Gas separation: processes – Filtering – With cleaning of filter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-09-25
Smith, Duane (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: processes
Filtering
With cleaning of filter
C095S019000, C095S020000, C055S282000, C055S283000, C055S385100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294002
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein pertains to collecting and recycling fibers as used in textile manufacturing and particularly pertains to reclaiming fibers collected from carding machine air handling systems.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
In most textile manufacturing processes the initial step consists of opening fibers such as cotton to allow the cleaning of the individual fibers and removing the seeds, leaves, and other waste materials therefrom by utilizing a carding operation. This waste material is collected in a pneumatic system and a percentage of usable fibers reclaimed. One of such processes is set forth in U.S. pat. No. 4,301,573. Recycled fibers are blended with new fibers and the carding cycle begins anew. Other prior art systems utilize filter media covering a stationary drum. The filter media is sized to allow air to pass therethrough while fibers or other waste are collected on the external drum surface. The collected waste is then removed from the filter media and recycled as needed. One such collection system is termed “OUTRAVAC” and sold by Continental Air Systems of Winfield, Ala. Another system known as “FIBR-A-FILTER” also sold by Continental Air Systems utilizes a revolving drum to collect fibers whereby the accumulated waste fibers are automatically removed from the filter media by utilizing air evacuation. Another system entitled “SEP-A-RATOR” of Continental Air Systems provides a rotating drum to remove fibers from a low volume air flow.
While such prior art devices and systems are beneficial, cost and complexity presents a major problem for relatively small and low volume carding operations. Accordingly, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide an apparatus and process for reclaiming waste fibers such as cotton in an efficient, economical and low cost manner.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device to collect usable cotton fibers for reclaiming utilizing somewhat concentric, cylindrical, galvanized metal conduits or ducts.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus connected to a conventional card air handling system for collecting usable discarded fibers by an inner perforated duct which is periodically, pneumatically purged to remove the collected fibers and return them to the opening or other operation.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a fiber collector consisting of two aligned ducts whereby purging the collected fibers is regulated by a pressure differential switch.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to improve the fiber reclaiming process of conventional waste handling systems to return a maximum percentage of usable fibers to the textile manufacturing process.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description is set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing an apparatus and process for reclaiming textile fiber waste such as cotton waste although other fibrous waste could be utilized. Also the apparatus and methods described herein could be used in other industrial applications for reclaiming purposes such as in the tobacco and paper industries. The apparatus utilizes a perforated inner cylindrical duct which receives air-borne fibers from a conventional cotton card air handling system. The fibers are drawn into the perforated duct where they collect along the inner walls between the perforations or apertures as the air is withdrawn into an outer chamber formed by a continuous cylindrical duct which surrounds the perforated duct. The fibers thus collected form a loose mat or web along the inner chamber of the perforated duct which, during prolonged operation blocks the apertures and causes a pressure differential between the outer and inner chambers. This pressure differential is read by a pressure differential switch which controls air directed through a purge conduit joined to the outer continuous duct. Air moving through the purge conduit strikes the collected fibers which are formed in a web and then releases the fibers (web) from the inner chamber walls both due to the pressure differential change and contact with the forced air. The released fibrous web is then drawn through a fiber return conduit which deposits the fibers and/or fibrous web into a hopper for reprocessing in conventional carding equipment. Air drawn through the outer chamber as the fibers collect along the inner chamber is returned through an air return conduit to the card air handling system. By thus collecting and returning usable fibers, waste is thereby greatly reduced at a cost savings to the textile mill or other operation.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2717484 (1955-09-01), Hofstetter
patent: 3178868 (1965-04-01), Gibby
patent: 3604061 (1971-09-01), King, Jr.
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patent: 3678538 (1972-07-01), Sloan
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patent: 4435197 (1984-03-01), Nijhawan et al.
patent: 4461633 (1984-07-01), Bodovsky
patent: 5174797 (1992-12-01), Yow, Sr. et al.
patent: 5466271 (1995-11-01), Horvat
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Continental Air Systems Product Manual (152 pages, various dates).
Southern Textile News of Charlotte, NC, article entitled “LTG Air Engineering Opens Facility”(unknown publication date).
Grainger catalog p. 499 “Time Delay Relays” (unknown publication date).
Dwyer Instruments, Inc. Quick Ship Catalog, 2 pages “Low Differential Pressure Switches for General Industrial Service” (unknown publication date).
Sketch of prior art fiber separator (mid '70's).
Greene Jason M.
Smith Duane
W. McGee and Associates, LLC
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