Layering unit for carded webs and method for layering said webs by means of said layering unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a layering unit for carded webs delivered by a feed unit and to a method for layering said carded webs by means of said layering unit.

[0002] It is common knowledge that the process for obtaining sheets of nonwoven textiles, generally known simply as nonwovens, consists in placing a web of carded fibers in several overlapping layers in order to obtain a multilayer of the required thickness, which is subsequently bonded together by means of a needle punching procedure or other suitable methods.

[0003] It is also common knowledge that implementing such a layering process poses some difficulties, due both to the intrinsic features of the carded fiber web and to difficulties intrinsic in the layering process.

[0004] To be more precise, a first problem consists in the fact that it is difficult to obtain a uniform thickness because the depositing movement needs to be done at a constant speed and this is not easy to achieve because the layering is done using a reciprocating motion.

[0005] Another difficulty stems from the intrinsically fragile nature of the web, which is easily damaged, especially as a result of the air turbulence induced by the rate of displacement of the layering unit's moving parts.

[0006] Since industrial-scale production demands a combination of rapid production times and good quality, layering machines have to be suitably studied to combine a high rate of production with the contrasting goal of a uniform, defect-free product.

[0007] With a view to achieving said objectives, horizontal layering machines have been developed, such as the one described in the Patent IT1213836, which has two conveyor belts wrapped around revolving cylinders, and where at least two carriages can be identified, i.e. a main retriever carriage and a distributor carriage.

[0008] Although these layering machines overcome the previously-mentioned practical difficulties, they also pose certain acknowledged drawbacks.

[0009] One of these drawbacks is that, though they achieve a good production rate, this is still not sufficient to meet market demands.

[0010] Said production rate cannot be further increased because of the presence of the two pressure and distribution cylinders lying in contact with the web leaving the distributor carriage, which are needed to ensure the smooth layering of the web. Any increase in working speed would make these cylinders create a turbulence that would suffice to damage the layered web.

[0011] Another drawback stems from the need to add a pair of separator belts between the layering unit and the layered web in order to protect the latter from the further turbulence generated by the operation of the layering unit.

[0012] To overcome the speed restriction, there are known layering units, such as the one described in the Patent application WO 00/56960, which comprises a distributor carriage and three retriever carriages, two of which are situated underneath the layering unit.

[0013] Though it enables higher working speeds than the previousty-described solution, this latter type of layering machine has other drawbacks.

[0014] One of these drawbacks stems from the fact that the high working speed obliges the revolving cylinders to accelerate to such a degree that cylinders made of lightweight materials, such as carbon fibers, have to be used.

[0015] A second drawback, again due to the high working speed, lies in that it is impossible to reduce the ruptures in the carded web to lower levels than those obtainable using layering devices of the previously-described type.

[0016] A third drawback ties in that the layering unit demands a kinematically complex architecture and is consequently costly to manufacture in mechanical terms.

[0017] Yet another drawback, due to the above-mentioned kinematic complexity, lies in that the layering unit carries a high risk of failure of its component parts

[0018] Another kind of layering unit, which is disclosed in the European Patent application no. EP 0 860 531, is provided with a distributor carriage and with two retriever carriages not aligned with each other that, in some instants, have opposed movements, thus resulting complex to be manufactured.

[0019] The object of the present invention is to overcome all the above-listed drawbacks typical of the machines denying from the known state of the art.

[0020] In particular, the first object of the present invention is to produce a unit for layering carded webs that enables high rates of production white nonetheless retaining a lesser complexity of construction than the layering devices belonging to the known state of the art.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to produce a unit for layering carded webs that, by comparison with equivalent layering units deriving from the known state of the art, features fewer strains in its component parts.

[0022] A further object of the invention is to produce a unit for layering carded webs that enables the use of structural parts (e.g. the revolving cylinders) made of conventional materials.

[0023] Yet another object of the present invention is to produce a unit for layering carded webs that protects the web from the turbulence generated by the layering unit's kinematics without the need to add separator belts or partitions between the web and the machine.

[0024] The aforementioned objects are achieved by a unit for layering carded webs delivered by a feed unit in accordance with the details given in the main claim.

[0025] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention there is a constant distance between the first retriever cylinder forming part of the first retriever carriage and the retriever cylinder forming part of the second retriever carriage.

[0026] The layering unit of the invention has at least a part of the first conveyor belt lying between the distributor carriage and the first retriever carriage and at least a part of the second conveyor belt lying between the distributor carriage and the second retriever carriage, said sections of belt moving in directions substantially coinciding with each other and parallel to the stacking table.

[0027] The previously-mentioned objects are also achieved by a method for layering carded webs delivered by a feed unit in a layering, unit.

[0028] Advantageously, since the distance between the first retriever carriage and the second retriever carriage is constant, the sections of the first and second conveyor belts coming between said carriages and the distributor carriage will always be of limited length, and always shorter than in equivalent layering machines made according to the known state of the art.

[0029] Also advantageously, since these sections of conveyor belt protect the layered web from the air turbulence generated by the layering unit, it is unnecessary to add any partitions between the layering unit and the layered web.

[0030] Another advantage lies in that, because these sections of belt are always of limited length, they run no risk of sagging onto the layered web, which can sometimes damage the end product.

