IT1315840B1 - Circular knitter has air blowers aligned at the needle zones with air feeds or electrical supply lines which are not twisted by the regular forwards/backwards rotation of the knitter - Google Patents

Abstract

To remove lint and debris from a circular knitter, a number of air blowers (7a) deliver blown air streams at the needle zones (12), while a drive (3A) operates the knitter rotating system (2A) to and fro by an angle of less than 360[deg] in regular forwards/backwards movements. The air blowers (7A) have forwards/backwards movements within the knitter angular movements, to blow lint, fibers and other debris away from the needles. The air blowers are formed by air blower lines (71a) to blow the air out of tubes at the needle zones (12) to detach lint, etc. The blowers can receive an external electrical power for rotation and blowing. An independent claim is included for a circular knitter cleaning system with a number of air blowers (7a) to detach and remove lint and debris from the needles while the circular knitter (1) is working. Preferred Features: The rotating system (2A) has a double-tube structure to give a center path for the supply of air, or lead an electrical wire to the blowers (7a). The rotating system (2A) can be a ring of more than two parts to form a circle round the center shaft (14). The air blower tubes are flexible, and can be bent slightly towards the needle zones (12), as air hoses connected to the supply at a side of the rotating system (2A). The air blowers can be fitted to the knitter rotating system, with height adjustment. An air blower fan and motor can be used, with height adjustment, to generate a strong air flow at the output side of the motor. The drive (3A) has a rotating motor which gives a regular forwards/backwards rotation, or the power is from a motor operating in one direction. The drive motor is within a housing, with a drive output through a pinion or gearing to a drive shaft with a drive reduction for a regular forwards/backwards rotation within a predetermined rotary angle. The gearing can be a bevel gear wheel system where the drive shaft is pressed against it at intervals, under control from an electrical or electronic circuit, according to the direction of rotation. Or the transmission can be a cam system, which also acts with the air blowers.