US2175608A - Method of and apparatus for removing lint - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1939.

a Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 29, 1936 3twentors .TAMES PAOZ LAWP'A/CE &

ERNEST 525K517 3x (Ittornegs Oct. 10, 1939. J. P. LAWRENCE El AL 2,175,608

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING 1.1m

Filed Aug. 29, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 h) XI I I Zmventors JAMES PAUL tAW/Ef/VGE [ERNEST 525x52) Oct. 10, 1939. J. P. LAWRENCE ET AL 2,175,603

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug. 29, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 L- J i -l F 2 1 i i l v 3nnen tors J34 MES PAUL 1A WIPE/V65 4 EBA/E67 525x50 (Ittotnegs t- 3 J. P. LAWRENCE ETAL 2,175,603

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug. 29, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZSnnentors attorney 5 Oct. 10, 1939. J. P. LAWRENCE ET Ah 2,175,608

IETHOD (5F AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug. 29, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet v5 I'mventors JAMES PAUZ 1A W/EENCE 8g 4 EBA/E57 SZEKELY (Ittornegs ,1939. J.-P. LAWRENCE ET AL 2,175,608

METHOD OF AND'A'PPARATU 3 FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug, 29, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jrwentors J'AM55 B4111 ZAWEENCE a! EE/VEST sZEkL-U (Ittornegs Oct 1939- J. P. LAWRENCE ET AL 7 0 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug. 29, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 fig-1a Snventors JAMES PAUL 1A WEE/V65 ERNEST SZEAEL) (IttomegS Oct. 10,- 1939. J. P. LAW'RENCEET AL 2,175,603

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LINT Filed Aug. 29, 1936 a Shee'is-Sheef. 8

' INVENTORS g JAMES /wz 1,4 WEE/V65- BY fie/V557 SZEAEL) ATTORNEYS V Patented Oct. 10, 1939 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOV- IN G LIN'I James Paul Lawrence, Cleveland, Ohio, and Ernest Szekely, Milwaukee,-Wis., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to The American Monoliail Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 29, 1936, Serial No. 98,616

11 Claims. (01. 15-209) This invention relates to the art of cleaning textile making machinery and the like, and particularly to improved methods of and means for removing loose fibers, lint, fiy, etc. from spinning,

5 twisting, winding and warping machines and the like, thereby preventing the formation of knots or gouts of loose fiber, lint or fiy in the roving or yarn.

The problem of cleaning textile making machinery has long been recognized. In the operation of winding, twisting, warping and spinning machines large quantities of fiber, lint, fly and the like are set free into the air and settle upon the machines and on the roving or yarn. when the lint or fiy accumulates on the machines it may become attached to the roving or yarn in the form of lumps, gouts, or knots which are apt to cause breakage of the yarn or roving in sub-- sequent use, resulting in an inferior product. 20 When this material accumulates under the machines it may interfere with their proper operation by building up under the yarn tensioning weights and partly supporting them, thus reducing the tension on the yarn. 25 Many efforts have been made to solve this problem and many devices and methods have been proposed to keep the machines free from the objectionable particles. However, so far as is known, such eiforts have not previously been completely successful. The present invention accomplishes the desired results of the previously proposed devices in a more economical and more advantageous manner and also accomplishes new and improved results as compared with those previously obtained. These improved results are achieved by new and improved methods and apparafus which are emcient and economical in operat on.

For example, the present invention makes it 0 possible to clean a great number of machines-and to do so in a better manner and with less blowing equipment than has been required heretofore. Also, parts of textile making machines which devices heretofore used can be satisfactorily freed of loose fibers, lint, etc. and the removed material can be collected in the aisles between rows of machines instead of on and under the machines, as heretofore. In other words, the present invention retains the desirable features of the prior devices but avoids their defects.

The general object of the invention is the provision of an improved method of and apparatus for removing lint, fiy and the like from textile making machinery and among the more specific have not been properly and effectively cleaned byobjects are: the provision of a lint blowing device which may be operated with a minimum power expenditure and which isadapted to clean effectively a relatively large number of machines; the provision of a lint blower of the type described which may be supported from an overhead track and is adapted to operate at high lineal. speeds without serious side sway or vibration; the provision of a lint blowing device for textile making machinery. and the like which effectively removes lint from all parts of the machine and causes the lint to collect in the aisles between adjacent rows of machines where it may be readily swept up and removed; the provision in a lint blowing device of means for preventing the collection of lint upon the track supporting the blower; the provision of a lint blower in which the volume and velocity 'of air may be accurately and readily controlled; the provision of a system of tracks and controls installed over a plurality of machines, a plurality of blowers mounted on such -trac and means for positively preventing collison of the blowing units; the provision of a' lint blowing device in which the velocity of the air stream which effects the removal of the lint, fly, etc. is maintained at the desired valueat each part of the machine, including those parts quite close to the floor, but in which the velocity of the air which strikes the fioor is reduced to such a value that it will not stir up and redistribute lint which has been deposited upon the floor. a v, The above and other objects of our invention will appear from the following description of our improved procedure and several embodimentsof apparatus adapted to carry out the steps of our method, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: V Figure l is an end elevation of a spinning frame with one of the improved blowers mounted on a track thereabove, broken lines and arrows being used to indicate the path of the air streams, Figure 2 is a side elevation of a row of spinning frames with the blower mounted. on a track for movement thereover.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of an arrangement of machines and track whereby the machines may be effectively cleaned by one or more of the blowers traveling contlnuously thereover;

Figure 4 is a view generally similar to Figure 3 but-illustrating a track arrangement which may be utilized when the spinning machines are driven by belts extending downwardly from the ceiling, thus necessitating carrying the blower track away from the belts between adjacent machines.

illustrating the air outlets whereby the air is distributed over the machine in the desired manner.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectlnal view taken on line 8-9 of Figure 8 and illustrating the structural features of one of the outlet pipes and the air inlet control.

Figure 10 is a detached perspective view or the driving motor and the impeller used in the apparatus of Figure 6.

figure 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of blower and housing.

figure 12 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in figure 11.

figure 13 is a detached fragmentary crosssectional view of the air inlet and control therefor of the blower shown in Figures 11 and 12.

figure 14 is a fragmentary cross-section taken on line ll-ll of Figure 12, illustrating one of the adjustable air outlets.

Figure 15 is a view of another modified form of blower and housing in which the driving motor is mounted below the blower fan.

Figure 16 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary cross- 1 section taken on line |'|--l1 of Figure 16 and illustrating the outlet air e.

Figure 18 is a side elevational view illustrating an interlocking switch device whereby, when two blowers are used on adjacent tracks, collisions are prevented.

figure 19 is a diagrammatic plan view of sections of adjacent tracks equipped with the interlocking mechanism of figure 18 illustrating how the device prevents collision of one blower or cleaner with another.

Figure 20 is a bottom view of a lint blower equipped with adjustable dampers for the crescent shaped outlet openings.

figure 21 is an enlarged detailed section taken on line 2l-2i of Figure 20 showing the mode of securing the/dampers in the desired position.

figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary section illustrating the outlet nozzle for blowingdust and the like from the track and supporting car- Referring now particularly to Figure 1, the

spinning machine illustrated includes the 'frame I and the creel boards 2- and 3 which support the roving bobbins I. In machines of this type a transverse supporting board or member I is commonly employed extending across the machine as indicated. In operation, quantities of lint or fly deposit upon the creel boards 2 and 3 and the supporting member 5, as well as on other partsof the machine and it is important that the traveling blower device remove the lint from though the apparatus illustrated is particularly dalgned for removing lint from spinning machinesof the general type illustrated in Figure 1, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that our improved method and apparatus are readily adaptable to other conditions where it is desired to remove dust or lint from other types of apparatus.

In Figure l, the blower or cleaner unit is generally indicated at A. Theblower driving motor B is associated with the blower A and the entire assembly is carried by a rod 6 which extends downwardly from the track supported carriage or traveller I. This carriage or traveller 1 may be of any suitable type and as illustrated is adapted to be supported by a. monorail, a pair of wheels 8 and S on the traveller engaging opposite horizontal flanges of a generally T-shaped track ID. The track is supported from brackets II which also carry the bus bars l2 and I3. Suitable brushes l4 and I5, mounted on the carriage l, have sliding engagement with these bus bars and supply the current 'for driving the blower motor B and the carriage driving motor it which may be connected to drive the carriage l in any suitable manner. As illustrated, the motor i6 drives a friction roller I! (see Fig. 2) which engages the underside of the track in providing a simple and efficient drive.

