Calender support group of a lap forming device for a textile machine, in particular a lap-winder

Abstract

 A lap forming device (1) comprises a primary calender (22) and a secondary calender (24) and a support group (60) for the primary calender (22) able to support said calender so as to rotate. The support group comprises at least one support arm (70a, 70b) which supports the primary calender (22) in an intermediate position along the axial dimension of the primary calender (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lap forming device for a textile machine, in particular for a lap-winder.

[0002] A fibre processing line involves processing of the fibre, usually starting from the fibre in flock to obtain a yarn.

[0003] The system is composed of numerous machines; in particular, the carding machines permit a fibre web to be obtained.

[0004] A plurality of webs are drawn and wound on a lap winder, positioned downline of the carding machines, forming a web, wound on a tube to form a lap in a lap forming device.

[0005] One embodiment example of a forming device is described in the International Application PCT/IB2010/052766, in the Applicant's name.

[0006] The laps are then sent to combing machines and the web produced by these starting from the laps is sent to the drawing frames, fly frames and spinning units to form webs, reels of roving and yarn respectively.

[0007] A lap-forming device comprises a pair of calenders, between which the empty tube or lap being formed is positioned. Axially, the area housing the tube or lap is defined by a pair of plates so as to avoid the tube or lap escaping from the calenders.

[0008] On account of the presence of the plates, the support of the calenders is awkward in that the support organs could interfere with the plates.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to make a lap forming device, in particular for a lap winder, which overcomes the drawbacks spoken of.

[0010] Such purpose is achieved by a lap forming device made according to claim 1.

[0011] The characteristics and advantages of the forming device according to the present invention will be evident from the description given below, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example according to the attached figures, wherein:

[0012] figure 1 shows a lap forming device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] figure 2 shows a lap forming device according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] figure 3 shows a lateral view in cross-section of the device in figure 1;

[0015] figure 4 shows a lateral view in cross-section of the device in figure 2;

[0016] figure 5a shows a support group according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] figure 5b shows return means of the support group in figure 5a;

[0018] figure 5c shows a cross-section of the support group in figure 5a; taken with a plane containing the rotation axis of the calender;

[0019] figures 6a and 6b shows a support group according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] figure 6c shows return means of the support group in figure 6a;

[0021] figure 6d shows a cross-section of the support group in figure 6a, without the central shaft;

[0022] figures 7, 8 and 9 show support groups according to further embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] figures 10a and 10b show a support group according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] figure 11 shows an assembly diagram of the support group, according to a preferred embodiment.

[0025] According to the invention, a machine for processing fibre webs or a lap such as a lap winder, comprises a lap forming device 1.

[0026] The device 1 has an input area 2 for the input of a web W, coming from machines upline of the device 1, such as drawing and winding equipment of the lap winder.

[0027] Preferably, the device 1 comprises a feed unit 4 to receive the incoming web W according to an input direction IN and its deviation.

[0028] The lap L is formed by the web W wound around a tube T, preferably perforated on its surface.

[0029] The device 1 further comprises a pair of calenders, at least one of which is motorised, preferably with a fixed rotation axis, for the formation of the lap L. On start-up of the lap forming cycle, the tube T rests on and is supported by the two calenders.

[0030] In particular the device 1 comprises a primary calender 22, having a primary diameter Dp, and a secondary calender 24, having a secondary diameter Ds. Preferably, the primary diameter Dp is smaller than the secondary diameter Ds.

[0031] According to one embodiment (figures 1 to 6), the device 1 comprises a belt device 38 which forms a closed circuit and is at least partially wound onto the primary calender 22, remaining in contact with the tube T and then with the lap being formed.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the belt device 38 is composed of a single belt 39a having a width or extension in the direction of the rotation axis of the calenders, less than the axial length of the primary calender on which it is wound.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the belt device 38 is composed of two or more separate belts 39b, 39c, positioned alongside each other along the rotation axis of the primary calender 22.

[0034] According to further embodiments, the device 1 is without a belt wound on the primary calender.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the device 1 further comprises a mobile slide 30, for example which can be rotated, for example in the form of a plate, on which the web W moves, positioned downline of the feed unit 4 and upline of the primary calender 22.

