U.S. patent application number 11/605378 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for apparatus on a spinning room machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, for depositing and discharging fibre sliver.
This patent application is currently assigned to Trutzschler Gmbh & Co.Kg. Invention is credited to Steffen Peters, Stefan Schlichter, Josef Temburg.
Application Number | 20080029637 11/605378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39028203 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schlichter; Stefan ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
Apparatus on a spinning room machine, especially a spinning
preparation machine, for depositing and discharging fibre
sliver
Abstract
In an apparatus on a spinning room machine, especially a
spinning preparation machine for depositing fibre sliver, in which
there is a delivery device for delivering fibre sliver and a
substantially planar receiving support surface for receiving and
collecting the fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver
package, the receiving support surface being substantially
unenclosed, the receiving support surface and the delivery device
are displaceable relative to one another, the receiving support
surface being movable back and forth horizontally. In order to
effect simple discharge the fibre sliver package, together with the
receiving support surface, is dischargeable from the machine, the
fibre sliver package is removable from the receiving support
surface and the receiving support surface is displaceable back into
the machine.
Inventors: |
Schlichter; Stefan;
(Viersen, DE) ; Temburg; Josef; (Juchen, DE)
; Peters; Steffen; (Linnich, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VENABLE LLP
P.O. BOX 34385
WASHINGTON
DC
20043-9998
US
|
Assignee: |
Trutzschler Gmbh &
Co.Kg
Monchengladbach
DE
|
Family ID: |
39028203 |
Appl. No.: |
11/605378 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11247276 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
|
|
|
11605378 |
Nov 29, 2006 |
|
|
|
10350016 |
Jan 24, 2003 |
|
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11247276 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/472.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01H 9/185 20130101;
D01H 9/18 20130101; B65H 54/80 20130101; B65H 54/78 20130101; B65H
67/0428 20130101; B65H 2701/31 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/472.1 |
International
Class: |
B21C 47/02 20060101
B21C047/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2006 |
DE |
102006012565.7 |
Feb 7, 2002 |
DE |
10205061.9 |
Claims
1. An apparatus on a spinning room machine for depositing fibre
sliver, comprising: a delivery device for depositing fibre sliver;
a receiving support having a receiving support surface for
receiving and collecting the fibre sliver, the receiving support
surface being substantially unenclosed; and a displacement device
for effecting relative horizontal displacement of the delivery
device and the receiving support surface; wherein a deposited fibre
sliver package is dischargeable from the machine with the receiving
support, the sliver package is removable from the receiving support
surface, and the receiving support is displaceable back into the
machine without the sliver package.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which fixing elements are
present on the receiving support surface for retaining the layers
of fibre sliver in position relative to the receiving support
surface, the fixing elements being lowerable for permitting removal
of the fibre sliver package from the receiving support surface.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the receiving
support surface has longitudinal recesses.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, in which fork tines are able
to engage in the longitudinal recesses.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least the surface
of the receiving support consists of material that promotes sliding
on the upper side thereof.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the fibre sliver
package is displaceable from the receiving support surface onto a
storage device or onto a transport element.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
displacement device for pushing the fibre sliver package off the
receiving support surface.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the fibre sliver
package is moved from the depositing area in the machine to the
storage device and/or transport element by means of the receiving
support surface.
9. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which, for delivering the
fibre sliver package onto the storage device or transport element,
the receiving support surface can be withdrawn under the fibre
sliver package.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising one or
more struts, walls or metal sheets for holding the fibre sliver
package in place during the withdrawal of the receiving support
surface.
11. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which, after the
displacement of the fibre sliver package, the storage device and/or
the transport element is movable in the lateral direction for
receiving a further fibre sliver package.
12. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the fibre sliver
package is displaceable onto a transport element that is so
constructed that it can carry a number of fibre sliver packages
corresponding to the number of fibre sliver packages to be supplied
to a downstream processing device.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a side
element which can be moved together with the displacement of the
receiving support surface and the fibre sliver package out of the
machine, the side element optionally being inclinable or inclined
about a horizontal axis.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a raising
device for raising the fibre sliver package relative to the
receiving support surface before and/or during the return
displacement of the receiving support surface.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
lowering device for lowering the receiving support surface relative
to the fibre sliver package before and/or during the return
displacement of the receiving support surface.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the receiving
support is in the form of a storage device or a transport element
which with deposited fibre sliver package(s) is movable out of the
discharge region by horizontal pushing.
17. An apparatus according to claim 18, in which the storage device
or transport element loaded with the deposited fibre sliver
package(s) is transportable to a further textile machine or to a
magazine.
18. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
displacement device for displacing the receiving support and the
deposited fibre sliver package out of the depositing area.
19. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the receiving
support for the deposited fibre sliver can be displaced by a
displacement device to a transport device arranged outside the
depositing area.
20. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least one of the
processes of deposition, formation, discharge and transport is
performed without the use of cans.
21. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the receiving
support together with the fibre sliver package is displaceable with
the fibre sliver package in a stably supported state.
22. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
supporting element associated with the receiving support, the
receiving support and the supporting element being together, of
substantially L-shaped configuration.
23. An apparatus according to claim 25, in which, the support can
be elevated on the side remote from the supporting element and the
fibre sliver package is inclinable against the supporting element
and/or against a further fibre sliver package and is transferable
into a stable position.
24. An apparatus for depositing fibre sliver, comprising a sliver
delivery device, which delivers sliver on to a substantially planar
reciprocating member in a deposition area such that a can-less
fibre sliver package is formed on the planar member, the planar
member being arranged to be displaceable with the deposited fibre
sliver package out of the deposition area, and subsequently to
return to the deposition area without the fibre sliver package.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of German Patent
Application No. 10 2006 012 565.7, filed Mar. 16, 2006. This
application is additionally a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/247,276, filed Oct. 12, 2005, which
application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/350,016, filed Jan. 24, 2003, (now abandoned), the latter
application claiming priority from German Patent Application No.
10205061.9 filed Feb. 7, 2002, which priority is also claimed in
the present application. The contents of all of the foregoing
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an apparatus on a spinning room
machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, such as card,
draw frame, combing machine, integrated drafting system, roller
card or the like, for depositing fibre sliver, in which there is a
delivery device (coiler plate) for delivering fibre sliver and a
substantially planar receiving support surface for receiving and
collecting the fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver
package, the receiving support surface being substantially
unenclosed.
[0003] In earlier U.S. application Ser. No. 10/350,016, there was
disclosed an apparatus in which the receiving support surface and
the delivery device are displaceable relative to one another, the
receiving support surface is movable back and forth horizontally,
and in which there is a device for displacing (discharging) the
collected fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver
package out of the depositing area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an aim of the invention to improve such an apparatus
to the effect that the discharge of the can-less fibre sliver
package can be effected in a simple manner.
[0005] The invention provides an apparatus on a spinning room
machine for depositing fibre sliver, comprising a delivery device
for depositing fibre sliver; a receiving support having a receiving
support surface for receiving and collecting the fibre sliver, the
receiving support surface being substantially unenclosed; and a
displacement device for effecting relative horizontal displacement
of the delivery device and the receiving support surface; wherein a
deposited fibre sliver package is dischargeable from the machine
with the receiving support, the sliver package is removable from
the receiving support surface, and the receiving support is
displaceable back into the machine without the sliver package.
[0006] Because the receiving support surface serves for deposition
of the fibre sliver and for discharge, the functions are combined
in a structurally simple and elegant way. In advantageous manner,
the receiving support surface fulfils a double function.
Furthermore, the receiving support surface connects the production
region to the region in which the can-less sliver package is
transported away for further processing.