Extending upwardly from the housing of the blower unit A is the pipe I8. This may conveniently be a rubber hose an is provided with 2. preferably bifurcated outle nozzle l9 adapted to direct blasts of air against both sides of the track III, the upper part of the carriage l and the bus bars I! and I3 (see Fig. 22). By means of this pipe and nozzle the track, carriage and its associated parts, are kept free from accumulations of lint which might interfere with their proper operation and be brushed ofi on the machine. As later described, the turbo-blower device Zl builds up air pressure within the housing of the blower unit A. By providing an upwardly directed outlet nozzle i8 adjacent the track I0 and downwardly directed openings whereby air is directed against the machine to be cleaned, the track, bus bars and other associated parts are kept clean and free from accumulations of lint and at the same time, and without additional equipment, the necessary air blasts are supplied for cleaning the machine.

The spinning machines illustrated in Figure 2 are the individual drive type, each being driven by a separate motor M, as shown in Figure 2. In some installations a row of machines is driven by belts from an overhead countershaft and in such instances the track layout for the blowers A will be slightly modified from that of Figure 2, as will be later explained.

In figures 3 and 4 rows of machines are illustrated by the dotted rectangles and the overhead track layout is shown by a solid line whereby one or more of our blower units can be caused to pass continuously over the battery of machines subjectlng each to frequent cleaning. Preferably, in the usual textile mill, the equipment is designed so that each machine is subjected to the action of the blower every three to six minutes.

In Figure 4'the same layout of machines is illustrated as shown in figure 3, but the track layout is that which would be provided for belt driven machines as contrasted with the individual motor driven machine of'Figure 3. In this arrangement, bends I! are provided in the blower track to carry the blower units around the belts. In installations such as this. when two or more blower units are used on single continuous or separaate adjacent tracks, we prefer to install the interlocking control mechanisms shown in Figures 18 and 19 and described in detail later. By means of our interlocking mechanism collisions between two blowers at points where the track comes close together may be prevented.

Figure 5 illustrates a simple installation of two rows of machines with'an oval track thereover.

A preferred form of our blower unit A is 11- lustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The unit consists of a generally cylindrical housing 2| having an inwardly tapering upper portion 22. A double yoke bracket 23 is mounted on the closed upper end of the portion 22 of the housing and serves to connect the housing to the supporting rod 6. The drive motor B is also supported by these brackets 23 and carries the im-- peller or turbo-blower unit 24 on its downwardly projecting shaft 25. As is seen in Figure 10, the turbo-blower includes an upper shroud plate 26 which is mounted to rotate with small clearance within the ring 21. A plurality of impeller blades 28 extend between the shroud plate 26 and the bottom shroud plate 29. In the operation of this apparatus, air is drawn in through the opening in the center of the bottom shroud plate 29 and is discharged radially outwardly from the blades 28. As is illustrated in Figure 6, the blower housing, which comprises the portions 2| and 22, is divided by a bafile wall 30 which separates the air intake portion of the housing from the discharge portion. When the impeller or rotor 24 is operating, air is drawn into the housing through the openings 3| on the sides of the bottom cylindrical portion 2| of the housing. The entering air passes upwardly into the upper portion of the housing through the opening in the lower shroud plate 29 of the impeller and is discharged by the impeller blades into the space within the housing above the baflle plate 30. As is best seen in Figure 8 the bottom of the housing is closed; by a plate 32 and a plurality of discharge passages are provided which extend through the intake portion of the housing into the upper or discharge portion thereof. These discharge openings include a plurality of pipes 33 which extend through the battle plate 30 and the bottom cover plate 32 and are provided with upwardly extending end portions 33 which facilitate the entry of -air discharged from the impeller blade (see Fig. 9).

The discharge pipes 33 are located at what may be considered the front and rear portions of the blower while the crescent shaped discharge openings 34 and 35 are located on the sides of the blower. These crescent shaped openings are defined by the outer wall of the portion 2| of the housing and by suitable inner members 36 which extend between the bottom plate 32 and the baffle plate 30. Suitable vertical spacers 31 and 38 extend across the crescent shaped openings 34 and 35 and are respectively spaced ahead of and behind the transverse center line of the blower. The

, function of these spacers will be later described.

Although the discharge openings 34 and 35 have been described as crescent shaped, this term is not intended to be used in its strict sense, as openings which have their greatest width adjacent the center and smallest adjacent the ends are contemplated and included when the term crescent shaped is used herein.

Referring back to Figure 1, the blower unit A may be considered to be moving toward the reader and it will be observed that the unit is so supported that the discharge pipes 33 are slightly offset on the right hand side of the center line ,of the machine being cleaned. It will be understoodthat the rear blower pipes 33 will be similarly offset on the left hand side of the center line of the machine. The rotor of the blower unit may be considered to be rotating in counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top and thus the air which is drawn in through the inlet openings will be given a strong counterclockwise rotary movement in addition to its discharge pressure. The air which is discharged through the papes 33 will pass downwardly substantially vertically on to the top of thecreel boards 2 and 3 and will blow 01f any lint or fly which has collected thereon. The air which .is discharged through the left'hand (Fig. 1) crescent shaped outlet 34 will pass downwardly in the general path indicated by the dotted lines and arrows and will also have a. substantial forward component, as is indicated in Figure 2, due to the whirling motion imparted to the air by the impeller. The air which is discharged on the right hand side of the machine (Fig. 1) through the crescent shaped outlet 35 will have the same downward motion as that which passes out of the outlet 34 but will have a rearwardly directed movement as contrasted to the forward movement of the air stream on the left hand side of the machine.

It will be noted that the vertical spacers 31 and 38 in the crescent shaped openings 34 and 35 are placed toward the ends of the openings which lie in the direction of rotation of the impeller and the air discharged thereby.. The effect of so placing these spacers 31 and 38 is to modify the air Stream discharged through the crescent shaped slots 34 and 35 in sucha manner that the desired velocity and direction of the air stream will be maintained over that portion of the machine from which it is desired to remove lint, for instance, down approximately to the line :c:: of Figure 1. With the assistance of these spacers 31 and 33 the velocity of the air stream below this point is reduced so that when the air stream reaches the floor it does not have suflicient velocity to agitate harmfully the material which has been deposited on the floor. As is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 of the drawings, the air which passes out of the larger portions 34' and 35 of the slots 34 and 35 ahead of the spacers 31 and 38 is given a tangential component in the direction of rotation of the impeller. The air which is discharged through these larger portions 34- and 35" adjacent the spacers 31 and 33 is, however, directed substantially straight downwardly by these spacers and this vertically moving stream of air -meets -the tangential or annularly moving body of air substantially at the line :ca: of Figure 1 and Figure 2. Where the two currents meet eddies are created and the velocity of both streams is substantially reduced so that the air stream, when it strikes the floor, is.

moving at the desired relatively slow rate. The air which is discharged through the openings 34 and 35 has a similar angular motion to that discharged from portions 34'- and 35 but, as the blower is preferably arranged in twisted position relative to the center line of the machine being cleaned, the air from 34 and 35 will sweep it to the floor without, however, causing such currents on the floor as will either carry the lint back into the air in the room or blow it under either the machine from which it has been removed or the machine in the opposite row. As far as we are aware this result has not been obtained by any of the previously proposed devices.

Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a modified form of blower in which a generally cylindrical housing is provided having an inwardly taper-. ing upper portion 4i. The driving motor 42 and the impeller 43 are substantially the same as described above in connection with the preferred form of our blower and are mounted in a similar manner. A plate 44 extends across the housing 60 and is provided with a central opening 45 having an upwardly flared lip portion 46 which is adapted to direct air into the impeller 43. A bottom cover plate 41 extends across the underside of the housing 48 except for an annular opening 48 around the periphery thereof and a controlled air inlet 49. Air which passes into the impeller through the passage 45 is discharged into the housing and passes out through the annular opening 48 which is defined by the outer wall of the housing 48 and a vertically extending circular wall 88 which prevents mingling of the intake and discharge air. In order to control the amount of air handleda sliding disc 5i (Fig. 3) is provided. This disc is mounted on a collar 52 which is adapted to slide vertically on a rod 53 supported by the transverse bar 58'. A set screw 54 firmly holds the disc in the desired position.- As illustrated in full lines in Figure 13 the s maximum opening through the passage 45 in the plate 44 is provided while a restricted opening is provided when the disc is in the position shown in dot and dash lines.

Diametrlcally opposite flaps S5 and 56 are mounted on what may be considered the front and rear portions of the bottom plate 41. These flaps I5 and 58 are adapted to cover a certain limited portion of the annular outlet 48 and, as will be seen by reference to Figure 14, means are provided for adjusting these members 55 and 56 to control the flow of air through the covered portions of the slot 48. The illustrated adjusting means includes hinge supports 51 for the inner edges of the flaps I5 and i8, bolts 58 extending upwardly through slotted apertures 59- in the flaps and secured at their upper ends to brackets 88, and compression springs 8| supported by the bolts 88 and ad'aptedto' exert a force tending to hold the flaps 55 and 58 in open position: Thumb screws 82 having enlarged collars 88 adapted to engage the flaps 55 and 58 may be conveniently employed to readily effect adjustment of the flaps into any desiredposition. as is shown in Figure 14.

By adjusting the position of the flaps 55 and N the direction and quantity of air which blows down onto the center of the machine being cleaned, and particularly onto the top. boards 2, may be regulated. Vertical spacer members 84 (Fig. 12) may also be provided in the annular the'bottom of the re-setting lever 8|.

housing through the annular opening ID. Spacing members II, which control the rotary movement of the air discharged through the outlet I8, are provided and although, as illustrated, they are equally spaced around the periphery of the unit, it will be understood that they may be spaced in any suitable manner which will cause the air to be discharged so as most effectively to clean the machine with which the apparatus is employed.

Reference has been made above to the desirability of providing means for preventing collision when two blower units are used on the same or adjacent tracks and such, an apparatus is illustrated in Figures 18 and 19. Generally the device consists of a switch mechanism adapted to be actuated by one of the blower units whereby an opposed portion oi track will be de-energized, thereby stopping travel of the other blower unit in such a manner as to space the blowers so that collision will be impossible.

In Figure 18 the blower carriage l is provided with spring bumpers 13 and 14. It may be considered that the carriage i in Figure 18 is traveling in the direction of the arrow and the bumper I3 is about to engage the swinging bell crank member 75 of the interlocking switch mechanism. This bell crank is pivoted at I6 and its upper arm is adapted to engage a roller I! mounted on an arm 18 which controls the switch 18' which eiIects the cut-out of the current in another section of the track from that upon which the illustrated blower carriage I is about to enter. A rod 19 is secured to the bell crank member 15 and is guided by suitable tubular guide 88. A resetting mechanism is provided at the right hand oi the rod 19 and includes a lever 8| pivoted at 82 and provided with a cam surface 83. This cam surface 83 engages a dog 84 which is pivotally mounted at 85 and is provided with an aperture through which the rod 19 passes. A spring 86 is mounted on the rod and held under compression by adjustable lock nuts 81. This spring forms a resilient connection between the dog member 84 and the rod 19.

In operation, when the bumper I3 strikes the lower end of the lever 15, as the carriage 1 moves in the direction of the arrow, it lifts the roller 11 and switch arm I8 breaking the supply current to a section 88 of the track (Fig. 19). The switch 18 will remain in this position until the carriage l travels along the track 89 (Fig. 18 and strikes This will move the lever 8| to the right, lifting the dog 84 and exerting a pull on the rod 19 through the spring 88. Due to the position of attachment of the rod 19 to the bell crank lever 15 this pull will move the member 15 in clockwise direction permittinga suitable spring (not shown) to move the switch arm I8 down into its original position in which the section 88 of the track is again energized. Thereupon the blower on the track 88 is re-energized and may resume its travel.

Referring to Figure 19, it will be seen that if two blowers 80 and 9! are entering the sections 88 and 02 of the track in such relative positions that they might collide at some further point in their movement, the blower 9Q will actuate its switch mechanism I8 to de-energlze the section 88 of the track for a predetermined period ,of time depending upon the length of the rod I8. While this section of track 88 is so de-energized the blower 8| will remain stationary while the blower 80 will continue to travel. Thus, by the time the blower ll strikes. the re-setting mechanism at the end of the rod I! and the section of track 88 again becomes energized and the blower 9| again starts its forward movement, the two blowers will be separated a distance sufllcient to eliminate the danger of collision.

In Figures 20 and 21 we have illustrated an arrangement of segmental dampers for controlling the bottom outlet openings and circumfe'rentially extending sliding dampers for controlling the side inlet opening. The sliding inlet dampers are also seen in Figure 7.

" The bottom cover plate "I! (Fig. 20) for the blower housing is provided with generally crescent shaped outlet openings llll and I02, as previously described. The vertical outlet pipes I03 also extend through the plate I". A pin IN is suitablysupported by the plate I00 and acts as a central pivot and support for the segmental damper members I05 and I. Aslis seen in Figure 21, the outer edge of these damper members is bent upwardly around the flange or head I" at the bottom of the side wall I08 of the housing. The inwardly bent lip I09 servesYq support the segmental damper while permitting.

movement around the central pivot on the pin I M. In order to lock the damper in desired position a set screw HI extends through the upwardly bent flange and is adapted to engage the flange ID! on the housing. A lock nut Ill maintains the set screw in adjusted position.

It will be seenthat b'y swinging the dampers I" and I05 about their central pivot the area of the outlet openings may be changed to suit varying operating conditions. As seen in Figure 20, these dampers are arranged so that each covers one of the vertical outlets I and a portion of the smaller sections of the crescent shaped outlets IO] and I02. Circumferentially extending sliding damper plates H2 and 3 are adapted to vary the degree of opening of the side inlets and are similar to those shown and similarly numbered in Figure '7. These dampers H2 and 3 are mounted so that'they can be slid circumferentially around the outer wall of the housing thus varying the effective size of the inlet openings. v

Although we have illustrated and described in considerable detail a preferred embodiment of our blower apparatus and several modifications forms thereof coming within the thereof, together with the preferred steps of our method and certain other features of our invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus and procedure herein shown and described are susceptible to modification without departing-from the spirit of our invention. We do not, therefore,'wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein, but claim as our invention all rotating said impeller whereby air will be drawn into said housing through said inletand discharged therefrom through said outlet, and a baile extending across said outlet opening for chanlinsthedirectionofaportionoftheair passingtherethrmmh. v

2.Inapparatusotthetypedescrlbed,atrack and a-biower device supportedbysaidtrack,

scope of the ap-.

said blower including a housing depending below said track and'having an impeller therein, means for directing air from said housing upwardly against said track, and means for directing air from said housing downwardly against a machine to be cleaned.

3. The method of cleaning textile machines and the like which includes the steps of moving a pluralityof downwardly directed streams of air lengthwise of and above'a textile machine, directing some of said streams of air, which are wide in the longitudinal direction of the ma-' slanting side stream and the rear one of said transversely moving small streams intersecting. the rearwardlyslanting side stream.

4. The method of cleaning textile machines and the like which includes the steps of moving a plurality of downwardly directed streams of lengthwise of and above a textile machine, directing some of said streams of air,'which are wide in the longitudinal direction of the machine, over the opposite sides of the machine,

one of said side streams having a forwardly slanting downward movement and the other of said side streams having a rearwardly slanting downward movement,'directing others 'of said streams of air, which, are relatively small and are spaced apart in thedirection of movement of said streams lengthwiseof the machine, substantially vertically downwardly against central portions of the-machine which portions direct said small streams transversely across the machine, the forward one of said transversely moving small streams intersecting the forwardly slanting side stream and the rear one'oi' said transversely moving small streams intersecting the-rearwardly slanting side stream, and divertically downwardly adjacent said slanting side streams. which generally vertical side streams intersect their adjacents'slanting side streams below the level of the machine where cleaning is essential.

5; In a blowing device of the type described, a generally cylindrical housing having a vertical axis, a-bottom cover plate, an interior substantially horizontal baiile plate having a central aperture and :ieflning an inlet chamber and an impeller chamber communicating therewith through said central aperture, air conducting outlet means extending from said impellerchamher pastthe inlet chamber to openings through said bottom cover plate, an impeller rotatably;

mounted in said impeller chamber and having its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the housing, the said inlet chamber communicating with the exterior of said housing through an inlet opening, certain of the said openings through the cover plate extending in a circumferential direction and being located adjacent to the periphery of said cover plate, and means for varyrecting still other side streams of air generally '50 aperture and defining an inlet chamber and an.

impeller chamber communicating therewith through said central aperture, and air conducting outlet means extending from said impeller chamber past the inlet chamber to openings through said bottom cover plate, an impeller r0- tatably mounted in said impeller chamber and having its axis substantially coincident with the .impeller chamber communicating axis of the housing, the said inlet chamber communicating with the exterior of said housing through an inlet opening, certain of the said openings through the cover plate extending in a circumferential direction and being located adjacent to the periphery of said cover plate, and means for varying the amount of air passing through at least some of said outlet openings.

7. In a blowing device of the type described, a generally cylindrical housing having a vertical axis, a bottom cover plate, an interior substantially horizontal baifie 'plate having a central aperture and defining an inlet chamber and an impeller chamber communicating therewith through said central aperture, and air conduct-' ing outlet means extending from said impeller chamber past the inlet chamber to openings through said bottom cover plate, an impeller rotatably mounted in said impeller chamber and having its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the housing, the said inlet chamber communicating with the exterior of said housing through an inlet opening, certain of 'the said openings through the cover plate extending in a circumferential direction and being located adjacent to the periphery of said cover plate, means for varying the amount otair passing through said inlet opening into inlet chamber, and means for varying the amount of air passing through at least some of said outlet openings.

8. In a blowing device of the type described, a generally cylindrical housing having a vertical axis, a bottom cover plate, an interior substantially horizontal baiiie plate having a central aperture and defining an inlet chamber and an therewith through said central aperture, air conducting outlet means extending from said impeller chamber past the inlet chamber to openings through said bottom cover plate, and an impeller rotatably mounted in said impeller chamber and having its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the housing, the said inlet chamber communicating with the exterior of said housing through an inlet opening, certain of the said openings through the cover plate extending in a circumierential direction and being located adJacent to the periphery of said cover plate.

9. In apparatus or the type described the combination of a monorail supporting track, a blower device, means for supporting said blower device from and below said track, said blower device including a generally cylindrical housing having a vertical axis, a bottom cover plate, an interior substantially horizontal baflle plate having a central aperture and defining an inlet chamber and an impeller chamber communicating therewith through said central aperture, air conducting outlet means extending from said impeller chamber past the inlet chamber to an opening through said bottom cover plate, an impeller rotatably mounted in said impeller chamber and having its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the housing, the said inlet chamber communicating with the exterior of said housing through an inlet opening, and a conduit extending upwardly from said impeller chamber and provided with a bifurcated discharge nozzle positioned adjacent said monorail track and blower supporting means.

10. In a blowing machine of the type described, a generally cylindrical housing, an impeller in said housing, and a bottom cover plate for said housing. said cover plate having diametrically opposite relatively small outlet openings adiacent the periphery of said housing and diametrically opposite elongated generally crescent shaped outlet openings, said crescent shaped openings being disposed at approximately ninety degrees to said small openings, one 01 said crescent shaped openings having a baiile disposed therein adjacent'one of said small openings and the other crescent shaped opening having a baflle adjacent the other of said small openings.

11. In a blowing device of the type described, a housinghaving avertically extending wall and a vertical axis and having aninlet chamber above said inlet chamber and an impeller chamber, an impeller in the impeller chamber, a bottom cover plate for said housing and air conducting outlet means from the impeller chamber past the inlet chamber to openings through said bottom plate.

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