[0031] A further advantage lies in that the movement of the retriever carriages and distributor carriage in the same direction and in the same sense enables the cylinders to turn at lower angular velocities and angular accelerations, and consequently with a lower inertia - for the same production rate - than in layering machines made according to the known state of the art.

[0032] Yet another advantage lies in the straightforward kinematics of the layering unit according to the invention, which means a less complex construction than for layering units made according to the known state of the art and, as a consequence, a lower cost of manufacture and a greater reliability.

[0033] The aforesaid objects and advantages are better illustrated in the description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are provided as non-restrictive examples with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

• fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the layering unit according to the invention;
• fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the layering unit according to the invention;
• figs. from 3a to 3c show a working sequence of the layering unit according to the invention;
• figs. from 4a to 4c show a working sequence of an embodiment of the layering unit according to the invention.

[0034] The unit for layering carded webs V delivered by a feed unit, forming the object of the present invention, is schematically illustrated in fig. 1, where it is globally indicated by the numeral 1.

[0035] The unit comprises a first conveyor belt 2 and a second conveyor belt 3, that are each arranged so as to turn a closed loop and with at least a part of one belt coming over and under the other so as to form a substantially "U" shaped section 4.

[0036] The shaped section 4 creates a channel 5 for guiding the web V, complete with an inlet 6 and an outlet 7.

[0037] The conveyor belts 2, 3 are wound around a plurality of revolving cylinders 8 that ensure their forward feed and tensioning.

[0038] A stacking table 9 is provided underneath the conveyor belts 2, 3, for collecting the web V, arranged in layers F.

[0039] These layers are created by a first retriever carriage 10, a second retriever carriage 13 and a distributor carriage 15.

[0040] The first retriever carriage 10 includes a structure supporting a first retriever cylinder 11 for the first conveyor belt 2 and the second conveyor belt 3, coinciding with the bottom 4a of the U-shaped section 4, and a pair of second retriever cylinders 12 for the first conveyor belt 2.

[0041] The second retriever carriage 13 comprises a structure supporting a retriever cylinder 14 for the second conveyor belt 3.

[0042] The distributor carriage 15 includes a structure supporting a first winding distributor cylinder 16 for the first conveyor belt 2 and a pair of second winding distributor cylinders 17 for the second conveyor belt 3, said first and second distributor cylinders 16, 17 forming the outlet 7 from the web-guiding channel 5.

[0043] According to the invention, the distributor carriage 15 is situated in between the retriever carriages 10, 13.

[0044] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the retriever carriages 10, 13 and the distributor carriage 15 move along a path X parallel to the stacking table 9 and, when in motion, said retriever carriages 10, 13 always move in the same direction as the distributor carriage 15.

[0045] There is a constant distance separating the first retriever cylinder 11 forming part of the first retriever carriage 10, and the retriever cylinder 14 forming part of the second retriever carriage 13.

[0046] The first conveyor belt 2 has a section 20 coming between the distributor carriage 15 and the first retriever carriage 10; to be more precise, as shown in fig. 1, said section 20 comes between the first distributor cylinder 16 in the distributor carriage 15 and the pair of second retriever cylinders 12 in the first retriever carriage 10.

[0047] Similarly, the second conveyor belt 3 has a section 21 coming between the distributor carriage 15 and the second retriever carriage 13; to be more precise, said section 21 comes between the pair of second distributor cylinders 17 forming part of the distributor carriage 15 and the retriever cylinder 14 forming part of the second retriever carriage 13.

[0048] Said sections 20, 21 of the first conveyor belt 2 and second conveyor belt 3 follow a path Y parallel to the stacking table 9 and form a surface that separates the inside of the layering unit 1 from the web V arranged in layers F.

[0049] This has the advantage of separating the layering unit 1 from the web V arranged in layers F, thereby protecting the latter from the turbulence generated by the movements of the layering unit 1, with no need to add any further protective partitions.

[0050] Fig. 1 also shows that the web-guiding channel 5 has a section 22 following a path Z leading to the stacking table 9 containing the layered web V.

[0051] Said section 22 slopes downwards and is needed to bring the web V from the feed area 18 to the distributor carriage 15.

[0052] The movement of the retriever carriages 10, 13 and distributor carriage 15 is assured by means of two distinct motors, which are electronically synchronized by means of an electronic control unit.

[0053] This offers the advantage of avoiding the need to use mechanical drive shafts, thus further reducing the inertia in the layering unit.

[0054] It also carries the advantages of a further improvement in the performance and reduction in the complexity of the servicing needs for the layering unit according to the invention.

[0055] According to one embodiment, illustrated in fig. 2 and globally indicated by the numeral 100, the first retriever carriage 110 comprises a first retriever half-carriage 130, that includes the first retriever cylinder 111, and a second retriever half-carriage 131 that includes the pair of second retriever cylinders 112.

[0056] In this embodiment, the section 120 of the first conveyor belt 102 comes between the distributor carriage 115 and the second retriever carriage 131, the latter being positioned alongside the first half-carriage 130 on the side opposite the distributor carriage 115.

