Feeding device of a fibre preparation line for carding

Abstract

 A feeder device (4) of a machine on a processing line preparing fibre for carding, comprising a cleaner roller (4a) and a feeder roller (4b), downline of the cleaner roller, and separation devices for separating or keeping separated the incoming flow of fibre into two or more flows of fibre to feed to the machine downline.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a feeder device of a machine on a processing line for preparing fibre for carding. For example, the present invention refers to a feeder device for an axial flow opener.

[0002] As is known, to obtain a textile yarn starting from the fibre, numerous processing operations have to be made on the fibre, in order to free it of impurities and dirt, align the fibres and draw them. From such processing operations, a fibre sliver is obtained, subsequently processed, e.g., on a spinning machine, to obtain the yarn.

[0003] The processing operations are performed on different machines, because, to obtain an excellent result, it is best that these be performed in several different and gradually more intense stages.

[0004] In particular, in an exemplary fibre processing line, the fibre in bales is picked up by a pick-up device, so as to obtain flocks which are conveyed by means of air currents.

[0005] The fibre in flocks is subsequently processed in a device for removing impurities, such as stones or nonferrous materials mixed with the flocks, before passing through an axial flow opener, in which the flocks undergo a first opening of the fibres and a first separation of the impurities.

[0006] Subsequently, the fibre undergoes further cleaning, alignment and drawing operations in horizontal openers and carding machines to obtain the fibre sliver.

[0007] Currently, the need is strongly felt to make fibre processing lines able to process increasingly greater quantities of fibre.

[0008] To increase the quantities that can be processed, designing new machines with dimensions proportionately greater in the processing width, in the diameters or in the lengths of the opening reels is not however effective, nor is increasing the number of machines, as this produces considerable technological and construction problems as regards their fabrication, layout difficulties due to overall dimensions, high costs and drawbacks as regards the quality of the processed flocks.

[0009] Of particular importance is the design of the axial flow opener, inasmuch as this represents the first machine of the processing line, wherein the fibre in flocks is opened and cleaned of the coarser impurities.

[0010] The conditions in which the fibre in flocks exits from the axial flow opener are of major importance as regards the effectiveness of the processing operations performed downline of the opener itself.

[0011] In particular, it has been ascertained how high flows of fibre to the opener produce fibre flocks at exit that are still polluted with impurities and very tangled, in an unsatisfactory way for the good efficiency of the further downline processing operations. At the same time, it has been found how the exiting flocks, when the fibre flows are high, are not uniform in terms of physical characteristics.

[0012] Conversely, it has been ascertained how low flows of fibre into the openers translate into a better quality of the processed flocks, which also appear uniform in terms of their characteristics.

[0013] Object of the present invention is to make a feeder device of a machine on a processing line preparing fibre for carding, able to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art and to cater for the above requirements, and in particular to work high flows of fibre while maintaining high flock quality and a uniformity of their characteristics.

[0014] Such object is achieved by a feeder device made in agreement with the claim 1. The claims dependent on this describe embodiment variations.

[0015] The characteristics and the advantages of the feeder device according to the present invention will be made clear by the description provided below.

[0016] For clarity of exposition, a feeder device is illustrated and described in particular for an axial flow opener. It is understood that the present invention refers to a feeder device also usable in combination with other machines of the line for preparing fibre for carding.

[0017] The attached plates contain:

• the figure 1, which represents a longitudinal side section of an apparatus with opener comprising a feeder device according to a variation of embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 2, which shows a perspective view from above of a feeder device of the apparatus of the figure 1, without cover;
• the figure 3, which illustrates the feeder device of the figure 2 complete with a cover portion;
• the figure 4, which represents a cross-section diagram of the apparatus with supply ducts, according to an embodiment;
• the figure 5, which represent a cross-section diagram of the apparatus with supply ducts, according to a further embodiment.

[0018] With reference to the attached illustrations, the reference numeral 1 generally indicates an apparatus with axial flow opener for processing fibre in flocks, making up a section of a fibre processing line.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a single input duct 2 with two or more branches 2', 2" for conveying the fibre F to be processed, e.g., coming from a pickup unit (figure 4).

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises due separate input ducts 2a, 2b for conveying the fibre to be processed(figure 5).

[0021] Notice that in the figures 4 and 5, for illustration purposes, the ducts are shown vertically; in actual fact, it is obvious that these extend along a horizontal axis.

[0022] The apparatus comprises a feeder device 4 for feeding the fibre to the downline machine, in particular also suitable for separating the dusty air from the fibre.

[0023] For example, the fibre to be processed is conveyed towards the device 4 by means of the extraction action of a fan 5 housed in the device 4 itself. From the device 4, an air ejection duct 6 comes out, for the extracted dusty air A to escape.

[0024] According to one variation of embodiment, the fan is housed outside the device 4.

[0025] The feeder device 4 comprises a cleaner roller 4a, having surface holes, out of which the dusty air A is extracted through an operating connection with the fan 5.

[0026] Furthermore, the feeder device 4 comprises an feeder roller 4b, downline of the cleaner roller 4a, suitable for taking the fibre from which the dust has been removed from the cleaner roller 4a and conveying it downline.

[0027] For example, the feeder roller 4b comprises a cylindrical body 4b' and axial pallets 4b", protruding in a radial manner from the cylindrical body 4b' and angularly separated. Said axial pallets 4b" are suitable for skimming the cleaner roller 4a to pick up the fibres and convey them downline.

[0028] Furthermore, the assembly 1 comprises an axial flow opener 8, arranged downline of the feeder device 4, comprising an inlet duct 10 connecting it to said feeder device 4.

[0029] The feeder roller 4b is placed immediately upline of the inlet duct 10.

[0030] The inlet duct 10 prevalently extends along an inlet axis X, arranged substantially vertically with respect to a ground surface T on which the opener rests.

[0031] Preferably, the opener 8 comprises a box wrapping 12, towards which the inlet duct 10 conveys the fibre to be processed.

[0032] According to one preferred embodiment, the inlet duct 10 comprises an initial section 14 having decreasing section, e.g., linear, from upline to downline, i.e., from the feeder device 4 towards the wrapping 12 of the opener.

[0033] The opener comprises a first opening roller 16, housed in a first compartment 18, motorised and revolving around a first rotation axis Y.

[0034] The first roller 16 has first opening means distributed on the lateral surface, suitable for trapping the flocks to open them when dragged.

[0035] For example, said opening means comprise a plurality of pegs 20, protruding from the lateral surface of the roller, having a rectilinear or broken or branched pattern to have multiple tips.

[0036] Preferably, the pegs 20 are arranged along an imaginary helical line traced on the lateral surface of the roller.

[0037] The opener 8 also comprises a second opening roller 22, housed in a second compartment 24, motorised and revolving around a second rotation axis Z, substantially parallel and, for example, coplanar with a horizontal surface (with respect to the ground surface T) passing through the rotation axis Y of the first roller 16.

[0038] The second roller 22 has second opening means distributed on the lateral surface, e.g., structurally and functionally similar to the opening means described above.

[0039] The inlet duct 10 feeds the fibre to be processed to the first compartment 18 and to the second compartment 24, at the same time.

[0040] Furthermore, the opener 8 comprises a first outlet duct 30, in communication with the first compartment 18, for feeding the fibre to subsequent operating stations, and a second outlet duct 28, in communication with the second compartment 24, this too meant to feed the fibre to subsequent operating stations.

[0041] For example, the apparatus 1 comprises a fan 40, to which are connected the outlet ducts 28, 30 of the opener 8, to suction the fibre being processed through the compartments 18, 24, from the inlet duct 10 towards the outlet ducts 28, 30.

[0042] The apparatus 1 also comprises means of separation, arranged in the feeder device 4 and in the inlet duct 10, suitable for separating, at the inlet of the cleaning device 4, the flow of fibre to be processed and directing it towards the first compartment 18 and towards the second compartment 24 of the opener 8.

[0043] For example, the means of separation comprise a separation wall 42, extending for example from the inlet to the feeder device 4 at the input to the opener compartments, with an internal edge 42a placed abutting on the cleaner roller 4a suitably shaped to follow its edge and ensure the separation.

[0044] Furthermore, the inner edge 42a is preferably placed abutting on the cylindrical body 4b' of the feeder roller 4b, because the axial pallets 4b" are preferably axially interrupted to allow the separation wall 42 to extend as far as the surface of the cylindrical body 4b'.

[0045] Preferably, the separation wall 42 is made in two parts:

[0046] a) an upline part 42b, arranged in the feeder device 4, placed upline of the feeder roller 4b and which extends from the inlet to the feeder device 4; and

[0047] b) a downline part 42c, arranged downline of the feeder roller 4b and in the inlet duct 10, as far as the inlet to the opener compartments.

[0048] According to one embodiment variation, the separation wall 42 extends starting from the cleaner roller or upline of this or starting from the area between the cleaner roller and the feeder roller or again starting from the feeder roller.

[0049] According to one variation of embodiment, the separation wall 42, furthermore, extends along the rotation axis Y, Z of the rollers 16, 22, so as to keep the first compartment 18 separate from the second compartment 24.

[0050] The fibre to be processed F is thus separated into two flows to be processed, separately processed by the first roller 16 and by the second roller 22, without these interfering with one another, and being taken out of the opener through separate outlet ducts 28, 30.