[0007] Advantageously, fixing elements, such as pyramids, cones or
the like, are present on the receiving support surface for fixing
the layers of fibre rings in position, the fixing elements being
lowerable for removal, for example pushing-off, of the fibre sliver
package. Advantageously, the receiving support surface has
recesses, for example grooves or the like, aligned in the
longitudinal direction. Preferably, fork tines or the like are able
to engage in longitudinal grooves or the like. Advantageously, the
surface of the receiving support surface has a coating or the like
that promotes sliding, or the surface of the receiving support
surface consists of a material that promotes sliding.
[0008] Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is displaceable
(unloadable) onto a storage device, for example a belt storage
means, or onto a transport device, for example a transport pallet
or the like.
[0009] Advantageously, the displacement (unloading) is effected by
pushing the fibre sliver package off the receiving support surface.
Advantageously, the movement of the fibre sliver package from the
depositing area in the machine to the storage device and/or
transport device is effected by means of the receiving support
surface. Advantageously, there is used for moving the receiving
support surface a handle, grip or the like, which is preferably
arranged on the end region of the receiving support surface that
faces the machine. Advantageously, in the storage position the
receiving support surface can be withdrawn under the fibre sliver
package. Preferably, during the withdrawal of the receiving support
surface the fibre sliver package can be held in place by means of
struts, walls, metal sheets or the like. Advantageously, after the
withdrawal of the receiving support surface the fibre sliver
package remains in the storage device and/or in the transport
device.
[0010] Advantageously, after the displacement (unloading) of the
fibre sliver package the storage device, for example a belt storage
means, and/or the transport device, for example a transport pallet,
is movable in the lateral direction for receiving a further fibre
sliver package. Advantageously, more than one fibre sliver package
is displaceable (unloadable) onto the storage device, for example a
belt storage means, and/or the transport device, for example a
transport pallet. Advantageously, the number of fibre sliver
packages, preferably 3, 4, 6 or 8, on the transport device, for
example a transport pallet, corresponds to the number of fibre
sliver packages to be supplied to the downstream processing
device.
[0011] Advantageously, any storage device, for example a belt
storage means, and/or the transport device, for example a transport
pallet, is associated with a supporting element, for example a
supporting wall, mounted on one side. The supporting element may be
associated with a side face of the first deposited (unloaded) fibre
sliver package. Advantageously, the supporting element is in fixed
position. Preferably, the supporting element is mounted on the
transport device, for example a transport pallet. Advantageously,
the supporting element is in the form of walls, rods, transport
belts or the like. Advantageously, the supporting element consists
of, or is coated with, a material that promotes sliding.
Advantageously, the supporting element, for example a supporting
wall or the like, is inclinable by, or is inclined by, about from 5
to 10.degree.. Advantageously, the transport device, for example a
transport pallet, is inclinable or is inclined by an angle
preferably of from 5 to 10.degree..
[0012] Advantageously, a side element, for example a wall or the
like, can be moved together with the displacement of the fibre
sliver package out of the machine. Advantageously, the transport
device, for example a transport pallet, has on its underside
insertion openings for transport units and/or for coupling to
transport apparatus for example fork-lift-trucks.
[0013] Advantageously, the transport device, for example a
transport pallet, has slots, guide means or the like into which the
driver elements, forks or the like are able to enter.
[0014] Advantageously, before and/or during the return displacement
of the receiving support surface the fibre sliver package is
raisable relative to the receiving support surface. Advantageously,
before and/or during the return displacement of the receiving
support surface the receiving support surface is lowerable relative
to the fibre sliver package.
[0015] Advantageously, after deposition of a fibre sliver package
on the storage device, for example a belt storage means, and/or the
transport device, for example a transport pallet, the storage
device or the transport device is displaceable transversely by
lateral movement to receive the next fibre sliver package.
[0016] Advantageously, on the storage device, for example a belt
storage means, and/or the transport device, for example a transport
pallet, there is, as required, at least one empty storage position
for a fibre sliver package or at least one storage position having
a fibre sliver package. Advantageously, there is in each case an
empty storage position onto which a fibre sliver package is
displaceable (unloadable). Advantageously, there is in each case at
least one reserve storage position for deposited fibre sliver
packages. Advantageously, there is in each case at least one empty
storage position for a fibre sliver package to be displaced
(unloaded). Advantageously, the storage device, for example a belt
storage means, and/or transport device, for example a transport
pallet, provided (loaded) with deposited fibre sliver packages is
exchangeable for a storage device and/or transport device provided
with empty storage positions. Advantageously, a storage device, for
example a belt storage means, and/or transport device, for example
a transport pallet, provided (loaded) with deposited fibre sliver
packages is movable out of the discharge region by displacement,
for example horizontal pushing.
[0017] Advantageously, an empty storage device, for example a belt
storage means, and/or transport device, for example a transport
pallet, is movable into the discharge region by displacement, for
example horizontal pushing. Advantageously, a storage device, for
example a belt storage means, and/or transport device, for example
a transport pallet, provided (loaded) with deposited fibre sliver
packages is transportable to a further textile machine, for example
a spinning machine, or to a magazine.
[0018] Advantageously, the receiving support surface is associated
with at least one bounding side element. Advantageously, the at
least one side element and the receiving support surface are
independent of one another. Advantageously, there are two side
elements which are moved with the receiving support surface.
Advantageously, the side element(s) which is(are) moved with the
receiving support surface can be coupled to or decoupled from the
receiving support surface. Advantageously, at least one side
element, for example a wall or the like, is inclinable or is
inclined, by about from 5 to 10.degree..
[0019] Advantageously, the apparatus is a can-less apparatus.
Preferably, in respect of the fibre sliver package the displacement
in the machine and/or the discharge from the machine and/or the
transport to a subsequent processing device or a storage means is
effected without cans, containers or the like.
[0020] Advantageously, the receiving support surface is of elongate
construction. Advantageously, the deposited fibre sliver (sliver
bundle) is movable by mechanical means, which effects the
displacement of the fibre sliver (sliver bundle) out of the
depositing area without additional cans, containers or the
like.
[0021] Advantageously, the fibre sliver is depositable in ring
form. Advantageously, the sliver bundle is movable back and forth
horizontally. The receiving support surface may be a conveyor belt.
The length of the conveyor belt advantageously corresponds to at
least twice the maximum stroke in the longitudinal direction
beneath the rotary plate and projects out of the depositing area.
Advantageously, the deposited fibre sliver (sliver bundle) is
displaceable out of the depositing area by means of the upper belt
portion of the conveyor belt. The receiving support surface may be
a transport device, for example a wagon. Where present, the
mechanical means is advantageously a pressure device, for example a
slider or the like. Advantageously, the depositing area is
associated with a displacement device for the deposited fibre
sliver (sliver bundle). Advantageously, the deposited fibre sliver
(sliver bundle) is displaceable. Advantageously, the deposited
fibre sliver (sliver bundle) is displaceable out of the depositing
area.
[0022] Advantageously, the receiving support surface is a lifting
base, for example a board, or the like. Advantageously, the
receiving support surface or the like is constructed so as to have
good sliding properties on the upper side. Advantageously, fixing
elements or the like are provided for supporting the deposition
process. Advantageously, the deposited fibre sliver (sliver bundle)
is discharged out of the depositing area on a substrate.
Advantageously, the substrate for the deposited fibre sliver
(sliver bundle) is associated with a conveyor device arranged
outside the depositing area. Advantageously, the substrate for the
deposited fibre sliver (sliver bundle) is associated with a
transport device arranged outside the depositing area, for example
a suspended conveyor or the like. Advantageously, the deposited
fibre sliver (fibre sliver package) and receiving support surface
are displaceable out of the depositing area jolt-free or almost
jolt-free. Advantageously, the alteration in the speed of the
displacement device on the acceleration and braking paths takes
place substantially continuously (steplessly).
[0023] Advantageously, the deposited fibre sliver (fibre sliver
package) and receiving support surface are displaceable out of the
depositing area at a constant speed. Advantageously, the
displacement device is associated with a controllable drive device,
for example a drive motor, which is preferably connected to an
electronic open-loop and closed-loop control device.