[0057] In operating terms, the carded web V, delivered by the feed unit is laid on the second conveyor belt 3, which, in moving forward, carries the web inside the guiding channel 5 through the inlet 6.

[0058] As it moves along inside the guiding channel 5, the web V is protected by the first conveyor belt 2 extending above it.

[0059] As the conveyor belts 2, 3 move forward, the web V covers the descending section 22 of the guiding channel 5, reversing the direction in which it travels when it reaches the bottom 4a of the U-shaped section 4 and finally coming up to the distributor carriage 15, from where it exits in a vertical direction, through the outlet 7, to become arranged in layers F on the stacking table 9.

[0060] The sequence of figures from 3a to 3c shows a succession of moments in the working cycle of the layering unit 1 according to the invention, specifically showing that the first retriever carriage 10 and the second retriever carriage 13 move along the same path X and in the same direction due to the movement of the distributor carriage 15.

[0061] Said movement in the same direction of the retriever carriages 10, 13 and of the distributor carriage 15 offers the advantage that the acceleration of the cylinders, when they change direction in the normal layering procedure, is lower than in equivalent layering machines made according to the known state of the art, wherein the retriever carriages are either fixed or they have a reciprocating motion with respect to the distributor carriage.

[0062] This enables a reduction in the inertia, and consequently allows for the use of conventional materials for the construction of the component parts of the layering unit 1.

[0063] In addition, the retriever carriages 10, 13 are distinctive in that they have the same rate of displacement, so that the distance between them remains constant.

[0064] This means that the distances between said retriever carriages 10, 13 and the distributor carriage 15 remain limited, since the latter has a higher rate of displacement.

[0065] This is due particularly to the fact that the distributor carriage 15 is always situated in between the two retriever carriages 10, 13.

[0066] As a result, there is the particular advantage that the sections 20, 21 of the conveyor belts 2, 3 are always short and the risk of their sagging, which could damage the web V being arranged in layers F is thus avoided.

[0067] Moreover, there is the advantage that, for the same risk of sagging, longer layers of web can be obtained.

[0068] The mobility of the first retriever carriage 10 also means that the descending section 22 of the web-guiding channel 5 has a gradient that varies with the movement of the first retriever carriage 10 and is always less than the gradient of the corresponding descending section of similar layering machines made according to the known state of the art.

[0069] Since the gradient of the descending sections is one of the causes of web damage, this means there is the advantage that the descending section of the layering unit according to the present invention carries a lower risk of damaging the web than the corresponding descending sections of known layering units.

[0070] As for the embodiment involving the division of the first retriever carriage 110 into two half-carriages 130, 131, the advantages become apparent at the two points where the direction in which they move is reversed.

[0071] The point on the right-hand side where the direction of movement is reversed is shown in the operating sequence shown in figs. from 4a to 4c.

[0072] According to the preferred embodiment described herein, at this reversing point, when the first retriever half-carriage 130 and the second retriever carriage 113 stop, the distributor carriage 115 and the second retriever half-carriage 131 are still decelerating, the latter with a more accentuated deceleration than the distributor carriage 115.

[0073] When the distributor carriage 115, the second retriever carriage 113 and the first retriever half-carriage 130 move on, while the second retriever half-carriage 131 remains at a standstill, the distributor carriage 115 accelerates less than the second retriever carriage 113 or the first retriever half-carriage 130.

[0074] As a result, at the point where the direction is reversed, the second retriever half-carriage 131, together with the distributor carriage 115, performs a relative movement, with respect to the first retriever half-carriage 130 and to the second retriever carriage 113, that creates a sort of magazine for the conveyor belts 102, 103 and for the web V.

[0075] In fact, we know that the conveyor belts 102, 103 and the web V proceed at a constant rate, while the carriages 110, 113 and 115 must stop and change direction every time they reach an edge of the layers F.

[0076] Said situation poses a risk of the web piling up and this is generally prevented by adding kinematic devices of known type.

[0077] To further reduce the structural complexity and increase the productivity of the layering unit according to the present invention by comparison with known layering units, said kinematic devices are eliminated in the embodiment described herein by dividing the first retriever carriage 110 into two retriever half-carriages 130, 131 so as to create the aforesaid magazine.

[0078] In fact, as shown in the operating sequence illustrated in figs. 4a to 4c, when the direction of movement is reversed, the distance L1 between the first retriever half-carriage 130 and the second retriever half-carriage 131 is shortened until it reaches the distance L2.

[0079] At the same time, the section 140 of the web-guiding channel 105 is extended by a length L1-L2, thus taking up the extra web.

[0080] Once the direction has changed, said extra web is released.

[0081] At the second point where the direction changes, i.e. on the left-hand side, the sequence is repeated in the same way.

[0082] To be more precise, when the second retriever half-carriage 131 stops, the distributor carriage 115, the first retriever half-carriage 130 and the second retriever carriage 113 are still decelerating, since the latter have a more accentuated deceleration than the distributor carriage 115.

[0083] When the distributor carriage 115 and the second retriever half-carriage 131 move on again, while the second retriever carriage 113 and the first retriever half-carriage 130 are still not moving, the distributor carriage 115 accelerates less than the second retriever half-carriage 131.