[0036] The mobile slide 30 is therefore suitable to occupy an active position, in which it assumes an inclination such as to point to the area included between the two calenders 22, 24, and an inactive position, rotated in relation to the active position, in which it points outside the area between the two calenders 22, 24.

[0037] The device 1 further comprises means of axially marking the area receiving the empty tube T or the lap L placed on the calenders 22, 24.

[0038] For example, said marking means comprising a carriage 40 comprising a pair of plates 42, positioned distanced along the rotation axis of the calenders 22, 24 so as to define an area between them, in which the empty tube T or lap L is received.

[0039] The plates 42 can translate along a rectilinear carriage axis Y, generally inclined from the vertical, to follow the lap being formed.

[0040] Preferably, in addition, the plates 42 comprise suction means suitable to interact with the tube T supported by the calenders 22, 24 to create a depression on its surface.

[0041] The carriage 40 is thus able to pass from an initial configuration wherein the plates are in a limit lowered position to a final configuration in which the plates are translated along the carriage axis Y from the limit lowered position, and occupy a limit raised position.

[0042] Preferably, in addition, the device 1 comprises loading means able to load an empty tube T between the calenders 22, 24.

[0043] For example, said loading means comprise a loading arm 50 suitable to receive an empty tube T, movable between a loading position, in which the tube can be loaded onto the arm, and an unloading position, in which the tube rolls between the calenders; for example, the arm 50 can be rotated between said positions.

[0044] in the initial lap forming configuration, that is when the plate axis 42 is at the minimum distance from the primary calender 22, projecting the plate 42 parallel to the direction of the rotation axes of the calenders on an imaginary plane orthogonal to said rotation axes, a projected area is obtained which is defined as the "radial dimension area" of the plate in the initial configuration.

[0045] The primary calender has a diameter Dp and/or position in relation to the secondary calender 24, such that the rotation axis of the primary calender 22 is contained in the radial dimension area of the plate 42.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the primary calender 22 comprises a pair of pulleys 22a, 22b, distanced along the rotation axis Z of the primary calender, joined by a central shaft 22c.

[0047] In addition, preferably, the calender 22 comprises a pair of flanges 22d, 22e, also distanced along the central shaft 22c and supported in rotation by it, positioned between the pulleys 22a, 22b.

[0048] In addition, preferably, the calender 22 comprises a cylindrical case 22f supported by the two flanges 22d, 22e.

[0049] In the embodiment with two belts, each belt 39b, 39c of the belt device 38 is supported by its respective pulley and by the case 22f (figure 5c).

[0050] In the single belt embodiment, the belt 39b of the belt device 38 is supported by the two pulleys 22a, 22b and by the case 22f (figure 6d) which is entirely covered by the belt 38.

[0051] Preferably said pulleys 22a, 22b have a stepped profile, or are composed of at least two areas of variable diameter, to form transversal guide means of the belt device suitable to limit the axial shift of said belt device.

[0052] The device 1 further comprises a support group for the primary calender suitable to support said primary calender 22 in position so as to be able to rotate around its rotation axis Z.

[0053] The support group comprises at least one support arm which extends from the primary calender 22, and in particular from its central shaft 22c, so as to extend beyond the radial dimension of the plate 42, positioned, along the rotation axis of the primary calender 22, between the axial ends of said calender or within the axial dimension of the pulleys 22a, 22b.

[0054] Preferably, the support group 60 comprises two axially distanced support arms 70a, 70b; both support the central shaft 22c of the calender 22 in an intermediate position between the axial ends of said calender 22.

[0055] Preferably, the support group 60 comprises a bush 72a, 72b, supported by the respective arm 70a, 70b, and roller bearings 74a, 74b, housed in the respective bush 72a, 72b, to support the central shaft 22c.

[0056] The support arms 70a, 70b, in the support area of the central shaft 22c, are alongside the pulleys 22a, 22b and preferably positioned between the pulleys 22a, 22b and the case 22f.

