FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric winding machine and particularly to a fabric
winding machine installed on a circular knitting machine to wind and collect finished
fabrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Circular knitting machine is fundamental equipment in the textile industry. It has
a plurality of knitting needles located on a needle dial and cylinder to knit same
or different types of yarns to become a annular fabric. The knitted fabric is wound
by a fabric winding machine located beneath the circular knitting machine to form
a bale of neat fabric.
[0003] The conventional fabric winding machines include two basic types: one aims to flatten
the knitted annular fabric and fold in two halves without splitting the fabric and
collect the fabric on a fabric collection bar through a plurality of rollers; another
type includes a fabric splitting machine to split the annular fabric, then extend
the fabric and wind the extended fabric on the fabric collection rod.
[0004] The fabrics knitted from different types of yarns have different fabric characteristics.
For instance, the fabric using rubber yarns or including rubber yarns is difficult
to return to the original form once folded and pleated. Hence a non-splitting fabric
winding machine cannot be used to wind this type of fabric. If a circular knitting
machine has originally included such a non-splitting fabric winding machine, the non-splitting
fabric winding machine has to be changed to a fabric winding machine equipped with
fabric splitting function to avoid forming pleats. However, the fabric winding machine
is a large size equipment and quite expensive. Its weight and size make changing difficult
on the circular knitting machine. Moreover, to do such a change requires not only
disassembly and re-assembly of large equipment, a large storage space also is needed
to store the removed fabric winding machine. This seriously affects the cost of producers.
[0005] Some techniques have been proposed to remedy the aforesaid problem. For instance,
R.O.C. patent No. M245217 entitled "Dual structure for fabric splitting and winding
of fabric winding machines" aims to be used for fabric splitting and winding on a
knitting machine. It has a fabric splitting machine located on a fabric winding machine
that has a splitting knife and a motor. The fabric winding machine is installed on
a lower side of the knitting machine and includes guiding wheels, rollers, fabric
dispensing wheels, a first and second fabric winding wheels. The fabric splitting
machine splits the fabric of the knitting machine. The guiding wheels of the fabric
winding machine direct the fabric, the fabric dispensing wheels spread the split fabric,
the rollers move the fabric forwards, and finally the first fabric winding wheels
wind the fabric. Hence the fabric can be split, spread and wound in a neat manner.
When there is no need to split the fabric, the fabric produced from the knitting machine
is directly directed by the guiding wheels without passing through the fabric dispensing
wheels (by moving the fabric dispensing wheels away); the fabric is wound by the second
fabric winding wheels. Thus one machine can achieve two purposes. The main feature
of the previous patent is to provide two different winding wheels to wind respectively
the split or non-split fabric. The fabric flattening structure is the same. The width
of the split fabric is two times of the non-split fabric. Hence it needs an extended
space to smooth spreading of the fabric and collect the fabric on the fabric winding
wheels.
[0006] Moreover, the previous patent has to consider another factor that affects smooth
fabric winding in the non-split condition. Namely, in the non-splitting condition
the fabric is directly wound through the guiding wheels without any fabric treating.
In the event that there is any pleat or wrinkle occurred to the fabric after the knitting
operation is finished, the pleat or wrinkle is directed wound into the fabric. This
affects the fabric quality.
[0007] In addition, the fabric dispensing wheels to spread the split fabric in the previous
patent take a lot of space. That patent switches to the non-splitting condition by
moving the fabric dispensing wheels backwards. As a result, the space occupied by
the fabric winding machine increases, and the number of machines installable on the
same size of plant is smaller. Total production output also decreases. This is also
a concern to be considered during procurement of the fabric winding machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a fabric winding machine
equipped with dual functions. The fabric winding machine of the invention has a fabric
splitting mode and a fabric non-splitting mode that can be switched rapidly according
to the fabric material to be knitted by a circular knitting machine. The fabric winding
machine includes a fabric directing mechanism to treat the knitted annular fabric
finished by the circular knitting machine, and a fabric winding mechanism to collect
the fabric on a fabric collection rod. The fabric directing mechanism has an arched
bracket or a fabric extending bracket depending on the fabric splitting mode or fabric
non-splitting mode. In the fabric splitting mode, a fabric splitting unit is provided
to split the annular fabric to become a planar fabric. The two modes mentioned above
have different fabric winding paths to wind the fabric on the fabric collection rod.
Through the fabric directing mechanism and change of the fabric winding path, the
fabric winding machine can provide two types of functions to wind the fabric after
split and directly wind the fabric without disassembling and replacing the entire
fabric winding machine as the conventional fabric winding machine does.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to reduce the space occupied by the fabric winding
machine. This invention can be transformed to the fabric splitting mode or non-splitting
mode by switching different fabric directing mechanisms. The fabric directing mechanism
that is not being used may be removed and stored offsite without occupying an additional
operation space.
