Title of Invention

CLOTHING FOR AN OPENING, GRADING OR COMBING DEVICE ON TEXTILE MACHINES

Abstract

The invention relates to a clothing for an opening, grading or combing device on textile machines, such as circular comb, top comb, card, spinning machine or the like, comprising a plurality of needles or serrated punched elements that perform a sliver opening, grading or combing motion, this motion is superimposed by a motion of at least a part of the needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) with at least one component that is perpendicular to the combing motion in such a way that the superimposed motion is produced by a separate drive, in particular piezoelectrically, electromechanically or by an eccentric.

Full Text

The invention relates to clothing for an opening, grading or combing device on textile machines, such as a circular comb, top comb, card, spinning machine or the like, comprising a plurality of needles or serrated punched elements which perform a sliver opening, grading or combing motion. Textile opening, grading or combing devices of the generic type serve for paralleling a wool or cotton sliver and removing any impurities in the sliver. The quality of the final product is strongly influenced by the quality of this combing process, which is why numerous approaches exist for further improvement of the combing result. For improved paralleling, use is made in particular of the configuration of needles and serrated punched elements as such and of the relative positions and dimensions thereof. Another problem resides in that the combing devices considerably lose efficiency due to particles that are combed out and settle in the combing devices. For optimal paralleling it would be desirable as far as possible to increase the density of the needles and serrated punched elements, which will however add to the risk of particles and reducing the efficiency of the combing process. Numerous approaches have been made to remove deposited particles for combing devices, using in particular mechanical cleaners such as brushes or blades. They have the considerable drawback that wear of the needles and serrated punched elements is caused by the mechanical contact. Considerable improvement has been accomplished by the introduction of pneumatic cleaning, in particular of top combs. It is the object of the invention to embody a combing device of the type mentioned at the outset for further improved results, ensuring gentle penetration on the one hand and a good combing effect on the other, any deposit of the combed out particles in the combing device being avoided. According to the invention, this object is attained in that the combing motion can be superimposed by a motion of the needles or serrated punched elements with at least one component that is perpendicular to the combing motion. A superimposed motion, in particular oscillatory motion, perpendicular to the direction of sliver motion and on a clothing level that is, on the level or surface formed by the tips of the needles and serrated punched elements, will considerably improve and smooth the behaviour of penetration of the combing device into the sliver and vice versa so that use can be made of greater density of tips and improved angles of penetration. Simultaneously, any oscillation in this direction will change the distance from each other of adjacent needles or serrated punched elements, releasing any particles that may be stuck. A superimposed motion, in particular oscillatory motion, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sliver motion and perpendicular to the surface of the needles or tips of serrated punched elements, helps attain in particular a conveying motion towards the tips that is away from the bottom between adjacent needles or serrated punched elements, detachment and removal of any settled particles thus being improved. For gentle penetration into the sliver as well as removal of settled particles to be attained, two components of motion that are perpendicular to each other can be superimposed. By advantage, the superimposed motion of the needles or serrated punched elements is produced piezoelectrically, electromechanically or by an eccentric, actuation of which taking place by an electric motor or derived from the drive of the opening, grading or combing device. In a preferred embodiment, a part of the needles or serrated punched elements is stationary and another is displaceable, performing the superimposed motion. The needles or serrated punched elements can be mounted for oscillation relative to the respective supporting body so that they can be incited to self- oscillation. In keeping with another embodiment, it is advantageously provided that the needles or serrated punched elements perform a motion in the way of an oscillating conveyor substantially in a direction towards the tip, which can be put into practice in particular by a reciprocating oscillatory motion being braked abruptly in the phase of motion toward the tip and gently in the opposite direction so that the particles are conveyed by their inertia in the direction toward the tip and consequently out of the working range of the clothing. Details of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a circular-comb clothing of serrated punched elements, the first segment, seen in the combing direction, being mounted for oscillation; Figure 2 is a view, corresponding to Figure 1, with the first two segments, seen in the combing direction, being mounted for oscillation; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a top comb with a particle; Figure 4 is a view, corresponding to Figure 3, for illustration of the transverse oscillation; Figure 5 is a view, corresponding to Figure 3, for illustration of the outward oscillation; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment in a position of cleaning; Figure 7 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 6 in the normal position; Figure 8 is a view of the superimposed oscillatory motions according to Figures 1 and 2; Figure 9 is a view of a needle bearer; Figure 10 is a view of a needle bearer after the assembly of needles that are lined up thereon; Figure 11 is a view of another embodiment of a needle bar comprised of a needle bearer and lined up needles; Figure 12 is a view of a preferred embodiment of a needle bearer; and Figure 13 is a view of the needle bearer of Figure 11 prior to the needles being attached. Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates the clothing 1 of a circular comb (otherwise not shown), the clothing 1 consisting of a plurality of segments 2, 3, 4, 5. The circular comb rotates in the direction of the arrow 6, with the sliver 7 that is to be combed being illustrated by a corresponding referenced arrow. The first segment 5, seen in the direction of combing, that is the segment that will be the first to penetrate into the sliver 7, is mounted for oscillating actuation in directions perpendicular to the combing direction (corresponding to the arrows 6 and 6', respectively), this meaning that the segment 5 is able to make an oscillating motion perpendicular to the plane of projection in the direction of the arrow 9 that is in the radial direction related to the center of rotation of the circular comb. In the embodiment according to Figure 2, not only the first segment 5, seen in the direction of combing, but also the second segment 4 is drivable to oscillate in a corresponding manner as explained in conjunction with Figure 1. The oscillation that is produced is illustrated in Figure 8, with the X direction of oscillation corresponding to the direction of the arrow 8 and the Y direction of oscillation corresponding to the direction of the arrow 9, the super-position of these oscillating motions causing the tips 10 of the teeth 11 of each serrated punched element 12 of the segments 5 and 4 to perform an elliptic oscillation. The oscillations or components of oscillation in the direction of the arrow 8 ensure gentle, smooth penetration, whereas the oscillation or components of oscillation in the direction of the arrow 9 ensure that any particles that may deposit are moved in a direction towards the tips 10 out of the clothing. Clothing, for example of a top comb 14, is seen in Figure 3, comprising needles 13 where a particle 15 has settled. An oscillating motion in the direction of the arrow 16 that is in the longitudinal direction of the needles 13, detaches the particle 15 and transports it outwards. Figure 4 illustrates that as a result of an oscillating motion in the direction of the arrow 17, the needles 13 jointly oscillate crosswise of their longitudinal extension, which helps to implement gentle penetration into the sliver. While all the needles 13 of the clothing 14 oscillate jointly in the embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4, the embodiments of Figures 5 to 7 provide that a first part of needles 7a is stationary and a second part of needles 7b is movable in relation thereto in the direction of the arrows 18 that is in the longitudinal direction thereof. As opposed to the embodiment of Figure 5, the embodiment according to Figures 6 and 7 provides the movable needles 7b to have shoulders 19 so that upon elevation of the needles 7b in an outward direction, these shoulders 19 are also lifted and any particles that have settled there are reliably transported upwards. Figure 6 shows the elevated position of cleaning and Figure 7 the lowered normal position. The movability, provided according to the invention, of the serrated punched elements 12 and in particular of the needles 7 requires highly reliable attachment of the needles to the needle bearer. The fastening technique illustrated in Figures 9 to 13 can be used to advantage also in stationary clothing. Figure 9 illustrates a needle bearer 20 of a material that is free-flowing under pressure, in particular aluminum; the needle bearer 20 has a groove 21. As seen in Figure 10, needles 7c are inserted and lined up in this groove 21, having positive fit; then cold-flow material displacement is implemented by two rollers, forming the grooves 22 on the front 23 of the needle bearer 20, so that the head portion 24 of the needles 7c is fixed not only by positive fit, but also non-positively. Figure 11 illustrates a finished needle bar 25; in this case the pressure rollers have acted laterally instead of frontally, forming grooves 26 and thus fixing the needle head 24. Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a needle bar corresponding to Figure 9 with a groove 21 of rectangular cross-sectional shape that is suitable for the fastening technique of Figure 11. An alternative embodiment is seen in Figure 13 where the groove 21a has a dove-tail cross-sectional shape so that lining up the head portions 24 of the needles 7c reliably prevents the needles 7c from dropping out downwards. We Claim 1. Clothing for an opening, grading or combing device on textile machines, such as circular comb, top comb, card, spinning machine or the like, comprising a plurality of needles or serrated punched elements that perform a sliver opening, grading or combing motion, characterized in that this motion is superimposed by a motion of at least a part of the needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) with at least one component that is perpendicular to the combing motion in such a way that the superimposed motion is produced by a separate drive, in particular piezoelectrically, electromechanically or by an eccentric. 2. Clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein actuation of the eccentric takes place by an electric motor or derived from the drive of the opening, grading or combing device. 3. Clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a part of the needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) is stationary and another part is derivable, performing the superimposed motion. 4. Clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) are mounted for oscillation relative to the respective supporting body. 5. Clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) perform a motion in the way of an oscillating conveyor substantially in the direction toward their tip (10). 6. Clothing as claimed in claim 5, wherein a reciprocating oscillatory motion is braked abruptly in the phase of motion toward the tip (10) and gently in the opposite direction. 7. Opening, grading or combing device, comprising the clothing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6. 8. Needle bar, in particular for clothing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a needle bearer and a plurality of needles that are lined up thereon, characterized in that the needles (7c) are fixed by their head portion (24) being inserted with positive fit in a groove (21) and by the needle bearer (20) of a cold-flow material then being compressed laterally or frontally. DATED THIS 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2003 The invention relates to a clothing for an opening, grading or combing device on textile machines, such as circular comb, top comb, card, spinning machine or the like, comprising a plurality of needles or serrated punched elements that perform a sliver opening, grading or combing motion, this motion is superimposed by a motion of at least a part of the needles (7) or serrated punched elements (12) with at least one component that is perpendicular to the combing motion in such a way that the superimposed motion is produced by a separate drive, in particular piezoelectrically, electromechanically or by an eccentric.

Documents:

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-correspondence.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-examination report.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-form 18.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-form 2.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-form 3.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-form 5.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-pa.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf

1492-kolnp-2003-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf