US3892341A

US3892341A - Cloth turner

Info

Publication number: US3892341A
Application number: US521154A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam M Goodson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: JACUMIN ENGINEERING & MACHINE COMPANY A NC CORP
Priority date: 1974-11-05
Filing date: 1974-11-05
Publication date: 1975-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-01
Also published as: GB1491786A; AU8591475A; DE2547749A1; BE835064A

Abstract

An everting apparatus for tubular fabric including a first elongated tubular duct which defines a first passageway therewithin, and a second elongated tubular duct disposed concentrically about the first duct and which defines a second passageway with the first duct. The ducts are preferably disposed in a substantially horizontal position. An air flow redirecting member is mounted adjacent one end of each of the first and second ducts. An air blower moves air, by means of an eductor mounted on one end of the first duct, in the first passageway in a direction from the end adjacent the redirecting member to the other end of the first duct for drawing tubular knit fabric therethrough. The air blower also moves air through the second passageway in a direction from the other end of the first duct toward the end adjacent to which the member is mounted. The air moving in the second passageway is redirected by the member so as to move in a substantially longitudinal direction from the one end to the other end of the second duct along the exterior of the second duct. This air flow moves tubular fabric over the exterior of the second duct to collect tubular fabric around the second duct as it is withdrawn from a supply roll of the fabric. In operation, one end of the length of tubular fabric is placed by an operator over the end of the second duct and air flow from the blower is directed through the second passageway and redirected by the member for moving the tubular fabric along the exterior of the second duct toward the other end thereof. This movement is continued until the source of supply is exhausted and the entire supply of tubular fabric is collected on the exterior of the second duct at which time the air flow through the second passageway is terminated by the operator. The operator then inserts the end of the supply of tubular fabric on the second duct into the first passageway. Air flow from the blower is then directed to the eductor for moving the air and the supply of tubular fabric through the first passageway from one end of the first duct toward the other end and through the eductor. The effect of this operation of the everting apparatus is to turn the inside of the fabric outside. Therefore, the fabric discharged from the eductor is ready for subsequent processing of the fabric with the inside of the fabric exposed.

Description

United States Patent 1 Goodson CLOTH TURNER [76] Inventor: Sam M. Goodson, 1107 Fleetwood Dr., Lookout Mountain, Tenn. 37350 [22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 521,154

[52] U.S. Cl. H 223/43 [51] Int. Cl ..A41h 43/00 [58] Field of Search 223/39-43; 15/304; 112/25; 66/149 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,899,116 3/1959 Long et al 223/43 3,126,134 3/1964 McAnally 223/43 3,131,839 5/1964 Norman et al. 223/43 3,532,258 10/1970 Kienel............ 223/43 3,536,898 3/1971 Griffin 223/43 3,577,942 5/1971 Huling 112/25 Primary ExaminerGe0. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT 1 July 1,1975

first passageway in a direction from the end adjacent the redirecting member to the other end of the first duct for drawing tubular knit fabric therethrough. The air blower also moves air through the second passageway in a direction from the other end of the first duct toward the end adjacent to which the member is mounted. The air moving in the second passageway is redirected by the member so as to move in a substantially longitudinal direction from the one end to the other end of the second duct along the exterior of the second duct. This air flow moves tubular fabric over the exterior of the second duct to collect tubular fabric around the second duct as it is withdrawn from a supply roll of the fabric. In operation, one end of the length of tubular fabric is placed by an operator over the end of the second duct and air flow from the blower is directed through the second passageway and redirected by the member for moving the tubular fabric along the exterior of the second duct toward the other end thereof. This movement is continued until the source of supply is exhausted and the entire supply of tubular fabric is collected on the exterior of the second duct at which time the air flow through the second passageway is terminated by the operator. The operator then inserts the end of the supply of tubular fabric on the second duct into the first passageway. Air flow from the blower is then directed to the eductor for moving the air and the supply of tubular fabric through the first passageway from one end of the first duct toward the other end and through the eductor. The effect of this operation of the everting apparatus is to turn the inside of the fabric outside. Therefore, the fabric discharged from the eductor is ready for subsequent processing of the fabric with the inside of the fabric exposed.

