US3821833A - Apparatus for supplying cards by means of a pneumatic flock transporting system - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for supplying at least one card by means of a pneumatic flock transporting system, wherein loosened fiber flocks are conveyed by means of a carrier air stream through a transport duct and are separated at the region of the card from the carrier air stream which is at overpressure into a filling chute of the card connected with the transport duct. The invention contemplates adjusting the moisture content within the transport duct so as to be below condensation, and which relies upon monitoring the moisture content of the carrier air stream within the transport duct, and adding a quantity of steam which is free of water droplets to the carrier air stream charged with the fiber flocks in an amount necessary to adjust the moisture content of the carrier air stream so as to be below the point of condensation.

Description

United States Patent [191 Wildbolz et al.

[111 3,821,833 July 2,1974

[ APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING CARDS BY 55,490 6/1866 Haines 19/66 R MEANS OF A PNEUMATIC F O 2,700,188 l/l955 Buresh et al........ 19/66 R 3,029,477 4/1962 Wildbolz etal l9/105 TRANSPORTING SYSTEM 3,363,286 l/l968 Scott et al. 19/66 CC [75] Inventors: Rudolf Wildbolz; Christoph R25,460 10/1963 Vandergriff 19/203 Griindler, both of Winterthur, Switzerland Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton [73] Assigneez Ri-eter Machine-warm Ltd. Attorney, Agent, or FzrmWerner W. Kleeman I Wmterthur, Switzerland [57] ABSTRACT Flledi y 26, 1971 Apparatus for supplying at least one card by means of [211 Appl' 146,971 a pneumatic flock transporting system, wherein loosened fiber flocks are conveyed by means of a carrier air stream through a transport duct and are separated Foreign Application P110111) Data at the region of the card from the carrier air stream Apr. 15, 1968 Switzerland 5785/68 which is at overpressure into a filling chute of the card Sept. 27, 1968 Switzerland 14639/68 connected with the transport duct. The invention con- Nov. 20, 1968 Switzerland 17483/68 templates adjusting the moisture content within the transport duct so as to be below condensation, and [52] U.S. Cl 19/66 R which relies upon monitoring the moisture content of [51] Int. Cl D0lb 3/04 the carrier air stream within the transport duct, and [58] Field of Search 19/203, 66 R, 105, .27, adding a quantity of steam which is free of water drop- 19/66 CC; 56/10, 16,26 lets to the carrier air stream charged with the fiber flocks in an amount necessary to adjust the moisture [56] References Cited content of the carrier air stream so as to be below the UNITED STATES PATENTS p of condensation- 5,274 9/1847 Mason 19/66 R 16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures 40 33 l L I a a 37 F 6 N 4! I A x LQ%. II a 4'2 45 4 T 42 PATENTEDJuL' 2 m4 (1821.833

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FIFO PMS APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING CARDS BY MEANS OF A PNEUMATIC FLOCK TRANSPORTING SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE The present application is a continuation-impart application of our commonly assigned, copending US. application, Ser. No. 815,850, filed Apr. 14, 1969, now abandoned and entitled METHOD OF CONDITION- ING A PNEUMATIC FLOCK TRANSPORTING SYS- TEM SUPPLYING SPINNING PREPARATORY MA- CI-IINES WITI-I FIBRE MATERIAL AND APPARA- TUS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to anew and improved apparatus for supplying at least one card by means of a pneumatic flock transporting system.

The prior art is already familiar with methods for supplying cards by means of pneumatic flock transporting systems wherein loosened fibre flocks are conveyed by an air current through a duct and delivered to one or more feed chutes connected with the common transport duct. The fibre flocks are thus separated from the transport air current in the feed chute and which at the region of the card prevails at an overpressure.

Frequently with this prior art method flock or fibre accumulations build-up at branch points to the feed chutes, at bends or on the walls of the transporting duct. Such damming-up of the fibre material not only blocks the transport of the material in the duct, but also in particular hampers the charging of the feed chute of the card. There thus mainly exists the danger that a uniform deposition of the fibre material in the feed chutes of cards is impaired, which during further processing detrimentally affects the count variation of a sliver or a yarn produced from such fibre material.

The occurrence of undesirable fibre accumulations in pneumatic flock transporting systems most frequently is due to the formation of electrostatic charges which are dependent upon the mositure content of the fibre material and the pneumatic transporting system. In particular, accumulations or bunches of fibre flocks could be observed when working with relatively dry transport or carrier air. Too high a humidity level, however, of the carrier air or of the transported fibre material also causes the formation of fibre flock agglomerations. Techniques for influencing the humidity of the transport system have been developed for other purposes in connection with pneumatic transport systems.

Thus, in a known device for transporting long staple fibres these long staple fibers are transported by means of a moist air current into a mixing chamber and humidified additional air is injected into the transporting duct at a number of locations. In this case, the addition of the humidified additional air is used to assist the air current in order to achieve better mixing of the long staple fibres and to prevent the formation of marginal zones. The same amount of additional air is taken-up from the surrounding room independently of fibre humidity, so that also at all inlet locations always the same amount of moisture can enter the tubular duct.