[0051] It should be noted how, in the above variation embodiments, the two flows of processed flocks F' only join together again in the fan 40 and, after remixing together again, the mixed flocks F" are conveyed to subsequent operating stations.

[0052] In further embodiments, the flows are kept separate and as such fed to a further machine.

[0053] In even further embodiments, the flows are immediately joined together again downline of the first roller 16 and of the second roller 22, feeding a single flow to the downline machines.

[0054] The feeder device 4 furthermore comprises a cover 4c, abutting on the separation wall 42, that surmounts the cleaner roller 4b and the feeder roller 4b.

[0055] For example, the cover 4c comprises a flat portion 4d, upline of the cleaner roller 4a, and an arched portion 4e, above the cleaner roller 4a, which follows its surface pattern.

[0056] According to one preferred embodiment, the opener 8 comprises cleaning means suitable for cooperating with a respective roller 16, 22 for separating impurities from the fibres being processed.

[0057] For example, the cleaning means comprise a grid 50 extending arched around the respective cleaner roller 16, 22 along said rotation axis Y, Z, in the area below this along the direction of the gravity action.

[0058] In other words, the grids 50 are arranged below the rollers 16, 22, so that by centrifugal force and by interference of the fibre with these, impurities such as shells are separated from the flocks being processed.

[0059] The separated impurities are moved away from the opener by suitable accumulated-impurity conveying and transport devices.

[0060] In normal fibre processing line operation, the fibre to be worked F, i.e., the fibre in flocks still very dirty and mixed with impurities, is conveyed, e.g., suctioned, towards the feeder device 4, by means of a single duct 2, which then splits into two branches 2', 2", or by means of two separate ducts 2a, 2b, each supplying the feeder device 4.

[0061] In the feeder device 4, by beating actions, the small impurities and the dust are separated.

[0062] The fibre to be processed is then conveyed to the inlet duct 10 which supplies the two compartments 18, 24 at the same time.

[0063] The flow of fibre is therefore separated into two flows, each processed by an opening roller.

[0064] This way, each opening roller processes about half of all the fibre being processed in the processing line, advantageously minimising the quantities of fibre processed in the single compartments and the differences in the degree of processing of the two fibre flows, with excellent results as regards processing quality and flock uniformity.

[0065] It has in fact been ascertained how the processed flocks are better opened when they do not "drown" the opening roller, and are also better cleaned of impurities.

[0066] In the compartment, e.g., by means of an air vacuum, the flocks trapped in the pegs of the opening means tend to pass from one peg to another, gradually moving from the inlet towards the outlet, encountering a sort of shredding which produces the opening of the flocks.

[0067] The flocks furthermore, dragged in rotation, undergo knocks against the grid 50, so as to cause the separation of further impurities such as the shells.

[0068] The action of the grid is also more effective, both because this occurs on flocks better opened by the rollers, and because the grids end up processing substantially identical quantities of flocks, without these being drowned or having to process quantities that are too low.

[0069] The two flows of processed flocks F' only come together downline of the rollers, in particular in the fan 40, mixing together.

[0070] The flocks coming from the two opening rollers, better opened than if they had been worked by a single roller, mix better downline of the opener, just as the subsequent cleaning operations, more intense with respect to that which occurred in the axial flow opener, are more effective.

[0071] Innovatively, the feeder device according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the known art inasmuch as it avoids having to design downline machines, and in particular openers, for large flows of fibre, which are hard to manufacture or of unacceptable overall dimensions; the device permits obtaining, at the same time, processed fibre flocks of high quality and uniformity as regards the degree of processing.

[0072] In other words, in the case of an opener, each opener roller processes about half of all the fibre being processed in the processing line, advantageously minimising the quantities of fibre processed in the single compartments and the differences in the degree of processing of the two fibre flows, with excellent quality results as regards the actual processing and uniformity of the flocks.

[0073] At the same time, the feeder device according to the present invention allows cutting the fabrication costs of the line with respect to the realisation of two independent fibre processing lines.

[0074] In fact, the opener according to the present invention allows concentrating the major processing operations of high technological content and important for the quality definition of the fibre, into a single machine, splitting the fibre flow to achieve a high quality standard, while the conveying of the fibre between different machines occurs for the entire fibre flow in a single duct.

[0075] Naturally, an expert in the field, in order to cater for contingent and specific requirements, can make numerous changes and modifications to the above-described opener, all of which however contained within the protection scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Feeder device (4) of a machine on a processing line preparing fibre for carding, which can be fed with a flow of fibre in input and suitable to feed the fibre in output to the machine downline, comprising a cleaner roller (4a) and a feeder roller (4b), downline of the cleaner roller, and separation devices to separate or keep separate the incoming flow of fibre into two or more flows of fibre to feed to the machine downline.

