Improved gill boxes with rotating heads

Description

[0001] This invention concerns gill boxes with rotating heads; to be more specific, the invention refers to improved gill boxes with rotating heads comprising a plurality of innovations which have a very great effect on every characteristic of the gill box itself.

[0002] Gill boxes are known which are of a type that includes at least one pair of rotating heads which pull into rotation along a pre-set course a plurality of needles acting on an assemblage of slivers fed substantially continuously. Said needles penetrate into the slivers in an interlaced position so as to carry out the combing and drawing phase.

[0003] The invention concerns such a type of gill box with rotating combs as is composed substantially of:- a feeder group of at least two rollers, one lower roller and one upper pressure roller, said group having the task of feeding the plurality of slivers coming from the creel or from a preceding treatment station up to the apparatus comprising the pair of heads with rotating combs: a group to control the fibres which consists of a pair of heads with combs, said heads being superimposed one above the other and rotating in opposite directions and having respectively a plurality of needles protruding from said heads: and a drawing group consisting of a pair of twin rollers together with an upper pressure roller and having the task of nipping the fibres and withdrawing them from the slivers controlled by the needles of the combing head.

[0004] The operation carried out on the slivers passing through is called the drawing operation and, as its outcome, the fibres are made parallel and the sliver itself is improved.

[0005] Many proposals for such types of gill boxes are known. Patent DE-C-72717 - MEUNIER - proposes a gill box with only one plurality of needle bars running radially along slots envisaged at the ends of the bars and forming part of the two motive wheels, being positioned as desired by two inner cams and an outer steel band.

[0006] The system in itself is sound, but it is not possible to understand it thoroughly, for it is impossible to judge how such a device can work at high speeds or even just for a merely suitable time.

[0007] Indeed, it is necessary to bear in mind that the resistance spring cannot work at the high frequencies generated by the successive blows of the needle bars which will take place at the high rotation speed of the groove disks.

[0008] Moreover, the inner countercam system is hard to realize because it tends of necessity to rotate, and we are not shown how it is expected to clamp it, nor is it even indicated how the grooved disk can rotate.

[0009] Furthermore, the system in itself is just sketched out and not capable of being applied in practice.

[0010] Patent DE-C-259689- BOUDRY- proposes a device like that of DE-C-72717 but with a different path for the needles. Our remarks concerning DE-C-72717 are applicable to this patent too.

[0011] Besides, the countercam is not indicated, and therefore it is impossible to understand how the combs can be kept within the course envisaged in the lower cam.

[0012] Furthermore, we cannot understand which are the movable parts and which are the stationary ones; moreover, according to the grooves as shown, the device cannot function.

[0013] Patent GB-A-431.984 - ATELIERS SAINT ELOI - proposes a system of rotating needles of which the carrying bars cooperate with cranks and circular cams.

[0014] The same patent proposes a solution with a chain and with two series of needles side by side and a so-called "intersecting" solution, since it envisages two systems of rotating needles, one superimposed on the other, between which the sliver to be treated passes.

[0015] This patent envisages that the needles follow a substantially circular course, and this results in a limited combing effect as regards action, duration and results.

[0016] For this reason the patent visualizes the two heads side by side and the chain system.

[0017] Furthermore, the crank system cooperating with intersecting cams imposes rather a low maximum speed of rotation.

[0018] Moreover, the number of rows of needles which this patent allows is rather small, and the outcome is that only very long fibres can be processed. Also the system is very complex and complicated and is not suitable for working at a high speed.

[0019] Besides, as the needles are solidly fixed, it is very hard to replace them.

[0020] Patent US―A―2740996 - DUDLEY - proposes a head with rotating needles, the needles being positioned on a plurality of bars rotating along a circumference.

[0021] A set of rollers present at the ends of the bars and cooperating with external cams positions the needles before, during and after the drawing action.

[0022] The DUDLEY invention also has a very limited working zone and too few combs to be able to function satisfactorily. Moreover, the system employed to rotate the combs is expensive, as also are the individual combs, without doubt; besides, their replacement is very complicated.

[0023] Patent FR-A-1248933 - PRINCE - SMITH - proposes a device with two huge paired wheels which have a plurality of radial slots. Within these slots can run the heads of needle bars, of which the radial displacement is conditioned by a cam and countercam.

[0024] According to this invention the tract where the sliver cooperates with the needles is devoid of the countercam, so that centrifugal force improves total penetration. This invention has a very long and irregular control zone.