It is also known to the art to increase the moisture content of fibres of cotton seeds by adding prior or during ginning an excess amount of moisture in order to render the fibres pliable for ginning and to prevent rupture of the fibres during ginning. With this method prior to drying the fibres a liquidor water vapor mist is sprayed into the transport duct charged with the fibre flocks, this mist then depositing upon the fibres which are in transit. By carrying out a subsequent drying operation the moisture content of the fibres is placed at a desired value. I

With the prior art methods discussed above the moisture content or humidity of a pneumatic flock transporting system is influenced either by means of adding to the carrier air charged with fibres large quantities of moistened or humidified additional air, or such quantities of water or water vapor are sprayed directly into the carrier or transport air that it is saturated until the formation of mist. In the first case, that is with the addition of moistened additional air to the carrier stream there exists the drawback that very large quantities of additional air are necessary in order to obtain a desired humidity of the carrier air stream. Such technique is uneconomical for supplying cards owing to the large amounts of supplementary or additional air which must beconditioned, and above all owing to its inertia does not permit carrying out a simple accommodation to the moisture content of the fibres or the carrier air. Additionally, such technique is unsuitable for supplying cards also because due to the inflow of the additional air fluctuations can occur in the pneumatic transporting system, whereby the fibre flocks in the feed chute of the card are irregular, that is are deposited with varying density. In the other technique discussed above water droplets appear in the system which tend to deposit upon the fibre flocks, that is, also such water droplets appear at the fibre flocks, so that an adjustment of a desired moisture content of the fibres cannot take place since the fibres, owing to the pressure of liquid, always contain an excess of liquid. Since in many instances the fibre preparations or finishes which are applied to the fibres are very hygroscopic there is promoted mutual sticking together of the fibres and adherence to the walls, which within a very short time leads to disturbances in the pneumatic flock transporting system. Fibres exhibiting such high water content cannot be uniformly pneumatically transported in flock form for supplying cards since they cannot thereafter be dried and thus can agglomerate together. Fibre flocks which have thus agglomerated together can no longer be uniformly separated in the feed chutes of cards, so that the card likewise has delivered thereto material possessing irregular density. Thus, fibre material which has been deposited in the feed chute with irregular density can no longer ensure for maintenance of the count of the sliver delivered by the card.

SUMMARY 'oF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel method of supplying cards by means of a pneumatic fibre flock transport system and apparatus for implementing the inventive method which are not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art techniques and equipment.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to overcome the previously discussed drawbacks of the prior art methods and to provide a new and improved pneumatic flock transporting system for supplying cards, by means of which it is possible to prevent in a very simple and especially economical manner the disturbing accumulation of fibre flocks and to ensure for a uniform deposition of the conveyed fibre material in the feed chutes and therefore to maintain the count of the sliver delivered by the card.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the method of the invention for supplying at least one card by means of a pneumatic flock transporting system, and wherein loosened fibre flocks are conveyed by a carrier or air current through a transport duct and further wherein the fibre flocks are separated from the carrier air current which is at overpressure at the region of the card at a feed chute of the card connected to the transport duct and deposited therein, is manifested by the features that at the transport duct there is adjusted a moisture content which is beneath condensation in that the moisture content of the transport or carrier air in the transport duct is monitored, and there is added to the transport or carrier air current charged with fibre flocks a quantity of water droplet free-steam or water vapor in an amount necessary to adjust the mositure content.

The apparatus for carrying out the inventive method by means of a pneumatic transport duct charged with fibre flocks for charging one or more feed chutes of cards which are connected, if desired, to the common transport duct is manifested by the features that a device for delivering steam or water vapor free of water droplets is connected with the transport duct charged withthe fibre flocks, and a measuring feeler or sensor for measuring the moisture content of the transport or carrier air is provided at the transport duct, this sensor being operatively coupled with a control device connected with the aforementioned delivery or infeed device for the steam or water vapor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects otherthan those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG.- 1 is a schematic elevational view of an automatic carding installation or plant;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carding installation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a pneumatic flock transporting system for transporting fibres, the end of the transporting duct being closed;

FIG; 4 is a detail of the installation of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 respectively; p

FIGS. '5 to 8 are respective schematic elevational views of details of the delivery devices for the transport duct; 1 a

- FIG. 9 is an alternative design of the carding installation or plant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an alternative design of the pneumatic flock conveying or transport system depicted in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 11 to -16 are further respective schematic eleciated transport duct.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2 a conventional flock delivering machine, hereinafter referred to as flock feeder 35, is supplied with fiber material which is pneumatically transported via a transporting duct 36 from an opening machine (not shown). Such type flock feeder 35 is well known to the art and disclosed in Swiss Pat. No. 375,634. These flocks, together with carrier or transport air, are sucked in the direction of arrow F via a duct 37 containing the fan or ventilator 38, and are transported at an overpressure in the direction of arrow Ginto an elevated transporting duct 39, the cross-section of which is brought into rectangular shape corresponding to almost the working width of a card by means of an adaptor section 40. Vertical feed chutes 41 of cards 42 arranged in a row are connected to this transporting duct. After supplying a first row of cards, this duct 39 extends above a second row of cards 42 arranged parallel to the first card row, this second row of cards likewise being fed by the same type of feed chutes 41 (FIG. 2). Duct 39 then leads back to the flock feeder 35. Between the flock feeder 35 and the fan 38 there is arranged at the transporting duct 37a connecting arrangement including a connecting piece 43. An inclined cover 44 extending into the duct 37 and arranged at the entry of connecting piece 43 therein forms an inlet opening 45. In the connecting piece 43 there is provided an injector nozzle 46 which is connected with a steam generator (not shown). The injector nozzle 46 serves for injecting a fluid medium such as .water vapor or steam into the connecting piece 43 and such nozzle is also connectedwith a control device 47. This control device 47 is connected with a moisture or humidity sensing device 48 arranged in the duct 39 leading away from fan 38 on the pressurized side thereof and in the front of the adaptor section 40, as shown.

