Textiles: fiber preparation – Working – Carding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-04-17
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Textiles: fiber preparation
Working
Carding
C019S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216318
ABSTRACT:
This application claims the priority of German Application No. 198 26 070.9 filed Jun. 12, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a feed tray assembly in a fiber processing machine which forms a fiber lap (fiber batt), for example, from wool or chemical fiber tufts. The machine includes a fiber feeding device composed of a slowly rotating feed roll cooperating with a feed tray. A rapidly rotating opening roll is disposed immediately downstream of the feed roll (as viewed in the direction of fiber advance). The fiber feeding device and the opening roll withdraw the fiber material from a reserve chute and forward the material to a downstream-arranged device for processing the fiber material. The feed tray assembly includes a feed tray array formed of a plurality of individual feed trays rotatable about an axis.
In a known device of the above-outlined type as disclosed, for example, in German Offenlegungsschrift (application published without examination) 34 13 595, in a fiber tuft feeder for a card, above the opening roll which separates the upper chute (reserve chute) from the lower chute (feed chute), a feed roll is disposed which draws the fiber tufts from the upper chute in cooperation with a feed tray array which is composed of a plurality of closely side-by-side arranged individual feed trays. Each feed tray is pivotal about an axis which extends parallel to the feed roll axis. The individual feed trays are pivoted by the fiber tufts to an extent which depends from the mass of the fiber tufts passing through the gap defined by the feed trays and the feed roll. The feed trays are situated at the outlet of the upper chute. The support shaft on which all the individual feed trays are mounted extends beyond the two flanking (outermost) feed trays and is disposed in the narrow, air-impervious side walls of the reserve chute.
It is a disadvantage of such a prior art arrangement that the tray-supporting shaft which extends throughout the width of the tuft feeder, sags so that it cannot be used in case of wide roller card feeders which may have a width of over 3 m. It is a further drawback that the distance between the individual feed trays, on the one hand and the feed roll, on the other hand, is altered in an undesired manner. Further, the pressing forces urging the feed trays against the feed roll are not uniform which may lead to changes or misalignments of the clearance between adjoining feed trays, likely to cause operational disturbances. It is a further disadvantage of the prior art arrangements that the feeding device cannot be adapted to different types of fiber material, particularly different fiber lengths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a fiber feeding assembly of the above-outlined type from which the discussed disadvantages are eliminated and which, in particular, is operationally reliable and makes possible an exact clamping of the fiber material between the individual feed trays and the feed roll.
This object and others to become apparent as the specification progresses, are accomplished by the invention, according to which, briefly stated, the fiber processing machine for forming a fiber lap from fiber tufts includes a fiber feeding assembly which has a feed roll having a rotary axis; a carrier element extending adjacent and along the feed roll; and a feed tray array cooperating with the feed roll for drawing fiber material into a nip defined between the feed tray array and the feed roll and for discharging the fiber material from the nip. The feed tray array is composed of a series of individual feed trays lined up along the feed roll. Individual, separate rotary supports for mounting each feed tray on the carrier element provide for a pivotal motion of each feed tray in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotary axis of the feed roll.
By providing that each individual feed tray has its own rotary support and that all rotary supports are mounted on a common stable support element, a linear alignment of the rotary axes of the individual feed trays is ensured in a simple manner. Between the individual feed trays and the feed roll in all zones the same pressing forces prevail, as related to the axial length units of the feed roll. At the same time, undesired deformations relative to the rotary axes and as concerns the distance between the individual feed trays are avoided whereby the operational reliability and uniformity of the fiber material are improved.
The invention has the following additional advantageous features:
The individual feed trays and the feed roll are supported independently from one another, and the location of the support for the feed trays and/or the support for the feed roll may be changed relative to one another.
The carrier element is an elongated member such as a carrier beam which is hollow, which resists bending and whose opposite ends are supported on the side walls of the machine frame.
The carrier element is hollow and has a square or rectangular cross section, it is made of steel and has moments of inertia which are at least approximately identical in a vertical direction, and do not vary to a greater extent than a ratio of 1:1.5.
The moments of resistance of the carrier element are similar to one another.
Each individual feed tray is biased by a spring or a pneumatic element and all biasing elements are counter supported by the carrier element.
With the carrier element and the individual feed trays respective springs are associated which are supported at one end by the carrier element and, at the opposite end, by the respective individual feed tray.
Each individual feed tray is rotatably supported at one end thereof.
The rotary supports for the individual feed trays are secured to the carrier element or are arranged adjacent thereto.
For each feed tray spring a holding element (such as an angled member) is provided and each individual feed tray is mounted on an individual holding element.
The springs and the rotary supports of the individual feed trays are positioned close to the corners of the carrier element.
The pressing forces between the individual feed trays on the one hand and the feed roll on the other hand are at least approximately identical.
At least one abutment is provided for limiting the rotary motion of the individual feed trays and the abutment is fixed relative to the carrier element.
The feed trays are extruded members made, for example, of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The surface of each individual feed tray oriented towards the fiber material is wear resistant and is, for example, a sheet metal of high grade steel or the feed tray surface is plated.
The sheet metal is bonded to the feed tray surface by gluing.
The opening roll is a preliminary roll of a roller card unit.
An additional preliminary roll is associated with the preliminary roll of the roller card unit.
The support element is situated externally of the feed chute.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4184611 (1980-01-01), Binder et al.
patent: 4742879 (1988-05-01), Leifeld
patent: 34 13 595 A1 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 33 15 909 A1 (1984-11-01), None
patent: 39 05 139 A1 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 43 34 035 A1 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 0 275 471 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 715413 (1954-09-01), None
patent: 2 274 288 (1994-07-01), None
Calvert John J.
Kelemen Gabor J.
Trutzschler GmbH & Co. KG
Venable
Welch Gary L.
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