11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mtmm'amm 1 SHEET ,lllll ll-ll- CLOTH TURNER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the processing of tubular fabric, it is desirable that the fabric be everted, i.e., turned inside out, so that various operations. such as stitching, to be performed on the fabric can be performed on the inside thereof and thereby do not damage the appearance of the outside of the fabric. It is therefore desirable in processing tubular fabric to turn that fabric inside out so as to expose the inside of the fabric to the various operations. However it is extremely important that the fabric is not unduly stretched and thereby damaged when it is turned inside out.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is known in the prior art to provide an apparatus for turning tubular fabric inside out so as to prevent damage to the fabric during that operation. US. Pat. No. 3,568,898 is an example of such prior art devices. This prior art device includes a tubular member, preferably positioned vertically, which carries an arrangement of outer and inner ring shaped air manifolds which are connected by air lines to an air source. The annular edge of the top of the tubular member supports a plurality of free spinning rollers to facilitate movement of the tubular fabric over the end as the fabric is collected about the exterior of the member and back again through the interior during the everting operation. The outer manifold contains a plurality of apertures which form air jets directing air flow outwardly and downwardly from and at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the member. The inner manifold also contains a plurality of apertures which form air jets directing air flow inwardly and downwardly from and at angles with the longitudinal axis of the member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The everting apparatus of this invention includes a first elongated tubular duct which defines a first passageway therein and a second elongated tubular duct disposed concentrically about the first tubular duct to define a second fluid passageway therebetween. The ducts are preferably disposed substantially horizontal. An annular air flow redirecting member is mounted adjacent one end of each of the ducts. An air blower. by means of an eductor mounted on one end of the first duct, moves air and tubular fabric through the first passageway in a direction from the one end of the first duct toward the other end thereof and through the eductor where it is discharged ready for subsequent processing of fabric moved therethrough. The blower also moves air in the second passageway in a direction from the other end of the first duct toward the one end thereof. The air moving in the second passageway is redirected by the member so as to move the air and tubular fabric in a substantially longitudinal direction from the one end of the second duct toward the other end thereof along the exterior periphery of the second duct for collecting the tubular fabric thereon as it is withdrawn from a supply roll of the fabric. The air flow from the blower is directed by a diverter valve to either the eductor or the second passageway as desired.

In operation, one end of a supply of tubular fabric is placed by an operator over the end of the second duct and the diverter valve is positioned to direct the air flow from the blower into the second passageway where it is redirected by the member to move the air and tubular fabric along the exterior of the second duct in a direction from the one end of the second duct toward the other end thereof. After the entire supply of fabric is collected on the exterior of the second duct. the air flow is shut off to the second passageway and the operator places the other end of the supply of fabric into the end of the first passageway. The diverter valve is then shifted to direct the air flow from the blower into the eductor for moving the air and the tubular fabric through the first passageway in a direction from the one end thereof to the other end and through the eductor. The effect of this operation is to turn the fabric in side out. Therefore, the fabric discharged from the eductor is ready for subsequent processing of the fabric with the inside of the fabric exposed.

It is apparent from this summary that the invention provides an extremely structurally simple apparatus which contains only two moving parts, i.e., the blower and the diverter valve for directing the air flow from the blower selectively to either the eductor or the second passageway. Also because the apparatus is advantageously positioned horizontally, the operator thereof does not have to climb up and down a ladder to feed the cloth over or into the apparatus. Furthermore no additional moving parts, such as the rollers of the prior art device, are needed to evert the cloth, i.e., the force of the moving air is sufficient to effect the everting operation. While rollers such as those in the prior art device could be used in conjunction with this invention, they are not necessary for its complete efficient operation.

With the foregoing summary of the invention in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an everting apparatus for tubular fabric which does not damage the fabric, for example, by stretching it, during the everting operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an everting apparatus for tubular fabric which contains as few moving parts as possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide an everting apparatus for tubular fabric which requires a minimum amount of work on the part of an operator thereof. In accordance with this object, it is not necessary for an operator of the everting apparatus of the invention to climb up and down on a ladder or to use other elevating apparatus to feed cloth over or into the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective schematic view of the everting apparatus of the invention illustrating the collection of tubular fabric about the exterior of the second duct as it is fed from a supply roll of the fabric.

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section. showing the structural details of the everting apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An everting apparatus generally indicated as 10 is provided by connecting a first elongated tubular duct 12 in a horizontal position on a frame 20. The first duct 12 defines a first passageway 13 therewithin. The duct 12 is connected, by bolting or welding, etc., to an upright 21 on the frame 20. A second tubular duct I5 is disposed concentrically about the duct 12 and defines a second passageway 16 with the duct 12. The first and second ducts are preferably disposed in a substantially horizontal position. Adjacent one end 12a of the duct 12, a substantially annular air flow redirecting member 18 is mounted. The member 18 includes a first portion 180 which is connected to the end 120 of the first duct 12. The first portion 180 extends radially outwardly from its connection to the duct 12 to a region radially outward of the duct 15. The second portion 18b is substantially annular and extends from a radially outer region of the portion 18a in a direction from the portion 180 toward the frame 20. The duct 15 terminates a short distance from the end 12a of the duct 12 to provide a circumferentially extending opening 9 which opens from the second passageway 16. The opening 9 opens from the passageway 16 into a third passageway 8 formed between one part of the portion 18b of the member 18 and the end 150 of the second duct 15. A plurality of angularly spaced radially extending bars 1 1 interconnect the portion 18b of the member 18 and the end 150 of the second duct 15.