In implementing the method according to the invention by means of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2, steam or water vapor emerging from injection nozzle 46 is sucked, under the action of the fan 38, via inlet opening 45 and in the direction of arrow K into the duct 37 and is added to the flock carrying air stream characterized by arrow F. The steam which is added blends with the carrier air stream and changes not only the humidity or moisture content of the carrier air stream but also that of the fiber flocks. The cover 44 thus can both prevent the penetration of fiber flocks into the connecting piece 43 as well as permitting entry of steam in suitable fashion into the transport duct 37.

The quantity of the steam to be added, and thus the extent or level of conditioning, is controlled by the control device 47 and the sensor 48 which can be set to a certain desired level of humidity of the carrier air stream. The measuring feeler or sensor 48 can be adjusted or set within a tolerance range to a moisture content or humidity of the carrier air, at which there does not occur any accumulation of the fiber flocks in the transport duct and at the branch points and at which there occurs a uniform deposition of the fiber flocks in the feed chute. This can be determined by checking the sliver weight of the sliver departing from the cards 42, 42, since disturbances in the pneumatic flock transporting system affect the uniformity of the sliver. With a change, for instance, of the moisture content of the fiber flocks delivered by the flock feeder 35 and/or the fresh air flowing into the pneumatic flock transporting system the moisture content of the carrier air stream also changes. This is sensed by the sensor or measuring feeler 48 and, in the event such is located outside of the tolerance range, it is compensated via the control device 47 by actuating the nozzle 46. Disturbances in the pneumatic flock transporting system by virtue of accumulations of fiber flocks, for instance owing to the fact that the fiber flocks and/or the carrier air is too dry are not only automatically rectified due to monitoring by means of the sensor 48 and by the addition of an appropriately conditioned partial quantity of air, but also are prevented. The same holds true for fiber flocks which tend to conglomerate or stick together owing to, for instance, too high a content of moisture. In the lastmentioned situation the control device 47, by virtue of the too great moisture content as ascertained by the sensor 48, will suppress the injection of steam or water vapor through the nozzle 46 into the partial quantity of air for such length of time until the moisture content of the carrier air is again at the desired value or, as the case may be, in the range at which the measuring feeler or sensor 48 has been set. Then, during any further dropping of the moisture content or humidity of the carrier air, and for the purpose of maintaining a moisture content which corresponds to the aforementioned value or to such range, the control device 47 will again inject steam through the action of the nozzle 46. The moisture content of the carrier air flowing through the conduit or duct 40 and that of the conveyed fiber flocks can therefore be varied in a very simple and rapid man-' ner and with a minimum of expenditure and such moisture content can be accommodated quite readily to the conveying and supply requirements of the cards.

In FIG. 3 there is shown an embodiment of apparatus for implementing the method according to the invention and which is connected with the feed chute of a card of the type described, for instance, in Swiss Pat. No. 437,063. A flock feeder 49 again supplied with fiber material which is pneumatically transported via supply duct 50. The flocks together with the carrier air are sucked from flock feeder 49 via duct 51 in the direction of arrow L by a fan 52 arranged in such duct 51 and are transferred in the direction of arror M at an overpressure via a duct section 53 and through an intermediate or adaptor section 54 suitably adapting the duct cross-section into an elevated transporting duct 55. The transporting duct terminates at a feed chute 56 of a card 57. The carrier air entering the feed chute 56 penetrates through an air permeable separator wall 58 arranged in the chute 56 into an exhaust duct 59 and from there enters, via a duct 60, into a chamber (not shown) which is at lower pressure. A plurality of feed chutes 56 also may be connected successively behind one another to the transporting duct 55, wherebythen feed chute 56 shown in FIG. 3 is the last one. A connecting arrangement incorporating a connecting piece 61 connected with the transporting duct 51 and arranged between the flock feeder 49 and the fan 52 contains a nozzle 62 connected with any suitable steam or water vapor generator (not shown). Nozzle 62 is connected with a control device 63 which, in turn, is connected with a humidity sensor or feeder 64. Humidity sensor 64 is arranged upstream before the first feed chute in the event a plurality of chutes are connected to the transporting duct 55. In order to prevent penetration of fiber flocks into the connecting piece 61 and in order to suitably guide the stream emerging from nozzle 62 into the transporting duct 51, a cover 65 forming an inlet opening 66 is provided at the entry of connecting piece 61 into transporting duct 51. The humidity sensor 64 measures the humidity of the flock carrying air stream and controls the injection of steam into the flock carrying air stream through the opening 66 and into duct 51 by means of the control device 63. The implementation of the inventive method by means of the apparatus hardware of FIG. 3 occurs similar to the apparatus structure discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a moisture delivery device can be arranged at a pneumatic transport duct 69 which is connected with the pressure side of a fan or ventilator 67. The fan 67 sucks the fiber flocks supplied, for instance, from the flock feeder 35 or 49 of FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively (not shown in FIG. 4), together with the carrier air through a transporting duct 68 in the direction of arrow N and transports such further under overpressure through a transporting duct 69 in the direction of arrow 8, e.g. to a subsequently arranged feed chute of a card. On the transporting duct 69 a connecting arrangement incorporating a connecting piece 70 is provided which contains a steam injecting nozzle 71 connected with a steam generator (not shown). Nozzle 71 is operatively connected via its actuating control device with a humidity sensor (both not shown) which also is arranged in the fiber flock carrying transporting duct. Connecting piece 70 merges into the transporting duct 69 in the form of a nozzle 72, so that by means of the flock carrying air flowing in-the direction of arrow S water vapor or steam is added in injector-like fashion into the flock carrying air in the direction of arrow T. The quantity of steam to be added is controlled by the sensor and the control device as de-' scribed in the exemplary embodiments discussed above.

