WO2024083518A1 - Cross lapper for card webs - Google Patents

Abstract

A cross lapper (10) for carded webs (11), which is adapted to provide a lapped product (12), the cross lapper of the type comprising a plurality of movable carriages (15-18) and two conveyor belts (13, 14), respectively a first conveyor belt (13) and a second conveyor belt (14), the two conveyor belts being at least partially interposed between the movable carriages and the lapped product, the movable carriages comprising: a distribution carriage (15), a first take-up carriage (16), a second take-up carriage (17), a third take-up carriage (18), the movable carriages being connected by means of a plurality of toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24). The toothed belts have a closed-loop extension for connection between the movable carriages, which are adapted to define, in the configuration for use, the following operating configuration: - for the distribution carriage (15), a translation (T) on a first plane (25) alternately between two end positions (26, 27), which correspond to the lateral edges of the lapped product, - for the first take-up carriage (16), a translation (T1) on a second plane (28) which is parallel to the first plane (25), in the same direction as the translation (T) of the distribution carriage (15) and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage, - for the second take-up carriage (17), a translation (K) on a plane (28) which is parallel to the first plane (25), in the opposite direction to the translation (T) of the distribution carriage (15) and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage - for the third take-up carriage (18), a translation (K1) on a third plane (29) which is parallel to the first plane (25) and to the second plane (28), in the opposite direction to the translation (T) of the distribution carriage and at a speed substantially equal to one-half the speed of the distribution carriage.

Description

CROSS LAPPER FOR CARD WEBS

The present invention relates to a cross lapper for card webs.

The invention is applied to the textile sector, in particular in the field of “non-woven fabric” (NWF).

A cross lapper is an apparatus with which lapping operations are carried out. Lapping consists of superimposing multiple layers constituted by a card web in order to obtain a multilayer product (a lapped product) that then needs to be consolidated with subsequent operations such as, for example: mechanical entanglement, hydroentanglement, thermal entanglement, thermal resin sealing.

Usually the web is distributed on a flat surface by means of a distribution carriage, and overlaid onto itself, alternating the direction of advancement of the carriage between two end positions.

The card web is conveyed into the distribution carriage via the movement of two conveyor belts, coupled to the distribution carriage and at least partially facing it, which travel a closed-circuit path defined by at least one motorized roller and a plurality of idle snub rollers.

In particular, the two belts move in mutually opposite directions, in order to make the card web advance toward the distribution carriage, and their motion is determined by the action of a respective traction roller.

In order to ensure constant tension on the belts, the cross lapper generally comprises take-up carriages, coupled to the belts, which move on planes parallel to the plane of the distribution carriage and are adapted to compensate the movement of the latter one, thus ensuring a practically constant tension of the belts.

Such conventional techniques have a number of drawbacks.

In fact, normally the traction rollers operate alternately, i.e.:

- when the distribution carriage operates in a first direction, the traction roller that moves a first belt is active,

- when the distribution carriage changes direction, the traction roller that was in operation is stopped and the traction roller of the second belt is activated.

This entails the need for great care and attention in the software and electronic management of the cross lapper, which is complex and costly.

Furthermore, the need to stop and re-accelerate the belts at each reversal results in:

- possible increases of the oscillations on the belt with possible compromising of the distribution of the card web, owing to its fragility and the risk of its breaking,

- and, especially, possible slippages of the belts, with the necessity for very low inertia and masses, therefore more expensive systems and rollers, and in some cases the necessity to have two separate motion-reduction gears to move each belt.

For example, the cross lapper described in Italian patent no. 102019000008706 filed by Battistella Mirco is known, which comprises:

- two conveyor belts,

- a distribution carriage, which translates alternately between two end positions, corresponding to the lateral edges of the lapped product,

- three take-up carriages, which translate on planes overlaid on the plane on which the product is deposited, respectively: a first take-up carriage, a second take-up carriage, and a third take-up carriage.

In such cross lapper, the distribution carriage, the first take-up carriage and the second take-up carriage translate in the same direction, while the third take-up carriage translates in the opposite direction to that of the other carriages, and the second take-up carriage translates on a plane above the plane of the first take-up carriage and of the third take-up carriage.

Such known art has a number of aspects that show room for improvement.

In fact, the second take-up carriage has an instability in its motion which is contrasted by the mere presence of the conveyor belt coupled to it.

It is therefore necessary to kinematically connect the conveyor belts to the cross lapper, but this determines the oscillation of the belts by virtue of the instability of the second take-up carriage, which can compromise the operations to deposit the card web, owing to the fragility of the web and to the risk of its breaking, especially in the step of reversal of the motion of the distribution carriage.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a cross lapper that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a cross lapper in which the oscillations of the belts are reduced compared to similar, conventional cross lappers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cross lapper that does not make it necessary to kinematically couple the conveyor belts to it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cross lapper that offers a simpler and more economic software and electronic management than that of similar, conventional cross lappers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cross lapper in which the take-up carriages do not show instability.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cross lapper that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a cross lapper for card webs, which is adapted to provide a lapped product, said cross lapper of the type comprising a plurality of movable carriages and two conveyor belts, respectively a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, said two conveyor belts being at least partially interposed between said movable carriages and said lapped product, said movable carriages comprising: a distribution carriage, a first take-up carriage, a second take-up carriage, a third take-up carriage, said movable carriages being connected by means of toothed belts, said cross lapper being characterized in that said toothed belts have a closed-loop extension for connection between said movable carriages, which are adapted to define, in the configuration for use, the following operational configuration:

- for said distribution carriage, a translation on a first plane alternately between two end positions, which correspond to the lateral edges of said lapped product,

- for said first take-up carriage, a translation on a second plane which is parallel to said first plane, in the same direction as said translation of said distribution carriage and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of said distribution carriage,

- for said second take-up carriage, a translation on a plane which is parallel to said first plane, in the opposite direction to said translation of said distribution carriage and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of said distribution carriage,

- for said third take-up carriage, a translation on a third plane which is parallel to said first plane and to said second plane, in the opposite direction to said translation of said distribution carriage and at a speed substantially equal to one-half the speed of said distribution carriage.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the cross lapper according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a cross lapper according to the invention in operation; - Figure 2 is a partial schematic side view of the cross lapper of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the cross lapper of Figure 1, which shows the belts between the various movable carriages;

- Figures 4 to 9 are schematic diagrams of the cross lapper of Figure 3 in which a single belt is shown between the movable carriages;

- Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a cross lapper according to the invention in operation;

- Figures 11 to 15 are schematic diagrams of the cross lapper of Figure 10 in which a single belt is shown between the movable carriages.

With reference to the figures, a cross lapper, according to the invention, in a first embodiment thereof is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The cross lapper 10 for card webs 11 is adapted to provide a lapped product 12.

The cross lapper 10 comprises a plurality of movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, and two conveyor belts 13, 14, respectively a first conveyor belt 13 and a second conveyor belt 14.

The two conveyor belts 13, 14, are at least partially interposed between the movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, and the lapped product 12.

In particular the movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, comprise a distribution carriage 15, a first take-up carriage 16, a second take-up carriage 17 and a third take-up carriage 18.

The movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18 are connected by way of a plurality of toothed belts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that such toothed belts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 have a closed-loop extension for connection between the movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, as better explained below, which are adapted to define, in the configuration for use, the following operating configuration: - for the distribution carriage 15, a translation T on a first plane 25 alternately between two end positions 26, 27, which correspond to the lateral edges of the lapped product 12,

- for the first take-up carriage 16, a translation T' on a second plane 28 which is parallel to the first plane 25, in the same direction as the translation T of the distribution carriage 15 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 15,

- for the second take-up carriage 17, a translation K on the second plane 28, in the opposite direction to the translation T of the distribution carriage 15 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 15,

- for the third take-up carriage 18, a translation K' on a third plane 29 which is parallel to the first plane 25 and to the second plane 28, in the opposite direction to the translation of the distribution carriage 15 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 15.

In Figure 1, the arrows A indicate the direction of travel of the card web 11 inside the cross lapper 10.

Advantageously, the cross lapper 10 has a horizontal extension, with the second plane 28 above the first plane 25 and interposed between the first plane 25 and the third plane 29.

In the present description, the terms “over”, “under”, “above”, “below”, etc., refer to the configuration for use of the cross lapper.

The cross lapper 10 comprises two traction rollers which are rotated by corresponding gearmotors with brushless permanent magnet motors, and which rotate at a constant speed and in mutually opposite directions, respectively:

- a first traction roller 30 of the first conveyor belt 13;

- a second traction roller 31 of the second conveyor belt 14.

The cross lapper 10 comprises, for each conveyor belt 13, 14, a plurality of redirection rollers, respectively: - fixed rollers,

- movable rollers, each one associated with a respective movable carriage 15, 16, 17, 18.

In the present description, the term “fixed rollers” means that the rollers can rotate about their rotation axis, but they cannot translate.

In the present description, the term “movable rollers” means that the rollers can rotate about their rotation axis, and they can also translate, in the same direction as the translation of the movable carriage to which they belong.

In particular, the first conveyor belt 13 extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around:

- the first traction roller 30,

- a first fixed roller 32,

- a first movable roller 33, associated with the first take-up carriage 16,

- a second movable roller 34, associated with the first take-up carriage 16, below the first movable roller 33,

- a third movable roller 35, associated with the distribution carriage 15,

- a fourth movable roller 36, associated with the distribution carriage 15 and substantially coplanar with the third movable roller 35,

- a second fixed roller 37, substantially coplanar with the fourth movable roller 36,

- a third fixed roller 38,

- a fifth movable roller 39, associated with the second take-up carriage 17,

- a fourth fixed roller 40, substantially coplanar with the fifth movable roller 39,

- a fifth fixed roller 41, substantially coplanar with the fifth movable roller 39, - a sixth fixed roller 42, arranged below the first fixed roller 32 and substantially coplanar with it,

- a seventh fixed roller 43, arranged below the sixth fixed roller 42 and substantially parallel to it,

- an eighth fixed roller 44, arranged below the seventh fixed roller 43,

- a ninth fixed roller 45, arranged below the eighth fixed roller 44 and above the first traction roller 30 and substantially coplanar with both.