Advantageously, the driven displacement device is able to effect
stable displacement of the deposited fibre sliver (sliver bundle).
Advantageously, the fibre sliver is deposited freely in the
depositing area. Advantageously, the fibre sliver is displaceable
out of the depositing area in freely deposited form. Preferably,
the fibre sliver package is can-less. Advantageously, the fibre
sliver package is elongate in cross-section.
[0024] Advantageously, the supporting wall or the like and/or the
side element is inclinable or inclined about a horizontal axis.
Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is displaceable in a
stably supported state. Advantageously, the fibre sliver package is
supportable at the centre of gravity or above the centre of
gravity. Advantageously, the transport device has a support, for
example a transport pallet, for receiving the can-less fibre sliver
package. Advantageously, the support and the supporting element are
approximately L-shaped.
[0025] Advantageously, the support can be elevated on the side
remote from the supporting element, for example using a pneumatic
cylinder or the like. Advantageously, as a result of the elevation,
the fibre sliver package is inclinable against the supporting
element and/or against a further fibre sliver package and is
transferable into a stable position. Advantageously, there is a
drive device for displacing the receiving support surface. The
drive device may have a toothed belt and toothed belt wheels and/or
may comprise a pneumatic cylinder or the like.
[0026] Moreover, the invention provides an apparatus on a spinning
room machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, for
example a flat card, draw frame, combing machine, integrated
drafting system, roller card or the like, for depositing fibre
sliver, in which there is a delivery device (coiler plate) for
delivering fibre sliver and a substantially planar receiving
support surface for receiving and collecting the fibre sliver in
the form of a can-less fibre sliver package, the receiving support
surface being substantially unenclosed, the receiving support
surface and the delivery device being displaceable relative to one
another, the receiving support surface being movable back and forth
horizontally, and in which there is a device for displacing
(discharging) the collected fibre sliver in the form of a can-less
fibre sliver package out of the depositing area, wherein the fibre
sliver package, together (in common) with the receiving support
surface, is dischargeable from the spinning machine, the fibre
sliver package is removable from the receiving support surface, and
the receiving support surface (alone) is displaceable back into the
spinning machine.
[0027] The invention also provides, an apparatus for depositing
fibre sliver, comprising a sliver delivery device, which delivers
sliver on to a substantially planar reciprocating member in a
deposition area such that a can-less fibre sliver package is formed
on the planar member, the planar member being arranged to be
displaceable with the deposited fibre sliver package out of the
deposition area, and subsequently to return to the deposition area
without the fibre sliver package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The invention will be described in greater detail below with
reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings,
wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1a is a diagrammatic side view of an exemplary draw
frame incorporating an exemplary apparatus according to the present
invention, using a support plate for depositing fibre sliver in the
form of a can-less fibre sliver package, in one end position
beneath the rotary plate;
[0030] FIG. 1b shows the exemplary apparatus according to FIG. 1a
but in the other end position beneath the rotary plate;
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary apparatus according to FIGS. 1a
and 1b, but outside the sliver delivery device;
[0032] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show a plan view (FIG. 3a), a side view
(FIG. 3b), and a front view (FIG. 3c), of the can-less fibre sliver
package deposited on the support plate;
[0033] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention with a block circuit diagram comprising
an electronic control and regulation device, to which there are
connected a controllable drive motor for the horizontal
displacement device of the support plate, a controllable drive
motor for the vertical displacement device of the support plate and
a controllable drive motor for the rotary plate;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outlet region of an
exemplary draw frame having a support plate and a can-less fibre
sliver package in the sliver-depositing area;
[0035] FIGS. 6a and 6b show an exemplary embodiment of the support
plate with through-openings for cone-shaped fixing elements in the
engaged position (FIG. 6a) and in the disengaged position (FIG.
6b);
[0036] FIG. 7a shows an exemplary embodiment of the support plate
with groove-shaped recesses;
[0037] FIGS. 7b and 7c show the support plate according to FIG. 7a
with lifting elements for the fibre sliver package, lowered out of
engagement (FIG. 7b) and raised into engagement (FIG. 7c);
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the outlet region of the
discharge region downstream of the draw frame, with a support plate
and a can-less fibre sliver package above a transport pallet;
[0039] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the discharge region
according to FIG. 8 viewed towards the supporting wall on the
transport pallet;
[0040] FIG. 8b is a perspective view of an exemplary device for
causing a discharged sliver package to adopt an inclined
position;
[0041] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary storage device with a conveyor
belt, on which there are arranged one after the other--in each case
with an inclined supporting wall--an empty transport pallet, a
transport pallet partially loaded with fibre sliver packages, and a
transport pallet fully loaded with fibre sliver packages;
[0042] FIGS. 10a to 10e show diagrammatic plan views of the
discharge of a can-less fibre sliver package onto a transport
pallet;
[0043] FIG. 10' is a front view of a portion of the arrangement
shown in FIG. 10c;
[0044] FIG. 11 shows four can-less fibre sliver packages arranged
one next to the other on a transport pallet, the respective sliver
ends of the lowermost and uppermost layers of adjacent fibre sliver
packages being joined to one another;
[0045] FIG. 12 shows a transport pallet inclined transversely with
respect to the direction of the longitudinal axes of the fibre
sliver packages on a fork-lift truck, the forks engaging under the
transport pallet transversely with respect to the longitudinal
axes;
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a transport pallet inclined transversely with
respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fibre
sliver packages, the forks of a fork-lift truck engaging under the
transport pallet in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the
fibre sliver packages;
[0047] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary system having
six draw frames, two transport vehicles and a press for can-less
fibre sliver packages;
[0048] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary draw frame
having an upstream feed table (lattice), on which there are eight
(independent) can-less fibre sliver packages on two transport
pallets;
[0049] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary draw frame
having an upstream feed table on which there are located eight
can-less fibre sliver packages on eight respective transport
pallets;
[0050] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary system having
a plurality of flat cards, each with a flat card drafting system, a
plurality of storage means for can-less fibre sliver packages,
having a plurality of supports for transporting can-less fibre
sliver packages inside the system, transport vehicles and a
plurality of spinning machines (direct spinning);
[0051] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic side view of an exemplary flat
card incorporating an exemplary apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of an exemplary flyer
incorporating an exemplary apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic plan view of an exemplary combing
preparation machine incorporating an exemplary apparatus according
to the present invention; and
[0054] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic plan view of an exemplary combing
machine incorporating an exemplary apparatus according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below.
In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the
sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be
limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific
exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that
this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in
the relevant art will recognize that other components and
configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. All references cited herein are
incorporated by reference as if each had been individually
incorporated.
[0056] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an exemplary draw frame 1, for example,
a Trutzschler draw frame TD 03. A plurality of fibre slivers,
coming from an upstream lattice (feed table), enter a drafting
system 2, are drafted therein and, after the outlet of the drafting
system 2, are combined to form a fibre sliver 12. The fibre sliver
12 passes through a rotary plate 3 and is then deposited in rings
on a base which moves back and forth in the direction of arrows A
and B to form a can-less fibre sliver package 5. Support plate 4
can have, for example, a rectangular top face 4.sub.1. Referring to
FIG. 4, the support plate 4 can be driven by a controllable drive
motor 6 which is connected to an electronic control and regulation
device 7, for example, a machine controller. Referring back to
FIGS. 1a, 1b, reference numeral 8 denotes a cover sheet of the
sliver-depositing device which is adjoined by the rotary plate
panel 9. K denotes the working direction (flow of fibre material)
inside the draw frame 1, while the fibre sliver is delivered by the
rotary plate 3 substantially in the vertical direction. Reference
numeral 10 denotes the depositing area, reference numeral 11
denotes the region outside the depositing area 10. The depositing
area 10 for the fibre sliver comprises the region g in accordance
with FIG. 1b. The support plate 4 is moved horizontally back and
forth beneath the rotary plate 3 while the fibre sliver 12 is being
deposited. FIG. 1a shows one end position and FIG. 1b shows the
other end position of the support plate 4 which moves back and
forth horizontally in directions A, B beneath the rotary plate 3
during deposition of the fibre sliver 12. The fibre sliver package
5 is moved back and forth, corresponding to directions A, B, in the
direction of arrows C, D beneath the rotary plate 3. Once the end
position shown in FIG. 1a has been reached, the support plate 4
travels in the direction of arrow A, the support plate 4 being
accelerated, driven at a constant speed and then braked. Once the
end position shown in FIG. 1b has been reached, the support plate 4
travels back in the direction of arrow B, the support plate 4 being
accelerated, driven at a constant speed and then braked.
Switching-over between the back and forth movements is effected by
the control device 7 in conjunction with the drive motor 6 (see
FIG. 4).
[0057] The variable-speed electric motor 6 drives the support plate
4 at a jolt-free or nearly jolt-free speed. In particular, the
acceleration and the braking are jolt-free or nearly jolt-free. The
speed between acceleration and braking is constant. By that, it is
meant that the fibre sliver package 5 remains stable both during
the back and forth movement in the depositing area 10 according to
FIGS. 1a and 1b and during the movement out of the depositing area
10 according to FIG. 2. The movements are so controlled that the
production rate achieved is as high as possible, without the fibre
sliver package 5 (sliver bundle) slipping or even tipping over.
[0058] While the fibre sliver 12 is being deposited, the control
device 7 (see FIG. 4) controls the back and forth movement of the
support plate 4 in order to produce a stable can-less fibre sliver
package 5. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the rotary
plate 3 rotates in a fixed position and deposits the fibre sliver
12 on the support plate 4 at a substantially constant deposition
force. The constant delivery force is achieved, among other
factors, by delivery of a constant amount of fibre sliver 12 per
fibre material layer of the fibre sliver 12. If, for example, the
rotary plate 3 deposits fibre sliver 12 on the support plate 4 or
on top of already deposited fibre sliver rings, each layer of fibre
sliver rings receives a substantially constant amount of fibre
sliver 12 either during the forward movement or during the backward
movement. Because the amount of fibre sliver 12 per layer is
constant, stability of the fibre sliver package 5 is achieved.
[0059] The amount by which the support plate 4 moves back and forth
is also controlled by the increasing stability of the fibre sliver
package 5. Whenever the support plate 4 reaches the turn-round
point of either the forward or backward movement, the control means
7 brakes the support plate 4, the support plate 4 reaching a border
region 402a or 402b (see FIGS. 3a, 3b) of the fibre sliver package
5, and accelerates the support plate 4 whenever the support plate 4
leaves the border region 402a or 402b. Between the border regions
402a and 402b on each side of the fibre sliver package 5, the
control means 7 controls the support plate 4 at a constant speed.
The border region 402a or 402b is the location at each end of the
fibre sliver package 5 where the fibre sliver rings deposited on
the support plate 4 do not completely overlap one another.
[0060] The border region 402a or 402b can be located shortly before
the turn-round point of the movement of the support plate 4 at each
end of the fibre sliver package 5. In contrast, in the non-border
region 404, either during the forward or return movement of the
support plate 4, the rearward edge of each fibre sliver ring is
also arranged from above on the forward edge of the previously
deposited fibre band ring.
[0061] With regard to the small amount of fibre sliver that is
deposited in the border region 402a or 402b, the control device 7
brakes the support plate 4 so that more fibre sliver 12 can be
deposited in the border region 402a or 402b and accelerates the
support plate 4 to a constant speed in the non-border region 404.
The braking of the support plate 4 results in an increase in the
amount of fibre sliver deposited in the border region 402a or 402b,
because the rotary plate 3 delivers the fibre sliver 12 at a
constant rate irrespective of the movement of the support plate 4.
Whenever the support plate 4 is braked, more fibre sliver 12 can be
deposited at that point, which corresponds to the non-overlapping
fibre sliver rings close to the turn-round points. The non-uniform
speed of the support plate 4 allows a substantially uniform amount
of fibre sliver 12 which is deposited in both border regions 402a
and 402b and in the non-border region 404 (FIGS. 3a, 3b) of the
fibre sliver package 5 for each layer of fibre sliver 12 during the
back and forth movement of the support plate 4. The non-uniform
speed of the support plate 4 results in a substantially uniform
density of fibre sliver 12 at all points of the fibre sliver
package 5. The uniform density of the fibre sliver 12 enables the
fibre sliver package 5 to be formed stably on the support surface 4
and allows the fibre sliver package 5 to be accelerated and braked
forwards and backwards, avoiding the possibility of the can-less
laterally unsupported fibre sliver package 5 becoming unstable or
at risk of tipping over.
[0062] After the deposition of the fibre sliver package 5 on the
surface 4 is complete, as shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 4,
together with the fibre sliver package 5, moves out of the sliver
delivery device in the direction of arrow I. The control means 7
controls the movement of the support plate 4 so that a switch-over
is made from the back and forth movement (arrows A, B) for the
sliver deposition to the outward movement (arrow I) out of the
depositing area 10 into the discharge region 11.
[0063] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of a ring-shaped fibre sliver
package 5 which has been deposited freely on the top face 4.sub.1
of the support plate 4. FIG. 3b shows a side view of the fibre
sliver package 5 which is arranged freely on the support plate 4.
FIG. 3c shows a front view of the fibre sliver package 5, which has
been positioned freely on the support plate 4. As shown in FIGS. 3a
to 3c, the fibre sliver package 5 is formed from fibre sliver rings
stacked in a substantially rectangular shape. The rectangular shape
of the fibre sliver package 5 is created by the way in which the
fibre sliver 12 has been deposited. The rotation of the rotary
plate 3 by which the fibre sliver 12 is delivered forms a layer of
overlapping rings of fibre sliver 12 on a receiving surface 4.sub.1
of the support plate 4, and the back and forth movement of the
support plate 4 under the control of the control device 7
establishes the locations at which the fibre sliver rings are
formed on the receiving surface 4.sub.1. The movement of the
support plate 4 has the effect that the deposited fibre sliver
rings are arranged on the receiving surface 4.sub.1 of the support
plate 4 staggered relative to one another and partly overlapping
one another, which creates the substantially rectangular shape of
the fibre sliver package 5, seen in plan view. At each end of the
fibre sliver package 5, caused by the change in the direction of
the back and forth movement of the support plate 4, the fibre
sliver package 5 has rounded ends to the rectangular shape, as FIG.
3a clearly shows. The rectangular shape of the fibre sliver package
5 is advantageous, because, as compared with conically or
cylindrically shaped fibre sliver packages, it promotes the
stability of the fibre sliver package 5.
[0064] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of the fibre sliver 12 of the
fibre sliver package 5 deposited in a ring arrangement. FIGS. 3b
and 3c show in side view and in front view, respectively, the fibre
sliver package 5 standing freely, that is to say without a can,
container or the like, on the upper face 4.sub.1 of the support
plate 4. In respect of the dimensions of the fibre sliver package
5, the length according to FIG. 3a is denoted by reference letter
a, the width according to FIG. 3c by reference letter b and the
height according to FIG. 3c by reference letter c. With regard to
the dimensions of the support plate 4, the length according to FIG.
3a is denoted by reference letter d, the width according to FIG. 3a
by reference letter e and the height according to FIG. 3c by
reference letter f. Reference numeral 5.sub.5 (FIG. 3a) denotes the
upper face, reference numeral 5.sub.1 (FIG. 3b) a long side face
and reference numeral 5.sub.3 (FIG. 3c) a short end face of the
substantially cuboidal fibre sliver package 5 which is of
substantially rectangular cross-section. The other long side face
5.sub.2, the other short end face 5.sub.4 and the base surface
5.sub.6 are not shown.
