GB857000A - Improvements in or relating to fulling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

857,000. Finishing fabrics; stop mechanisms. BERTOLDI, A. May 13, 1959 [May 24, 19581, No. 16364/59. Class 42 (1). An arrangement for arresting the operation of a fulling-machine in the event of knotting or entanglement of the fabric piece during a fulling-operation, comprises a feeler device adapted to contact a piece of fabric in the machine and to detect knotting or entanglement of the fabric, and a pressure fluid control means responsive to detection of knotting or entanglement by the feeler to apply pressure to separate the pressure rollers and thus arrest the operation of the machine before the knotting or entanglement can reach the pressure rollers. The machine shown comprises pressure-rollers 4 and 5, one of which is driven, and walls 6 and 7 delimiting a feed channel 8. The position of the wall 6 can be adjusted by connection 9 and the pressure exerted on the fabric by wall 6 is adjusted by regulating the air pressure in the cylinder 10. The upper roller 4 is supported so as to be pivotable about axis 13 by the action of a system of adjustable bars 14 terminating at the rod of a piston 15 slidable in a fixed cylinder 16. The cylinder 16 is fed from an air compressor K through a main cock 17 and from thence through electromagnetically-operated valve 18 or 19. If through 18, the air passes through two pressure reducers 20, 21 which are controlled through knobs 22, 23 and thence via lines 24, 25 to the two opposite cylinder chambers 16a, 16b of cylinder 16. Numeral 26 denotes a three-way valve which permits the compressed air in cylinder 16 to be released to atmosphere. The branch 28 of the circuit is controlled by valve 19 whilst the line 24 can be released to atmosphere by valve 29. In operation on the occurrence of a knot or entanglement the feeler lever 30 is lifted, thereby thus operating the switch 33 to stop the electric motor driving the machine and at the same time open the valves 19 and 29 and close valve 18 so that the piston 15 is quickly lifted and the pressure roller 4 is raised. In normal operation valve 18 is open and valves 19 and 29 closed so that the cylinder 16 is fed on both sides of piston 15, and by suitably regulating the two pressure reducers 20 and 21 the pressure exerted on the fabric passing through the rollers can be regulated. In the event of a feed frame 35 being fitted, when knots or entanglement are formed, the frame lifts an arm 36 to actuate a switch 39 in series with switch 33. The feeler device 30 may support a piece of wire gauze so that should a workman inadvertently interpose his hands between rollers 4 and 5, the feeler 30 is displaced so causing stopping of the machine and lifting of the roller 4.