[0025] The sliver has to follow a broken line consisting of two arcs and a straight line. The drawing action is presumably divided into two zones.

[0026] In view of the considerable inertia of the system, it is not suitable for working at high rotation speeds.

[0027] Patent DE-A-1510455 - VEB - proposes a device which also comprises two opposed flanges with radial slots cooperating with needle bars shaped like an omega.

[0028] According to the description we seem to be able to understand that this invention discards the intersecting concept and proposes expressly a control with only the lower needle field.

[0029] The presence of a cam and countercam positions the bars. However, we are not told how the bars can be kept in alignment.

[0030] For cleaning purposes a split pneumatic system is visualized, partly blowing and partly sucking, with the possibility of intersection between the two parts. The sucking operation could lead to the build-up of lumps.

[0031] In fact, in the zone where the sliver leaves and where the combs have to abandon the fibres pulled by the drawing rollers, a suction device is envisaged to aspirate the dirt, but this device increases the adherence of fibres to the combs and not their separation therefrom, thus accentuating the formation of lumps.

[0032] The description also speaks of alternated bars and bars differing from each other (but not shown); such a system does not improve the control but instead makes it more uncertain.

[0033] The patent in itself cannot be realized and remains a mere exercise in proposals.

[0034] Patent IT-A-818249 - GRAMONI - proposes some auxiliary blades for cleaning the needles; the blades cooperate with disks having multiple through millings (radial) and with lateral flanges having their circuit machined to provide a cam, said circuit cooperating with the ends of the needle bars and with the auxiliary cleaning blades.

[0035] This patent enjoins the installation of double needle bars, which are consequently heavy and unsuited to high speeds. The speed is also restricted by the radial disposition of the millings.

[0036] Patent ES-A-242206 - ESTIVI LL - proposes a rotating head with combs, wherein the combs are circumferentially positioned by two opposed flanges, whilst they are radially disposed by two external cams.

[0037] This patent has the shortcoming of comprising weak grooved flanges, since the tapering towards the middle of the grooves involves a weakening that prevents the flanges from resisting fatique. Moreover, the proposed system of cams is imperfect and unsuitable for use.

[0038] Furthermore, severe difficulties in cleaning the inside will be met inasmuch as access thereto is impossible unless the machine is stopped and a plurality of combs is removed.

[0039] Patent ES-A-291517 - ESTIVILL - proposes some improvements to the foregoing ES-A--242206. Said improvements concern an improved cam system which encloses the whole course, the coupling of two rotating heads to widen the drawing field, the provision of outside cleaning means, and other aspects of little importance.

[0040] Besides being part of the already known art, all these improvements do not modify the shortcomings of the original patent.

[0041] During the course of the description of this patent the intersecting lay-out is also proposed, namely the lay-out with two mutually cooperating heads superimposed one above the other.

[0042] Patent ES-A-386439 - ESTIVILL - proposes, in fact, a solution with an intersecting design, as given earlier in ES 291517.

[0043] This patent does not overcome the problems involved in patent ES-A-242206 but makes them worse on both the rotating heads.

[0044] Our invention, therefore, contains a plurality of improvements to the known art from which it springs and which it innovates profoundly, overcoming many problems which hitherto have not been solved and which have always constituted, up to the present time, a limitation for this type of comb field.

[0045] The invention, therefore, tends to bring about many advantages, among which we can cite the following:

-the reduction of the distance travelled by the outgoing sliver, so that shorter fibres too can be processed;

- the higher working speed and, therefore, the higher output of the machine without any fall in product quality, since the mechanical organs can be dimensioned so as to be stronger because the limitations imposed by the known solutions are lacking;

- lessening of vibrations, a greater continuity of feed, a better transmission of motion and an increase in mechanical efficiency, the whole being obtained with a new and simplified kinematic drive motion;

- perfect alignment, phase setting and maintenance of alignment of the combs whether during processing or when the organs are open, owing to an improved system for controlling the opposed positions;

- an increased life of the combs in that it is possible to dimension them to meet the stresses which they will undergo, since the design limitations imposed before are now lacking;

- elimination of problems linked to the cleaning of the chambers formed by the inside space enclosed by the combs, for it is possible to keep the chambers themselves under pressure very simply.

[0046] These and other advantages which will become clear from the description hereinafter are pursued by the invention.