[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to collect the fabric on the fabric collection
rod in a smooth and neat manner. In the fabric splitting mode or non-splitting mode,
a different fabric directing mechanism and a different fabric collection path are
used to treat the fabric. Thereby the fabric can be collected on the fabric collection
rod smoothly and neatly.
[0011] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fabric winding machine of the present invention
in a fabric non-splitting mode.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the present invention showing the first fabric collection
path in the fabric non-splitting mode.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fabric winding machine of the present invention
in a fabric splitting mode.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the present invention showing the second fabric collection
path in the fabric splitting mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Please referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the fabric winding machine 1 of the invention
is installed on a circular knitting machine. The fabric winding machine 1 is coupled
on the circular knitting machine (not shown in the drawings) through a transmission
bracket 50 which transmits a rotation force to drive the fabric winding machine 1
to rotate synchronously with the needle dial and cylinder (not shown in the drawings)
of the circular knitting machine to wind and hold a knitted annular fabric 2 finished
by the circular knitting machine. A fabric winding mechanism 20 is driven by a transmission
mechanism 30 located on the fabric winding machine 1, and the annular fabric 2 is
treated by a fabric directing mechanism 10 of the fabric winding machine 1; then is
smoothed by the fabric winding mechanism 20 and collected on a fabric collection rod
22. One type of the fabric directing mechanism 10 can be switched to another type
10' to form a fabric non-splitting mode or a fabric splitting mode with two different
paths. In the fabric splitting mode, a fabric splitting unit 40 is added to split
the annular fabric 2.
[0014] The switching of the fabric directing mechanism 10 has two options. One is the fabric
non-splitting mode as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this mode the fabric directing mechanism
10 includes a detachable fabric extending bracket 11 which is fastened to the circular
knitting machine through a suspension rod 111 in a detachable manner. Hence while
the needle dial and cylinder rotate continuously to knit the annular fabric 2, the
annular fabric 2 is held on the fabric extending bracket 11 which stretches the annular
fabric 2 to prevent pleats and wrinkles from forming on the fabric surface. The fabric
extending bracket 11, fabric winding machine 1 and circular knitting machine rotate
synchronously to prevent the annular fabric 2 from being twisted and producing wrinkles
caused by the rotational knitting operation of the needle dial and cylinder. The fabric
directing mechanism 10 further provides a desired tension to aid two fabric pressing
rods 51 of the fabric extending bracket 11 to smooth the annular fabric 2. The fabric
pressing rods 51 are fastened to the transmission bracket 50 through a connection
rod 511 and a coupling member 512 so that their positions can be adjusted instantly
according to the fabric condition to achieve an optimal treating result.
[0015] In the fabric non-splitting mode, the fabric directing mechanism 10 of the fabric
winding machine 1 has a fabric directing rod assembly 12 located below the fabric
extending bracket 11 to fold and stack the annular fabric 2 stretched by the fabric
extending bracket 11. The transmission mechanism 30 drives a fabric winding rod 21
of the fabric winding mechanism 20 to wind the folded annular fabric 2 on a fabric
expander rod 23 of the fabric winding mechanism 20. The fabric directing rod assembly
12 and the fabric expander rod 23 are interposed by a middle fabric directing rod
24 which presses the annular fabric 2 to provide a tension to keep the flattened annular
fabric in a tight condition without generating pleats. The path previously discussed
is a first fabric collection path for the fabric non-splitting mode provided by the
fabric winding machine 1. The fabric expander rod 23 and two opposite screw threads
231 formed two ends thereof can push any wrinkle generated on the surface of the folding
annular fabric 2 to two outer ends. Thus the flattened annular fabric 2 wound on the
fabric collection rod 22 is smooth and neat.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the fabric splitting condition the fabric directing
mechanism 10' includes a detachable arched bracket 13 which is fastened to the fabric
winding machine 1 in a detachable manner. While the needle dial and cylinder of the
circular knitting machine rotate continuously to knit the annular fabric 2, the arched
bracket 13 is moved with the transmission bracket 50 to rotate the fabric winding
machine 1 synchronously. The fabric winding machine 1 has a fabric splitting unit
40 to split the knitted annular fabric 2 finished by the circular machine to become
a planar fabric 2'. The arched bracket 13 has a fabric stretching initial end 131
to stretch the planar fabric 2' to avoid wrinkles or pleats from forming on the fabric
surface. The two fabric pressing rods 51 are moved to desired positions to provide
a desired tension to aid the arched bracket 13 to press and flatten the planar fabric
2' and provide an optimal smoothing result to facilitate winding and collection.
