[0001] This invention refers to a tenter frame, or similar machine, with an integrated small
size weft straightener for the finish of fabrics.
[0002] Reasons both of dimensions and of quality required, have been responsible for the
fact that the conventional tenter frames used in the production line for fabrics,
have normally never been equipped with weft straightener in their exit end. As a matter
of fact, since this machine produces fabrics which are fairly regular, it has always
been chosen not to do significant investments in order to add such a big and expensive
machine, as a conventional weft straightener is, to its assembly line.
[0003] Nevertheless, in order to achieve a general improvement in the production, it becomes
necessary to improve also the production of the weft straightener, or similar machine,
so that the weft of the product is more regular than it is now, but this must imply
no significant investment to be done nor the need of larger room for the machine,
otherwise costs would rise again.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tenter frame that overcomes
the problems above mentioned and supplies a fabric weft that can be always regular.
[0005] This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which relates to a tenter
frame, for the finish of fabrics, which includes also means for transportation of
the fabric combined with roll conveyors and means for the rolling and folding of the
fabric produced, characterized in that a small-size weft straightener is placed in
series between the transportation means and the rolling or folding means.
[0006] Other characteristics and advantages will be clearly shown in the following description
which is provided as non-restrictive embodiment and refers to the drawings appended
in which:
- figure 1 is a view of a tenter frame for the finish of fabrics which includes the
rolling or folding machine, according to the conventional art;
- figure 2 is a view of the machine in figure 1, equipped with the weft straightener
according to the invention;
- figure 3 is an enhanced sectional side view of the weft straightener in figure 2;
- figure 4 is a front view of the one half of the machine in figure 3, and
- figure 5 is a rear view of the second half of the machine in figure 3.
[0007] With reference to the figures, number 1 indicates a tenter frame, for the finish
of fabrics, that supplies a fabric indicated by 3 which is transported by means of
transportation 5, i.e. belts. The fabric produced is carried by a driving roll 7 and
than, by means of conveyer rolls 9,10,11, conveyed upward moving vertically with respect
to the trasportation means 5. The conveyer rollers carry the fabric either to the
rolling part 13 of the tenter frame, so that the fabric is rolled up into a roll 14,
or to the folding part 17, which folds the fabric into a container (not shown).
[0008] According to the invention, (figure 2) a very small-size weft straightener 21, which
in the example shown is equipped with a single straightening roller 22, is placed
between two of the conveyer rollers and is connected with the frame 19 that supports
them. It is understood that such weft straightener 12 can be equipped with more than
one straightening roller 22 without going, for such reason, beyond the limits of the
present invention. The weft straightener is placed in a high position, in correspondence
with the final part of the means for the transportation of the fabric 5, so that the
tolal length of the entire production line is practically the same as that of a line
of the conventional type which has no weft straightener 21 in it.
[0009] With special reference to figures 3 to 5, it can be noticed that the weft straightener
21, is made of two compartments 23 and 24. The first lower compartment consists of
two drawing rollers, a draw-in roller 25 and a draw-off roller 27, and between them
there is the straightening oblique/curved roller 22, one of the type generally used
in the weft straighteners, together with two other rollers of the same type. Said
roller is put into motion by motors, not shown here, which are placed in the side
boxes 30. The second compartment 24, is also adapted to contain one draw-in and one
draw-off roller 31 and 33 between which a two-part conventional sensor 35 that is
normally used to "feel" whether the weft of the fabric 3, which passes trough it,
is regular enough or needs to be straightened. If the weft is irregular, the sensor
sends a signal to the control unit of the motors (not shown) which will rotate the
roller 22 so that, with the conventional effects, it can modify the weft according
to need.
[0010] In this manner a regular weft is obtained without doing important investments and,
what is more important, without using additional space inside the production factory.
1. Tenter frame, adapted for the finish of fabrics, which includes also means for transportation
of the fabric combined with roll conveyors and means for the rolling or folding of
the fabric produced, characterized in that a small-size weft straightener (21) is
placed in series between the transportation means (5) and the rolling (13) or folding
means (17).
2. Tenter frame as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the weft straightener is
equipped with at least one oblique/curved straightening roller (22).
3. Tenter frame as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the weft straightener (21)
is placed near the final part of the means that transport the fabric (5) of said tenter
frame (1).
4. Tenter frame as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the weft straightener is
fixed on the frame that supports the roller conveyers (9,10,11)