[0057] In addition the support group 60 comprises an attachment beam 72 joined to the support arms, having an axial dimension such as to protrude from the axial dimension of the primary calender and of the secondary calender, and at least one main flange 74, joined to the end of the attachment beam 72, to join it to a machine case.

[0058] The attachment beam 72 is fixed to the support arms in an area opposite to that where the calender 22 is supported, outside the radial dimension of the plates 42.

[0059] In addition, the support group 60 comprises return means 80 able to support the belt device 38 so as to slide, on the opposite side of the primary calender 22.

[0060] Preferably, the return means comprise at least one idle roller, which the belt device winds onto.

[0061] According to the embodiment with a single belt 39a, the return means comprise a pair of rollers 82, 84 supported at the ends by return flanges 86,88, for example fixed to the main flanges 74, (figures 6a,6b and 6c).

[0062] According to the embodiment with two belts 39b, 39c, the return means comprise two pairs of rollers 92,94,96,98 coaxial in pairs, supported at the ends by return flanges 102,104, for example fixed to the main flanges 74. Each pair of non coaxial rollers 92, 96; 94,98 supports a belt 39b,39c(figures 5a and 5b).

[0063] Preferably, the return flanges can be attached to the fixed flanges 74 in a releasable manner so that when the attachment is released the rollers can move closer to the primary calender 22, releasing the belt device 38.

[0064] In addition, according to one embodiment variation, the rollers are flanged, to form lateral guide means of the belt (figures 5a, 5b and 6b); according to a further embodiment, the rollers are not flanged (figures 6a and 6c).

[0065] According to yet a further embodiment (figures 10a and 10b), the support group 60 comprises a cradle 102, partially open, suitable to receive the primary calender 22 so as to rotate, so that the outer surface of said primary calender projects at least partially outwards, to form the contact surface with the lap being formed.

[0066] In such embodiment, preferably, the support group 60 comprises at least one roller bearing 104 positioned in the cradle 102, which the primary calender 22 rests on so as to rotate easily.

[0067] For example, numerous roller bearings 104 are provided, for example in the form of rollers, mounted in the cradle 102 so as to define an imaginary rolling surface for the primary calender 22.

[0068] In addition, for example, the cradle 102 comprises a concave lateral wall 106, to receive the calender, and limitation walls 108 which axially limit the space inside the concave wall 106.

[0069] For example, in addition, the limitation walls 108 house a plurality of ball bearings.

[0070] Preferably, in addition, the support group comprises detachable attachment means to the machine case able to support the primary calender (figure 11); advantageously, this makes it possible to perform maintenance operations reducing operating time, in particular for the replacement of the belt device, in those embodiments where a belt is foreseen.

[0071] For example, the machine case comprises walls 120a, 120b positioned on axially opposite sides, for the assembly of the support group.

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment means comprise an assembly shaft 122 which can be axially inserted through the main flanges 74 and the attachment beam 72.

[0073] Preferably, in addition, the attachment means comprise a pair of spacers 123a, 123b, positioned axially alongside the main flanges 74, on the side opposite the attachment beam 72.

[0074] The attachment means further comprise a pair of attachment flanges 124a, 14b, which can be inserted through the wall of the case 120 to abut against the respective spacers 123a, 123b.

[0075] The attachment shaft 122 extends so as to traverse the spacers 123a, 123b and the attachment flanges 124a, 124b too, protruding from the walls 120a, 120b of the case.

[0076] The attachment means preferably further comprise locks 126a, 126b for the attachment of the attachment shaft 122 to the attachment flanges 124a, 124b.

[0077] When the lock 126b is removed from at least one wall 120b of the assembled support group, the attachment shaft 122 can be extracted at least from one side, thus creating a cavity 121 between the support group and the wall 120 of the case, for the removal of the belt device.

[0078] Innovatively, the forming device according to the present invention makes it possible to support the primary calender while avoiding structural interference with the other parts of the device.

[0079] In particular, advantageously, the forming device makes it possible to use a primary calender much smaller than the secondary calender and contained within the radial dimension of the plates, without the support organs of the primary calender interfering with the plates of the carriage, at the same time obtaining an axial extension of the calender 22 very close to the axial distance between the plates 42.

[0080] According to a further advantageous aspect, the belt device can be replaced in case of wear or scheduled maintenance: it is in fact sufficient to release the attachments between the return flanges and the main flanges, move the rollers towards the primary calender so that the belt device is released, and replace said belt device.

[0081] Advantageously, in addition, the belt device, when present, is duly guided axially, thereby preventing it from coming away from the primary calender.

[0082] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the forming device described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. Forming device (1) of the lap (L) by winding a textile fibre web (W) onto a tube (T), comprising:

- a primary calender (22) and a secondary calender (24) reciprocally positioned to support a tube (T), said calenders being rotatable around a respective rotation axis and presenting an axial dimension parallel to said rotation axes, at least one of said calenders being motorised;

- marking means able to axially mark the space for supporting the tube (T) or the lap (L), comprising a pair of plates (42), having a predefined radial dimension, positioned axially opposite the sides of the calenders (22, 24);

- a support group (60) for the primary calender (22) able to support said calender so as to rotate;
wherein the support group comprises at least one support arm (70a, 70b) which supports the primary calender (22) in an intermediate position along the axial dimension of the primary calender (22).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the support group (60) comprises two support arms (70a, 70b), axially distanced, both in an intermediate position along the axial dimension of the primary calender (22).

3. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rotation axis (Z) of the primary calender (22) is contained in the overall radial dimension of the plates (42) in the initial lap forming configuration.

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the diameter (Dp) of the primary calender (22) is smaller than the diameter (Ds) of the secondary calender (24).

5. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the primary calender (22) comprises a pair of pulleys (22a, 22b), distanced along the rotation axis of the primary calender, joined to each other by a central shaft (22c);

- a pair of flanges (22d, 22e), distanced along the central shaft (22c) and supported in rotation by this, positioned between the pulleys (22a, 22b);

- a cylindrical case (22f) supported by the two flanges (22d, 22e).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the support group (60) comprises a bush (72a, 72b), supported by the respective arm (70a, 70b), and roller bearings (74a, 74b), housed in the respective bush (72a, 72b), to support the central shaft (22c).

7. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support arms (70a, 70b), in the support area of the central shaft (22c), are alongside the pulleys (22a, 22b).

8. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support group (60) comprises an attachment beam (72) joined to the support arms (70a, 70b), having an axial extension such as to protrude from the axial dimension of the primary calender (22) and of the secondary calender (24), and at least one main flange (74), joined to the end of the attachment beam (72), to join it to a housing.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a belt device (38) which forms a first closed circuit and is at least partially wound onto the primary calender (22), in contact with the tube (T) or with the lap being formed.

10. Device according to claim 9 and according to claim 5, wherein the belt device is supported by the pulleys and by the housing.

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the belt device (38) is composed of a single belt (39a) or is composed of one or more separate belts (39b, 39c), positioned axially alongside in the direction of the rotation axis of the primary calender (22).

12. Device according to any of the claims from 9 to 11, wherein the support group (60) comprises return means (80) able to support the belt device (38) so as to slide, on the opposite side of the primary calender (22).

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the return means comprise at least one idle roller, which the belt device winds onto, supported at the ends by return flanges (102, 104).

14. Device according to claims 13 and 8, wherein the return flange is joined to the main flange (74).

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the return flange can be attached in a detachable manner to the main flange (74), so that when the attachment is released, the rollers can be moved closer to the primary calender (22).

16. Device according to any of the claims from 13 to 15, wherein the idle rollers are flanged to guide the belt device (38) laterally.

17. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the primary calender (22) is motorised.

18. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising attachment devices suitable for joining the support group (60) to at least one wall (120a, 120b) of the machine case in a releasable manner.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein the releasable attachment means comprises an assembly shaft (122) which can be extracted from the support group (60) at least on one side of the machine.

20. Device according to claim 19, when dependent on claim 9, wherein, after extracting the attachment shaft (122), an empty cavity (121) remains between the wall (120b) and the support group, suitable for extracting the belt device.

Drawing