US1034828A - Condenser-lap machine. - Google Patents

Description

H. C. PBRHAM.

CONDBNSER LAP MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.19,1908.

1,034,828. Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

6 \/I\/|TNESSES 15:12 NVENTOR CQ j@ Q we@ MM,

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

HAVEN COOK PERHAM, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO KITSON MACHINE SHOP, 0F LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CONDENSER-LAP MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 19, 1908.

Patented A110'. 6, 1912.

sei-iai No. 449,349.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAVEN Coon PER- HAM, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Condenser-Lap Machines, of which the following description, with the accompanying drawings, is a specication.

Like letters on the drawings denote like parts.

This invention is an improvement in condenser-lap machines and particularly in means for preventing the splitting of laps as they unroll upon the aprons of succeeding machines, such as other condenser-lap machines and cardingengines.

It relates to improvements in means for advancing and compacting the brous material in combination with fiber-rearranging means whereby certain fibers are intermiXed and interwoven with other fibers before the lap is rolled and the splitting of the lap thereafter prevented. Its objects are: first, to provide a more efficient form for the forward-terminal portion of the fiber-rearranging means; second, to arrange the said portion and, especially, its fiber-rearranging elements in more efficient relation to the fiber advancing-and-compacting surfaces with which they co-act; third, to improve the means for the attachment of the fiber-rearranging means; and, fourth, to provide attachments for condenser-lap machines such as can be manufactured and sold independently of the said machines and applied thereto in a mill that is far from any well-equipped machine shop and which comprise fiber-rearranging means. These objects are attained by the mechanism that is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a condenser-lap machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the draw-plate and teeth. Fig. 3 is a plan of a portion of the draw-plate and teeth. Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sections on lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, 0f Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modification and Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are corresponding views of another modification. Figs. 10 and 11 are corresponding views of still another modification. Fig. 1Q is a longitudinal-section through the groove 13 of the draw-plate, with the tooth 10 not yet sprung into the position of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a modification.

In Fig. 1, 1 represents the forward end of a trougl1-bottom that `is more specically called a screen or a grid It is the bottom of the trough or trunk, through which the lap-forming-materials pass to t-he condenser-cages 2 2. The trunk-cover is represented by 3. The arrow in the trunk indicates the general direction of the motion of such materials. The typical shape of the surface of the previously deposited mass of such materials is represented in cross-section, by the line 4 4 4, although the actual shape of such crosssection varies considerably from time to time. lVithin the trunk and approaching the surface represented by 4 4 4 are shown flying tufts or fragments of such materials. Ordinarily, the parts of such tufts adhere together better than such whole tufts or fragments adhere to one another. As such materials pass the draw-rolls 5 5 over the draw-plate 6 they are called a sheet. The sheet is compacted by the calender-rolls 7 7 7 7, and finally is wound by the winding- (lrums S 8 into a lap 9.

The surface represented by 4 4 4 is one of comparatively easy splitting. In the sheet, it becomes substantially V-shaped with its angle in advance and near the center of the sheet and with its other extremities in the surfaces of the sheet. In the lap, the outer surface splits more easily than the inner one. Laps that contain much waste composed of tufts of straight parallel fibers, split very easily between or through such tufts and easily fall apart. By my invention, I disarrange such parallelism and confusedly intermix and interweave fibers of different tufts by dragging forward some fibers or parts of fibers and by detaining others or parts of others. I prefer that such rearrangement of the fibers shall occur throughout the thickness of the lap, that it shall be most effective in a series of narrow and parallel strips of the sheet, and, especially so, in the outside surface of the rolled lap. l make this rearrangement more permanent by severely compacting the materials immediately after the rearrangement and before the stresses that have been produced during the rearrangement within the elastic m'ass of the materials have had opportunity to return the rearranged fibers to their original positions to any important eX- tent.