[0017] In the fabric splitting mode, the fabric directing mechanism 10' has a split fabric
directing rod 14 located below one end of the arched bracket 13 opposing the fabric
stretching initial end 131 on another end. Such a design aims to achieve a purpose:
as the split and stretched planar fabric 2' has a much greater width and has to be
transformed from annular to planar, during the transformation although the arched
bracket 13 is extended, a space is still needed to extend gradually. Otherwise an
abrupt change of the shape of the fabric easily produces wrinkles and pleats. Hence
the split fabric directing rod 14 is located on a relative far away position from
the fabric stretching initial end 131 to allow the planar fabric 2' to have a sufficient
space to be transformed to a flattened surface. Then the arched bracket 13 folds and
stacks the stretched planar fabric 2'. The transmission mechanism 30 drives the fabric
winding rod 21 of the fabric winding mechanism 20 to wind and collect the planar fabric
2' on the fabric expander rod 23 of the fabric winding mechanism 20. Moreover, the
split fabric directing rod 14 and the fabric expander rod 23 are interposed by a middle
fabric directing rod 24 which presses the planar fabric 2' to provide a tension to
make the stretched planar fabric 2' in a tight condition without forming wrinkles.
The path discussed above is a second fabric collection path for the fabric splitting
mode provided by the fabric winding machine 1. The fabric winding mechanism 20 at
the later stage is same as the fabric non-splitting mode, with the fabric expander
rod 23 and the two opposite screw threads 231 on two ends thereof to push any wrinkle
formed on the surface of the folding planar fabric 2' to the two outer ends. Thus
the planar fabric 2' with a smooth surface can be obtained and wound on the fabric
collection rod 22.
[0018] In summary, the invention aims to provide a fabric winding machine that has detachable
fabric directing mechanisms 10 and 10' to form a fabric splitting mode or a fabric
non-splitting mode. The annular fabric 2 knitted by the circular knitting machine
is operating in a selected mode and guided by the fabric directing mechanism 10 or
10'. Each mode has a different fabric collection path. For the fabric on which pleats
are allowable or splitting is not required, the annular fabric 2 knitted by the circular
knitting machine follows the first fabric collection path in the non-splitting mode,
in which the fabric extending bracket 11 stretches the knitted annular fabric 2 and
the fabric directing rod assembly 12 folds and winds the stretched annular fabric
2. For the fabric that does not allow pleats or requires splitting, it is processed
by the fabric winding machine 1 in the fabric splitting mode. Switching of the two
modes can be accomplished by merely removing the fabric extending bracket 11, and
installing the arched bracket 13 and fabric split unit 40. And the annular fabric
2 knitted by the circular knitting machine follows the second fabric collection path,
in which the fabric is split by the fabric split unit 40, and held on the arched bracket
13 to be stretched and flattened by the split fabric directing rod 14 to become the
flattened planar fabric 2'. Whether the fabric is spitted or not, the fabric winding
rod 21 of the fabric winding mechanism 20 is driven by the transmission mechanism
30. The annular fabric 2 or planar fabric 2' is drawn and flattened by the fabric
expander rod 23 and wound and collected by the fabric collection rod 22. Hence by
means of the fabric winding machine 1 of the invention, switching between the fabric
splitting mode and the non-splitting mode can be done easily. And different fabric
directing mechanisms can be removed and installed to collect the fabric on the fabric
collection rod in a smooth and neat manner. The unused fabric directing mechanism
does not occupy operation space or affect production.
[0019] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose
of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well
as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
1. A fabric winding machine, configured to be coupled on a circular knitting machine
which knits an annular fabric (2) through two transmission brackets (50) to rotate
therewith synchronously, comprising a fabric directing mechanism (10) to flatten the
annular fabric (2) and a transmission mechanism (30) to drive a fabric winding mechanism
(20) to collect the fabric on a fabric collection rod (22), said fabric winding machine
(1) being configured to be operated selectively in:
a fabric non-splitting mode in which the fabric directing mechanism (10) includes
a detectable fabric extending bracket (11) to stretch the annular fabric (2) and a
fabric directing rod assembly (12) located beneath the fabric extending bracket (11)
to form a first fabric collection path so that the annular fabric (2) is collected
on the fabric collection rod (22) through the first fabric collection path and the
fabric winding mechanism (20); and
a fabric splitting mode in which the fabric winding machine (1) includes a fabric
splitting unit (40) to split the annular fabric (2) to become a planar fabric (2')
and the fabric directing mechanism (10) includes a detectable arched bracket (13)
to stretch the planar fabric (2') and a split fabric directing rod (14) to collect
the planar fabric (2') stretched by the arched bracket (13), the arched bracket (13)
having a fabric stretching initial end (131) on one end of the fabric winding machine
(1) opposing the split fabric directing rod (14) on another thereof to form a second
fabric collection path so that the planar fabric (2') is collected on the fabric collection
rod (22) through the second fabric collection path and the fabric winding mechanism
(20);
wherein the fabric splitting mode or the fabric non-splitting mode is selected and
used by the fabric winding machine (1) according to yarn characteristics of the fabric
of different materials.
