GB735172A - Improvements relating to the preparation of blended fibrous materials - Google Patents

Abstract

735,172. Opening and blending fibres. T.M.M. (RESEARCH), Ltd. Feb. 17, 1953 [May 16, 1952], No. 12503/52. Classes 120(1) and 120(3). Blended fibrous material is continuously prepared by (a) subjecting each ingredient of the blend separately to an opening operation, (b) conveying each such opened ingredient separately to a gravity feed trunk reserved for the said ingredient in quantities calculated to maintain a constant head of material therein, (c) discharging the ingredient from each trunk at a metered rate to a continuously travelling conveyer common to all trunks, the material being transferred to the conveyer under conditions in which the conveyer receives a substantially homogeneous blend of the material by receiving successively a substantially uniform dispersion of tufts of each ingredient, and (d) removing the resultant blend of ingredients from the conveyer. As shown, a separate opener A as described in Specification 735,173 is provided for each ingredient which is conveyed from its opener through a pneumatic duct A<SP>5</SP> to a separate unit comprising a condenser B<SP>2</SP> and a feed trunk B3 forming part of a blending apparatus B constructed as described in Specification 706,043, the rate of discharge by the opener being automatically regulated by means of a photo-cell B<SP>4</SP> to maintain a constant head of fibres in the trunk. Each trunk B<SP>3</SP> discharges at a predetermined rate through variable-speed metering delivery rollers B<SP>5</SP> to a high-speed spiked lattice B<SP>6</SP> which thereby receives a substantially homogeneous blend of fibres. The blended fibres are stripped from lattice B<SP>6</SP> at B<SP>7</SP> and subjected to further opening in a machine C such as is described in Specifications 670,827 or 715,413 followed by a machine D such as is described in Specification 650,157, fed by a gravity feed trunk D<SP>2</SP>, the resultant fleece being calendered at E<SP>1</SP> and wound at E. When dealing with synthetic staple fibre, machine C and/or D may be omitted. The opening action performed at A is regulated, by adjustment of the relative speeds of feed mechanism A<SP>2</SP> and lattice A3, so that all the ingredients are presented to the blending stage in substantially the same degree of openness ; where. the raw material is cotton or other natural fibre in baled condition, one or more supplementary preparatory opening and cleaning stages may be desirable. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specifications 670,827 and 706,043.