[0065] According to FIG. 4, there is shown an electronic control
and regulation device 7, for example, a machine controller. The
electronic control and regulation device 7 can be connected to a
controllable drive motor 6 for the horizontal displacement of the
support plate 4, a controllable drive motor 13 for the vertical
displacement of the support plate 4, and a controllable drive motor
14 for the rotary plate 3. A raising and lowering device is mounted
on a carriage 20, which raising and lowering device consists of a
framework, guide rollers 18a, 18b, and a flexible transport
element, which can be moved in the direction of arrows L and M. The
vertically displaceable support plate 4 (see arrows E, F in FIG.
1a) includes two driver elements 15a, 15b. Those driver elements
15a, 15b, which are arranged on the opposite narrow sides of the
support plate 4, rest on support elements 16a, 16b, which are
attached to perpendicularly arranged flexible transport elements,
for example toothed belts 17a, 17b circulating around toothed belt
wheels. One of the guide rollers 18a is driven by a motor 13. The
motor 13 is in the form of a reversible motor, which can run at
different speeds and in both directions of rotation. On arrival of
an empty support plate 4, the driver elements 15a, 15b lie on the
support elements 16a, 16b located at the bottom, so that upward
displacement of the support elements 16a, 16b brings about an
upward movement of the driver elements 15a, 15b and accordingly of
the support plate 4. The transport elements 16a, 16b are attached,
for example, by means of holding elements 19a, 19b of the
framework, to the carriage 20, which is moved horizontally back and
forth in the direction of arrows O, P by a circulating transport
element 21, for example a toothed belt circulating around toothed
belt wheels.
[0066] The rotary plate 3 held by the fixed rotary plate panel 9
deposits fibre sliver 12 on the support plate 4, the resulting
fibre sliver package 5 standing on the support plate 4 and being
moved back and forth in the direction of arrows A, B (see FIG. 1a).
During the ongoing fibre sliver deposition, the upper fibre sliver
rings of the fibre sliver package 5 are constantly in contact with
the underside 9a of the rotary plate panel 9. The deposited fibre
sliver 12 of the fibre sliver package 5 presses against the
underside 9a and against the lower cover face 3a of the rotary
plate 3. In order that a pre-determined constant pressing force is
exerted vertically on the deposited fibre sliver 12, the control
and regulation device 7 regulates the speed of the motor 13 so that
the force exerted by the uppermost layer of the fibre sliver 12
remains constant. In other words, the speed of the motor 13 is such
that the rate (amount) of downward movement of the support elements
16a, 16b, which are attached to the flexible transport elements
17a, 17b, in conjunction with the speed of fibre sliver deposition
by the rotary plate 3 driven by the motor 14 ensures uniform
compression of the fibre sliver 12 in each height position of the
downwardly moving support plate 4. After each stroke g (see FIG.
1b) in the horizontal direction, the support plate 4 is displaced
downwards by a pre-set amount. This pre-set amount can correspond
to the thickness of a single layer of the fibre sliver. The
can-less fibre sliver package 5 is pressed against the lower faces
9a and 3a of the rotary plate panel 9 and the rotary plate 3 during
the horizontal back and forth movement as a consequence of the
resilience inherent in the fibre sliver 12 and as a consequence of
the pressing force of the displaceable support plate 4. The fibre
sliver package 5 is accordingly stabilized actively and passively
during the horizontal back and forth movement.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows the carriage 20 with the holding devices 19a,
19b. The holding elements 19a, 19b hold two belts 17a, 17b, which
are able to move the support plate 4 upwards or downwards in the
direction of arrows L, M. The can-less fibre sliver package 5 is
arranged on the top face 4.sub.1 of the support plate 4. During
fibre sliver deposition, the support plate 4 is moved back and
forth in the direction of arrows A, B (see FIGS. 1a and 1b). Once
each corresponding end position has been reached, the support plate
4 is displaced downwards in direction E (FIG. 1a) by less than the
thickness of a fibre sliver, for example, 10 mm, with the aid of
the drive motor 13, in order to create a substantially constant
space (or room) for the next layer of fibre sliver material to be
substantially immediately deposited into. The substantially
constant space relates to the region between the upper side of the
laterally unsupported fibre sliver package 5 and the base surface
3a of the rotary plate 3 and produces a constant force pressure per
deposited fibre sliver layer. The substantially constant space
allows only substantially constant room for fibre sliver 12
deposited for each fibre sliver layer. A fibre sliver layer
represents the amount of fibre sliver 12 that is deposited onto the
fibre sliver package 5 between a pair of movement turn-around
points for the support plate 4 (that is to say from one point at
which the support plate 4 changes direction to the next subsequent
point at which the support plate changes direction). Deposition of
the fibre sliver 12 in the substantially constant space allows a
substantially constant density of fibre sliver 12 at all locations
within the fibre sliver package 5, which promotes the stability of
the fibre sliver package 5.
[0068] The substantially constant space formed by lowering the
support plate 4 (see arrow E in FIG. 1a) is filled directly and
immediately by the fibre sliver 12 constantly flowing in from the
rotary plate 3. During sliver deposition, the upper side of the
fibre sliver package 5 presses, with no spacing, against the base
surface 3a of the rotary plate 3 and against the base surface 9a of
the rotary plate panels 9. There is constant contact. The deposited
fibre sliver mass of the fibre sliver package 5 is pressed against
the lower faces 3a and 9a as a consequence of the resilience
inherent in the fibre sliver 12 and as a consequence of the biasing
force of the displaceable support plate 4. At the same time, this
results in pre-compaction of the fibre sliver package 5, which is
advantageous for further discharge and further transport of the
fibre sliver package 5.
[0069] FIG. 5 shows a fibre sliver package 5a on a support plate 4
during sliver deposition in the depositing area 10. Reference
numeral 20 denotes the carriage (guide device, holding device)
which is movable back and forth horizontally. The fibre sliver
package 5a is displaced horizontally in direction C, D of its
longitudinal axis (see FIG. 1a), that is to say in the direction of
its long side faces. Parallel to and spaced apart from a side face
5 of the sliver package 5a, there is a fixed side wall 22a which is
independent of the carriage 20 and prevents any falling fibre
material or the like from entering the machine. The length of the
path g (see FIG. 1b) (stroke length) is variable by means of the
motor 6 (see FIG. 4), so that the length a (see FIG. 3a) of the
fibre sliver package 5a is adjustable. Downstream of the depositing
area 10 there is arranged the discharge region 11 in which a
transport pallet 25 can be located. Two fibre sliver packages 5b,
5c can be stored one next to the other on the pallet 25.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, an exemplary embodiment 4.1 of
the support plate 4 is shown. Through-holes 4.1.1 can be arranged
in the top face 4.1 of the support plate 4.1. A plate 23 can be
arranged on the opposite side of support plate 4.1, and can include
conical lugs having tips 23.1. As shown in FIG. 6a, the tips 23.1
can project through the through holes 4.1.1. The plate 23 can be
raised and lowered in the direction of arrows Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2
(FIG. 6b) so that when the plate 23 is lowered in direction Q.sub.2
the tips 23.1 become disengaged from the holes 4.1.1 according to
FIG. 6b. According to FIG. 6a, the tips 23.1 project through the
holes 4.1.1 for a short time only at the start of fibre sliver
deposition, so that the first layer of fibre sliver deposited is
held on the regularly smooth top face 4.sub.1 and does not slide
off the top face 4.sub.1. As soon as the layer of fibre sliver is
lying stably on the top face 4.sub.1, the tips 23.1 are lowered out
of engagement in direction Q.sub.2, so that at a later stage during
discharge the fibre sliver package 5 can slide down from the top
face 4.sub.1 without problems.
[0071] FIGS. 7a to 7c show another exemplary embodiment of a
support plate. According to FIGS. 7a to 7c, the top face 4.sub.1 of
the support plate 4.2 can define longitudinal grooves 4.2.1. As
shown in FIG. 7b, elongate lifting rods 24a, 24b or the like can be
inserted in direction R.sub.1, R.sub.2 underneath the lower side of
the fibre sliver package 5. In accordance with FIG. 7c, the lifting
rods 24a, 24b can be raised in direction S.sub.1, S.sub.2, with the
result that the lower side of the fibre sliver package 5 is lifted
away from top face 4.sub.1 of the support plate 4.2, so that the
support plate 4.2 can be displaced in direction W underneath the
fibre sliver package 5 and without frictional contact with the
fibre sliver package 5 (see also FIG. 10d).
[0072] According to FIG. 8, the support plate (hidden from view),
together with a fibre sliver package 5d, can be located in the
discharge region above the top face 25, of the transport pallet 25.
Transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fibre sliver packages
5b, 5c, that is to say in the direction of their short side or end
faces 5.sub.3, 5.sub.4 (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 3a-3c), the transport
pallet 25 can be inclined at an angle .alpha. of, for example,
approximately 7.degree. to the horizontal. As shown in FIG. 8a, on
the side face 252 of the transport pallet 25 close to the base,
there can be mounted a supporting wall 26, for example, a smooth
sheet metal wall or the like. The supporting wall 26 can form an
angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the top face 25, of the
transport pallet 25. As a result, the fibre sliver package 5c can
lean against the support wall 26. The adjacent fibre sliver package
5b can lean against the inclined fibre sliver package 5c in contact
therewith. By virtue of their inclination, the fibre sliver
packages 5b, 5c are supported stably on the transport pallet 25 and
are secured against tipping over and the like. As also shown in
FIG. 8a, the smooth side wall 22b is displaceable in the direction
of arrows T.sub.1, T.sub.2, so that during the discharge of the
fibre sliver package 5d troublesome frictional contact with the
stored fibre sliver package 5b can be avoided. According to FIG.
8b, there is shown an exemplary supporting element 98, for example,
a perpendicular supporting wall, which can be inclined by about 5
to 10.degree. in the horizontal direction about a pivot bearing 99,
in order to incline the discharged fibre sliver package 5d against
the stored and inclined fibre sliver package 5b. One or more of the
supporting walls 22b, 98 can be adapted to couple and decouple with
the receiving support surface (hidden from view).
[0073] According to FIG. 9, an exemplary storage apparatus is shown
in the form of a belt storage. A conveyor belt 29 endlessly
circulates around two guide rollers 28a, 28b driven by a motor 27.
On the upper belt portion 29.sub.1 there are arranged, one after
the other in direction U.sub.1 and lying horizontally on the belt,
an empty transport pallet 25a, a transport pallet 25b loaded with a
fibre sliver package 5c, and a transport pallet 25c fully loaded
with four fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e. On one end face 252
of each transport pallet 25a, 25b, 25c there is mounted a
supporting wall 26a, 26b, 26c or the like, which can be arranged
inclined at an angle .beta. of about from 5.degree. to 10.degree.
relative to the vertical. By virtue of the inclination of the
supporting wall 26, the fibre sliver packages 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e can be
positioned stably on the transport pallets 25b and 25c. Each time a
fibre sliver package 5 has been unloaded onto the transport pallet
25b, the upper belt portion 29.sub.1 moves in direction U.sub.1 by
the width b (see FIG. 3c) of a fibre sliver package 5. During or
after the loading of the transport pallet 25b, the already full
transport pallet 25c can be transported away. Once the transport
pallet 25b has been loaded with four fibre sliver packages 5, the
upper belt portion 29.sub.1 is moved in direction U.sub.1 so that
the full transport pallet 25b moves into the position for being
transported away and the empty transport pallet 25a moves into the
(middle) position for discharge of the fibre sliver packages 5. A
fresh empty transport pallet (not shown) is then placed on the
upper belt portion 29.sub.1.
[0074] In accordance with FIG. 10a, driven by the motor 6, in the
course of being discharged from the sliver-depositing area 10, a
support plate 4, together with a can-less fibre sliver package 5d,
is moved horizontally in direction I and arrives at a position
spaced apart by distance h above the top face 25, of the transport
pallet 25 (see FIG. 10') and in parallel next to a fibre sliver
package 5c already being stored on the top face 25, (FIG. 10b). A
holding-back element 27 is then displaced horizontally in direction
V.sub.1 from a position outside the transport pallet 25 (FIG. 10b)
to a position in front of the end face 5.sub.4 (see FIG. 10c) of
the fibre sliver package 5d (by a drive device not shown) and
spaced apart by distance i above the top face 4.sub.1 of the
support plate 4 (see FIG. 10'). Then, driven by the motor 6, the
support plate 4 is moved back alone, without the fibre sliver
package 5d, horizontally in direction J beneath the holding-back
element 27 (see FIG. 10d). In the course of that movement in
direction J, the fibre sliver package 5d, held in place by the
holding-back element 27, slides off the smooth surface 4.sub.1 of
the support plate 4, so that the fibre sliver package 5d is removed
from the support plate 4. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 10d,
the fibre sliver package 5d is deposited on the surface 25, of the
transport pallet 25. The distance h between the lower face 42 of
the support plate 4 and the upper side 25, of the transport pallet
25 (see FIG. 10') is small, so that when sliding off the support
plate 4 the fibre sliver package 5d is lowered onto the transport
pallet 25 without problems. Finally, the holding-back element 27 is
moved back horizontally in direction V.sub.2 (FIG. 10e).
[0075] In the position according to FIG. 10c, the support plate 4
can be rotated (not shown) about its longitudinal axis through an
angle of about from 5.degree. to 10.degree., so that the fibre
sliver package 5d is inclined in the direction towards and parallel
to the side face of the deposited, inclined fibre sliver package
5c. The rotation of the support plate 4 assists the downward
sliding movement of the fibre sliver package 5d from the top face
4.sub.1.
[0076] Alternatively (or additionally) a sheet metal wall or the
like can be adapted to move horizontally into the region above the
transport pallet 25, and incline about its longitudinal axis,
causing the fibre sliver package 5d to incline in the direction
towards and parallel to the side face of the fibre sliver package
5.
[0077] According to FIG. 11, four can-less fibre sliver packages 5a
to 5d are arranged one next to the other on the top face 25 of a
transport pallet 25. The sliver end or the end of the last ring of
fibre sliver of a top layer (top face 5.sub.5) is joined to the
sliver end or the end of the first ring of fibre sliver of a base
layer (base surface 5.sub.6) of adjacent fibre sliver packages. In
the example shown in FIG. 11, the sliver end of the last ring of
fibre sliver of the top layer (top face 5.sub.5) of fibre sliver
package 5a is joined to the sliver end of the first ring of fibre
sliver of the base layer (base surface 5.sub.6) of fibre sliver
package 5b. The same applies to the sliver ends and the joining
together thereof in respect of the further fibre sliver packages 5c
and 5d. In that way, by joining together the sliver ends, a single
total fibre sliver package comprising a plurality of individual
fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d is created. When supplied to and
worked off on sliver-fed machines (e.g., those shown in FIGS. 15 to
17 and 19 to 21), all fibre sliver packages of the total fibre
sliver package, beginning with the top layer (top face 5.sub.5) of
fibre sliver package 5d, can be worked off one after the other in a
single operation and without interruptions.
[0078] In accordance with FIG. 12, there is a fork-lift truck 31
for transporting the transport pallet 25 with fibre sliver packages
5a to 5d arranged on its top face 25.sub.1. Transverse to the
direction of the longitudinal axis of the fibre sliver packages 5a
to 5d (e.g., parallel to the short end faces of the fibre sliver
packages 5a to 5d), the transport pallet 25 can be inclined at an
angle .gamma. to the horizontal. The correspondingly inclined forks
32 of the fork-lift truck 31 can engage under the transport pallet
25 transverse to the longitudinal axes of the fibre sliver packages
5a to 5d. The side faces of the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d and
the supporting wall 26 can be inclined at an angle relative to the
vertical. The bundle 5' comprising fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d
can be supported stably for transport and secured against slipping,
tipping over or the like, for example, by virtue of its being
inclined relative to the vertical, its leaning against the
supporting wall 26, and its being supported above the centre of
gravity of the bundle 5' or its having a low centre of gravity
below the supporting means.