[0084] Here again, therefore, at the point where the direction changes, the second retriever half-carriage 131, together with the distributor carriage 115, performs a relative movement, with respect to the first retriever half-carriage 130 and to the second retriever carriage 113, that again creates a sort of magazine for the conveyor belts 102, 103 and for the web V.

[0085] The above movements are described simply as a non-restrictive example.

[0086] In fact, various operating sequences can be used, all of which share the feature of achieving a relative movement between the two half-carriages, together with the distributor carriage and the second retriever carriage, so as to create a virtual magazine between the half-carriages and the distributor carriage.

[0087] In the light of the above, the unit for layering carded web according the present invention achieves all the established objects.

[0088] In particular, thanks to the movement of the first and second retriever carriages, the unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention achieves the object of enabling a high rate of production while retaining a low rate of rotation of the cylinders forming part of said carriages.

[0089] This means that the invention achieves the object of ensuring that cylinders made of steel or other standard materials can be installed in the layering unit, which is not the case of layering units of known type, because of the high speeds involved.

[0090] The unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention also achieves the object of being particularly reliable, thanks to its global structural simplicity.

[0091] To be more precise, the unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention achieves the object of enabling high processing speeds while nonetheless retaining a lesser complexity of construction than layering machines made according to the known state of the art.

[0092] Thanks to its low inertia and simplified kinematics, the unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention also achieves the object of not submitting any of its components to severe stresses and thereby causing their failure.

[0093] Finally, thanks to the sections of the two conveyor belts coming between the layering unit and the layered web, the unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention achieves the object of protecting the web from the turbulence generated by the kinematics of the layering unit without the need to add separator belts or partitions between the web and the machine.

[0094] In the industrial engineering stage, the unit for layering carded webs according to the present invention may be modified and further embodiments may be developed that will still be protected by the present patent, provided that they come within the concept of the present invention as defined by the claims, even if they are not illustrated in the drawings or described herein.

Claims

1. Layering unit (1; 100) for carded webs (V) delivered by a feed unit, of the type comprising:

- at least one first conveyor belt (2; 102) and at least one second conveyor belt (3; 103), both arranged so as to turn in a closed loop, with at least a part of one belt coming over and under the other so as to form a substantially "U" shape (4; 104) and thereby creating a channel (5; 105) for guiding said web (V) with an inlet (6; 106) and an outlet (7; 107);

- a plurality of revolving cylinders (8; 108), whereon said conveyor belts (2, 3; 102, 103) are wound and suitable for ensuring their forward feed and tensioning;

- a stacking table (9; 109) placed underneath said conveyor belts (2, 3; 102, 103) and suitable for collecting said web (V) arranged in layers (F);

- at least one first retriever carriage (10; 110) comprising a structure supporting at least one first retriever cylinder (11; 111) for said first and said second conveyor belts (2, 3; 102, 103), in line with the bottom (4a; 104a) of said U-shaped section (4; 104), and at least one second retriever cylinder (12; 112) for said first conveyor belt (2; 102);

- at least one second retriever carriage (13; 113) comprising a structure supporting at least one retriever cylinder (14; 114) for said second conveyor belt (3; 103);

- at least one distributor carriage (15; 115) comprising a structure supporting at least one first winding distributor cylinder (16; 116) for said first conveyor belt (2; 102) and at least one second winding distributor cylinder (17; 117) for said second conveyor belt (3; 103), said first and second distributor cylinders (16, 17; 116, 117) forming said outlet (7; 107) from said web-guiding channel (5; 105),

characterized in that said distributor carriage (15; 115) is situated in between said at least one first retriever carriage (10; 110) and said at least one second retriever carriage (13; 113) said retriever carriages (10, 13; 110, 113) and said distributor carriage (15; 115) moving along a path (X) parallel to said stacking table (9; 109), said retriever carriages (10, 13; 110,113) always moving in the same direction as said distributor carriage (15; 115).

2. Layering unit (1;100) as in claim 1) characterized in that it has a plurality of motors suitable for driving said retriever carriages (10, 13; 110, 113) and said distributor carriage (15; 115) along said path (X).

3. Layering unit (1) as in claim 1) characterized in that there is a constant distance between said first retriever cylinder (11) forming part of said first retriever carriage (10) and said retriever cylinder (14) forming part of said second retriever carriage (13).

4. Layering unit (1) as in claim 1) characterized in that said first conveyor belt (2) has at least a section (20) coming between said distributor carriage (15) and said first retriever carriage (10), and in that said second conveyor belt (3) has at least a section (21) coming between said distributor carriage (15) and said second retriever carriage (13).

5. Layering unit (100) as in claim 1) characterized in that said first retriever carriage (110) is composed of a first retriever half-carriage (130) including at least said first retriever cylinder (111), and a second retriever half-carriage (131), including at least said second retriever cylinder (112).

6. Layering unit (100) as in claim 5) characterized in that said first and second retriever half-carriages (130, 131) are placed side by side, said first retriever half-carriage (130) being situated in between said second retriever half-carriage (131) and said distributor carriage (115).

7. Layering unit (100) as in claims 5) characterized in that said first conveyor belt (102) has at least a section (120) coming between said distributor carriage (115) and said second retriever half-carriage (131), and in that said second conveyor belt (103) has at least a section (121) coming between said distributor carriage (115) and said second retriever carriage (113).

8. Layering unit (1; 100) as in claim 4) or 7) characterized in that said sections (20, 21; 120, 121) of said first conveyor belt (2; 102) and said second conveyor belt (3; 103) follow paths (Y) substantially parallel to said stacking table (9; 109).

9. Layering unit (1; 100) as in claim 1) characterized in that said web-guiding channel (5; 105) has at least a section (22; 122) on a path (Z) leading to said stacking table (9).

10. Method for layering carded webs (V) delivered by a feed unit to a layering unit (1; 100) of the type comprising:

- at least one first conveyor belt (2; 102) and at least one second conveyor belt (3;103), both arranged so as to turn in a closed loop, with at least a part of one belt coming over and under the other so as to form a substantially "U" shape (4;104) and thereby creating a channel (5;105) for guiding said web (V) with an inlet (6;106) and an outlet (7;107);

- a plurality of revolving cylinders (8;108), whereon said conveyor belts (2,3; 102, 103) ard wound and suitable for ensuring their forward feed and tensioning;

- a stacking table (9;109) placed undermeath said conveyor belts (2,3; 102,103) and suitable for collecting said web (V) arranged in layers (F);

- at least ond first retriever carriage (10;110) comprising a structure supporting at least one first retriever cylinder (11;111) for said first and said second conveyor belts (2,3; 102;103), in line with the bottom (4a;104a) of said U-shaped section (4;104), and at least one second retriever cylinder (12;112) for said first conveyor belt (2;102);

- at least one second retriever carriage (13;113) comprising a structure supporting at least one retriever cylinder (14;114) for said second conveyor belt (3;103);

- at least one distributor carriage (15;115) comprising a strucutre supporting at least one first winding distributor cylinder (16;116) for said first conveyor belt (2;102) and at least one second winding distributor cylinder (17;117) for said second conveyor belt (3;103), said first and second distributor cylinders (16,17;116,117) forming said outlet (7;107) from said web-guiding channel (5;105),

characterized in that said retriever carriages (10,13;110,113) and said distributor carriage (15;115) move along a path (X) parallel to said stacking table (9;109) and always in the same direction, said distributor carriage (15;115) being situated in between said at least one first retriever carriage (10;110) and said at least one second retriever carriage (13;113).

11. Method as in claim 10) characterized in that the speed variations along said path (X) of said first retriever cylinder (11;111) in said first retriever carriage (10;110) are always the same as the speed variations along said path (X) of said retriever cylinder (14;114) in said second retriever carriage (13;113).

12. Method as in claim 10) characterized in that the speed variationsalong said path (X) of said first retriever cylinder (11; 111) in said first retriever carriage (10; 110)..and of said retriever cylinder (14; .1,14) in said second retriever carriage (13; 113) are greater than the speed variations along said path (X) of said distributor carriage (15; 115) when said second retriever cylinder (12; 112) in said first retriever carriage (10; 110) stops on its way along said path (X).

13. Method as in claim 10) characterized in that the speed variations along said path (X) of said second retriever cylinder (12; 112) in said first retriever carriage (10; 110) are greater than the speed variations along said path (X) of said distributor carriage (15; 115) when said first retriever cylinder (11; 111) in said first retriever carriage (10: 110) and said retriever cylinder (14; 114) in said second retriever carriage (13; 113) stop on their way along said path (X).

14. Method as in claim 10) characterized in that the gradient of at least a section (22; 122) of said web-guiding channel (5; 105) is variable in time, said section (22; 122) moving in a path (Z) substantially leading to said stacking table (9; 109).

Ansprüche

1. Schichtlegeeinheit (1; 100) für kardierte Gewebsbahnen (V), die von einer Vorschubeinheit zugeführt werden, umfassend:

- zumindest einen ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) und zumindest einen zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103), die jeweils so angeordnet sind, dass sie in einer geschlossenen Schleife umlaufen, wobei zumindest ein Teil eines Gurts unterhalb und oberhalb des anderen verläuft, um im Wesentlichen eine U-Form (4; 104) zu formen und dadurch einen Kanal (5; 105) zum Führen der Gewebsbahn (V) mit einem Eingang (6; 106) und einem Ausgang (7; 107) auszubilden;

- eine Vielzahl an rotierenden Zylindern (8; 108), um welche die Fördergurte (2, 3; 102; 103) herumgelegt sind und die dazu geeignet sind, den Vorschub und die Spannung dieser zu gewährleisten;

- einen Stapeltisch (9; 109), der unterhalb der Fördergurte (2, 3; 102, 103) angeordnet ist und dazu geeignet ist, die in Schichten (F) angeordnete Gewebsbahn (V) aufzunehmen;

- zumindest einen ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen ersten Rückführungszylinder (11; 111) für den ersten und den zweiten Fördergurt (2, 3; 102, 103) in Übereinstimmung mit der Sohle (4a; 104a) des U-förmigen Abschnitts (4; 104) sowie zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungszylinder (12; 112) für den ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) trägt;

- zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen Rückführungszylinder (14; 114) für den zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103) trägt;

