined at an angle a in the direction of rotation of the pin roller 1, indicated by arrow A. The angle a of inclination of each pin 9 is, for example, from 5 to 25", the angle a being measured with respect to an imaginary radial line taken through the pin 9. The height c of the pins 9 above the surface 14 of the pin roller 1 is, for example, from 4 to 20 mm. The diameter e of the pins 9 is, for example, from 2 to 4 mm. The pins 9 are preferably made of steel.

As shown in Fig. 3b, the pins 9 are distributed on the surface 14 of pin roller 1 at a density of approximately from 0.5 to 2 pins per cm2. (It will be appreciated that there is provided an integral number of whole needles; thus a statistical figure of 0.5 needles per cm2 indicates an occurrence of one whole pin situated in each 2 cm2 of the surface 14 of the pin roller 1.) The arrow G in Fig. 3 indicates the orientation of the axis of the pin roller 1.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a carding machine, said apparatus having a carding cylinder and a feed means, and further having a plurality of licker-ins comprising a clothed roller arranged between the feed means and the cylinder, and a pin or needle roller arranged between the feed means and the clothed roller.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which there is provided a second clothed roller as a licker-in, said second clothed roller being arranged between the first clothed roller and the cylinder, the second clothed roller, in use, co-operating with, and being in take-off and opening relationship with, the first clothed roller.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the clothing of the second clothed roller is finer than the clothing of the first clothed roller.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which there is provided a second pin or needle roller arranged between the first pin or needle roller and the, or the first, clothed roller.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the feed means comprises a feed roller and a counter-member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, in which the feed roller is a low-speed feed roller.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the feed roller and the, or the first, pin or needle roller are arranged to rotate at such circumferential speeds that, in use, the, or the first, pin or needle roller rotates at a greater circumferential speed than the feed roller.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which each of the licker-ins is of substantially the same diameter.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the diameter of each licker-in is approximately from 160 to 200 mm.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the licker-ins are arranged to rotate such that, in use, each licker-in rotates in the opposite direction to the licker-in immediately preceding it.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the licker-ins are arranged to rotate at such speeds that, in use, the circumferential speed of the or each licker-in is greater than the circumferential speed of the licker-in immediately preceding it.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which at least one clothed fixed carding element is associated with each licker-in.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the pins or needles of the or each pin or needle roller are inclined in the direction in which, in use, the pin or needle roller rotates.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, in which the angle of inclination of each pin or needle with respect to an imaginary radial line taken through that pin or needle is approximately from 5 to 25

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the pins or needles project to a height of approximately from 4 to 20 mm above the face to which they are secured.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the diameter of the pins or needles is from 2 to 4 mm at their base.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the pins or needles of the or each pin or needle roller are distributed on the surface of the pin or needle roller at a density of approximately from 0.5 to 2 pins or needles per cm2.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which a separating edge for impurities and an associated separating opening are associated with each licker-in.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, in which the distance between the separating edge and an enveloping surface defined by the tips of the pins or needles of the or each pin or needle roller is from 0.5 to 5 mm.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, in which a clothed fixed carding element is arranged downstream of the separating edge.

21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20, in which a suction device for removing trash and the like is associated with the separating edge.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 21, in which a guide element is so arranged upstream of the separating edge that the distance of the guide element from the pin or needle roller is adjustable.

23. An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which a curved housing is arranged above the or each pin or needle roller.

24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which a curved housing is arranged below the or each pin or needle roller.

25. An apparatus according to claim 23 or 24 when dependent on claim 22, in which a separating opening for impurities is arranged between the separating edge and the guide element and curved housing upstream of the separating edge.

26. A carding machine comprising an apparatus according to any preceding claim.

27. An apparatus on a carding machine, especially for cotton, synthetic fibres and the like, in which at least two licker-ins having a saw-tooth clothing are provided between a feed apparatus (fibre feed-in apparatus) and the cylinder, the downstream licker-in co-operating with the upstream licker-in as a take-off and opening roller characterised in that at least one needle roller, pin roller or the like is arranged between the feed apparatus and the clothed licker-in.

28. An apparatus on a carding machine, especially for cotton, synthetic fibres and the like, in the case of which a licker-in having a saw-tooth clothing is provided between a feed apparatus (fibre feed-in apparatus) and the cylinder, characterised in that at least one needle roller, pin roller or the like is arranged between the feed apparatus and the clothed licker-in.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, which is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27.

30. A method of carding fibre material, in which fibre material is passed from a feed means via a plurality of licker-ins comprising at least one pin or needle roller and at least one clothed roller to a carding cylinder, the fibre material being subjected to opening and cleaning by said at least one pin or needle roller before being subjected to further opening and cleaning by said at least one clothed roller.

31. A method according to claim 30, in which the circumferential speed of the or each succeeding licker-in is greater than the circumferential speed of the lickerin immediately preceding it.

32. A method according to any one of claims 30 or 31, in which the direction of rotation of the or each licker-in is opposite to the direction of rotation of the licker-in immediately preceding it.

33. A method according to claim any one of claims 30 to 32, in which the circumferential speed of the, or the first, pin or needle roller is substantially greater than that of a feed roller of the feed means.

34. An apparatus for use in a carding machine, the apparatus being substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Fig. 2 or Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings when taken alone or incorporating Figs. 3a to 3c or Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A carding machine substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

36. A method of opening and cleaning fibre material, the method being carried out substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Fig. 2 or Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings when taken alone or incorporating Figs. 3a to 3c or Fig.

6 of the accompanying drawings.