[0079] The exemplary configuration of FIG. 13 can use the fork-lift
truck 31 of FIG. 12, or a similar transport vehicle. Transport
pallet 25 supports fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d. Transport pallet
25 can be inclined by an angle .delta. transversely with respect to
the direction of the longitudinal axes of the fibre sliver packages
5a to 5d. The forks 32a, 32b of the fork-lift truck (not shown) can
engage under the fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d in the direction of
their longitudinal axes. The forks 32a, 32b are rotatable about a
common longitudinal axis which extends in the longitudinal
orientation thereof.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 14, six draw frames 1a to 1f, for example
Trutzschler TD 03, can be arranged in a row one next to the other.
A lattice 35 (feed table) can be located at the inlet of each draw
frame 1a to 1f. Each lattice 35 can have six round cans 36.
Reference numbers 35 and 36 are shown for draw frame 1a only. Each
set of six round cans 36 can supply six fibre slivers to be drafted
to the drafting system 2 (see FIG. 1a) of a respective draw frame
1a to 1f. At the outlet of each draw frame 1a to 1f, can-less fibre
sliver packages 5 are produced in the respective depositing area 10
(see, e.g., FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, and 5). The draw frames 1a to 1f can
be both sliver-fed and sliver-delivering spinning machines. After
the outlet of each draw frame 1a to 1f there can be a respective
storage device 30a to 30f, to which, from one side, the can-less
fibre sliver packages 5 produced in the draw frame 1a to 1f are
discharged and in which the can-less fibre sliver packages 5 are
stored on transport pallets 25. On the respective other side and
along the storage devices 30a to 30f there can be arranged a rail
guide 37 on which (in accordance with the example shown in FIG. 14)
two driven transport vehicles 38a, 38b are moved back and forth in
the direction of arrows W.sub.1, W.sub.2. The storage devices 30a
to 30f can be positioned so that they lie in a common path with the
transport vehicles 38a, 38b. At an end region of the rail guide 37
(for example, in the region to the right of the storage device 30f
in FIG. 14) there can be arranged, transversely with respect to the
rail guide 37, a conveyor device 39 (e.g., a roller conveyor,
conveyor belt or the like) for transport pallets 25 loaded with
fibre sliver packages 5 (full pallets). There can also be a second
conveyor device 40 (e.g., a roller belt, conveyor belt or the like)
for empty transport pallets 25. The conveyor device 39 leads to a
press 41 having a binding device 42, downstream of which there can
be arranged scales 43 and a labelling device 44. After that there
can be provided a further conveyor device 45 for forwarding and
transporting the bound fibre sliver packages 5, which can consist
of a bundle 5' of a plurality of individual fibre sliver
packages.
[0081] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the transport
vehicle 38a carries two transport pallets 25a, 25b each having a
bundle 5', 5'' of four can-less fibre sliver packages 5, the
transport pallets 25a, 25b having been conveyed out of the storage
device 30a and loaded onto the transport vehicle 38a. Accordingly,
in the storage device 30a there are two empty storage positions for
two empty transport pallets 25'. In each of the storage devices 30b
to 30e there are two empty transport pallets 25' for receiving
can-less fibre sliver packages 5 or bundles 5'. In the storage
device 30f, two empty storage positions for two empty transport
pallets 25' are shown. On the transport vehicle 38b there can be
arranged two empty pallets 25', 25''. In operation, the transport
vehicle 38a can travel to one end of the conveyor device 39, where
pallets 25a, 25b, holding bundles 5', 5'', are loaded one after the
other and forwarded to the press 41 in the direction of arrow X. At
the press 41, the bundles 5', 5'' can be provided with base and
cover boards (not shown), for example of corrugated cardboard,
fibreboard or the like, pressed, bound, removed from the transport
pallets 25, and discharged onto the conveyor device 45 in the form
of bound bundles. The empty transport pallets 25' separated from
the bundles 5', 5'' can be conveyed by means of a cross-conveyor 46
to the conveyor device 40 from where they are loaded in direction Y
onto one of the transport vehicles 38a or 38b.
[0082] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15, at
the inlet of a draw frame 1, for example a Trutzschler TD 03, there
can be arranged a feed table 35 (lattice) which can be associated
with two transport pallets 25a, 25b. Four independent can-less
fibre sliver packages 5.1 to 5.4 are stably arranged one next to
the other on the transport pallet 25a, and four independent
can-less fibre sliver packages 5.5 to 5.8 are stably arranged one
next to the other on the transport pallet 25b. The fibre sliver
packages 5.1 to 5.8 can be worked off individually. For example, in
the case of four fibre sliver packages 5.1 to 5.4 and 5.5. to 5.8
on transport pallets 25a and 25b, respectively, there can be four
working-off points in each case. The draw frame 1 can be supplied
with eight fibre slivers (cf. the fibre slivers 82 in FIG. 20).
Such an arrangement can create a space-optimised version.
[0083] In accordance with FIG. 16, upstream of the inlet of the
draw frame 1, for example a Trutzschler TD 03, there can be
arranged the feed table 35 (lattice) which can be associated with
eight transport pallets 25a to 25h. On each transport pallet 25a to
25h there can be stably arranged one next to the other four
can-less fibre sliver packages, for example fibre sliver packages
5.1 on transport pallet 25a. In accordance with the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the packages 5.1 are joined to one
another by their sliver ends. In that way, the fibre sliver
packages on a transport pallet, for example fibre sliver packages
5.1 on transport pallet 25a, are unwound one after the other
without interruption, bringing the advantage of long sliver run
lengths. Where there are four fibre sliver packages on each
transport pallet, the run time for a total fibre sliver package is
quadrupled. Such an arrangement can optimize efficiency.
[0084] Reverting to FIG. 14, the draw frames 1a to 1f shown there
may be sliver-fed and sliver-delivering spinning machines, and
instead of being supplied with round cans 36, each lattice 35 may
be supplied with can-less fibre sliver packages 5, for example in
the manner shown in FIG. 15 or 16.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 17, the apparatus according to the
invention can be used in so-called direct spinning. The method of
automating the yarn production process, especially in spinning
mills having rotor-spinning machines, can advantageously be based
on the use of can-less fibre sliver packages having elongate
cross-sections. Such a fibre sliver package can be precisely and
stably positioned on an elongated support (e.g., support 25
described previously) in a selected operating position of the
rotor-spinning machine by readily available means. The automatic
process of yarn production can be controlled by a control centre 50
which determines the appropriate time for exchange of the supports,
for example, transport pallets 25, under the spinning positions of
the rotor-spinning machines 51a to 51d. For example, the control
centre 50 can operate on the basis of the sum of two logic signals.
The logic signals can represent, for example, the reaching or
exceeding of a predetermined spinning time of a spinning position,
so that the spinning operation can be interrupted at that spinning
position. To optimise the process of exchanging the supports 25,
the control centre 50 can draw on the knowledge of information
relating to the pure spinning time of the individual spinning
positions since the last exchange of the supports 25 of the
spinning position in question.
[0086] As the loading station for the supports 25, the spinning
mill can have at least one flat card 52a to 52c, for example a
Trutzschler TC 03. Each flat card can contain an integrated
drafting system 53a to 53c, for example a Trutzschler IDF, and a
rotary plate 54a to 54c. Each flat card 52a to 52c can be
associated with a storage device 55a, 55b, 55c for transport
pallets loaded with fibre sliver packages, and for empty transport
pallets. The storage devices 55a, 55b, 55c can be in the form of
belt storage means, for example, in the manner shown in FIG. 9.
