US3299479A

US3299479A - Sliver coiler

Info

Publication number: US3299479A
Application number: US427349A
Authority: US
Inventors: Allen B Nivens
Original assignee: Ideal Industries Inc
Current assignee: Barber Colman Co; Ideal Industries Inc
Priority date: 1965-01-22
Filing date: 1965-01-22
Publication date: 1967-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-24

Description

Jan. 24, 1967 A. B. NIVENS SLIVER COILER Filed Jan. 22, 1965 INVENTOR. ALLEN B. N \VE-NS ww%ww ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,299,479 SLIVER COILER Allen B. Nivens, Gastonia, N.C., assignor to Ideal Industries Inc., Bessemer City, NC, a corporation of North Carolina Filed Jan. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 427,349 5 Claims. (Cl. 19-159) This invention pertains to 'a sliver coiler and, more particularly, to such a coiler having a turntable capable of accommodating :and properly supporting various types of conventional coiler cans including those coiler cans supported by a number of depending casters.

Sliver coilers have long been used in textile manufacturing processes to form a textile fiber material into a package which may be easily transported between the various stages of manufacture and supplied from the operation at which it is coiled to the next subsequent operation. Traditionally, textile sliver has been packaged by a sliver coiler into a coiler can, and the coiler can transported by an operator from the location of one operation to the location of the next subsequent operation. In the past, coiler cans were of relatively small diameter, and were not overly heavy when tilled. Such a coiler can could be easily slid over a floor, whether empty or full, to move the can from one operation location to the next. An operator, in moving cans, could Igrip up to six cans at a time and slide the cans along on their bottom flanges.

More recently, it has become desirable to realize economies by processing textile sliver in larger packages. In the instance of sliver packaged by a coiler, this has required a larger diameter coiler can. Initially, such cans were constructed identically to older smaller diameter cans, with a bottom portion having a peripheral annular depending flange and a recessed bottom wall. In using such larger diameter cans, it was observed that the cans did not so easily slide along the floor, as did the older, smaller diameter cans, and it became necessary for an operator to markedly reduce the number of cans transported at any one time, destroying the economies realized from the use of larger packages In order to ease the movement of the newer larger diameter cans, and again make it possible for an operator to move a more normal load of cans, the larger diameter cans were provided with casters, usually mounted on the bottom wall of the can, depending below the peripheral annular flange, so that the can was free to roll across the floor when empty or loaded.

This approach solved the problem of an operator moving a large number of cans across the floor, and created an additional problem in supporting cans on a sliver coiler. With the older, smaller diameter coiler cans, the coiler turntable had been merely a flat plate, provided with some means for holding the coiler can centered beneath the coiler head. The frictional engagement of the peripheral flange of the bottom portion of the can with the fiat turntable was entitrely adequate to drive the can in rotation beneath the coiler head, as is required to package sliver in a coiler. With the advent of caster mounted cans, such frictional engagement no longer existed, as the depending casters engaged the flat turntable and the coiler can was free t6 roll on the turntable instead of being driven in rotation. Various solutions to this problem were proposed, with the solutions generally dependent upon relatively expensive modification of the coiler turntable to provide recesses, pockets, or stops to capture the casters as the turntable rotated and drive the can in rotation by engaging the casters. Many such modified coiler turntables depended upon the capture of the casters to center the can under the coiler head, and few were capable 3,299,479 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 "ice of properly supporting both caster mounted cans and cans having no casters.

Currently, in pursuing greater efliciency, textile manufacturers have found it advisable to introduce the use of even larger coiler cans. With such larger coiler cans, the diameter of the bottom wall becomes such, that, considering the materials which may economically be used to form the bottom wall, the wall is flexible to a certain degree. As such a larger diameter coiler can becomes loaded, the bottom wall flexes downwardly under the weight of sliver in the can, and it has been found advisable to mount an additional caster centrally of the bottom wall, to properly support that Wall when the can is fully loaded. When a coiler can carries such a centrally mounted caster, the caster interferes with the structure of known modified turntables which have previously been available to support a caster type coiler can, and the can cannot be mounted on such a turntable.