- zumindest einen Verteilerschlitten (15; 115), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen ersten Abroll-Verteilerzylinder (16; 116) für den ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) und zumindest einen zweiten Abroll-Verteilerzylinder (17; 117) für den zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103) trägt, wobei der erste und der zweite Verteilerzylinder (16, 17; 116, 117) den Ausgang (7; 107) aus dem Gewebsbahn-Führungskanal (5; 105) bilden,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verteilerschlitten (15; 115) zwischen dem zumindest einen ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) und dem zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113) angeordnet ist, wobei sich die Rückführungsschlitten (10, 13; 110, 113) und der Verteilerschlitten (15; 115) entlang einem parallel zum Stapeltisch (9; 109) verlaufenden Pfad (X) bewegen, wobei sich die Rückführungsschlitten (10, 13; 110, 113) immer in dieselbe Richtung wie der Verteilerschlitten (15; 115) bewegen.

2. Schichtlegeeinheit (1; 100) nach Anspruch 1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass diese eine Vielzahl an Motoren aufweist, die zum Antrieb der Rückführungsschlitten (10, 13; 110, 113) und des Verteilerschlittens (15; 115) entlang dem Pfad (X) geeignet sind.

3. Schichtlegeeinheit (1) nach Anspruch 1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwischen dem ersten Rückführungszylinder (11), der einen Teil des ersten Rückführungsschlittens (10) bildet, und dem Rückführungszylinder (14), der einen Teil des zweiten Rückführungsschlittens (13) bildet, ein konstanter Abstand vorliegt.

4. Schichtlegeeinheit (1) nach Anspruch 1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Fördergurt (2) zumindest einen Abschnitt (20) aufweist, der zwischen dem Verteilerschlitten (15) und dem ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10) liegt, und dass der zweite Fördergurt (3) zumindest einen Abschnitt (21) aufweist, der zwischen dem Verteilerschlitten (15) und den zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13) liegt.

5. Schichtlegeeinheit (100) nach Anspruch 1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Rückführungsschlitten (110) aus einem ersten Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (130), der zumindest den ersten Rückführungszylinder (111) umfasst, und einem zweiten Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (131), der zumindest den zweiten Rückführungszylinder (112) umfasst, besteht.

6. Schichtlegeeinheit (100) nach Anspruch 5), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste und der zweite Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (130, 131) nebeneinander platziert sind, wobei der erste Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (130) zwischen dem zweiten Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (131) und dem Verteilerschlitten (115) angeordnet ist.

7. Schichtlegeeinheit (100) nach Anspruch 5), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Fördergurt (102) zumindest einen Abschnitt (120) aufweist, der zwischen dem Verteilerschlitten (115) und dem zweiten Rückführungs-Halbschlitten (131) liegt, und dass der zweite Fördergurt (103) zumindest einen Abschnitt (121) aufweist, der zwischen dem Verteilerschlitten (115) und dem zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (113) liegt.

8. Schichtlegeeinheit (1; 100) nach Anspruch 4) oder 7), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abschnitte (20, 21; 120, 121) des ersten Fördergurts (2; 102) und des zweiten Fördergurts (3; 103) Pfaden (Y) folgen, die im Wesentlichen parallel zum Stapeltisch (9; 109) verlaufen.

9. Schichtlegeeinheit (1; 100) nach Anspruch 1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gewebsbahn-Führungskanal (5; 105) zumindest einen Abschnitt (22; 122) auf einem Pfad (Z) aufweist, der zum Stapeltisch (9) weist.

10. Verfahren zum Schichten von kardierten Gewebsbahnen (V), die von einer Vorschubeinheit zu einer Schichtlegeeinheit (1; 100) zugeführt werden, die Folgendes umfasst:

- zumindest einen ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) und zumindest einen zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103), die jeweils so angeordnet sind, dass sie in einer geschlossenen Schleife umlaufen, wobei zumindest ein Teil eines Gurts unterhalb und oberhalb des anderen verläuft, um im Wesentlichen eine U-Form (4; 104) zu formen und dadurch einen Kanal (5; 105) zum Führen der Gewebsbahn (V) mit einem Eingang (6; 106) und einem Ausgang (7; 107) auszubilden;

- eine Vielzahl an rotierenden Zylindern (8; 108), um welche die Fördergurte (2, 3; 102, 103) herumgelegt sind und die dazu geeignet sind, den Vorschub und die Spannung dieser zu gewährleisten;

- einen Stapeltisch (9; 109), der unterhalb der Fördergurte (2, 3; 102, 103) angeordnet ist und dazu geeignet ist, die in Schichten (F) angeordnete Gewebsbahn (V) aufzunehmen;

- zumindest einen ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen ersten Rückführungszylinder (11; 111) für den ersten und den zweiten Fördergurt (2, 3; 102; 103) in Übereinstimmung mit der Sohle (4a; 104a) des U-förmigen Abschnitts (4; 104) sowie zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungszylinder (12; 112) für den ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) trägt;

- zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen Rückführungszylinder (14; 114) für den zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103) trägt;