In-my improvements 1 utilize any usual co acting fiber-advancing-and-compacting surfaces preferably the surfaces of the upper pair of calender-rolls. I particularly utilize the parts of such surfaces where they bite the materials and another part of the surface of one of them; preferably the lower surface of the upper calender-roll. Preferably; 1- oppose to the. said lower surface a seri-es of teeth or projections situated but a short distance apart in a line parallel to the axes of the calender-rolls and extending entirely across the machine. Preferably: the form of the forward-terminal portion of each such tooth is that of a straight' piece of round spring-steel wire, having a diameter that is small as compared with the distance between the centers of the teeth; the tooth is directed toward the lower surface of the upper calender-roll'at a large acute angle therewith; the width of the entire tooth and therefore of its back is narrow as compared with the width of the space between the centers of the teeth; the end of a tooth is flat and at right-angles with the aXis of the forward-terminalipart of the tooth; the juncture of the endwith the sides and back ofthe tooth is sharp, except that the sharp edge is very slightly touched with fine emery cloth in a lathe for the purpose of removing` only the bur left by the cutting tool; when the sheetis between the end'of the tooth andthe said lower surface, the end of the tooth is in close proximity to the said lower surface and-is nea'r to the fibers that are in the bite of thek saidpair of calenderrolls; and, there is a space between the ends ofthe teeth' and the bite of the rolls. It follows from this construction-:that a series of parallell and narrow strips of the sheet are gradually condensed as they pass along the forward-terminal portions of the teeth and the lower surface of the roll; that between the lower surface of the advancing rollandthe end'of eachvstationary tooth the sheet is severelyv compressed; that the action of the rolls at their. bite tends to drag the whole sheet forward; that the frictional contact ofthe lower surface of the advancing roll with the upper surface of the sheet, opposite to the ends of the teeth, tends to drag the sheet forward; thatv the frictional contact-'of the ends of the stationary teeth with portions of the lowerl surface of the sheet tends to detain the sheet; that portions of the sheet; portions ofthe tufts of which it is composed, and portions of its fibers will be more or less dragged forwarder detained and the fibers of the sheet rearranged; and, that the nearness of the ends of the teeth to the iibers that are held in the bite'of the rolls tends to prevent the detaining teeth from tearing holes in the sheet. As the sheet passes out from between the teeth and the roll and before it passes into the bite of the rolls, itv expands considerably. rlhis expansion aids in the rearrangement of the fibers. T he compression of the materials in the bite of the rolls tends to make the rearrangement permanent. l prefer to malte the end-surface of a tooth small in area and the back of a tooth narrow relatively to the width of the sheet between teeth, because the force required to press such teeth against the co-acting surface is less than if the end-surfaces had a larger area and the backs were wider, and because such teeth sufliciently rearrange the fibers." Experience has shown that; in order to satisfactorily eect the desired rearrangement of the fibers, the pressure with which the sheet is squeezed' between two bodies, one of which advances relatively to the other, must be severe, and that satisfactory results can be had if-the severe pressure is distinctly localized so as to affect only a very small proportion of the area of the sheet at a time. As the sheet squeezes into the bite between the-roll and the end of av tooth it can be subjected to a severe pressure only when the tooth is designed to severely resist the expansion of the sheet in the bite. To adapt the teethto perform this function, it has been constructed as a straight strut from its end near the bite to the point where it leaves its support; it has been given a direction nearly radial to the surface of the roll; andthe severity of the pressure of the tooth upon the sheet has beendistinct-ly localized and intensified by giving its end a small area relatively to that of the sheet and such a shape that a point of its end comes nearer' to the lower surface of the roll than any otherv point of the tooth. This particular pointI co-acts with the roll to bite the sheet with greater severity than any otheu p'oint'ofKA the tooth andis themost efficient point of the tooth for' the purpose of rearranging the bers. Inorder that the advancing sheet' may not be torn but directed into the bite and in order that their ends may bel near to the fibers that are held in the bite of' the calender-rolls, the teeth are not precisely radial tothe surface ofthe rollat the bite. In my invention, the teeth are so presented, opposed, and arranged relativelyl to the lower surface of the roll that' the parts of the sheet which touch and slide upon their eXtreme forward-terminal portions pass: first; upward-and-forward; second, across the ends of the teeth; and'tliird, dwnward-and-backward as the sheet" expands. Thus, these parts of the sheet change their direction through about 180 in passing the ends of the teeth. The larger the angle through which the sheet changes its direction as it slides upon the extreme forward-terminal portions of the teeth, the more efliciently the teeth act as detainers of parts of the sheet.

I prefer that the teeth shall project from the draw-plate G, although they may project from the screen 1, or, other support. The teeth fastened to their support may constitute an attachment to be manufactured and sold separately from the machine. Preferably, I fasten each tooth to the forward end of the draw-plate separately from and independently of any other tooth. Each separate tooth .may constitute an attachment to be made and sold separately from the machine and from the draw-plate or other suport.

p In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 41:, and 12 there is represented a form of tooth 10 and of lockingdevice 13 which I prefer to use in new condenser-lap machines which are intended t0 operate upon a quite heterogeneous mass of lap-formingwmaterials such, for instance, as a mixture of varieties of cotton with much waste. The trouglrbottoms, whether they are screens or draw-plates, for such new machines can readily be cast with locking-devices, consisting of depressions or grooves, in the upper surfaces thereof, such as are shown at 13 in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 1, (3, 7, 8, 9. and 12, or, if preferred, such depressions or grooves can be made by machinery. I prefer to have such depressions or grooves cast in the draw-plates rather than in the screens. Each of the small holes 12 in the drawplate should be of such size that the wire 10 will fit closely therein; all of the holes 12 should preferably be situated in one straight line parallel to the centerlines of the calender-rolls 7 7 7 7; and the entire series of such holes should preferably extend entirely across the machine at regular intervals. The lower part of the tooth preferably has the shape which is represented in Fig. 12 when it is in an unsprung condition. It will be seen from Figs. 2, 3, 4l, 5, and 12: that the tooth fits fairly well in the hole 12 of the draw-plate 6; that the tooth rests in the depression 13 at a point that is radially quite distant from the hole 12; but that the tooth does not elsewhere, as in the enlarged groove 14, bear upon the draw-plate. The tightening of the nut 16 will spring the tooth 10 into the position that is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, ll, and 5, and such springing will effectually lock the tooth in the depression 13 and the hole 12. The springing of the tooth, as has been hereinabove described, is not essential to` my invention but it is in some eases preferred by me as has been lbeen heretofore stated.

Figs. 6 and 7 represent a modification, in which the depression in the top of the drawplate does not extend to the hole 12.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent a modification, in which the depression in the top of the draw-plate is found only in a projection from the top thereof.

Figs. 10 and 11 represent a modification, in which there is no depression in theA top of the draw-plate but in which the tooth will be locked at the point 13 of the cross-section 11 11 against change of direction with respect to the draw-plate, provided that t-he tooth 10 is sprung suthciently hard against it by the tightening of the nut 1G. I consider that this is a comparatively inefficient form of my invention but that it is within the scope thereof.

This invention embodies means for securing a fiber-1earranging tooth directly to a trough-bottom, without the intervention of anything like a washer between the tooth and the upper surface of the trough-bottom,

separately from and independently of any other tooth. The term trough-bottom is generic and includes as specific varieties the draw-plate, the screen, and the grid. Preferably, but not necessarily, the tooth is of cylindrical spring-wire. Preferably, but not necessarily, the means for securing the tooth to the trough-bottom comprises a threaded means. Preferably, the part of the tooth that is farthest removed from the lib-e1'1'earranging end and hereinafter called the first part is threaded to eoperate with a threaded-nut and is of dimensions to fill well in a hole in the trouglrbottom, such as the hole 12 in the draw-plate. The part of the tooth that is adjacent to the first part and is hereinafter called the second partcomprising a portion that makes an angle with the first part to prevent the second part from being drawn through the hole by the securing-means. Preferably, the spring-wire is bent at thcjuncture of the first and the second parts, so that those parts make an angle with one another of a little less than 900. Preferably, the extremity of the second part that is farthest removed from the first part is shaped to adapt it to enter a groove in the trough-bottom that is radial. to the hole for the first part and is preferably of V-shaped cross-section. The first part of the tooth can he passed through the hole in the troughbottom, the said extremity of the second part can be placed in the said groove, the threadednut can be tightened upon the threaded part of the tooth and the tooth drawn into position, as is represented in Figs. 2, 3, it, and 5, where it will be firmly held with the tooth locked from rotation about the hole in the trough-bottom by the depression or groove. The preferred tooth has a part, adjacent to the second part, and hereinafter called the third part, which makes such an angle with the second part that, when the tooth has been firmly secured to a draw-plate and t-he draw-plate fastened in position in a condenser-lap machine, t-he third part of the tooth will be straight, and upwardly-and-forwardly inclined, and directed toward the under side of t-he upper calender-roll at a large acute angle therewith, its forward terminal-portion will lie in the path of the advancing fibers, and it-s forward-end will have the fiber-rearranging edge and apex and the location that has been hereinbefore described. Commercially, the threaded-nut is sold with the tooth, and the tooth and the nut taken together are called simply, a tooth For the purposes of this application, I call the threaded-nut a part of the tooth.

I prefer to attach the tooth to the drawplate: partly, because the calender-roll, which is opposed to the tooth in its action upon the cotton that passes between them, is a. solid and substantial roll and is well adapted to oppose the forceful pressure of the tooth; partly, because the front end of the draw-plate approaches near to the bite of the calender-rolls and for this reason effect-ive teeth can be made quite short; partly, because the front terminal or point of the tooth can be brought very near to the bite of the calender-rolls and the fibers that are displaced by the toot-h can almost immediately afterward be so bent that they will better retain their new positions; and, partly because the trough of which the draw-plate is the bottom is open and conveniently placed and therefore the teeth can be easily reached.v

Good results can be had however, from teeth that are attached to the forward end of the screen as is represented upon a reduced scale in Fig. 13, especially if narrow, spring-teeth are used with their extreme ends upwardlyand-fo-rwardly-inclined, as is represented in Fig. 13 and where the spring-teeth are so shaped that when they are not in contactl with a mass of cotton, they recede farther from the surface of the lower condensercage as the distance from their points of support increases. Each such tooth as I have herein described and represented in the drawings is perfectly adapted to be attached to its support directly and separately from any other tooth, whether that support be an independent plate having the supporting of such tooth as its only function, or, the trough-bottom. of a condenser-lap machine and whether that trough-bottom be a drawplate or a screen. Such teeth as I have herein described are new articles of manufacture. 'Ihey can be manufactured very easily and inexpensively. They can for a trivial sum be furnished to users of condenser-lap machines who are at a considerable distance from any well-equipped machine shop and they can be attached to such lunrolling in an intermediate or a finisher lapper or in a carding-engine, the split-oft' portion adheres to the outer surface of the next inner coil of the lap. rIhe operative must, as soon as possible and as far as he can, rectify this t,defect in the unwinding. Otherwise,` the splitting and the adhesion may continue, while the splitting lap makes several rotations about its own aXis. The split may tear through the sheet. It may tear across the width of the sheet. By my invention the operative is relieved from the necessity of closely watching the unrolling laps, from the work of rectifying as far as he can the defects due to splitting, and from throwing parts of the split laps into the waste to be Worked over, and the waste is prevented. In other words, the cost of production is diminished by the use of my invention. The transference of a split-off portion of t-he lap from the part of the sheet where it belongs to a different part of the sheet tends to non-uniformity in the weight per unit of length of the product from the machine. In the usual intermediate and in the usual finisher lapper an evener is provided and the evener tends to correct such non-uniformity, but it will not perfectly correct it. In the usual ca-rding-engine there is no evener mechanism and the resulting non-uniformity of the product is more serious. When my invention is used the laps do f not split and non-uniformity consequent upon lap-splitting does not occur.

I claim:

1. In a condenser-lap machine, in combination: a support having holes therethrough located in a line parallel and near to co-acting fiber-advancing-and-compacting surfaces; fiber-rearranging teeth, any such tooth closely fitted and locked in one such hole and forced againstthe upper surface of the support at a place distant from the hole in the direction of advance of the fibers; and, means for fastening such teeth in such holes in direct and forceful contact with the upper surface of the support at the said places and with their fiber-rearranging parts located in the path of the fibers.

2. In a condenser-lap machine, in combination: a draw-plate having holes therethrough located in a line parallel and near to a pair of calender-rolls, and having grooves therein radiating from the holes and toward the rolls; fiber-rearranging teeth locked, any such tooth into one such hole and one such groove; and means for fastening such teeth in such holes and grooves With such teeth in direct contact With the upper surface of the draw-plate and having their fiber-rearranging parts located in the path of the fibers.

3. In a condenser-lap machine, in combination: a'support havino' holes therethrough located in a line parallel and near to coacting fiber-advancing-and-compacting surfaces; springwvire7 fiber-rearrangino teeth, any such tooth having three integra arts: a first and threaded part closely fitted 1n and passing through one such hole; a second part adjacent to the first, making an angle therewith and forced against the upper surface of the support at a place distant from the hole in the direction of advance of the fibers; and, a third and fiber-rearranging part, adjacent to the second part and located in the path of the fibers; and, threaded-nuts, one for fastening any such tooth in one such hole and for forcing the tooth against the support at the place stated.

4. In a condenser-lap machine, in combination: a draw-plate having holes therethrough located in a line parallel and near to a pair of calender-rolls and having grooves therein at places distant from the holes in the direction of advance of the fibers; spring-Wire, fiber-rearranging teeth, any such tooth having three integral parts: a first and threaded part fitted in and passing through one such hole; a second part adjacent to the first, making an angle therewith and forced into one such groove; and, a third and fiber-rearranging part, adjacent to the second part and located in the path of the fibers; and, threaded-nuts, one for fastening any such tooth in one such hole and for forcing the tooth into the groove.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

HAVEN COOK PERHAM.

Vitnesses:

CHANNING WHITAKER, IRVING D. KIMBALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing Ithe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). C.

Images