Between the rotor-spinning machines 51a to 51d and the storage
devices 55a to 55c there can be installed in the plane of the floor
of the spinning mill an induction loop 56. The signals from the
control centre 50 and the reactions of the sensors from and/or to
at least one automatically controlled transport carriage 57 can be
transmitted by the induction loop. The transport carriage 57 can
have at least one transport pallet 25 for each of the can-less
fibre sliver packages 5. Reference numeral 58 denotes an
intermediate storage means (buffer) for transport pallets having
can-less fibre sliver packages and for empty transport pallets. The
rotor-spinning machines 51a to 51d are sliver-fed spinning
machines.
[0087] FIG. 18 shows the flat card 52, for example, a Trutzschler
flat card TC 03, as a sliver-delivering spinning room machine,
having a feed roller 60, feed table 61, lickers-in 62a, 62b, 62c,
cylinder 63, doffer 64, stripper roller 65, nip rollers 66, 67, web
guide element 68, web funnel 69, delivery rollers 70, 71, and
revolving card top 59. Downstream of the outlet of the flat card
52, there can be arranged a sliver-depositing device 72, in which
the rotating rotary plate 54 is located in a rotary plate panel 73,
above which there is arranged the drafting system 53, for example,
a Trutzschler IDF. The fibre sliver 74 produced by the flat card 52
can pass by way of a sliver funnel through the drafting system 53,
through a sliver funnel with delivery rollers, then through the
sliver channel of the rotary plate 54, and is ultimately deposited
in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package 5 on a support plate
4. The support plate 4 can be moved back and forth horizontally in
directions A, B during deposition. The support plate can be lowered
in direction E after each stroke. The fibre sliver package 5 can be
stably positioned in a manner corresponding to that shown
previously, for example, in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 4.
[0088] FIG. 19 shows a flyer 75 (a sliver-fed spinning room
machine) having a spindle and spool device 76, a flyer drafting
system 77, and an upstream feed table 35 (lattice). Beneath the
lattice 35 there are four can-less fibre sliver packages 5a to 5d,
the fibre sliver packages 5a, 5b being stably positioned on a
transport pallet 25a and the fibre sliver packages 5c, 5d being
stably positioned on a transport pallet 25b.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 20, a combing preparation machine 80 (a
sliver-fed and sliver-delivering spinning room machine) has two
feed tables 35a, 35b (lattice) arranged parallel to one another.
The combing preparation machine also has six transport pallets
25.sub.1 to 25.sub.6 carrying stably positioned can-less fibre
sliver packages 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.6 (only 5.sub.1 shown) being
arranged beneath the feed table 35a, and six transport pallets
25.sub.7 to 25.sub.12 carrying stably positioned can-less fibre
sliver packages 5.sub.7 to 5.sub.12 (not shown) being arranged
beneath the feed table 35b. The feed tables 35a, 35b can have a
guide pulley 81 above each of the fibre sliver packages 5.sub.1 to
5.sub.12. The fibre slivers 82 withdrawn from the fibre sliver
packages 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.12, after being guided by the guide
pulleys 81, can pass into two drafting systems 83a, 83b of the
combing preparation machine 80. The drafting systems 83a, 83b can
be arranged one after the other. From the drafting system 83a, the
fibre sliver web that has been formed is guided over the web table
84 and, at the outlet of the drafting system 83b, laid one on top
of the other with the fibre sliver web produced therein. The two
fibre sliver webs are drawn into a downstream drafting system 83c,
and the fibre material produced in the drafting system 83c is
deposited, using a downstream rotary plate 84, in rings on a
substantially rectangular support plate 4 which is movable back and
forth in the longitudinal direction to form a can-less fibre sliver
package 5. The fibre sliver package 5 can be stably positioned in a
manner corresponding to that shown previously, for example, in
FIGS. 1a, 1b and 4. The can-less fibre sliver package 5 can then be
supplied to a combing machine (see FIG. 21).
[0090] Referring to FIG. 21, a combing machine 90 has six combing
heads 91a to 91f arranged in a row one next to the other. Each
combing head 91a to 91f can be associated with a transport pallet
25.sub.1 to 25.sub.6, there being two of the can-less fibre sliver
packages 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.12 (only 5.sub.1 illustrated) stably
positioned on each transport pallet 25.sub.1 to 25.sub.6. The fibre
slivers that have been deposited in rings are withdrawn from the
fibre sliver packages 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.12 which, when seen in plan
view, are substantially rectangular. For that purpose, above the
fibre sliver packages 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.12 there is a lattice
framework 93 with guide pulleys (see FIG. 20). The fibre slivers 92
are combed in the combing heads 91a to 91f and supplied by way of
the sliver table 94 to a drafting system 95, in which the fibre
slivers 92 are combined to form a single fibre sliver 96. In the
down-stream sliver deposition step, a rotary plate 97 deposits the
fibre sliver 96 in ring form in the form of a can-less fibre sliver
package 5 on a substantially rectangular support plate 4 which is
movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The fibre
sliver package 5 can be stably positioned in a manner corresponding
to that shown previously, for example, in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 4. The
can-less fibre sliver package can then be supplied to a spinning
machine or a storage means.
[0091] The afore-mentioned components, as well as the fibre sliver
packages 5, can be provided singly or multiply, as required. The
component names used herein are not to be interpreted in the narrow
sense of the words, but are to be understood as being synonyms for
a certain kind of machine or system component. For example, in the
context of the present invention the term "draw frame" represents
one or more sliver-delivering or sliver-producing machine(s). The
fibre sliver packages 5 have a substantially rectangular shape in
the configurations shown. Various kinds of spinning machines can be
used as sliver-fed (sliver-processing) spinning machines, for
example, ring-spinning or open-end spinning machines, but also draw
frames, flyers, combing preparation machines or combing machines,
which are supplied with fibre slivers for the production of fibre
structures (roving, wound lap, fibre sliver, yarn). For the
explanation in FIG. 17, an open-end spinning machine has been
chosen solely as an exemplary embodiment. The particular
construction of the storage devices is, in principle, also of no
significance for the present invention; in principle, a storage
position for the fibre sliver packages 5 is sufficient for that
purpose. The fibre sliver packages 5 produced in the draw frame 1
are preferably arranged as a group on a support by means of which
they are always transported back and forth as a complete unit
between the individual components of the system. According to the
exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, a plurality of
transport vehicles can be provided, each of which is able to
receive a group of can-less fibre sliver packages 5 in the form of
a unit, which it conveys from the (sliver-delivering or
sliver-producing) draw frame 1 to a sliver-processing or
sliver-consuming textile machine for further processing or to
intermediate storage. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS.
14 and 17, the transport vehicles are in the form of automatic
units, the drive means of which are not shown for reasons of
clarity of the drawings, which can travel along a path between the
individual components of the system. The term "path" or "track" is
not to be understood in the narrow sense of the word; it is
intended also to include infrared or ultrasonic guide means or the
like. If the transport vehicle is steered manually, the term "path"
also includes any kind of route along which the transport vehicle
is or can be transported.
[0092] In spinning, cans, also called spinning cans, are hollow
bodies (containers) which can be used for the deposition, housing,
and removal of fibre slivers. The cans can be forwarded,
transported, stored, and supplied. Such cans can be in the form of
rectangular cans enclosed on all sides by walls, that is to say
having four side walls and a base wall, with the exception of the
open upper side, which is used as a filling and removal opening for
the fibre sliver. In contrast, the invention relates to can-less
fibre sliver packages 5, that is to say there are no cans,
containers or the like for the fibre sliver. The fibre sliver is
deposited, withdrawn, forwarded, stored and supplied in the form of
a can-less fibre sliver package 5.
[0093] The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this
specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art
the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention.
Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the
scope of the invention. All examples presented are representative
and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention
may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as
appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above
teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may
be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *