US2202477A - Process and apparatus for use in the manufacture of staple fibers - Google Patents

Description

I y 1940- R. BARTUNEK ET 2,202,477

PROCESS ANb APPA RATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STAPLE FIBERS Filed Nov. 12, 1938 Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STAPLE FIBERS tion, ware New York, N. Y., a corporation of Dela- I Application November 12, 1938, Serial No. 240,018

- In Germany November 15, 1937' 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of artificial fibers and more particularly has for its object to devise -a novel process and apparatus for the cutting of staple fiber.

It isalready known in the art to cut freshly spun artificial silk bundles in a continuous operation, whereby the thread bundles are passed in axial direction through a guiding channel into a rotating disk. The thread bundle passes the periphery of the rotating disk where it is cut by means of stationary knives. Depending upon the speed of rotation of the disk and upon the number of cutting knives arranged around the circumference of the said disk it is possible to cut the thread bundles into staples of varying lengths based upon the operating speed.

It has been found that with the ordinary spinning speed of artificial silk or staple fiber of 50, or meters per minute the use of only one knife will cause difficulties if it is desired to cut particularly long staples, for example, of 12, 15 or 20 centimeters, as is desired for certain types of staple fiber. It has also been found that due to the lower number of revolutions necessitated by the staple length the centrifugal force is so small that the fiber bundle is not carried through the guide channel of the centrifugal 4 machine with sufficient force. Enlargement of the diameter of the centrifugal machine, which would naturally result in a higher centrifugal force, is not desired in most instances, since this change would make the device less suitable for cutting of short staple lengths.

An improvement in the operation of the machine is made possible if-the guiding channel is thoroughly polished. As long as the cutting is confined to thread bundles which are moist, i. e., bundles of thread which have not been passed through press rollers, the cutting is comparatively easy because the thread bundles possess a greater weight and consequently develops more centrifugal power which is capable of overcoming the friction in the guiding channel. If, however, relatively dry thread bundles are cut, 1. e., bundles which have been passed through press rollers difiiculties will be encountered even when cutting comparatively short staple lengths.

According to the process and apparatus of this invention it has been found that the cutting operation of such machines can be improved in a' surprisingly simple manner if compressed air is forced through the guiding channel of the centrifugal machine in the direction of travel of the thread bundle.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to devise a process and apparatus whereby the cutting of continuous filaments into short staple lengths is facilitated.

Another object of the present invention is to make possible the cutting of bundles of filaments which are in an approximately dry state.

These and other objects of the present invention will in part become obvious and will in part be pointed out in the following specification and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the attached drawing. In the drawing attached to the specification is illustrated a cross-sectional view, parts being shown in elevation, of one specific modification, which may be used in carrying out the invention. In this particular apparatus use is made of a stationary blow pipe through which the compressed air is forced into the guiding channel of the centrifugal wheel and in the direction of travel of thethread bundle.

Numerous experiments have shown that the unusual effect which can be obtained even with air of moderate pressure (1-3 atmospheres absolute) is apparently partially due to a direct carrying along of the fiber bundle by the air stream, and that a considerable part of this effect is achieved due to the reduction in friction of the fiber bundle in the guiding channel which naturally assists the action of centrifugal force for drawing the thread outwardly.

In the drawing accompanying this specification I indicates a base or frame in which is.

mounted a rotatable shaft 2 upon which is mounted the centrifugal wheel 3 driven by means of a pulley 4.

Secured to the frame l is a cutting knife 5 which is operatively positioned with respect to the periphery of the centrifugal wheel 3. A stationary funnel 1 extends into the interior of the guiding channel 5. This funnel is mounted in any suitable manner on a bracket II and prevented from, rotating.

An air supply channel 8 may, as illustrated in the drawing, be cast with the wall of the funnel I. The channel 8 has mounted at one end a pipe connection 9 to which the compressed air line (not shown) may be attached. At the other end of the said air supply channel 8 is mounted a nozzle l0 having a small opening of approximately a few millimeters at the outlet and for directing the air stream into the guiding channel 6 in the direction of travel of the fiber bundle.

While we reference to the specific structure shown it will be obvious that our method may be practiced by other means and that various changes in the have described our invention with details of the apparatus may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof in its broader aspects. Hence it is desired to cover all modifications and forms coming within the line or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for use in the cutting of fibers comprising a rotatable centrifuge, a tapered funnel formed centrally of said centrifuge, a guiding channel formed in said funnel and centrifuge, said guiding channel extending radially to the periphery of said centrifuge, a stationary funnel operatively positioned with respect to said first mentioned funnel, an air channel formed within the wall of said stationary funnel for directing air into said guiding channel, and at least one cutting knife operatively positioned with respect to said centrifuge and guiding channel.

2. In an apparatus for cutting fibers, the combination of a rotatable wheel having a guiding channel terminating on its periphery, a funnel positioned coaxially with respect to the wheel and partially extending into the guiding channel, said funnel having an air channel formed within the wall thereof, and cutting means operatively positioned with respect to the wheel and the guiding channel.

3. An apparatus for use in the cutting of fibers comprising a centrifugal wheel having a guiding channel terminating on its periphery,

a funnel arranged on said wheel coaxially therewith and leading into the said guiding channel, a stationary funnel operatively positioned with respect to said first mentioned funnel, an air channel formed within the wall of said stationary funnel, means projecting from one end of said air channel for directing air into said first mentioned funnel, at least one cutting knife operatively positioned with respect to the wheel and the guiding channel, and means for driving the wheel.

4. In an apparatus for cutting fibers, the combination of a rotatable wheel having a guiding channel terminating on its periphery, a funnel arranged on one face of said wheel coaxially therewith and leading into the said guiding channel, a stationary funnel partially extending into the first mentioned funnel, an air channel formed within the wall of said stationary funnel and in longitudinal direction thereof, means projecting from one end of the air channel for supplying air to the latter, means projecting from the other end of the air channel for directing air into said first mentioned funnel, at least one cutting knife operatively positioned with respect to the wheel and the guiding channel, and means for driving the wheel arranged coaxially therewith.

RICHARD BARTUNEK. ALFRED MAXTON.

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