2. The fabric winding machine of claim 1, wherein the fabric directing mechanism (10)
includes a fabric pressing rod (51) to flatten the annular fabric (2) in the fabric
non-splitting mode or the planar fabric (2') in the fabric splitting mode, the fabric
pressing rod (51) being fastened to the transmission bracket (50) through a plurality
of fastening elements (511, 512).
3. The fabric winding machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fabric expander rod (23) has
screw threads (231) on two ends thereof to flatten the annular fabric (2) or the planar
fabric (2'), the screw threads (231) being formed in opposite directions.
4. The fabric winding machine of any of the preceding claims,
wherein the fabric winding mechanism (20) in the first fabric collection path and
the second fabric collection path includes a fabric expander rod (23) to extend the
fabric and two fabric winding rods (21) driven by the transmission mechanism (30).
5. The fabric winding machine of any of the preceding claims,
wherein the fabric directing rod assembly (21) and the fabric expander rod (23) of
the first fabric collection path are interposed by a middle fabric directing rod (24).
6. The fabric winding machine of any of the preceding claims,
wherein the split fabric directing rod (14) and the fabric expander rod (23) of the
second fabric collection path are interposed by a middle fabric directing rod (24).
7. The fabric winding machine of any of the preceding claims,
wherein the fabric extending bracket (11) is configured to be coupled with the circular
knitting machine through a suspension rod (111) so that the fabric extending bracket
(11) and the circular knitting machine are rotated synchronously.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.
1. A fabric winding machine, configured to be coupled on a circular knitting machine
which knits an annular fabric (2) through two transmission brackets (50) to rotate
therewith synchronously, comprising a fabric directing mechanism (10) to flatten the
annular fabric (2) and a transmission mechanism (30) to drive a fabric winding mechanism
(20) to collect the fabric on a fabric collection rod (22), said fabric winding machine
(1) being configured to be operated selectively in:
a fabric non-splitting mode in which the fabric directing mechanism (10) stretches
the annular fabric (2) and a fabric directing rod assembly (12) located beneath the
fabric extending bracket (11) forms a first fabric collection path so that the annular
fabric (2) is collected on the fabric collection rod (22) through the first fabric
collection path and the fabric winding mechanism (20); and
a fabric splitting mode in which the fabric winding machine (1) includes a fabric
splitting unit (40) to split the annular fabric (2) to become a planar fabric (2')
and the fabric directing mechanism (10) comprises means to stretch the planar fabric
(2') and a split fabric directing rod (14) to collect the planar fabric (2') stretched
by the arched bracket (13), the arched bracket (13) having a fabric stretching initial
end (131) on one end of the fabric winding machine (1) opposing the split fabric directing
rod (14) on another thereof to form a second fabric collection path so that the planar
fabric (2') is collected on the fabric collection rod (22) through the second fabric
collection path and the fabric winding mechanism (20);
wherein the fabric splitting mode or the fabric non-splitting mode is selected and
used by the fabric winding machine (1) according to yarn characteristics of the fabric
of different materials;
characterized in that said fabric winding machine is configured such that in said fabric non-splitting
mode, the fabric directing mechanism (10) includes a detachable fabric extending bracket
(11), and in said fabric splitting mode, the fabric directing mechanism (10) includes
a detachable arched bracket (13).
2. The fabric winding machine of claim 1, wherein the fabric directing mechanism (10)
includes a fabric pressing rod (51) to flatten the annular fabric (2) in the fabric
non-splitting mode or the planar fabric (2') in the fabric splitting mode, the fabric
pressing rod (51) being fastened to the transmission bracket (50) through a plurality
of fastening elements (511, 512).
3. The fabric winding machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein a fabric expander rod (23) of
said fabric winding mechanism (20) has screw threads (231) on two ends thereof to
flatten the annular fabric (2) or the planar fabric (2'), the screw threads (231)
being formed in opposite directions.
4. The fabric winding machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fabric winding mechanism
(20) in the first fabric collection path and the second fabric collection path includes
a fabric expander rod (23) to extend the fabric and two fabric winding rods (21) driven
by the transmission mechanism (30).
5. The fabric winding machine of claim 4, wherein the fabric directing rod assembly
(12) and the fabric expander rod (23) of the first fabric collection path are interposed
by a middle fabric directing rod (24).
6. The fabric winding machine of claim 4, wherein the split fabric directing rod (14)
and the fabric expander rod (23) of the second fabric collection path are interposed
by a middle fabric directing rod (24).
7. The fabric winding machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric extending
bracket (11) is configured to be coupled with the circular knitting machine through
a suspension rod (111) so that the fabric extending bracket (11) and the circular
knitting machine are rotated synchronously.