A rotary blower 30 is provided within the frame 20. A third duct 31 having portions 31a, 3lb, and 31c guides the air blown by the blower 30 to the passageway 16 and to an eductor 35 to be subsequently described. A diverter valve 37 is provided in the duct 31. The diverter valve 37 is slidably movable in the portion 31b of the duct 31. The diverter valve 37 is mounted on the end of a piston rod 38 of a piston which rides in an air cylinder 39 one end of which is mounted to the frame 20. The piston rod 38 extends through an aperture cut in one end of the duct 31b. Appropriate valving not shown controls the movement of the piston in the cylinder 39 and through the piston rod 38 controls the movement of the diverter valve between its forwardmost position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 and its retracted position shown in dotted lines in that Figure. The diverter valve 37 includes an arcuate face 370 which. when the diverter valve 37 is in its retracted position. directs the air blown by the air blower 30 through the portions 31b and 31a of the duct 31 into the second passageway 16. When the diverter valve 37 is in the retracted position it blocks the flow of air in duct portion 31c from the blower 30 to the eductor 35. When the appropriate valving is shifted to move the diverter valve 37 to its forwardmost solid line position shown in FIG. 2, the diverter valve 37 no longer blocks the duct portion 31c so that the air blown by the blower 30 is permitted to move through duct portion 31c into the eductor 35.

The eductor 35 is connected to the end 12b of the first duct 12. This eductor may be of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.276.821 whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein. Upon the movement of the air driven by the blower 30 through the third duct portion 31c into and through the eductor 35, air moves through the first passageway 13 in a direction from the end 12a of the duct 12 to the other end 12b thereof.

Beyond and below the end 100 of the everting apparatus 10 is positioned a supply reel 23 having a length of tubular fabric wound thereon. In operation, an operator positions the free end of the tubular fabric over the end 100 of the everting apparatus 10 and switches the valve mechanism to move the diverter valve 37 into its retracted position. The operator then actuates blower 30. The air blown by the blower 30 is directed by the diverter valve 37 through the portion 310 of duct 31 and into the second passageway 16 in a direction from the end 1212 of the duct 12 to the end 12a thereof. The air moving through the passageway 16 is redirected by the member 18 so as to flow through the opening 9 into the passageway 8 and along the exterior of the second duct 15 in a substantially longitudinal direction from the end 15a of the duct 15 to the end 15b thereof. The force of this air moves the tubular fabric longitudinally along the exterior of the second duct 15 as shown in FIG. 1. This operation continues until all of the tubular fabric wound on the reel 23 is collected on the exterior ofa second duct 15. The valve mechanism is then actuated to shift the diverter valve 37 to its forwardmost position so that the air blown by the blower 30 is directed through the portion 31c of the duct 31 into the eductor 35 to thereby cause air to move in the first passageway 13 in a direction from the end 12a of the duct 12 toward the other end 12b thereof. The operator may deactuate the blower 30 or keep it actuated. The operator then takes the end of the tubular fabric on the second duct 15 adjacent the end 10a of the everting apparatus 10 and places that end into the first passageway 13. If the blower 30 is deactuated, the operator again actuates it. The tubular fabric is forced by the air moving in the first passageway 13 to move through the passageway 13 in a direction from the end 12a of the duct 12 to the other end 12b thereof and through the eductor 35 where it is discharged through the end 36 thereof. This operation continues until all of the tubular fabric previously collected on the exterior of the duct 15 is pulled through the passageway 13, the everter 35, and out of the end 36 thereof. The effect of this operation is to turn the tubular fabric inside out. Therefore, the fabric discharged from the end 36 of the eductor 35 is ready for subsequent processing of the fabric with the inside of the fabric exposed.

The ducts 12 and 15 are preferably disposed as shown in a substantially horizontal disposition so that the operator does not have to use a ladder or elevating apparatus for positioning the tubular fabric on the everting apparatus. It is readily apparent that the everting apparatus of the invention could be disposed in other positions, including a vertical disposition as well as any of the various angular positions between horizontal and vertical. In fact, a substantially horizontal position in which the ends 120. 15a of the ducts 12, 15 are elevated slightly above the

ends

12b, 15b thereof is desirable.

What is claimed:

1. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric comprisa first elongated duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin,

a second elongated duct disposed about said first duct and defining a second fluid passageway therebetween,

an air flow redirecting member adjacent one end of each of said first and second ducts,

a first pneumatic means for moving air through said first passageway in a direction from said one end of said first duct toward the other end thereof,

a second pneumatic means for moving air through said second passageway in a direction from said other end of said first duct toward said one end thereof, and

said member being adapted to redirect the air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from the one end to the other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.

2. An evening apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said member comprises first and second portions, said first portion is connected to a portion of said first duct adjacent said one end thereof and extends outwardly therefrom beyond said second duct, and said second portion extends longitudinally from said first portion in a direction from said one end toward said other end of said first duct outwardly of said second duct and defines a third passageway with the second duct through which the redirected air may move.

3. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a plurality of spaced bars interconnect said second portion of said member and said second duct.

4. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second pneumatic means comprise an air blower, and

a diverter valve for directing the air blown by said blower selectively to either one of said first and second passageways.

5. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first pneumatic means comprises an eductor connected to the other end of said first duct for connecting said blower with said first passageway.

6. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second ducts extend substantially horizontally.

7. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric comprisa first elongated tubular duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin,

a second elongated tubular duct disposed concentrically about said first duct and defining a second fluid passageway therebetween,

a substantially annular air flow redirecting member adjacent one end of each of said first and second ducts,

a first pneumatic means for moving air through said first passageway in a direction from said one end toward the other end of said first duct,

a second pneumatic means for moving air through said second passageway in a direction from the other end of said first duct toward said one end thereof, and

said member being adapted to redirect the air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from said one end to said other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.

8. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said member comprises first and second portions, said first portion is connected to a portion of said first duct adjacent said one end thereof and extends radially outwardly therefrom beyond said second duct, and said second portion extends longitudinally from a radially outer portion of said first portion in a direction from said one end toward said other end of said second duct and surrounds a portion of said second duct adjacent said one end thereof to define a third passageway therebetween through which said redirected air may move.

9. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said first and second pneumatic means comprise an air blower, and

10. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said first and second ducts extend substantially horizontally.

11. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric comprisa first elongated tubular duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin,

an eductor connected to said other end of said first duct,

a third duct between said blower and each of said eductor and said second passageway for connecting said blower therewith,

a diverter valve in said third duct for directing the air blown by said blower selectively to either one of said eductor and said second passageway, and

said member being adapted to redirect air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from said one end to said other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.

Claims

1. An everting apparatus For tubular fabric comprising: a first elongated duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin, a second elongated duct disposed about said first duct and defining a second fluid passageway therebetween, an air flow redirecting member adjacent one end of each of said first and second ducts, a first pneumatic means for moving air through said first passageway in a direction from said one end of said first duct toward the other end thereof, a second pneumatic means for moving air through said second passageway in a direction from said other end of said first duct toward said one end thereof, and said member being adapted to redirect the air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from the one end to the other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.

2. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said member comprises first and second portions, said first portion is connected to a portion of said first duct adjacent said one end thereof and extends outwardly therefrom beyond said second duct, and said second portion extends longitudinally from said first portion in a direction from said one end toward said other end of said first duct outwardly of said second duct and defines a third passageway with the second duct through which the redirected air may move.

3. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 2 wherein: a plurality of spaced bars interconnect said second portion of said member and said second duct.

4. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and second pneumatic means comprise an air blower, and a diverter valve for directing the air blown by said blower selectively to either one of said first and second passageways.

6. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and second ducts extend substantially horizontally.

7. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric comprising: a first elongated tubular duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin, a second elongated tubular duct disposed concentrically about said first duct and defining a second fluid passageway therebetween, a substantially annular air flow redirecting member adjacent one end of each of said first and second ducts, a first pneumatic means for moving air through said first passageway in a direction from said one end toward the other end of said first duct, a second pneumatic means for moving air through said second passageway in a direction from the other end of said first duct toward said one end thereof, and said member being adapted to redirect the air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from said one end to said other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.

8. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said member comprises first and second portions, said first portion is connected to a portion of said first duct adjacent said one end thereof and extends radially outwardly therefrom beyond said second duct, and said second portion extends longitudinally from a radially outer portion of said first portion in a direction from said one end toward said other end of said second duct and surrounds a portion of said second duct adjacent said one end thereof to define a third passageway therebetween through which said redirected air may move.

9. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said first and second pneumatic means comprise an air blower, and a diverter valve for directing the air blown by said blower selectively to either one of said first aNd second passageways.

10. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said first and second ducts extend substantially horizontally.

11. An everting apparatus for tubular fabric comprising: a first elongated tubular duct defining a first fluid passageway therewithin, a second elongated tubular duct disposed concentrically about said first duct and defining a second fluid passageway therebetween, a substantially annular air flow redirecting member adjacent one end of each of said first and second ducts, an eductor connected to said other end of said first duct, a third duct between said blower and each of said eductor and said second passageway for connecting said blower therewith, a diverter valve in said third duct for directing the air blown by said blower selectively to either one of said eductor and said second passageway, and said member being adapted to redirect air moving through said second passageway in a substantially longitudinal direction from said one end to said other end of said second duct along the exterior of said second duct.