- zumindest einen Verteilerschlitten (15; 115), umfassend eine Struktur, die zumindest einen ersten Rollverteilerzylinder (16; 116) für den ersten Fördergurt (2; 102) und zumindest einen zweiten Rollverteilerzylinder (17; 117) für den zweiten Fördergurt (3; 103) trägt, wobei der erste und der zweite Verteilerzylinder (16, 17; 116, 117) den Ausgang (7; 107) aus dem Gewebsbahn-Führungskanal (5; 105) bilden,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rückführungsschlitten (10, 13; 110, 113) und der Verteilerschlitten (15; 115) sich entlang einem parallel zum Stapeltisch (9; 109) verlaufenden Pfad (X) und immer in dieselbe Richtung bewegen, wobei der Verteilerschlitten (15; 115) zwischen dem zumindest einen ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) und dem zumindest einen zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113) angeordnet ist.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des ersten Rückführungszylinders (11; 111) im ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) entlang dem Pfad (X) immer den Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des Rückführungszylinders (14; 114) im zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113) entlang dem Pfad (X) entsprechen.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des ersten Rückführungszylinders (11; 111) im ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) und des Rückführungszylinders (14; 114) im zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113) entlang dem Pfad (X) größer als die Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des Verteilerschlittens (15; 115) entlang dem Pfad (X) sind, wenn der zweite Rückführungszylinder (12; 112) im ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) auf seinem Weg entlang dem Pfad (X) stoppt.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des zweiten Rückführungszylinders (12; 112) im ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) entlang dem Pfad (X) größer als die Änderungen der Geschwindigkeit des Verteilerschlittens (15; 115) entlang dem Pfad (X) sind, wenn der erste Rückführungszylinder (11; 111) im ersten Rückführungsschlitten (10; 110) und der Rückführungszylinder (14; 114) im zweiten Rückführungsschlitten (13; 113) auf ihrem Weg entlang dem Pfad (X) stoppen.

14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gradient von zumindest einem Abschnitt (22; 122) des Gewebsbahn-Führungskanals (5; 105) über die Zeit variabel ist, wobei sich der Abschnitt (22; 122) in einem Pfad (Z) bewegt, die im Wesentlichen zum Stapeltisch (9; 109) führt.

Revendications

1. Plieuse (1; 100) pour nappes (V) provenant d'une unité d'alimentation, du type comprenant:

- au moins une première bande transporteuse (2; 102) et au moins une deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103), les deux étant positionnées en forme d'anneau fermé, avec au moins une partie d'une bande passant en dessus et en dessous de l'autre selon une forme essentiellement en "U" (4; 104) et indiquées pour définir un canal (5; 105) avec une entrée (6; 106) et une sortie (7; 107) apte à guider ladite nappe (V);

- une pluralité de cylindres pivotants (8; 108) sur lesquels sont enroulées lesdites bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103) et indiqués pour garantir leur avance et tensionnement;

- une table d'empilage (9; 109) positionnée sous lesdites bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103) et indiquée pour recueillir ladite nappe (V) disposée en couches (F);

- au moins un premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un premier cylindre de récupération (11; 111) pour ladite première et ladite deuxième bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103), en ligne avec le fond (4a, 104a) de ladite section en forme de "U" (4; 104), et au moins un deuxième cylindre de récupération (12; 112) pour ladite première bande transporteuse (2; 102) ;

- au moins un deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un cylindre de récupération (14; 114) pour ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103);

- au moins un chariot distributeur (15; 115) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un premier cylindre distributeur d'enroulement (16; 116) pour ladite première bande transporteuse (2; 102) et au moins un deuxième cylindre distributeur d'enroulement (17; 117) pour ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103), lesdits premier et deuxième cylindres distributeurs (16, 17; 116, 117) formant ladite sortie (7; 107) dudit canal (5; 105) apte à guider ladite nappe,

caractérisée en ce que le chariot distributeur (15; 115) est situé entre ledit au moins premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) et ledit au moins deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113) lesdits chariots de récupération (10, 13; 110, 113) et ledit chariot distributeur (15; 115) se deplaçant lelong d'une voie (X) parallèle à ladite table d'empilage (9; 109), lesdits chariots de récupération (10, 13; 110, 113) se deplaçant toujours dans la même direction dudit chariot distributeur (15; 115).

2. Plieuse (1; 100) selon la revendication 1) caractérisée en ce qu'elle est équipée d'une pluralité de moteurs indiqués pour actionner les chariots de récupération (10, 13; 110, 113) et ledit chariot distributeur (15; 115) le long de ladite voie (X).

3. Plieuse (1) selon la revendication 1) caractérisée en ce qu'il y a une distance constante entre ledit premier cylindre de récupération (11) qui forme partie dudit premier chariot de récupération (10) et dudit cylindre de récupération (14) qui forme partie dudit deuxième chariot de récupération (13).

4. Plieuse (1) selon la revendication 1) caractérisée en ce que ladite première bande transporteuse (2) présente au moins une section (20) se trouvant entre ledit chariot distibuteur (15) et ledit chariot de récupération (10), et en ce que ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3) présente au moins une section (21) se trouvant entre ledit chariot distributeur (15) et ledit deuxième chariot de récupération (13).