Furthermore, in FIG. 5 there is shown an embodiment of delivery device as such can be also used in the preceding embodiments. At a duct 73 through which a flock carrying air stream is sucked in the direction of arrow U, there is mounted and attached a connecting arrangement incorporating a connecting piece 74. The wall 75 of the connecting piece 74 at the end facing away from duct 73 partially forms a tube 76 which extends horizontally inwardly and terminates within 'a short distance from the point of entry into duct 73. The inner end wall 77 of this tube 76 is provided with perforations 78. At the point of entry or mouth of connecting piece 74 into the transporting duct 73 there is arranged an extension 80 of the wall 79 of the connecting piece 74, this extension penetrating a short distance into the transporting duct 73 transversely with respect to the direction of material flow indiated by arrow U, and extending across the full width (not shown) of the mouth of the connecting piece 74. An inclined cover 82 extends from wall 81 adjoining the transporting duct 73, in the direction of material flow, into the regionof the extension 80, so that an inlet or throughflow opening 83 is formed between extension 80 and cover 82. Into the tube 76 which is open at the wall 75 there is inserted a nozzle 84, such nozzle being provided with an opening 86 in end wall 85 facing the transporting duct 73.

Nozzle 84 is connected to a steam or water vapor generator 89 provided with heating elements 90 via duct 87 containing a valve 88. Steam generator 89 furthermore is connected to awater supply pipe 91 and a riser duct 92 which, in turn, is connected via a duct 93 with a drain 94 of connecting piece 74. The valve 88 located in duct 87 is connected with a control device 95 which, in turn, is connected with a sensor (not shown) of the type discussed above and arranged in the flock carrying transporting duct.

The steam generator 89 filled with water via supply pipe 91 up to level 96 generates steam by means of the heating elements 90. Owing to the steam pressure it flows via duct 87, if valve 88 is open, into nozzle 84 and then-into tube 76 via opening 86. By means of the perforations 78 the steam then leaves this tube 76 and due to the suction prevailing in the transporting duct 73 and also due to its own inherent pressure such steam flows in the direction of arrow V via inlet opening 83 into the transporting duct 73. Water which may possibly condense in the connecting piece 74 or on cover 82 is collected in drain 94 and flows into the riser duct 92 via duct 93. In the transporting duct 73 the steam mixes with the fiber flock carrying air stream and alters the humidity or moisture content of the fiber flocks which .are transported. The quantity of steam needed for reaching a desired humidity or moisture content of the fiber flocks is controlled by opening and closing valve 88 by means of control device 95 as a function of the humidity level of the flock carrying air stream as monitored or scanned by the sensor (not shown). 4

/ An alternative design of the apparatus shown in FIG. has been depicted in FIG. 6. The connecting piece 74 of FIG. 5 has been here replaced by connecting piece 74 which is provided with perforations 97 at its wall 75 facing away from transport duct 73, these perforations permitting throughflow of air. Due to the suction prevailing' in transport duct 73 and acting in the direction indicated by arrow U, air from the surrounding room or ambient area is sucked-in through perforations 97, this partial quantity of air admixes with the steam deparating from the nozzle 84 and flows through connecting piece 74' via inlet opening 83 into the transporting duct 73. Fiber tangles forming at extension 80 or at cover 82 are eliminated by this air streaming through inlet opening 83 and the formation of undesirable fiber accumulations is avoided. I

As shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible'to arrange about the connecting piece 74' connected to transporting duct 73 heating elements 98 which may be suitably surrounded by a housing 99 for heat insulation purposes. In this manner the temperature of the steam emerging from the nozzle within connecting piece 74' is maintained at a desired level. The heating elements 9.8 are appropriately connected with the control circuit (not shown) controlling steam injection in order to permit, if needed, adequate switching on and off of said heating elements. In particular, there is to be avoided the presence of highly pressurized steam (white mist), as otherwise water droplets would reach the fiber flocks transported through duct 73 which would cause sticking together of fiber flocks as described above and would unfavorably influence transporting and feeding conditions. Heating also is advantageous if condensation of steam in the connecting piece 74' is caused by the air sucked in via openings 97 of wall 75.