The second conveyor belt 14 extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around:

- the second traction roller 31 ,

- a tenth fixed roller 46, substantially coplanar with the second traction roller 31 ,

- an eleventh fixed roller 47, arranged below the tenth fixed roller 46,

- a sixth movable roller 48, associated with the first take-up carriage 16, substantially coplanar with the eleventh fixed roller 47,

- a seventh movable roller 49, associated with the first take-up carriage 16, substantially coplanar with the eleventh fixed roller 47,

- an eighth movable roller 50, associated with the first take-up carriage 16, arranged below the seventh movable roller 49 and substantially proximate to the first movable roller 33,

- a ninth movable roller 51 , associated with the first take-up carriage 16, arranged below the eighth movable roller 50, substantially proximate to the second movable roller 34 and substantially coplanar with it,

- a tenth movable roller 52, associated with the first take-up carriage 16, substantially coplanar with the ninth movable roller 51,

- an eleventh movable roller 53, associated with the distribution carriage 15, proximate to the fourth movable roller 36 and coplanar with it,

- a twelfth fixed roller 54, substantially coplanar with the fourth movable roller 36,

- a thirteenth fixed roller 55, arranged above the twelfth fixed roller 54 and substantially coplanar with the seventh movable roller 49,

- a twelfth movable roller 56, associated with the third take-up carriage 18,

- a fourteenth fixed roller 57,

- a fifteenth fixed roller 58, substantially coplanar with the fourteenth fixed roller 57,

- a sixteenth fixed roller 59, proximate to the fifteenth fixed roller 58 and substantially coplanar with it.

It should be noted that the particular shape structure of the conveyor belts 13 and 14 and the fact that the traction rollers 30, 31 rotate at a constant speed make possible a software and electronic management that is simpler and more economic than similar, conventional cross lappers.

The two conveyor belts 13 and 14 have a shape structure that is such as to determine a mutual interface region Z that defines a C-shaped portion, and/or a reverse C-shaped portion, for the path of the card web 11 which, in that region Z, passes through, respectively, the first take-up carriage 16 and the distribution carriage 15 up to the point of unloading onto the lapped product 12.

This C-shaped portion makes it possible to protect the card web 11 from any air currents that are created during the movement of the belts.

With particular reference to Figures 3 to 9, the cross lapper 10 comprises a plurality of pairs of toothed belts, respectively:

- a pair of first toothed belts 19,

- a pair of second toothed belts 20,

- a pair of third toothed belts 21,

- a pair of fourth toothed belts 22,

- a pair of fifth toothed belts 23,

- a pair of sixth toothed belts 24.

In each pair of toothed belts, the belts are mutually mirror- symmetrical with respect to the plane of longitudinal symmetry of the cross lapper 10.

In the present description, the expression “plane of longitudinal symmetry” means the plane of symmetry that extends along the longitudinal direction of the cross lapper, which is parallel to that shown in the figures.

Furthermore, the belts are mounted on six separate longitudinal planes, advantageously:

- three planes proximate to/at a first transverse end of the cross lapper 10,

- three planes proximate to/at a second transverse end of the cross lapper 10, opposite to the previous end.

Specifically, in Figures 3 to 9 only one of the two belts is shown, each belt is connected to a respective transverse end of one or more corresponding movable carriages.

In the present description, the expression “transverse end” means the end along an axis perpendicular to the plane of longitudinal symmetry.

In particular the cross lapper 10 comprises two motorized transmission shafts for moving the belts:

- a first motorized shaft 60,

- a second motorized shaft 61, located above the first motorized shaft 60 and substantially coplanar with it.

In particular, the cross lapper 10 comprises a plurality of snub pulleys in order to move the toothed belts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, respectively:

- fixed pulleys,

- movable pulleys, each one associated with a respective movable carriage 16, 17, 18.

In the present description, the term “fixed pulleys” means that the pulleys can rotate about their rotation axis, but they cannot translate.

In the present description, the term “movable pulleys” means that the pulleys can rotate about their rotation axis, and they can also translate, in the same direction as the translation of the movable carriage to which they belong.

The first toothed belts 19 each have a closed-loop path, and they extend starting from the distribution carriage 15 along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the distribution carriage 15,

- the first motorized shaft 60, arranged proximate to/at a first longitudinal end 62 of the cross lapper 10,

- a first fixed pulley 64, arranged proximate to/at a second longitudinal end 63 of the cross lapper 10 and substantially coplanar with the first motorized shaft 60,

- the distribution carriage 15.

The second toothed belts 20 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- a slider 65, substantially above the third take-up carriage 18,

- a second fixed pulley 66, substantially coplanar with the slider 65,

- a third fixed pulley 67, arranged below the second fixed pulley 66 and proximate to it,

- the second motorized shaft 61 ,

- a first movable pulley 68, associated with the first take-up carriage 16,

- the first motorized shaft 60,

- a twenty-first fixed pulley 89, coaxial to the first fixed pulley 64,

- the distribution carriage 15.

The third toothed belts 21 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively

- the slider 65,

- a fourth fixed pulley 69, substantially coplanar with the slider 65 and opposite to the second fixed pulley 66 with respect to the latter one,

- a fifth fixed pulley 70, arranged below the fourth fixed pulley 69,

- a second movable pulley 71, associated with the second take-up carriage 17,

- a sixth fixed pulley 72, substantially coplanar with the second movable pulley 71 ,

- a seventh fixed pulley 73, proximate to the sixth fixed pulley 72 and substantially coplanar with it,

- the distribution carriage 15.

The fourth toothed belts 22 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the slider 65,

- an eighth fixed pulley 74, substantially coplanar with the slider 65,

- a ninth fixed pulley 75, substantially coplanar with the eighth fixed pulley 74,

- a third movable pulley 76, associated with the third take-up carriage 18,

- a tenth fixed pulley 77,

- an eleventh fixed pulley 78, substantially coplanar with the tenth fixed pulley 77,

- a twelfth fixed pulley 79, proximate to/at the second longitudinal end 63 of the cross lapper 10,

- a thirteenth fixed pulley 80, arranged below the twelfth fixed pulley 79, proximate to it and substantially coplanar with the second take-up carriage 17,

- the distribution carriage 15.

The fifth toothed belts 23 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the slider 65,

- a fourteenth fixed pulley 81, coaxial to the second fixed pulley 66,

- the second motorized shaft 61 ,

- a fifteenth fixed pulley 82, coaxial to the third fixed pulley 67,

- a sixteenth fixed pulley 83, substantially coplanar with the fifteenth fixed pulley 82,

- a seventeenth fixed pulley 84, proximate to the sixteenth fixed pulley 83 and substantially coplanar with it,

- a fourth movable pulley 85, associated with the third take-up carriage and coaxial to the third movable pulley 76,

- an eighteenth fixed pulley 86, substantially coplanar with the fifteenth fixed pulley 82,

- a nineteenth fixed pulley 87, arranged below the eighteenth fixed pulley 86,

- the distribution carriage 15.

The sixth toothed belts 24 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the first take-up carriage 16,

- a twentieth fixed pulley 88, coaxial to the twelfth fixed pulley 79,

- the second distribution carriage 17.

It should be noted that such a configuration of toothed belts that connects all the movable carriages makes it possible to eliminate the instability of all the carriages, thus reducing the oscillations on the belts, and at the same time to move all the carriages independently of the installation of the conveyor belts.

The operation of the cross lapper 10 is controlled by a dedicated software program and is the following.

The motors of the traction rollers 30, 31 rotate the latter ones, bringing them to a constant rotation speed that depends on the output speed of the carding machine upstream and on the draft desired.

The motion is transferred to the conveyor belts 13, 14 via the friction generated by the contact between the inner surface of the belt and the outer surface of the traction roller.

The motor of the first motorized shaft 60 is the main motor of the cross lapper 10 and is used to rotate the first shaft 60, which, via the toothed belts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, is connected to all the movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, in the manner illustrated above, so as to create a constraint for their translation.

The motor of the second motorized shaft 61 rotates the latter, which, via the toothed belts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, is connected to all the movable carriages 15, 16, 17, 18, in the manner illustrated above, so as to create a constraint for their secondary translation for compensation in the steps of deceleration, reversal and re-acceleration of the distribution carriage 15.

With reference to Figures 10 to 15, a cross lapper, according to the invention, in a second embodiment, is generally designated by the reference numeral 110.

The cross lapper 110 for card webs 111 is adapted to provide a lapped product 112.

The cross lapper 110 comprises a plurality of movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, and two conveyor belts 113, 114, respectively a first conveyor belt 113 and a second conveyor belt 114.

The two conveyor belts 113, 114, are at least partially interposed between the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, and the lapped product 112.

In particular the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, comprise a distribution carriage 115, a first take-up carriage 116, a second take-up carriage 117 and a third take-up carriage 118.

The movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118 are connected by way of a plurality of toothed belts 119, 120, 121, 122, 123.

One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that such toothed belts 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 have a closed-loop extension for connection between the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, as better explained below, which are adapted to define, in the configuration for use, the following operating configuration:

- for the distribution carriage 115, a translation D on a first plane 125 alternately between two end positions 126, 127, which correspond to the lateral edges of the lapped product 112,

- for the first take-up carriage 116, a translation D' on a second plane

128 which is parallel to the first plane 125, in the same direction as the translation D of the distribution carriage 115 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 115,

- for the second take-up carriage 117, a translation R on the second plane 128, in the opposite direction to the translation D of the distribution carriage 115 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 115,

- for the third take-up carriage 118, a translation R' on a third plane

129 which is parallel to the first plane 125 and to the second plane 128, in the opposite direction to the translation of the distribution carriage 115 and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of the distribution carriage 115.

In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first take-up carriage 116 and the second take-up carriage 117 translate on different planes, with the second take-up carriage 117 translating on a fourth plane, parallel to the first plane 125, to the second plane 128, and to the third plane 129 and being advantageously interposed between the second plane 128 and the third plane 129.

In Figure 10, the arrows V indicate the direction of travel of the card web 11 inside the cross lapper 110.

Advantageously, the cross lapper 110 has a horizontal extension, with the second plane 128 above the first plane 125 and interposed between the first plane 125 and the third plane 129.

The cross lapper 110 comprises two traction rollers which are rotated by corresponding gearmotors with brushless permanent magnet motors, and which rotate at a constant speed and in mutually opposite directions, respectively: - a first traction roller 130 of the first conveyor belt 113;

- a second traction roller 131 of the second conveyor belt 114.

The cross lapper 110 comprises, for each conveyor belt 113, 114, a plurality of redirection rollers, respectively:

- fixed rollers,

- movable rollers, each one associated with a respective movable carriage 115, 116, 117, 118.

In particular, the first conveyor belt 113 extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around:

- the first traction roller 130,

- a first fixed roller 132,

- a first movable roller 133, associated with the first take-up carriage 116,

- a second movable roller 134, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, below the first movable roller 133,

- a third movable roller 135, associated with the distribution carriage 115,

- a fourth movable roller 136, associated with the distribution carriage 115 and substantially coplanar with the third movable roller 135,

- a second fixed roller 137, substantially coplanar with the fourth movable roller 136,

- a third fixed roller 138,

- a fifth movable roller 139, associated with the second take-up carriage 117,

- a fourth fixed roller 140, substantially coplanar with the fifth movable roller 139,

- a fifth fixed roller 141, substantially coplanar with the fifth movable roller 139,

- a sixth fixed roller 142, arranged below the first fixed roller 132 and substantially coplanar with it, - a seventh fixed roller 143, arranged below the sixth fixed roller 142,

- an eighth fixed roller 144, arranged below the seventh fixed roller

143,

- a ninth fixed roller 145, arranged below the eighth fixed roller 144 and above the first traction roller 130 and substantially coplanar with it.

The second conveyor belt 114 extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around:

- the second traction roller 131,

- a tenth fixed roller 146, substantially coplanar with the second traction roller 131,

- an eleventh fixed roller 147, arranged below the tenth fixed roller 146,

- a sixth movable roller 148, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, substantially coplanar with the eleventh fixed roller 147,

- a seventh movable roller 149, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, substantially coplanar with the eleventh fixed roller 147,

- an eighth movable roller 150, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, arranged below the seventh movable roller 149 and substantially proximate to the first movable roller 133,

- a ninth movable roller 151, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, arranged below the eighth movable roller 150, substantially proximate to the second movable roller 134 and substantially coplanar with it,

- a tenth movable roller 152, associated with the first take-up carriage 116, substantially coplanar with the ninth movable roller 151,

- an eleventh movable roller 153, associated with the distribution carriage 115, proximate to the fourth movable roller 136 and coplanar with it,

- a twelfth fixed roller 154, substantially coplanar with the fourth movable roller 136,

- a thirteenth fixed roller 155, arranged above the twelfth fixed roller 154 and substantially coplanar with the seventh movable roller 149,

- a twelfth movable roller 156, associated with the third take-up carriage 118,

- a fourteenth fixed roller 157,

- a fifteenth fixed roller 158, substantially coplanar with the fourteenth fixed roller 157,

- a sixteenth fixed roller 159, proximate to the fifteenth fixed roller 158 and substantially coplanar with it.

It should be noted that the particular shape structure of the conveyor belts 113 and 114 and the fact that the traction rollers 130, 131 rotate at a constant speed make possible a software and electronic management that is simpler and more economic than similar, conventional cross lappers.

The two conveyor belts 113 and 114 have a shape structure that is such as to determine a mutual interface region S that defines a C-shaped portion, and/or a reverse C-shaped portion, for the path of the card web 111 which, in that region S, passes through, respectively, the first take-up carriage 116 and the distribution carriage 115 up to the point of unloading onto the lapped product 112.

This C-shaped portion makes it possible to protect the card web 11 from any air currents that are created during the movement of the belts.

With particular reference to Figures 11 to 15, the cross lapper 110 comprises a plurality of pairs of toothed belts, respectively:

- a pair of first toothed belts 119,

- a pair of second toothed belts 120,

- a pair of third toothed belts 121,

- a pair of fourth toothed belts 122,

- a pair of fifth toothed belts 123.

In each pair of toothed belts, the belts are mutually mirror- symmetrical with respect to the plane of longitudinal symmetry of the cross lapper 110. Furthermore, the belts are mounted on six separate longitudinal planes, advantageously:

- three planes proximate to/at a first transverse end of the cross lapper 110,

- three planes proximate to/at a second transverse end of the cross lapper 110, opposite to the previous end.

Specifically, in Figures 11 to 15 only one of the two belts is shown, each belt is connected to a respective transverse end of one or more corresponding movable carriages.

In particular the cross lapper 110 comprises two motorized transmission shafts for moving the belts:

- a first motorized shaft 160,

- a second motorized shaft 161, located above the first motorized shaft 160 and substantially coplanar with it.

In particular, turning the first motorized shaft 160 alone, while the second motorized shaft 161 is stopped, results in the movement of the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, illustrated previously.

Turning the second motorized shaft 161, however, makes it possible to offset the three take-up carriages 116, 117, 118, in order to create a takeup of the card web 111 internally, thus obtaining a compensating motion, so as to even out the distribution of the card web 111 that exits from the cross lapper 110.

Advantageously, the two motorized transmission shafts 160, 161 are arranged proximate to/at a first longitudinal end 162 of the cross lapper 110.

In particular, for moving the toothed belts 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, the cross lapper 110 comprises a plurality of snub pulleys, respectively:

- fixed pulleys,

- movable pulleys, each one associated with a respective movable carriage 116, 117, 118.

The first toothed belts 119 each extend between the first take-up carriage 116 and the second take-up carriage 117, along a path that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the first take-up carriage 116,

- a first fixed pulley 164, substantially coplanar with the first take-up carriage 116,

- a second fixed pulley 165, laterally adjacent to the first fixed pulley 164,

- the second take-up carriage 117.

The second belts 120 each have a trajectory extending along a path which connects kinematically, respectively:

- the first take-up carriage 116,

- a third fixed pulley 166, substantially coplanar with the first take-up carriage 116,

- a fourth fixed pulley 167, laterally adjacent to the third fixed pulley 167 and substantially coplanar with the latter one,

- the second take-up carriage 117, substantially coplanar with the third fixed pulley 166 and with the fourth fixed pulley 167.

The third belts 121 each have a closed path and they extend starting from the distribution carriage 115, along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the distribution carriage 115,

- a first movable pulley 168, associated with the first take-up carriage 116,

- a fifth fixed pulley 169, arranged above the plane of the first movable pulley 168 and substantially coplanar with the first take-up carriage 116,

- a sixth fixed pulley 170, arranged above the fifth fixed pulley 169,

- a seventh fixed pulley 171, substantially coplanar with the sixth fixed pulley 170,

- a second movable pulley 172, associated with the third take-up carriage 118 and arranged below the seventh fixed pulley 171 and below the sixth fixed pulley 170,

- an eighth fixed pulley 173, arranged below the third take-up carriage 118,

- a ninth fixed pulley 174, arranged below the eighth fixed pulley 173,

- the distribution carriage 115.

The fourth belts 122 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the distribution carriage 115,

- a tenth fixed pulley 175, substantially coplanar with the distribution carriage 115 and arranged at a second longitudinal end 163 of the cross lapper 110, opposite to the first longitudinal end 162,

- an eleventh fixed pulley 176, laterally adjacent to the tenth fixed pulley 175 and arranged, at least partially, below it,

- a twelfth fixed pulley 177, substantially coplanar with the eleventh fixed pulley 176,

- the first motorized shaft 160, arranged on a plane above the plane of arrangement of the twelfth fixed pulley 177,

- a third movable pulley 178, associated with the first take-up carriage 116 and laterally adjacent to the first movable pulley 168,

- the second motorized shaft 161, arranged on a plane above that of the third movable pulley 178,

- a thirteenth fixed pulley 179, arranged above the second motorized shaft 161,

- a fourteenth fixed pulley 180, arranged above the thirteenth fixed pulley 179,

- a slider 181.

The fifth belts 123 each have a path that extends along a route that kinematically connects, respectively:

- the distribution carriage 115, - a fifteenth fixed pulley 182, coaxial to the tenth fixed pulley 175,

- a sixteenth fixed pulley 183, coaxial to the eleventh fixed pulley

176,

- a seventeenth fixed pulley 184, coaxial to the twelfth fixed pulley

177,

- the first motorized shaft 160,

- an eighteenth fixed pulley 185, arranged on a plane above the plane of the first motorized shaft 160,

- a nineteenth fixed pulley 186, arranged on a plane above the plane of the eighteenth fixed pulley 185,

- a twentieth fixed pulley 187, substantially coplanar with the nineteenth fixed pulley 186,

- a fourth movable pulley 188, associated with the third take-up carriage 118 and laterally adjacent to the second movable pulley 172,

- a twenty-first fixed pulley 189, arranged above the twentieth fixed pulley 187,

- a twenty-second fixed pulley 190, substantially coplanar with the twenty-first fixed pulley 189,

- the slider 181.

It should be noted that such a configuration of toothed belts that connects all the movable carriages makes it possible to eliminate the instability of all the carriages, thus reducing the oscillations on the belts, and at the same time to move all the carriages independently of the installation of the conveyor belts.

It should also be noted that, by virtue of the configuration of belts illustrated above, it is possible to use only five pairs of toothed belts and it is no longer necessary to use six pairs of toothed belts as in conventional apparatuses, thus reducing the number of components and also limiting the necessary maintenance.

The operation of the cross lapper 110 is governed by a dedicated software program and is the following.

The motors of the traction rollers 130, 131 rotate the latter, bringing them to a constant rotation speed that depends on the output speed of the carding machine upstream and on the draft desired.

The motion is transferred to the conveyor belts 113, 114, via the friction generated by the contact between the inner surface of the belt and the outer surface of the traction roller.

The motor of the first motorized shaft 160 is the main motor of the cross lapper 110 and is used to rotate the first shaft 160, which, via the toothed belts 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, is connected to all the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, in the manner illustrated above, so as to create a constraint for their translation.

The motor of the second motorized shaft 161 rotates the latter, which, via the toothed belts 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, is connected to all the movable carriages 115, 116, 117, 118, in the manner illustrated above, so as to create a constraint for their secondary translation for compensation in the steps of deceleration, reversal and re-acceleration of the distribution carriage 115.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a cross lapper in which the oscillations of the belts are reduced compared to similar, conventional cross lappers.

With the invention a cross lapper has been devised that does not make it necessary to kinematically couple the conveyor belts to it.

Furthermore, the invention provides a cross lapper that offers a simpler and more economic software and electronic management than that of similar, conventional cross lappers.

Also, the invention devises a cross lapper in which the take-up carriages do not show instability.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No. 102022000021516 and 102023000015327 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A cross lapper (10; 110) for card webs (11; 111), which is adapted to provide a lapped product (12; 112), said cross lapper (10; 110) of the type comprising a plurality of movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118) and two conveyor belts (13, 14; 113, 114), respectively a first conveyor belt (13; 113) and second conveyor belt (14; 114), said two conveyor belts (13, 14; 113, 114) being at least partially interposed between said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118) and said lapped product (12; 112), said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118) comprising: a distribution carriage (15; 115), a first take-up carriage (16; 116), a second take-up carriage (17; 117), a third take-up carriage (18; 118), said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118) being connected by means of a plurality of toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123), said cross lapper (10; 110) being characterized in that said toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123) have a closed- loop extension for connection between said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118), which are adapted to define, in the configuration for use, the following operational configuration:

- for said distribution carriage (15; 115), a translation (T, D) on a first plane (25; 125) alternately between two end positions (26, 27; 126, 127), which correspond to the lateral edges of said lapped product (12, 112),

- for said first take-up carriage (16; 116), a translation (T, D') on a second plane (28; 128) which is parallel to said first plane (25; 125), in the same direction as said translation (T, D) of said distribution carriage (15; 115) and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of said distribution carriage (15; 115),

- for said second take-up carriage (17; 117), a translation (K, R) on a plane (28; 128) which is parallel to said first plane (25; 125), in the opposite direction to said translation (T, D) of said distribution carriage (15; 115) and at a speed substantially equal to half the speed of said distribution carriage (15; 115),

- for said third take-up carriage (18; 118), a translation (K', R') on a third plane (29; 129) which is parallel to said first plane (25; 125) and to said second plane (2; 128), in the opposite direction to said translation (T, D) of said distribution carriage (15; 115) and at a speed substantially equal to one-half the speed of said distribution carriage (15; 115).

2. The cross lapper (10, 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a horizontal extension, with said second plane (28; 128) above said first plane (25; 125) and interposed between said first plane (25; 125) and said third plane (29; 129).

3. The cross lapper (10, 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two traction rollers (30, 31; 130, 131) rotated by corresponding gearmotors with brushless permanent magnet motors, said traction rollers (30, 31; 130, 131) rotating in the configuration for use at a constant speed and in mutually opposite directions, said traction rollers (30, 31; 130, 131) being respectively:

- a first traction roller (30, 130) of said first conveyor belt (13; 113);

- a second traction roller (31, 131) of said second conveyor belt (14, 114).

4. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for each one of said conveyor belts (13, 14; 113, 114), a plurality of redirection rollers, respectively:

- fixed rollers,

- movable rollers, each one associated with a respective one of said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118).

5. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first conveyor belt (13; 113) extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around: - said first traction roller (30; 130),

- a first fixed roller (32; 132),

- a first movable roller (33; 133), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116),

- a second movable roller (34; 134), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), below said first movable roller (33; 133),

- a third movable roller (35, 135), associated with said distribution carriage (15; 115),

- a fourth movable roller (36; 136), associated with said distribution carriage (15; 115) and substantially coplanar with said third movable roller (35, 135),

- a second fixed roller (37; 137), substantially coplanar with said fourth movable roller (36; 136),

- a third fixed roller (38; 138),

- a fifth movable roller (39; 139), associated with said second take-up carriage (17; 117),

- a fourth fixed roller (40; 140), substantially coplanar with said fifth movable roller (39; 139),

- a fifth fixed roller (41; 141), substantially coplanar with said fifth movable roller (39, 139),

- a sixth fixed roller (42; 142), arranged below said first fixed roller (32; 132) and substantially coplanar with it,

- a seventh fixed roller (43; 143), arranged below said sixth fixed roller (42; 142) and substantially parallel to it,

- an eighth fixed roller (44; 144), arranged below said seventh fixed roller (43; 143),

- a ninth fixed roller (45; 145), arranged below said eighth fixed roller (44; 144) and above said first traction roller (30; 130) and substantially coplanar with both.

6. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second conveyor belt (14; 114) extends along a closed circuit that rotates, considering its direction of motion, around:

- said second traction roller (31; 131),

- a tenth fixed roller (46; 146), substantially coplanar with said second traction roller (31; 131),

- an eleventh fixed roller (47; 147), arranged below said tenth fixed roller (46; 146),

- a sixth movable roller (48; 148), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), substantially coplanar with said eleventh fixed roller (47; 147),

- a seventh movable roller (49; 149), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), substantially coplanar with said eleventh fixed roller (47; 147),

- an eighth movable roller (50; 150), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), arranged below said seventh movable roller (49, 149) and substantially proximate to said first movable roller (33; 133),

- a ninth movable roller (51; 151), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), arranged below said eighth movable roller (50; 150), substantially proximate to said second movable roller (34; 134) and substantially coplanar with it,

- a tenth movable roller (52; 152), associated with said first take-up carriage (16; 116), substantially coplanar with said ninth movable roller (51; 151),

- an eleventh movable roller (53; 153), associated with said distribution carriage (15;115), proximate to said fourth movable roller (36; 136) and coplanar with it,

- a twelfth fixed roller (54; 154), substantially coplanar with said fourth movable roller (36; 136),

- a thirteenth fixed roller (55; 155), arranged above said twelfth fixed roller (54; 154) and substantially coplanar with said seventh movable roller (49; 149),

- a twelfth movable roller (56; 156), associated with said third take-up carriage (18; 118),

- a fourteenth fixed roller (57; 157),

- a fifteenth fixed roller (58; 158), substantially coplanar with said fourteenth fixed roller (57; 157),

- a sixteenth fixed roller (59; 159), proximate to said fifteenth fixed roller (58; 158) and substantially coplanar with it.

7. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two conveyor belts (13, 14; 113, 114) have a shape structure that is such as to form a mutual interface region (Z, S) defining a C-shaped portion for the path of said card webs (11; 111), said card webs (11; 111) passing through, in said region (Z, S), respectively, said first take-up carriage (16; 116) and said distribution carriage (15; 115) up to the point of unloading onto said lapped product (12; 112).

8. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least five pairs of toothed belts, respectively:

- a pair of first toothed belts (19; 119),

- a pair of second toothed belts (20; 120),

- a pair of third toothed belts (21; 121),

- a pair of fourth toothed belts (22; 122),

- a pair of fifth toothed belts (23; 123), in each pair of said toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123) said belts being mutually mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of longitudinal symmetry of said cross lapper (10; 110), each one of said toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123) being connected to a respective transverse end of one or more corresponding said movable carriages (15, 16, 17, 18; 115, 116, 117, 118).

9. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two motorized transmission shafts for moving said toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123):

- a first motorized shaft (60; 160),

- a second motorized shaft (61; 161), located above said first motorized shaft (60; 160) and substantially coplanar with it.

10. The cross lapper (10; 110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for the movement of said toothed belts (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; 119, 120, 121, 122, 123), a plurality of snub pulleys, respectively:

- fixed pulleys,

- movable pulleys, each one associated with a respective one of said movable carriages (16, 17, 18; 116, 117, 118).

11. Cross lapper (110), according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first toothed belts (119) each extend between said first take-up carriage (116) and said second take-up carriage (117), along a path that kinematically connects, respectively:

- said first take-up carriage (116),

- a first fixed pulley (164), substantially coplanar with said first takeup carriage (116),

- a second fixed pulley (165), laterally adjacent to said first fixed pulley (164),

- said second take-up carriage (117).

12. The cross lapper (110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second belts (120) each have a trajectory extending along a path which connects kinematically, respectively:

- said first take-up carriage (116),

- a third fixed pulley (166), substantially coplanar with said first takeup carriage (116), - a fourth fixed pulley (167), laterally adjacent to said third fixed pulley (167) and substantially coplanar with the latter one,

- said second take-up carriage (117), substantially coplanar with said third fixed pulley (166) and with said fourth fixed pulley (167).

13. The cross lapper (110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third belts (121) each have a closed trajectory and they extend starting from said distribution carriage (115) along a path which connects kinematically, respectively:

- said distribution carriage (115),

- a first movable pulley (168), associated with said first take-up carriage (116),

- a fifth fixed pulley (169), arranged above the plane of said first movable pulley (168) and substantially coplanar with said first take-up carriage (116),

- a sixth fixed pulley (170), arranged above said fifth fixed pulley (169),

- a seventh fixed pulley (171), substantially coplanar with said sixth fixed pulley (170),

- a second movable pulley (172), associated with said third take-up carriage (118) and arranged below said seventh fixed pulley (171) and below said sixth fixed pulley (170),

- an eighth fixed pulley (173), arranged below said third take-up carriage (118),

- a ninth fixed pulley (174), arranged below said eighth fixed pulley (173),

- said distribution carriage (115).

14. The cross lapper (110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fourth belts (122) each have a trajectory extending along a path which connects kinematically, respectively:

- said distribution carriage (115), - a tenth fixed pulley (175), substantially coplanar with said distribution carriage (115) and arranged at a second longitudinal end (163) of said cross lapper (110), opposite to said first longitudinal end (162),

- an eleventh fixed pulley (176), laterally adjacent to said tenth fixed pulley (175) and arranged, at least partially, below it,

- a twelfth fixed pulley (177), substantially coplanar with said eleventh fixed pulley (176),

- said first motorized shaft (160), arranged on a plane above the plane of arrangement of said twelfth fixed pulley (177),

- a third movable pulley (178), associated with said first take-up carriage (116) and laterally adjacent to said first movable pulley (168),

- said second motorized shaft (161), arranged on a plane above that of said third movable pulley (178),

- a thirteenth fixed pulley (179), arranged above said second motorized shaft (161),

- a fourteenth fixed pulley (180), arranged above said thirteenth fixed pulley (179),

- a slider (181).

15. The cross lapper (110) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fifth belts (123) each have a trajectory extending along a path which connects kinematically, respectively:

- said distribution carriage (115),

- a fifteenth fixed pulley (182), coaxial to said tenth fixed pulley

(175),

- a sixteenth fixed pulley (183), coaxial to said eleventh fixed pulley

(176),

- a seventeenth fixed pulley (184), coaxial to said twelfth fixed pulley

(177),

- said first motorized shaft (160),

- an eighteenth fixed pulley (185), arranged on a plane above the plane of said first motorized shaft (160),

- a nineteenth fixed pulley (186), arranged on a plane above the plane of said eighteenth fixed pulley (185),

- a twentieth fixed pulley (187), substantially coplanar with said nineteenth fixed pulley (186),

- a fourth movable pulley (188), associated with said third take-up carriage (118) and laterally adjacent to said second movable pulley (172),

- a twenty-first fixed pulley (189), arranged above said twentieth fixed pulley (187), - a twenty-second fixed pulley (190), substantially coplanar with said twenty-first fixed pulley (189),

- said slider (181).