[0047] The invention consists of gill box with rotating heads, which works at high speed and comprises a plurality of needles that act on an assemblage of slivers fed substantially continuously, and which is composed of a feeder group, a group controlling the fibres that consists of a pair of heads with combs, the heads being superimposed one above the other and rotating in synchronism, and of a drawing group, each head comprising rotating means with slots defining guide means that guide the end portions of the combs, fixed guide cam means that cooperate with the combs and are located at an intermediate position between the needle field and such rotating guide means, means to lubricate such rotating guide means, the fixed guide cam means including a portion shaped to effect differential rates of insertion of the needles of the two heads into the sliver, a portion shaped to effect a perpendicular and non-interfering withdrawal of the needles from the sliver, and a portion shaped to effect individual protrusion of the combs for easy cleaning of the needles, the gill box being characterized by the following features:

-the walls of the slots defining the guide means are connected with each other at their base portion;

- rigid countercam means for the external guiding of the combs with respect to the fixed guide cam means;

- means to deliver and to convey fluid under pressure in the neighbourhood of the zone of withdrawal of needles from the sliver and into each needle field;

― lubrication means for the selective delivery of atomized lubricant into the slots in that part of such slots which has a lower peripheral speed;

-the rotating guide means are arranged on each side of the needle field and are interconnected by drive gear means;

- a free sliver path at the outlet from the needles fields, this free path being between 22 and 25 mm long.

[0048] The invention will be described now with the help of the attached drawings, which are provided as non-restrictive examples and in which is shown a preferential gill box with rotating heads. In the tables we have the following:

Fig. 1 shows a crosswise vertical section of a gill box with rotating heads

Fig. 2 shows a lengthwise vertical section of the gill box of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 shows the guide cams and shafts of the gill box of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 shows a variant of Fig. 3

Fig. 5 shows the installation of the combs in the device according to the invention

Fig. 6 shows a comb according to the invention

Fig. 7 shows a crosswise section of a comb according to Fig. 6.

[0049] Reference to the figures gives the following: the motion is transmitted by a motor organ of any desired type 10 to the wheel 11, which sets the gear wheel 12 in rotation.

[0050] The gear wheel 12 and the wheel 11 are mounted, positioned and supported on the stationary frame 13, which is in coordinated cooperation with the frame 14, which can be moved in its upper part or be folded book-wise to facilitate access to the needle field and thus to facilitate the operations of feeding the sliver and cleaning.

[0051] The gear wheel 12 meshes with a gear wheel 15 solidly fixed to the disk with the grooves or guides 16; the disk 17 has a circumferential toothing which serves to transmit motion to the coordinating bar 18 through the gear wheels 19-119 and to transmit motion to the flange 117 bearing the slots 116.

[0052] Both the flange 17 and the flange 117 are positioned in opposed pairs, so that the slots 16 or 116 face each other.

[0053] The pairs of flanges 17-117 are connected by the bar 18 through gear wheels 19-119. This causes the flanges 17 and also the flanges 117 to rotate constantly in a coordinated manner.

[0054] The lay-out realized also enables the motion coming from 12 to be equally distributed not only along one path but through two different paths, namely through the shafts 18-118 and through direct transmission between the flanges 17 and flanges 117.

[0055] This direct transmission lessens the angular play between the upper and lower heads; the lower head or lower needle field is indicated as a whole with the number 21, while the upper head or upper needle field is indicated with 20.

[0056] The upper head 20 can be fully opened by being made to rotate around the axis 120, the two needle fields being rendered accessible in this way.

[0057] The play is lessened because the kinematic mechanism is simplified to consist of a simple pair of gear wheels, whereas in all known models a set of at least four gear wheels has had to be employed.

[0058] The lessening of the play and vibration leads substantially to a considerable technological improvement in the sliver produced.

[0059] In the slots 16 and 116 can run the combs 22, which comprise at their ends a substantially plane-parallel zone 23, while the needle field 24 lies in a middle position.

[0060] Between the needle field and the plane-parallel end zone 23 there is the zone 25, which comprises at its corners some rounded-off areas 26 suitable for improving the working of the bar within the path imposed on it by the cams 27 and 28.

[0061] According to the device the combs have the needles inserted at a desired angle a to the lengthwise plane of the comb. The needles 29 are inserted advantageously at an inclination and are installed in the gill box in such a way that their teeth are sloped in the opposite direction to that of the forward movement of the combs. As shown in Fig. 5, this conformation enables the slots 16 to be made very small since the combs are not stressed too greatly in the transmission zone.

[0062] This conformation of the slots 16 and, more generally, the conformation of the flange 17 enable a very strong guide to be obtained between one slot 16 and its neighbour since the connection of the guide 30 to the flange 17 takes place at the rear and no longer in a zone near the middle as in the previous models.

[0063] According to the invention the slots 16 are not radial but are realized advantageously at a tangent to a concentric circle, their inclination being in phase concordance or phase difference; it has been verified advantageously (see Fig. 2) that it is more convenient for the overall phenomena to realize phase difference as regards the direction of rotation.

[0064] Hereinafter radial guides 16 are indicated in a generic and wrong meaning, the foregoing being actually meant.

[0065] As indicated, the upper head 20 and lower head 21 both consist of two facing frames which uphold and support a shaft or stiffening and connecting bar 32, which by means of keys 39 becomes solidly fixed torsionally to the frames themselves.

[0066] This stiffening bar 32 also serves to position and fix the internal cams 27, again with the employment of key means 39 or other means which are similar and produce the same technical effect.

[0067] Between the stationary frame 13 and the internal cam 27 is lodged the flange 17. The rotating flange 17 is supported in a revolving manner by means of bearings on the stiffening and connecting bar 32.

[0068] As said earlier, the stiffening and connecting bar 32 comprises a plurality of holes 34 which serve to feed the fluid under pressure, which flows out within the path of the combs 22.

[0069] Said pluralities of holes 34 work in coordinated cooperation with the diffusers 35 so that the chamber 124 circumscribed by the combs 22 in the lower head 21 and upper head 20 can be put under slight air pressure so as to facilitate the departure of the fibres from the needles 29 in the drawing phase. This overpressure also hinders the entry of dirt into the chamber circumscribed by the plurality of combs 22.

[0070] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the diffusers 35-135 cooperate with the zones 44 and 45 where the combs leave the fibres during the drawing phase.

[0071] The conduit 36 feeds the lubricating fluid under pressure through 38 into the zone where the grooves or slots 16 rotate, so that said grooves 16, owing also to the centrifugal effect due to rotation of the flange 17, are lubricated constantly by said fluid under pressure.

[0072] One or more alignment elements 51 are envisaged for supporting and positioning the internal conduit 36. At least one of said alignment elements 51 comprises some through channels 52 to permit the fluid under pressure 33 to pass to the holes 34.

[0073] Owing to the conformation of the combs 22 it is possible to increase the production speed, since the carrying bar which constitutes the comb is very strong, the fatigue stress on the tongues 23 of the combs 22 being eliminated.

[0074] As compared to the known combs, this elimination is brought about by having moved the tongues or plane-parallel areas or block 23 to an end position.

[0075] Owing to the new conformation of the combs made possible by the invention, the life of the combs 22 is greatly prolonged. This is the case because, in the zone where they cooperate with the cams 27 and 28, the combs are (or can be) considerably wider and higher and therefore have a bigger supporting surface.

[0076] This bigger supporting surface in the zone 25 of the combs 22 also leads to less wear on the cams 27 and 28.

[0077] In particular, the greater width leads to less wear on the cam 28, while the greater height leads to less wear on the slots 116.

[0078] If we look at Fig. 3, we can see that the external cam 28 is not continuous but is divided into two parts, 28 and 42.

[0079] In both cases the smaller part is located advantageously on the upper side and can be readily detached to enable the combs to be replaced quickly and easily. The closure insert can be fixed directly on the cam 28, as shown in Fig. 3, or the insert 42 can be fixed directly onto the frame 13 or 14 with appropriate screws, as shown in Fig. 4; in this case the insert 42 will have suitable clearances at its sides.

[0080] This constructional detail enables a channel between the external cam 28 and the insert 42 to be eliminated, and this permits said external cam 8 to be deformed freely in an elastic manner under the mechanical impulses conveyed to it by the combs 22.

[0081] According to the invention, said external cam 28 can be constructed in such a way that its natural frequency is different from the frequency of the blows of the combs 22 caused by the high speed of rotation; advantageously the natural frequency of vibration of the external cam 28 will be greater than the frequency of the blows of the combs 22 so as to enable said external cam to be deformed under the impact of a comb 22 and to recover before the next comb strikes it.

[0082] So as to improve the functioning still more in the zone 25, arrangements were made to make the corners round, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0083] The setting-up bar 18-118 is covered with a fixed protective sleeve 53.

[0084] This solution makes it possible to maintain communication between the two chambers located behind the cams 27 and 28 on one side and the other and can be used advantageously to maintain a circulaton of cooling liquid, which also invests the wheels 19 and the flanges 17.

[0085] As is shown in Fig. 3, the cams 27 and 28 have a special conformation, which is also a result of the studies and experiments of the author.

[0086] The zone 43, or zone of entry of the sliver, has been designed so as to enable the needles of the upper field and the needles of the lower field to be inserted into the sliver without colliding against each other.

[0087] The shaping 46 of the upper cam 128 is advantageously kept slightly curved so as to graduate the entry of the needles 29 into the sliver better, whereas the shaping 47 of the lower cam 28 is kept almost straight so as to obtain greater control of the sliver of fibres.

[0088] The exits 44 and 45 have two different conformations, which reflect differentiated requirements in the behaviour of the needles 29 in respect of the sliver leaving the gill box.

[0089] The exit 44 is located slightly more to the rear and has a more rounded shape than the exit 45.

[0090] The exit 45 with its more pointed and elongated shape make possible a better control of the sliver even during its outgoing phase.

[0091] Moreover, the conformation provided for the cams 27,28,127 and 128, as can be seen in Fig. 3, is such as to permit a substantially perpendicular departure of the needles 29 from the sliver. In fact, the conformation given to the cams 27, 28, 127 and 128 enables a sharp variation to be obtained in the direction of speed of the combs 22 and thereby a perpendicular departure of the needles 29 from the sliver.

[0092] The positions 48 and 49 ensure, instead, individual protrusion of the combs from the grooves of the upper and lower flanges so as to make possible the cleaning by means of the known system of rotating brushes.

[0093] The system 68 of the rotating brushes can be envisaged to comprise a rotating brush 62 and a needle-carrying 66 oscillating bar 65, which is contained within a tubular element having a plurality of holes 67 and which rotates around an offset centre 64.

[0094] The feeder group shown in Fig. 2 is envisaged as having three rollers 59, 60 and 61 but could also have only two rollers. The same can be said for the drawing system at the exit, which in our example is shown with three rollers 56, 57 and 58.

[0095] The distance travelled by the outgoing sliver is given by the gap between the point 54 where the teeth 29 of the lower needle field leave the sliver and the point 55 where the rollers 56 and 57 grip the outgoing fibres. According to the invention said outgoing distance has been reduced to about 22-25 mm, and this permits any type of fibre to be processed with excellent results.

[0096] We have described here a gill box improved with the adoption of a plurality of characterizing innovations. However, it is possible to vary the proportions and sizes and to add and integrate parts; it is possible to couple in series two or more gill box parts according to the invention, etc.

Claims

1. Gill box with rotating heads, which works at high speed and comprises a plurality of needles that act on an assemblage of slivers fed substantially continuously, and which is composed of a feeder group (59-60-61), a group controlling the fibres that consists of a pair of heads with combs (20-21), the heads being superimposed one above the other and rotating in synchronism, and of a drawing group (54-55-58), each head comprising rotating means (17) with slots (16) defining guide means (30) that guide the end portions (23) of the combs (22), fixed guide cam means (27-127) that cooperate with the combs and are located at an intermediate position between the needle field (24) and such rotating guide means (17), means (36-38) to lubricate such rotating guide means (16-30), the fixed guide cam means (27-127) including a portion (46-47) shaped to effect differential rates of insertion of the needles (29) of the two heads into the sliver, a portion (44-45-16-30-22) shaped to effect a perpendicular and non-interfering withdrawal of the needles (29) from the sliver, and a portion (48―49) shaped to effect individual protrusion of the combs for easy cleaning (62) of the needles (29), the gill box being characterised by the following features:

-the walls of the slots defining the guide means (30) are connected with each other at their base portion;

- rigid countercam means (28-128) for the external guiding of the combs (22) with respect to the fixed guide cam means (27, 127);

- means to deliver (32-33) and to convey (35) fluid under pressure in the neighbourhood of the zone (44-46) of withdrawal of needles from the sliver and into each needle field (24);

- lubrication means (36-38) for the selective delivery of atomized lubricant into the slots (16) in that part of such slots (16) which has a lower peripheral speed;

-the rotating guide means are arranged on each side of the needle field and are interconnected by drive gear means (17-18-19);

-a free sliver path at the outlet from the needle fields (24), this free path being between 22 and 25 mm long.

2. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the rotating means (17) comprise the grooves (16) separated by guides (30) solidly fixed at their rear to the flange body (17), whereby said grooves (16) advantageously lie substantially at a tangent to a circle concentric with said flange (17).

3. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the combs (22) have at their ends (23) sliding block means (23) cooperating with the guide means (30) present on the rotating means (17), and comprise, between the needle field (24) and said combs (23), means (25) to cooperate with said stationary cam means (27-28).

4. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or the other of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the stationary guide-cam means (27-28) comprise means (42) for replacement of the combs (22).

5. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the outer part (28) of the stationary guide-cam means is obtained advantageously with its frequency of vibration different from the frequency of the knocking of the combs (22), whereby said frequency of vibration of the outer part (28) is greater than said frequency of the knocking of the combs (22).

6. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the perpendicular withdrawal of the needles (29) from the sliver is obtained with the coordinated cooperation of the means (44-45) present in the cam means (27-28) together with the inclination of the guides (30) in the rotating means (17), with the conformation of the zone of travel (25) of the combs (22) and with the inclination of the needles (29), whereby the means (44) lie advantageously further to the rear than the means (45).

7. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the reduction in angular play is obtained through the coordinated cooperation of the rotating means (17) with the combs (22) and also of the cam means (28) with the zone of travel (25) of said combs (22), whereby the rotating means (17) of the two needle fields (20-21) are directly meshed together and are connected to the frontally positioned reciprocal rotating means (17) by shaft means (18) bearing gear wheels (19-119) meshed to said rotating means (17).

8. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the internal chamber (124) of the needle field is kept under pressure by fluid under pressure fed (33-34) and at least partially delivered by diffusers (35) in the zone (44―45) where the combs (22) leave the sliver of fibres.

9. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the reduction in the distance travelled by the outgoing slivers is obtained with the substantially pointed conformation (45) of the cams (27-28) of the lower needle field (21).

10. Gill box with rotating heads, as in Claim 1 and in one or another of the Claims thereafter, characterised by the fact that the upper head (20) can be opened by being rotated onto a rearward axis (120).

Ansprüche

1. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen, die bei hoher Geschwindigkeit arbeitet und eine Vielzahl von Nadeln aufweist, welche auf ein im wesentlichen kontinuierlich zugeführtes Faserbandgebilde einwirken, mit einer Zuführgruppe (59, 60, 61), mit einer Gruppe zur Bearbeitung der Fasern, die aus einem Paar von Köpfen (20, 21) mit Kämmen besteht, wobei die Köpfe übereinander angeordnet sind und synchron rotieren und mit einer Abziehgruppe (54, 55, 58), wobei jeder Kopf rotierende Einrichtungen (17) mit Schlitzen (16) aufweist, welche Führungseinrichtungen (30) zur Führung der Endteile der Kämme (22) bilden, mit feststehenden Nockeneinrichtungen (27, 127), die mit den Kämmen zusammenwirken und in einer Zwischenlage zwischen dem Nadelfeld (24) und den rotierenden Führungseinrichtungen (17) gelegen sind, mit Einrichtungen (36, 38) zur Schmierung der rotierenden Führungseinrichtungen, wobei die feststehenden Nockeneinrichtungen (27,127) einen Teil (46) aufweisen, der so geformt ist, daß die Nadeln (29) beider Köpfe unterschiedlich tief in das Faserband eindringen, weiters einen Teil (44, 45, 16, 30, 22), der so geformt ist, daß die Nadeln senkrecht und ohne gegenseitige Beeinträchtigung aus der Faserbahn gezogen werden und einen Teil (48, 49), der so geformt ist, daß die Kämme zum einfachen Reinigen (62) der Nadeln (29) einzeln herausragen, und die Nadelstrecke durch folgende Merkmale gekennzeichnet ist: 8 die Wände der die Führungseinrichtungen

(30) bildenden Schlitze sind an ihrem Basisteil miteinander verbunden,

- starre Gegennocken-Einrichtungen (28, 128) zur äußeren Führung der Kämme (22) bezüglich der festen Führungsnocken-Einrichtungen (27, 127),

- Einrichtungen zum Fördern (32, 33) und zum Zuführen (35) von unter Druck stehenden Fluidums in die Nachbarschaft jener Zone (44-46), in der die Nadeln aus dem Faserband gezogen werden, und in jedes Nadelfeld (24),

- Schmiereinrichtungen (36, 38) zum selektiven Zuführen eines fein verteilten Schmiermittels in die Schlitze (16), und zwar in den Teil der Schlitze (16) mit geringerer Umfangsgeschwindigkeit,

- die rotierenden Führungseinrichtungen sind an jeder Seite des Nadelfeldes angeordnet und miteinander über Getriebeeinrichtungen (17, 18, 19) verbunden,

- einen freien Faserbandweg am Auslaß der Nadelfelder (24), mit einer Länge zwischen 22 und 25 mm.

2. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schlitze (16) der rotierenden Mittel (17) durch Führungen (30) getrennt sind, die an ihrem Ende fest mit dem Radflanschkörper (17) verbunden sind, wobei die Schlitze (16) vorteilhafterweise tangential bezüglich eines zu dem Radflansch (17) konzentrischen Kreises liegen.

3. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kämme (22) an ihren Enden (23) Gleitsteineinrichtungen (23) aufweisen, die mit den Führungseinrichtungen (30) der rotierenden Mittel (17) zusammenwirken, und daß zwischen dem Nadelfeld (24) und den Kämmen (23) Einrichtungen (25) vorgesehen sind, die mit den feststehenden Nockeneinrichtungen (27, 28) zusammenwirken.

4. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die feststehenden Führungs-Nocken-Einrichtungen (27, 28) Einrichtungen (42) aufweisen, welche zum Austausch der Kämme (22) dienen.

5. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Eigen (vibrations) frequenz des äußeren Teiles (28) der feststehenden Führungs-Nocken-Einrichtung vorteilhafterweise verschieden ist von der Schlagfrequenz der Kämme (22), wobei diese Eigenfrequenz des äußeren Teiles (28) größer ist als die Schlagfrequenz der Kämme (22).

6. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 und irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das senkrechte Herausziehen der Nadeln (29) aus der Faserbahn durch das koordinierte Zusammenwirken der in den Nockeneinrichtungen (27, 28) enthaltenen Mittel (44, 45) mit der Neigung der Führungen (30) in den rotierenden Einrichtungen (17) erzielt wird, zusammen mit der Ausgestaltung der Bewegungsbahn (25) der Kämme (22) und mit der Neigung der Nadeln (29), wobei die Mittel (24) zweckmäßigerweise weiter von der Rückseite entfernt liegen als die Mittel (45).

7. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verringerung des Winkelspiels durch das koordinierte Zusammenwirken der rotierenden Einrichtungen (17) mit den Kämmen (22) und weiters der Nockeneinrichtungen (28) mit der Bewegungsbahn (25) dieser Kämme (22) erreicht wird, wobei die Bewegungseinrichtungen (17) der beiden Nadelfelder (20, 21) miteinander direkt in Eingriff stehen und mit den frontal angeordneten, entsprechenden rotierenden Einrichtungen (17) über Schaftanordnungen (18) verbunden sind, die mit den rotierenden Einrichtungen (17) kämmende Getrieberäder (19, 119) tragen.

8. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die innere Kammer (124) des Nadelfeldes unter Druck gehalten ist, und zwar durch ein Fluidum, das unter Druck zugeführt (33, 34) und zumindest zum Teil mittels Diffusoren (35) in jene Zone (44,45) eingebracht wird, in welcher die Kämme (22) das Faserband verlassen.

9. Nadelstrecke mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verkürzung der Bewegungsbahn der austretenden Faserbahn durch eine im wesentlichen spitze Ausbildung (45) der Nocken (27, 28) des unteren Nadelfeldes (21) erreicht wird.

10. Nadelfeld mit rotierenden Köpfen nach Anspruch 1 oder irgendeinem der folgenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Kopf (20) durch Drehung um eine hintere Achse (120) geöffnet werden kann.

Revendications

1. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives, qui travaille à grande vitesse et comprend une pluralité d'aiguilles qui agissent sur un assemblage de rubans acheminés de façon sensiblement continue, et qui est composé d'un groupe d'alimentation (59,60,61), d'un groupe de maîtrise des fibres qui est composé d'une paire de têtes munies de peignes (20, 21), les têtes étant superposées l'une au-dessus de l'autre et tournant en synchronisme, et d'un groupe d'étirage (54, 55, 58), chaque tête comprenant des moyens rotatifs (17) présentant des rainures (16) qui définissent des moyens de guidage (30) qui guident les parties d'extrémité (23) des peignes (22), des moyens formant cames de guidage fixes (27,127) qui coopèrent avec les peignes et sont placés dans une position intermédiaire entre le champ d'aiguilles (24) et les moyens de guidage rotatifs (17), des moyens (36,38) servant à lubrifier lesdits moyens de guidage rotatifs (16, 30), les moyens formant cames de guidage fixes (27,127) comprenant une partie (46, 47) conformée de façon à donner des vitesses différenciées d'enfoncement des aiguilles (29) des deux têtes dans le ruban, une partie (44, 45, 16, 30, 22) conformée pour donner un mouvement de retrait des aiguilles (29) par rapport au ruban, qui est perpendiculaire et non gênant, et une partie (48, 49) conformée pour imprimer aux peignes une poussée en avant individuelle pour assurer la facilité du nettoyage (62) des aiguilles (29), le dispositif d'étirage de rubans étant caractérisé par les particularités suivantes:

- les parois des rainures définissant les moyens de guidage (30) sont reliées entre elles à leur partie de base;

- des moyens formant contre-cames rigides (28, 128) servant au guidage extérieur des peignes (22) par rapport aux moyens formant cames de guidage fixes (27, 127);

- des moyens servant à acheminer (32, 33) et à transporter (35) un fluide sous pression dans le voisinage de la zone (44, 46) d'extraction des aiguilles du ruban et dans chaque champ d'aiguilles (24);

- des moyens de lubrification (36,38) servant à débiter sélectivement un lubrifiant pulvérisé dans les rainures (16), dans la partie de ces rainures (16) qui présente une vitesse périphérique réduite; - les moyens de guidage rotatifs sont disposés sur chaque côté du champ d'aiguilles et sont reliés entre-eux par des moyens d'engrenages d'entraîmement (17, 18, 19);

- un trajet libre du ruban à la sortie des champs d'aiguilles (24), ce trajet libre étant d'une longueur comprise entre 22 et 25 mm.

2. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens rotatifs (17) comprennent les rainures (16) séparées par des guides (30) qui sont solidement fixés au corps du flasque (17) dans leur partie arrière, de sorte que lesdites rainures (16) se trouvent sensiblement tangentes à un cercle concentrique audit flasque (17).

3. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que les peignes (22) possèdent à leurs extrémités des moyens du type blocs coulissants (23) qui coopèrent avec les moyens de guidage (30) présents sur les moyens rotatifs (17) et comprennent, entre le champ d'aiguilles (24) et lesdits blocs (23), des moyens (25) destinés à coopérer avec lesdits moyens formant cames fixes (27, 28).

4. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans selon la revendication 1 et une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens formant cames de guidage fixes (27, 28) comprennent des moyens (42) permettant de remplacer les peignes (22).

5. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que la partie extérieure (28) des moyens formant cames de guidage fixes est avantageusement réalisée avec une fréquence de vibration différente de la fréquence de la percussion des peignes (22), de telle manière que ladite fréquence de vibration de la partie extérieure (28) soit plus grande que ladite fréquence de la percussion des peignes (22).

6. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que l'extraction perpendiculaire des aiguilles (29) du ruban est obtenue par la coopération coordonnée des moyens (44, 45) présents dans les moyens du type cames (27, 28) avec l'inclinaison des guides (30) prévus dans les moyens rotatifs (17), avec la conformation de la zone de circulation (25) des peignes (22) et avec l'inclinaison des aiguilles (29), les moyens (44) se trouvant avantageusement plus loin vers l'arrière que les moyens (45).

7. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que la réduction du jeu angulaire est obtenue par la coopération coordonnée des moyens rotatifs (17) avec les peignes (22) et également des moyens formant cames (28) avec la zone de circulation (25) desdits peignes (22), de telle manière que les moyens rotatifs (17) des deux champs d'aiguilles (20, 21) soient directement en prise entre eux et soient reliés aux moyens rotatifs réciproques (17) placés en position frontale par des moyens (18) du type arbres qui portent des roues d'engrenage (19, 119) en prise avec lesdits moyens rotatifs (17).

8. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que la chambre intérieure (124) du champ d'aiguilles est maintenue sous pression par un fluide sous pression acheminé (33, 34) et au moins partiellement débité par des diffuseurs (35) dans la zone (44, 45) dans laquelle les peignes (22) quittent le ruban de fibres.

9. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que la réduction de la distance parcourue par les rubans sortants est obtenue par la conformation sensiblement pointue (45) des cames (27, 28) du champ d'aiguilles inférieur (21).

10. Dispositif d'étirage de rubans à têtes rotatives selon la revendication 1 et l'une ou l'autre des revendications suivantes, caractérisé par le fait que la tête supérieure (20) peut s'ouvrir en tournant sur un axe arrière (120).

Drawing