The sliver coiler oi. this invention, and more particularly the turntable of this invention, avoids these deficiencies of prior art sliver coilers by properly receiving and supporting the various types of coiler cans now in use. Where a traditional type of coiler can, having a depending bottom flange, is used, the can is properly received and supported for rotation in a central position beneath the coiler head. Further, the turntable of this invention accommodates caster mounted coiler cans of both the type having no central caster and the type having a central caster to prevent excessive flexing of the bottom Wall.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved sliver coiler having a turntable which accommodates various types of coiler cans, having casters or no casters, to support a coiler can and drive it in rotation centered below the coiler head.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved sliver coiler turntable adapted to accommodate traditional coiler cans having no depending casters, coiler cans having depending casters but no central caster, and coiler cans having depending casters and a centrally positioned depending caster.

Some of the objetcs of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a sliver coiler incorporating this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a sliver coiler turntable constructed in accordance with this invention and one type of coiler can which is accommodated by the coiler turntable of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a side view, in section, of portions of a sliver coiler constructed in accordance with this invention and one type of coiler can mounted on the coiler for use; and

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view, in perspective and partial section, of a portion of the coiler turntable of this invention illustrating a modification .for use with a coiler can having a central depending caster.

Briefly, the sliver coiler of this invention incorporates a turntable having a planar portion positioned to receive the peripheral flange of the bottom portion of a coiler can of any one of various types. The turntable also has an upstanding rim inwardly of the planar portion which is adapted to extend within the peripheral flange of the bottom portion of the coiler can, to prevent lateral displacement of the can with respect to the turntable and hold the can in a central position beneath the coiler head. Inwardly of the upstanding rim is a recessed portion which is spaced below the planar portion a distance greater than the distance a caster would depend below the peripheral flange of a coiler can, in order to assure that the coiler can is supported solely by the peripheral flange. A radially directed, upstanding rib extends inwardly from the rim, to engage a caster and positively drive the can in rotation with the turntable, should any slippage occur while the can is supported by the peripheral flange. A raised central portion is provided in the turntable, which may be built up, if desired, so that it is recessed below the planar portion a distance only slightly greater than the distance a central caster depends at the time a coiler can having such a caster is not loaded. As such a can having a central caster becomes loaded with sliver, the downward flexing of the bottom wall of the bottom portion of the can brings the central caster into engagement with the central portion of the turntable and supports the bottom of the can against excessive fiexure.

Turning to the drawing, FIGURE 1 is a side view of a coiler constructed in accordance with this invention. As generally well known to persons skilled in the construction of textile sliver coilers, the coiler includes a base 10, a coiler pedestal 11, and a coiler head 12. A coiler platform 13 is rotatably supported on the base 10, and is adapted to receive and support a coiler can 14, of any one of various types, into which a textile sliver S is packed by the coiler head 12. As is well known, the coiler turntable 13 is driven in rotation in conjunction with the operation of the coiler head 12 and drives the coiler can 14.

The particular construction of the coiler turntable 13 is more clearly shown in FIGURES 24. As there shown, the coiler turntable 13 comprises a circular plate supported on the coiler base for rotation and fixed to a turntable drive gear 15 within the base 10. The turntable drive gear is engaged by a driving gear 16 which is part of a drive train connected to the mechanism of the coiler head 12. This drive train terminating in the drive gear 16 may be entirely conventional.

The circular plate has an annular planar portion 17 formed adjacent the circumferential periphery of the plate, and a proper diameter and width to receive and support the peripheral flange 18 adjacent the bottom portion of a coiler can 14. The circular plate also has an upstanding rim 20 inwardly of and immediately adjacent to the planar portion 17. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the upstanding rim 20 is adapted to extend upwardly within the peripheral flange 18 of a coiler can 14. The purpose of the upstanding rim 20 is to prevent lateral movement of a coiler can 14 which is positioned on the coiler turntable 13. This is necessary to assure that the coiler can 14 is centered beneath the coiler head 12, and cannot be laterally displaced from the correct centered position.