5. Plieuse (100) selon la revendication 1) caractérisée en ce que ledit premier chariot de récupération (110) se compose d'un premier demi-chariot de récupération (130) comprenant au moins un premier cylindre de récupération (111) et un deuxième demi-chariot de récupération (131) comprenant au moins un deuxième cylindre de récupération (112).

6. Plieuse (100) selon la revendication 5) caractérisée en ce que lesdits premier et deuxième demi-chariots (130, 131) sont positionnés l'un à côté de l'autre, ledit premier demi-chariot de récupération (130) étant situé entre ledit deuxième demi-chariot de récupération (131) et ledit chariot distributeur (115).

7. Plieuse (100) selon la revendication 5) caractérisée en ce que ladite première bande transporteuse (102) présente au moins une section (120) se trouvant entre ledit chariot distributeur (115) et ledit deuxième demi-chariot de récupération (131), et en ce que ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (103) présente au moins une section (121) se trouvant entre ledit chariot distributeur (115) et ledit deuxième chariot de récupération (113).

8. Plieuse (1; 100) selon la revendication 4) ou 7) caractérisée en ce que lesdites sections (20, 21; 120, 121) de ladite première bande transporteuse (2; 102) et de ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103) suivent des voies (Y) essentiellement parallèles à ladite table d'empilage (9; 109).

9. Plieuse (1; 100) selon la revendication 1) caractérisée en ce que ledit canal (5; 105) apte à guider la nappe présente au moins une section (22; 122) sur une voie (Z) qui amène à ladite table d'empilage (9).

10. Méthode pour le pliage de nappes (V) provenant d'une unité d'alimentation vers une plieuse (1; 100) du type comprenant:

- au moins une première bande transporteuse (2; 102) et au moins une deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103), les deux étant positionnées en forme d'anneau fermé, avec au moins une partie d'une bande passant en dessus et en dessous de l'autre selon une forme essentiellement en "U" (4; 104) et indiquées pour définir un canal (5; 105) avec une entrée (6; 106) et une sortie (7; 107) apte à guider ladite nappe (V);

- une pluralité de cylindres pivotants (8; 108) sur lesquels sont enroulées lesdites bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103) et indiqués pour garantir leur avance et tensionnement;

- une table d'empilage (9; 109) positionnée sous lesdites bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103) et indiquée pour recueillir ladite nappe (V) disposée en couches (F);

- au moins un premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un premier cylindre de récupération (11; 111) pour ladite première et ladite deuxième bandes transporteuses (2, 3; 102, 103), en ligne avec le fond (4a, 104a) de ladite section en forme de "U" (4; 104), et au moins un deuxième cylindre de récupération (12; 112) pour ladite première bande transporteuse (2; 102);

- au moins un deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un cylindre de récupération (14; 114) pour ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103);

- au moins un chariot distributeur (15; 115) comprenant une structure supportant au moins un premier cylindre distributeur d'enroulement (16; 116) pour ladite première bande transporteuse (2; 102) et au moins un deuxième cylindre distributeur d'enroulement (17; 117) pour ladite deuxième bande transporteuse (3; 103), lesdits premier et deuxième cylindres distributeurs (16, 17; 116, 117) formant ladite sortie (7; 107) dudit canal (5; 105) apte à guider ladite nappe,

caractérisée en ce que lesdits chariots de récupération (10, 13; 110, 113) et ledit chariot distributeur (15; 115) se déplacent le long d'une voie (X) parallèle à ladite table d'empilage (9; 109) et toujours dans la même direction, ledit chariot distributeur (15; 115) étant situé entre ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) et ledit au moins deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113).

11. Méthode selon la revendication 10) caractérisée en ce que lesdites variations de vitesse le long de ladite voie (X) dudit premier cylindre de récupération (11; 111) dans ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) sont toujours égales aux variations de vitesse le long de ladite voie (X) dudit cylindre de récupération (14; 114) dans ledit deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113).

12. Méthode selon la revendication 10) caractérisée en ce que les variations de vitesse le long de ladite voie (X) dudit premier cylindre de récupération (11; 111) dans ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) et dudit cylindre de récupération (14; 114) dans ledit deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113) sont plus grandes que les variations de vitesse le leong de ladite voie (X) dudit chariot distributeur (15; 115) quand ledit deuxième cylindre de récupération (12; 112) dans ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) arrête sa course le leong de ladite voie (X).

13. Méthode selon la revendication 10) caractérisée en ce que les variations de vitesse le leong de ladite voie (X) dudit deuxième cylindre de récupération (12; 112) dans ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) sont plus grandes que les variations de vitesse le leong de ladite voie (X) dudit chariot distributeur (15; 115) quand ledit premier cylindre de récupération (11; 111) dans ledit premier chariot de récupération (10; 110) et ledit cylindre de récupération (14; 114) dans ledit deuxième chariot de récupération (13; 113) arrêtent leur course le leong de ladite voie (X).

14. Méthode selon la revendication 10) caractérisée en ce que la pente d'au moins une section (22; 122) dudit canal (5; 105) apte à guider la nappe varie dans le temps, ladite section (22; 122) se déplaçant dans une voie (Z) qui amène essentiellement à ladite table d'empilage (9; 109).

Drawing