2. Device according to claim 2, wherein the separation mechanisms comprise a separation wall (42) which extends from the area upline of the cleaner roller towards the opening towards an input duct (10) of the downline machine.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the separation mechanisms comprise a separation wall (42) which extends from the cleaner roller to the opening towards an input duct (10) of the downline machine.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the separation mechanisms comprise a separation wall (42) which extends from the area downline of the cleaner roller (4a) and upline of the feeder roller (4b) to the opening towards an input duct (10) of the downline machine.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the separation mechanisms comprise a separation wall (42) which extends from the feeder roller (4b) to the opening towards an input duct (10) of the downline machine.

6. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the separation mechanism abuts the cleaner roller and/or feeder roller, to ensure separation of the flows.

7. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising means of removing dust from the ingoing fibre.

8. Machinery for processing flock fibre, comprising:

- a feeder device (4) according to any of the previous claims;

- an axial flow opener, comprising:

a) an input duct (10) to feed in the fibre being processed, connected downline of the feeder device (4);

b) a first opening roller (16), lodged in a first compartment (18), turning around a first rotation axis (Y), fitted with first opening means distributed over the lateral surface, able to entangle the flocks to open them when dragged;

c) a second opener roller (22), lodged in a second compartment (24), rotating around a second rotation axis (Z), fitted with second opening devices distributed over the lateral surface, wherein the input duct feeds the fibre being processed to the first and second compartments;

d) a first output duct (30), communicating with the first compartment, to feed the fibre onwards for subsequent processing;

e) a second output duct (28), communicating with the second compartment, to feed the fibre onwards for subsequent processing;
wherein the separation mechanism extends from the feeder device(4), through the input duct (10) as far as the entrance to the compartments (18,24), to direct the fibre being processed partly towards the first compartment (18) and partly towards the second compartment (24) of the opener.

9. Machinery for processing flock fibre, comprising:

- a feeder device (4) according to any of the claims from 1 to 7;

- an axial flow opener, comprising:

a) an input duct (10) to feed in the fibre being processed, connected downline of the feeder device (4);

b) a first opener roller (16), lodged in a first compartment (18), turning around a first rotation axis (Y), fitted with first opening means distributed over the lateral surface, able to entangle the flocks to open them when dragged;

c) a second opener roller (22), lodged in a second compartment (24), rotating around a second rotation axis (Z), fitted with second opening devices distributed over the lateral surface, wherein the input duct feeds the fibre being processed to the first and second compartments;

d) a single output duct, communicating with the first and second compartment, to feed the fibre onwards for subsequent processing;
wherein the separation mechanism extends from the feeder device(4), through the input duct (10) as far as the entrance to the compartments (18,24), to direct the fibre being processed partly towards the first compartment (18) and partly towards the second compartment (24) of the opener.

10. Machinery according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the separation wall comprises a longitudinal portion (42a) which extends along the rotation axis of the rollers to separate the two compartments.

11. Machinery according to any of the claims from 8 to 10, wherein the first and second rotation axes are parallel.

12. Machinery according to any of the claims from 8 to 11, wherein the first and second compartments are contained in a single, box-like casing (12).

13. Machinery according to any of the claims from 8 to 12, wherein the opening mechanisms comprise a number of pegs (20) protruding from the lateral surface of the roller.

14. Machinery according to claim 13, wherein said pegs are arranged along an imaginary helical curve drawn on the lateral surface of the roller.

15. Machinery according to any of the claims from 8 to 14, comprising cleaning devices able to work with a respective roller to separate the impurities from the fibres being processed.

16. Machinery according to claim 15, wherein said cleaning devices comprise a grid (50) which extends in an arch around the respective cleaner roller along said rotation axis, in the area below it in a gravitational direction.

17. System for processing flock fibres comprising:

- machinery (1) made according to any of the claims from 8 to 16;

- a fan (40);
wherein the output ducts of the opener, or the single output duct, are connected to said fan to aspirate the fibre being processed through the compartments, from the input duct towards the output ducts, and to mix it.

18. System for processing flock fibre comprising:

- machinery (1) made according to any of the claims from 8 to 16;

- a fan (40);
wherein the output ducts of the opener, or the single output duct, are connected to said fan to aspirate the-fibre being processed through the compartments, from the input duct towards the output ducts, and to convey them separately downline.

19. System for processing flock fibre comprising:

- machinery (1) according to any of the claims from 8 to 16;

- two separate ducts (2',2",2a,2b) for feeding the feeder device (4) connected to it.

20. System according to claim 19, wherein the two separate ducts are branches (2',2") of a single duct(2).

Drawing