Inwardly of and adjacent to the upstanding rim 20, the circular plate has an inwardly and downwardly sloping shoulder 21. The purpose of this shoulder 21 can be most readily understood from FIGURE 3. There, one type of coiler can 14 has a number of casters 22 fixed to the recessed bottom wall 23 which is part of the bottom portion of the can. The casters 22 here shown are of a swivel type, in which the caster wheel may take various positions around its vertical axis of attachment to the bottom wall 23. In certain instances, when such a coiler can is initially positioned on or over the coiler turntable 13, the casters 22 are so turned as to position the caster wheels adjacent the peripheral flange 18 of the bottom portion of the coiler can. When this condition occurs, the wheel of a caster 22 will engage the shoulder 21, and be cammed away from its position adjacent the peripheral flange 18.

In order to assure that a coiler can 14 is supported only at the peripheral flange 18, by the engagement of that flange with the planar portion 17 of coiler turntable 13, this invention provides a recessed planar portion 24 inwardly of the downwardly and inwardly sloping shoulder 21. The recessed planar portion 24 is recessed a distance below the planar portion 17 greater than the dis tance that a caster 22 depends below the peripheral flange 13. This relationship is made clear in the sectional view of FIGURE 3. As shown there, when a coiler can 14 of the type having casters 22 mounted on the bottom closure wall 23 is positioned on the coiler turntable of this invention, the casters 22 do not extend downwardly sufficiently to engage the recessed planar portion 24, and the can 14 is thus supported solely at the peripheral flange 18. Further, supporting the can 14 in this manner assures that the can is not free to easily rotate relative to the coiler turntable 13, which would occur where the casters 22 could rest upon the circular plate of the turntable, as in prior art constructions.

The coiler turntable 13 of this invention has a central raised portion 25 which performs several functions. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3, the raised central portion 25 provides a point of attachment to the turntable gear 15. Further, the central portion 25 may be built up with washers 26, as shown in FIGURE 4, to provide a central support for one type of coiler can 14. As mentioned above, certain larger diameter coiler cans now coming into use employ a central caster in order to support the bottom wall 23 against excessive fiexure when the can is loaded with sliver. Such a central caster 27 is illustrated as a phantom element in FIGURES 2 and 3, where it is shown in dash-dot lines. Where the turntable of this invention is to be used with such a coiler can having a central caster 27, the central portion 25 of the circular plate is built up with washers 26 until the central portion and washers are recessed below the planar portion 17 which receives the peripheral flange 18 of the coiler can 14 a distance only slightly greater than the distance that the central caster 27 depends below the peripheral flange 18 when the coiler can is empty. Thus, when the can is initially positioned on the turntable, the central caster 27 is above and out of engagement with the washers 26 fixed to the central portion 25. Subsequently, as the can fills and the bottom wall 23 flexes downwardly, the central caster 27 engages the washers 26 and is supported to prevent excessive fiexure of the bottom wall 23 of the coiler can 14. The number of washers 26 used to build up the central portion 25 may be varied, in order to accommodate a specific type of coiler can chosen for use by any mill.

In order to assure that a coiler can 14 is positively driven in rotation should the frictional engagement of the peripheral flange 18 and planar portion 17 prove insuflicient, this invention provides a radially directed upstanding rib 28. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the rib 28 extends inwardly from the sloping shoulder 21 toward the central portion 25. The radial rib 28 projects upwardly from the recessed planar portion 24 a distance sufficient to engage a caster 22 should there be any relative rotation between the can 14 and coiler turntable 13, as made clear in FIGURE 3.

In operation, a coiler can of any of the various types described is positioned on the coiler turntable, with the peripheral depending flange at the bottom portion of the can engaging the planar portion of the turntable. The coiler can is supported by this engagement and carried with the turntable by the frictional force of this engagement, as the turntable is driven in rotation by the coiler mechanism. Should the coiler can be of the type employing casters depending below the peripheral flange at the bottom portion of the can, the casters are supported out of engagement with the coiler turntable 13, and the can is supported and centered by the cooperation of the peripheral flange, planar portion and upstanding rim. Should the coiler can be of the type employing a central depending caster, the fiexure of the bottom wall of the can as the can is loaded causes the central caster to engage the raised central portion of the turntable, and the bottom wall is supported against excessive fiexure.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A rotatable platform for a textile sliver coiler adapted to receive and support for rotation conventional types of coiler cans having a bottom portion formed with a peripheral annular flange and a recessed bottom wall and having casters depending below the annular flange, the rotatable platform comprising a circular plate having an annular planar portion adapted to receive the bottom flange of a coiler can, an upstanding rim disposed inwardly of and immediately adjacent said planar portion and adapted to be disposed within the flange of a can to prevent lateral displacement of a can on the platform, a second annular planar portion disposed inwardly of and adjacent the rim and recessed below the first named planar portion and adapted to be out of contact with and underlie casters depending from a coiler can, and a raised portion disposed centrally of the plate and recessed below the first named planar portion.

2. A rotatable platform as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the plate having an inwardly and downwardly sloping shoulder intermediate the rim and the recessed annular planar portion for camming casters inwardly away from the rim when such a coiler can is positioned on the platform.

3. A rotatable platform as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the plate having an upstanding radial rib extending upwardly from the recessed annular planar portion and adapted to engage a caster extending below the bottom flange of a coiler can for assuring rotation of such a can with the platform.

4. A rotatable platform for a textile sliver coiler adapted to receive and support for rotation conventional types of coiler cans having a bottom portion formed with a peripheral annular flange and a recessed bottom wall and having casters depending below the annular flange, the rotatable platform comprising a circular plate having an annular planar portion adapted to receive the bottom flange of a coiler can, an upstanding rim disposed inwardly of and immediately adjacent said planar portion and adapted to be disposed within the flange of a can to prevent lateral displacement of a can on the platform, an inwardly and downwardly sloping shoulder disposed inwardly of and immediately adjacent the upstanding rim and adapted to cam casters inwardly away from the rim when a can having casters is positioned on the platform, a second annular planar portion disposed inwardly of and adjacent the shoulder and recessed below the first named planar portion and adapted to be out of contact with and underlie casters depending from a coiler can, an upstanding radial rib extending upwardly from the second planar portion and adapted to engage a caster extending below the bottom flange of a coiler can for assuring rotation of such a can with the platform, and a raised portion disposed centrally of the plate and recessed below the first named planar portion.

5. A rotatable platform as claimed in claim 4 in which the central raised portion comprises at least one replaceable element effective to vary the height of the central portion above said last named planar portion, by which the central raised portion is adapted to at times serve as a support for a central caster of a coiler can when the bottom of such a can flexes downwardly on loading.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,269,816 6/1918 Hubbard 28-21 2,916,780 12/1959 Richardson et al. 19-159 3,028,637 4/1962 Van Deusen 19159 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,657 1899 Great Britain. 23,064 1896 Great Britain.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

I. C. WADDEY, IR., Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A ROTATABLE PLATFORM FOR A TEXTILE SILVER COILER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT FOR ROTATION CONVENTIONAL TYPES OF COILER CANS HAVING A BOTTOM PORTION FORMED WITH A PERIPHERAL ANNULAR FLANGE AND A RECESSED BOTTOM WALL AND HAVING CASTERS DEPENDING BELOW THE ANNULAR FLANGE, THE ROTATABLE PLATFORM COMPRISING A CIRCULAR PLATLE HAVING AN ANNULAR PLANAR PORTION ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE BOTTOM FLANGE OF A COILER CAN, AN UPSTANDING RIM DISPOSED INWARDLY OF AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID PLANAR PORTION AND ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN THE FLANGE OF A CAN TO PREVENT LATERAL DISPLACEMENT OF A CAN ON THE PLATFORM, A SECOND ANNULAR PLANAR PORTION DISPOSED INWARDLY OF AND ADJACENT THE RIM AND RECESSED BELOW THE FIRST NAMED PLANAR PORTION AND ADAPTED TO BE OUT OF CONTACT WITH AND UNDERLIE CASTERS DEPENDING FROM A COILER CAN, AND A RAISED PORTION DISPOSED CENTRALLY OF THE PLATE AND RECESSED BELOW THE FIRST NAMED PLANAR PORTION.