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(11) | EP 0 485 717 A3 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Apparatus and method for winding and doffing roll of knitted cloth on a circular knitting machine |
(57) An automatic winding and doffing apparatus of a circular knitting machine includes
a winding unit (4) that revolves synchronously with the cylinder of the circular knitting
machine. The apparatus includes opposed winding apparatus frame arms (16,17). A fabric
winding roll (21) has one roll end pivotally mounted on one of the arms. A guide mechanism
guides the knitted fabric to the winding roll. The fabric roll is stopped after a
predetermined amount of fabric has been wound. A doffing apparatus doffs the fabric
from the winding roll after a predetermined amount of fabric has been wound on the
fabric roll. In preferred embodiment, the other winding roll end is freely supported
by a turning lever (28) pivotally mounted on the frame. Upon pivoting movement of
the lever arm, the winding roller may be moved from a home, winding position to an
unloading, doffing position in which the other end of the winding roller is removed
from the support arm. A lock mechanism operatively connects to the turning lever for
locking the turning lever in a position in which the turning lever supports the winding
roller in the home, winding position and for unlocking the turning lever to allow
the turning lever (28) to pivot and disengage from the winding roller (21). |