In FIG. 8 there is depicted the possibility of heating the pneumatic flock transporting system. To that end, the transporting duct 73, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 or 7, provided with the connecting arrangement incorporating the connecting piece 74 and the nozzle 84, through which an air stream carrying fiber flocks flows in the direction indicated by arrow U, is itself equipped on its outside surface with heating elements 100 surrounded by a housing 101 in order to prevent heat losses in a manner analogous to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7. The heating elements 100 can be connected with a control device which, in turn, is connected with a sensor (not shown) arranged in the fiber flock transporting duct, this control device also being connected with nozzle 84, and such control device can actuate the heating elements 100 in accordance with any deviation of the level or measured value scanned by the sensor from a preset or reference value. Thus the temperature in transporting duct 73 can be maintained at a desired level.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 steam injection may be stopped or possibly reduced, according to sensor settings and requirements, respectively, during such time. as the heating elements are switched-on. Also by alternatingly switching on and off the steam injection and the heating elements a desired moisture content or humidity level can be maintained in the system conditioned in this manner.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 furthermore may be provided with heating elements of the type depicted in FIG. 7 which are arranged-at the connecting piece 74. I

The addition of water vapor or steam free of water droplets also may be achieved by adding a small quantity of preconditioned air to the filter flock carrying air stream, a part of the transporting air stream being con ditioned and added to the flock carrying air stream. An example of this arrangement is depicted in FIG. 9

showing the transporting duct 37 of an otherwise identical card feeding plant like the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, equipped with a connecting arrangement in the, form of a by-pass duct 102 connected to duct 37 by openings 103 and 104. In order to avoid fiber flock penetration into the by-pass duct 102 openings 103 and 104 may be provided with. screens, filters or similar such devices (not shown). In the by-pass duct 102 there is arranged a nozzle 105 supplied with water or steam from a reservoir (not shown) and connected with a control device 106 which, in turn, is connected with a moisture responsive sensor or feeler 107 arranged downstream in the transporting duct 37 in front of the adaptor piece 40.

In implementing the method according to the invention by means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, due to the suction created by fan 38, also acting in the by-pass duct 102 via openings 103 and 104, carrier or transport air is drawn into the by-pass duct 102 via opening 103 as indicated by arrow A and after flowing through such by-pass duct 102 this by-passed air re-enters via opening 104, according to the direction of arrow 8,,

back into the transporting duct 37 and joins the flock carrying air stream. If the humidity of the flock carrying air stream is too low, the humidity of the relatively small quantity of transporting air flowingthrough the by-pass duct 102 is changed by injecting water or steam by means of nozzle 105. This small quantity of conditioned air after flowing through opening 104 rejoins the flock carrying air stream and changes its moisture content or humidity.

The quantity of water or steam to be injected into the small quantity of air flowing through the by-pass duct 102, and thus the level of conditioning thereof, it controlled by the sensor device 107 which can be preset to a certain humidity level of the carrier air. This sensor 107 signals deviations from the preset level to the control device 106 which initiates injection of water or steam by means of nozzle 105 into the small quantity of air flowing through by-pass duct 102. The setting or adjustment of the sensor and the addition of water or steam into the partial air stream and thus the addition of steam free of water droplets into the transport duct 37 occurs in the same manner already described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to correct to a reference value of the moisture content of the carrier air necessary in order to attain desired conveying and further processing conditions only changes in the moisture content of a small quantity of air are necessary. Due to the addition of only small quantities of previously conditioned air to the carrier air stream small fluctuations in particular can be quickly compensated.

Also, a connecting arrangement incorporating a bypass duct equipped with an injection nozzle can be provided in the transporting duct 51 leading to a feed chute 56 of card 57 of the arrangement of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 10. Instead of using the connecting piece 61 a by-pass duct 113 equipped with a water or steam injection nozzle 112 is connected via openings 114 and 115 to the transporting duct 51 between the flock feeder 49 and the fan 52 of the card feeding plant which is otherwise identical to the one shown in FIG. 3. Owing to the suction created by the fan 52 which is arranged in the transporting duct 51 the carrier air also flows through by-pass duct 112 in the direction of arrows E, and F and the flock carrying air stream flowing through transporting duct 51 in the direction of arrow L is conditioned in the same manner as mentioned before in connection with the description of the apparatus according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of apparatus for implementing the method according to the invention which also can be used at the transport ducts instead of the conditioning means illustrated and discussed above, whereby the small quantity of air to be conditioned is not removed from the carrier air stream but from the surrounding room or ambient space, then conditioned and added to the flock carrying air stream. As shown in FIG. 11, the duct 116 is provided with a connecting arrangement incorporating a connecting piece 117 through which a small quantity of air, owing to the suction created by a fan 118, is sucked in the directionof arrows G in addition to the carrier air stream flowing through transporting duct 116 in the direction of arrow F,. A water or steam injecting nozzle 119 connected to a water or steam reservoir (not shown) is inserted into connecting piece 117, the dimensions of the latter being chosen in such a way that only small quantities of air from the surrounding room can enter in the direction of arrows G, between the circumference of nozzle 119 and the interior wall of connecting piece 117, as such has previously already been discussed in connection with connecting piece 74' of FlG. 6. Nozzle 119 is connected once again with acontrol device 120 which, in turn, is connected with a humidity sensor 121. Sensor 121 is arranged directly after the fan 118 downstream in the pressurized transporting duct 122 connected with such fan 1 18 and in which the flock carrying air stream is transported in the direction of arrow H Using this apparatus, the method according to the invention is implemented in the same manner as with the apparatus according to FIG. 9.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12 conditioning in the manner of the arrangement of FIG. 1 1 also can be carried out at a duct conveying fiber flocks and carrier air and at which appear overpressure conditions. A fan 125 sucks in flocks supplied by a flock feeder, such as flock feeders 35 or 49 of FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, together with the carrier air through a transporting duct 126 and transports such under pressure in the direction of arrow 0 in a transporting duct 127. At transporting duct 127 there is attached connecting arrangement incorporating a a connecting piece 128 containing a water or steam injecting nozzle 129 and connected with a water or steam reservoir (-not shown). Nozzle 129 is activated by a control device and a sensor (both not shown) also arranged in the flock transporting duct. Connecting piece 128 forms a nozzle 130 at the entry into transporting duct 127. By means of the flock carrying air stream flowing through transporting duct 127 in the direction of arrow 0,, air sucked in from the surrounding room in the direction of arrows P and previously preconditioned by injection of water or steam by means of nozzle 129, is drawn in through the injector-like nozzle 130, due to the injector action, in the direction of arrow Q and is added to the flock carrying air stream.

FIG. 13 illustrates a connecting arrangement incorporating a by-pass channel 142 connected via openings and 141 to the transport duct 116 of FIG. 11, this by-pass duct 142 contains a heating device 143 and a water or steam injecting nozzle 144, each connected to a control device 145. Control device 145, in turn, is connected with a humidity sensor 121 arranged in the pressurized flock transporting duct 122 linked to the pressure side of the fan 118. Openings 140 and 141 again are provided with screens 140 and 141 or similar devices. The by-pass duct 142 functions asfollows:

If the moisture content or humidity of the carrier or transport air as determined by the measuring feeler or sensor 121 is too low, then, by means of the control device the injection nozzle 144 is actuated and water or steam is injected into the partial quantity of air flowing through the by-pass channel 142 until thereis obtained a desired moisture content at the carrier air stream. If, notwithstanding the closing or shut-off of the injection nozzle 144, the moisture content of the carrier air still increases, for instance because the suckedup fresh air contains a higher moisture content or there is delivered moist fiber material then through the operation of the measuring feeler or sensor 121 and through the action of the control device 145 the heating unit or apparatus 143 is actuated. The small quantity of air flowing through the by-pass channel 142 in the direction of the arrow V is now heated-up for such time until the measuring feeler or sensor 121 again senses a moisture content or humidity of the fiber flock laden or charged carrier air stream which corresponds to an adjusted value. With a renewed decrease of the moisture unit 143 and the injection nozzle 144 it is possible to thereby compensate humidity or moisture content values of the carrier air stream. By the same token, it is possible to maintain the heating unit or device 143 switched-in in the order to condition at a desired temperature the small quantity of air which is branched-off and which flows through the by-pass channel 136.

The heating device 143 of FIG. 13 which is arranged in the by-pass channel or duct 142 can also be replaced by heating elements 146 placed on the outside of bypass channel or duct 142, as shown in FIG. 14$, the arrangement of this channel 142 otherwise being identical to the one shown in FIG. 13. Also, for instance, the

connecting piece 117, shown in FIG. 11, can be equipped with heating elements 146a placed on its outside, as shown in FIG. 15. This permits conditioning of the small quantity of air drawn in from the surrounding area or room, either at a desired temperature or by alternatinglyinjecting water or steam and heating.

Another alternative arrangement of connecting arrangement incorporating a by-pass duct is shown in.

FIG. 16 wherethe intake opening 147 of a by-pass duct 148 is arranged at a transporting duct 150 coming from a flock feeder (not shown) and linked to the suction side of a fan 149. A flock carrying air stream flows through the transport duct 150 in the direction of arrow W,. This by-pass duct or channel 148 can be designed as in the arrangements of FIGS. 9 or 13. The small quantity of air previously conditioned in the bypass duct 148 re-enters via opening 151, forming a nozzle 153, into the pressurized transporting duct 152 linked to the pressure side'of the fan 149, and in which duct -152 the flocks are transported in the direction of arrow X Thus, a small quantity of air. previously conditioned in the by-pass duct 148 is sucked via the injector-like opening 151' in injector-like fashion into the 'pressu'rizedtransporting duct 152 linked to the-overpressure side of thefan 149, the direction of air flow in theby-pass duct 148 being indicated by arrows Z.

The position of the humidity or moisture sensor is not limited to the one shown in the examples described above. The sensor may be arranged at any place in the transporting duct-between the point of steam entry into such duct and the feed chute of a subsequently arranged card. Thus, for instance, the sensor 48 or 107 of the'embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 or 9 can be also located in the conduit or duct system leading the fiber flocks back into the carrier air stream. In the case of pneumatic flock transporting systems used for card feeding as depicted in FIGS. 3 or 10, in which there is no feedback of excess flocks, the sensor 64 can be located at the transport duct 55 advantageously between the point of steam entry into the transporting duct l and the first feed chute 56 of a. series of cards 57. Even if the sensor is advantageously placed at points of the transporting duct where humiditycauses flock disturbances, that is, for instance, at points where undesirable agglomerations tend to form, e.g. at branching points to the feed chutes, it is nonetheless preferable,

for reasons of measuring facility, to place the sensor near the point of steam entry into the transporting duct. As the distance of the sensor from said entry point is increased, the inertia, that is, the lag in reaction time of the system also increases. If the sensor is placed too close to such entry point, unreliable measurement values are sensed or measured, as the added steam has not yet sufficiently mixed with the flock carrying air 12 stream, so that there is not ensured for reliable adjustment of the moisture content. The flocks'must remain in the carrier air stream after steam addition for a sufficient length of time, so that the fiber flocks can be appropriately influenced through exchange of moisture or humidity with the carrier air stream. For this reason an arrangement, for instance, of the measuring feeler 64 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 or that of FIG. 10, in the transport duct 53 connected with the pressure side of the fan or ventilator 52 can be advantageous, even if at the duct 51 leading from the flock feeder 49 to the fan 52 sufficient space is available between the point of entry of the steam into such duct 51 and the fan 52, as such for instance has been shown with the constructions of FIGS. 3 and 10.

The location of the connecting piece for the addition of steam or the partial air stream containing water vapor or steam is likewise not limited to the embodiments shown herein. The connecting piece may also be arranged in a pressurized transporting duct (FIGS. 4 or 12), for instance upstream of the first feed chute of a card, and in which arrangement then the position of the sensor favorably can be moved in the direction of, for

instance, the first feed chute. An arrangement of the connecting piece at a transporting duct connected to the pressure side is, for instance, also dependent upon the pressure of the steam in relation to the overpressure conditions prevailing in the transporting duct and/or upon the flow velocities of the carrier'air stream in the transporting duct, by means of which the steam or partial quantity'of air can flow into or be sucked by an injector-like action into the transporting duct. Due to an arrangement of the connecting piece at a transporting duct under suction there can be avoided disturbances due to accumulations of fiber material at the entry opening of the connecting piece into the transporting duct owing to the tearing action of the suction.

The position of the entry opening of a by-pass duct into a transporting duct for the small quantity of previously conditioned aid is also not limited. As best seen by referring to FIG. 16 the entry opening may also be arranged in a pressurized transporting duct leading away from the pressure side of the fan or ventilator, and in which arrangement the position-of the sensor again may be advantageously displaced in the direction of the first feed chute.

Compared to the previously known prior art methods for supplying cards by means of a pneumatic fiber flock transport system the method and apparatus aspects of this invention possess the advantage that with fluctuating moisture content of the fiber flocks and/or the transport or carrier air undesired fiber accumulations can be prevented and there can take place a uniform deposition of the fiber flocks in the feed chutes. Owing to the addition of steam or water. vapor free of water droplets there does not occur at the carrier air any formation of dropletsupon the fiber flocks. A further'advantage resides in the fact that an exactly measured quantity of moisture can be added, which already exists in gaseous form and which can admix quite'quickly with the carrier air stream which is likewise in gaseous condition. Further, the measurement of the moisture content or humidity of the carrier air charged with steam free of water dropiets is more reliable than if such were undertaken at a carrier air stream where, for instance, there appears spray water or water mist.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with at least one card having a feed chute, a pneumatic flock transporting system for carrying separated fiber flocks to such feed chute of the card, said fiber flocks being transported by means of a carrier air stream through a transport duct of the transporting system to such feed chute, the improvement comprising:

a. a connecting arrangement defining a chamber having at least one opening communicating with the transport duct charged with fiber flocks upstream of the feed chute of the card, said chamber adapted to contain a small quantity of air free of fiber flocks separate to the carrier air stream;

b. means for supplying water ina fluid state to the chamber to disperse said water into the small quantity of air contained in the chamber and pass moisture-laden air free of water droplets into the transport duct charged with fiber flocks;

c. measuring feeler means provided in said transport duct at a point located downstream of the point where the moisture-laden air is passed into the transport duct for measuring the moisture content of the carrier air stream and the fiber flocks;

d. a control device operatively connected with said measuring feeler means and with said water supply means to control the supply of water in the fluid state into said chamber in dependence on the moisture content of the carrier air stream and the fiber flocks in the transport duct; and

e. ventilator means in said transport duct, and wherein the moisture-laden air in said chamber is introduced into said transport duct at least partially under the action of said ventilator means.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is'a by-pass duct having one end opening into said transport duct through which a small quantity of air free of fiber flocks may be withdrawn from the carrier air stream, and the other end opening into said transport duct downstream of said one end through which the small quantity of air may be reintroduced into the carrier air stream after having water dispersed therein.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber includes an outlet opening into said transport duct and is otherwise closed with respectto the carrier air stream.

4. The combination'as defined in claim'l, further including a machine for delivering fiber flocks to said pneumatic flock transporting system, said connecting arrangement being arranged between said fiber flock supplying machine and the feed chute of the card.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said transport duct defines a common transport duct for a number of cards connected therewith, said connecting arrangement being connected upstream of the first feed chute of the series of cards coupled with said common transport duct.

6. The combination as defined in claim 4, further including heating means arranged at said pneumatic flock transporting duct. I

7. The combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said ventilator means has a pressure side and a suction side arranged in said transport duct, said connecting arrangement being connected to a section of said transport duct which is connected with the suction side of said ventilator means.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ventilator means has a pressure side and a suction side connecting arrangement being located in a section of the transport duct connected with the pressure side of said ventilator means. I

9. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting arrangement comprises a mechanism for conditioning a portion of thequantity of carrier air.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said chamber is a by-pass channel arrangement having suction and delivery openings communicating with a section of said transport duct, said ventilator means having a pressure side and suction side, said section of said transport duct being connected with the suction side of said ventilator means.

11. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said chamber is a by-pass channel arrangement having suction openings connected to a section of said transport duct, said ventilator means having a pressure side and a suction side arranged at said transport duct, said section of said transport duct being connected with the 14. The combination as defined in claim 12, further including steam generator means operatively connected with said injection nozzle means.

15. The combination as defined in claim 12, further including water reservoir means operatively connected with said injection nozzle means. 3

16. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting arrangement additionally incorporates heating means.

Claims (16)

1. In combination with at least one card having a feed chute, a pneumatic flock transporting system for carrying separated fiber flocks to such feed chute of the card, said fiber flocks being transported by means of a carrier air stream through a transport duct of the transporting system to such feed chute, the improvement comprising: a. a connecting arrangement defining a chamber having at least one opening coMmunicating with the transport duct charged with fiber flocks upstream of the feed chute of the card, said chamber adapted to contain a small quantity of air free of fiber flocks separate to the carrier air stream; b. means for supplying water in a fluid state to the chamber to disperse said water into the small quantity of air contained in the chamber and pass moisture-laden air free of water droplets into the transport duct charged with fiber flocks; c. measuring feeler means provided in said transport duct at a point located downstream of the point where the moisture-laden air is passed into the transport duct for measuring the moisture content of the carrier air stream and the fiber flocks; d. a control device operatively connected with said measuring feeler means and with said water supply means to control the supply of water in the fluid state into said chamber in dependence on the moisture content of the carrier air stream and the fiber flocks in the transport duct; and e. ventilator means in said transport duct, and wherein the moisture-laden air in said chamber is introduced into said transport duct at least partially under the action of said ventilator means.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is a by-pass duct having one end opening into said transport duct through which a small quantity of air free of fiber flocks may be withdrawn from the carrier air stream, and the other end opening into said transport duct downstream of said one end through which the small quantity of air may be reintroduced into the carrier air stream after having water dispersed therein.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber includes an outlet opening into said transport duct and is otherwise closed with respect to the carrier air stream.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1, further including a machine for delivering fiber flocks to said pneumatic flock transporting system, said connecting arrangement being arranged between said fiber flock supplying machine and the feed chute of the card.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said transport duct defines a common transport duct for a number of cards connected therewith, said connecting arrangement being connected upstream of the first feed chute of the series of cards coupled with said common transport duct.

6. The combination as defined in claim 4, further including heating means arranged at said pneumatic flock transporting duct.

7. The combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said ventilator means has a pressure side and a suction side arranged in said transport duct, said connecting arrangement being connected to a section of said transport duct which is connected with the suction side of said ventilator means.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ventilator means has a pressure side and a suction side connecting arrangement being located in a section of the transport duct connected with the pressure side of said ventilator means.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting arrangement comprises a mechanism for conditioning a portion of the quantity of carrier air.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said chamber is a by-pass channel arrangement having suction and delivery openings communicating with a section of said transport duct, said ventilator means having a pressure side and suction side, said section of said transport duct being connected with the suction side of said ventilator means.

11. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said chamber is a by-pass channel arrangement having suction openings connected to a section of said transport duct, said ventilator means having a pressure side and a suction side arranged at said transport duct, said section of said transport duct being connected with the suction side of said ventilator means, said by-pass channel arrangement having a delivery opening connected with a further section of said transport duct aRranged at the pressure side of said ventilator means.

12. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said water supplying means includes injection nozzle means.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said connecting arrangement possesses openings for the through-passage of air from the surrounding area.

14. The combination as defined in claim 12, further including steam generator means operatively connected with said injection nozzle means.

15. The combination as defined in claim 12, further including water reservoir means operatively connected with said injection nozzle means.

16. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting arrangement additionally incorporates heating means.

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