Title of Invention

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD IN SPINNING PREPARATION FOR DETECTING FOREIGN OBJECTS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS INOR AMONG FIBRE FLOCKS

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastic material, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films and the like, in or among fibre flocks, that are being opened from bales of textiles fibre, during which process a foreign object detector and the fibre flocks are movable relative to one another, the foreign object detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves, and at least one evaluating device for distinguishing the foreign objects from the fibre flocks, wherein a source of polarised light emitting circularly polarised light cooperates with at least one detector device which acts on the fibre material, the fibre materiel being irradiated, with light passing through one of a light-coloured and transparent sheet-form foreign objects of plastics material, and the detector device distinguishing the sheet-form foreign objects from fibrous plastics materials.

Full Text

The invention relates to an apparatus for use in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastics material, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films and the like, in or among fibre material, especially fibre flocks, for example, of cotton. The fibre material may in particular, but not exclusively, be fibre flocks being removed (opened) from bales of textile fibre, during which process a foreign object detector and the fibre flocks are movable relative to one another, the foreign object detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves or rays and an evaluating device for distinguishing the foreign objects from the fibre flocks. In a known apparatus (DE 36 44 535 Al), the fibre flocks are arranged in a loose pile on a moving conveyor belt. A transmitter for the electromagnetic waves or rays is arranged above the conveyor belt with the pile of fibre flocks. A receiver is located between the upper and lower belt regions. The material of the conveyor belt is a material that is permeable to electromagnetic waves or rays. The loose pile of flocks is then irradiated. The foreign objects are often polypropylene bands. The apparatus enables the form (shape) colour, size or brightness of foreign objects to be determined. The recognised outwardly differing features of the foreign objects are used to differentiate them, by a comparison process, from the good fibres of the fibre flocks. It is an aim of the invention further to improve the apparatus for detecting foreign objects of plastics materials, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films, and the like. The invention provides a detection apparatus for detecting foreign objects of plastics material in or amongst fibre material, comprising a source of polarised light; a transport arrangement for so transporting the fibre material that it is irradiated by the source; and a detector device being arranged to receive the light from the fibre material. The measures according to the invention enable a reliable detection of light- coloured or transparent plastics foreign objects that are responsive to polarised light to be achieved. It is advantageous therein that in particular those foreign objects having only a slight optical contrast with the good fibres (textile fibres) can be detected. The plastics materials occur in many cases in the form of packaging films or packaging fabrics. According to the invention, not only relatively large parts but also foreign fibres are recognized and detected. The foreign objects of plastics material may be able to rotate the polarisation vector of the polarised light. The light may be linearly polarised, circularly polarised, or elliptically polarised. The light source and the detector device may be arranged on different sides of the fibre flocks (transmitted light arrangement). The light source and the detector device may be arranged on the same side of the fibre flocks (incident light arrangement). Depolarisation may be effected for detection. Reflection-suppression may be effected for detection. Foreign objects of plastics material may change the polarised light by anisotropics (such as double refraction) such that the light is rendered visible by the analyser of the detector device. The fibre material may be arranged in a channel of glass or the like. The fibre material may be conveyed through a channel pneumatically. The fibre material may be arranged on a conveyor belt. The fibre material may be arranged with a roller, e.g. detaching roller. The roller may rotate rapidly. There may be provided a background that is diffuse; reflecting, for example, mirror-like; or luminous. The detector device may be a line-scan camera. The detector device may be a matrix camera. The detector device may comprise light sensors. Detection may take place in colour. Detection may take place in black and white. A polariser may be arranged between light source and fibre material. A light source that emits polarised light may be present. A polariser may be integrated on or within the light source. An analyser may be arranged between the fibre material and the detector device. A detector that also acts as analyser may be present. The analyser may be integrated on or within the detector. Light-refracting elements, for example prisms, may be arranged in the ray path. In addition or instead, lenses may be arranged in the ray path. A device for removing foreign objects may be arranged downstream of the evaluating device. The evaluating device and the removal device may be electrically connected with one another by a control or switching device. The device may be arranged downstream of a bale opener. The device may be arranged in or downstream of a cleaning device. The device may be arranged in or downstream of a carding machine. The device may be arranged in or downstream of a foreign fibre separator. The device may be arranged in or downstream of a foreign object separator. Anisotropics such as the double refractive effect of the foreign objects may be used for detection. Selectively absorbing behaviour (dichroism) of the foreign objects may be used for detection. Optically active behaviour (rotary dispersion) of the foreign objects may be used for detection. The detector device is advantageously able to distinguish sheet-form from fibre-form foreign objects on the basis of its resolution. The invention also provides an apparatus in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastics material, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films and the like, in or among fibre flocks, for example, of cotton, that are being removed (opened) from bales of textile fibre, during which process a foreign object detector and the fibre flocks are movable relative to one another, the foreign object detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves or rays and an evaluating device for distinguishing the foreign objects from the fibre flocks, characterised in that a source of polarised light that cooperates with at least one detector device (camera) acts on the fibre material (fibre flocks, fibre flock web), the fibre material being irradiated, with light passing through light-coloured and/or transparent sheet-form foreign objects of plastics material, and the detector device being capable of distinguishing sheet-form foreign objects from fibrous plastics items (synthetic fibres). The invention also provides a method for detecting foreign objects of plastics material in or amongst fibre material, comprising effecting relative movement of the fibre material and a source of polarised light, irradiating a portion of the fibre material with polarised light, detecting light from the fibre material, and evaluating the detected light to distinguish foreign objects of plastics material. Certain illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a carding machine with a first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the first embodiment on the carding machine according to Figure 1 with the fibre web to be examined; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention on a cleaner, associated with the removed fibre material; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the invention associated with a high-speed roller of a cleaner with a pneumatics foreign object separation device; Figure 5 is a schematics side view of a further embodiment on a foreign object recognition and separation device with a high-speed roller; Figure 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention associated with a transport channel and having a transmitted light arrangement; Figure 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention associated with a transport channel and having an incident light arrangement; Figure 8 is a side view of a variant of the apparatus of Figure 7, in which the polariser and the analyser are combined in one component; Figure 9 shows a further variant of the embodiment of Figure 7 with two cameras; and Figure 10 shows a further embodiment with two cameras. Figure 1 shows a carding machine, with feed roller 1, feed table 2, licker-ins 3a, 3b, 3c, cylinder 4, doffer 5, stripping roller 6, squeezing rollers 7, 8 web-guide element 9, web funnel 10, take-off rollers 11, 12, revolving card top 13 with guide rollers 13a, 13b and card flat bars 14, can 15 and can coiler 16. The directions of rotation of the rollers are shown by curved arrows. The letter M denotes the midpoint (axis) of the cylinder 4. 4a denotes the clothing and 4b the direction of rotation of the cylinder 4. The letter C denotes the direction of rotation of the revolving card top 13 in the carding position and the letter D denotes the return transport direction of the card flat bars 14. Beneath the stripping roller 6 there is arranged a stationary supporting and guiding member 17; the upper squeezing roller is arranged in close proximity to the stripping roller 6. The directions of rotation of the cylinder 4 and the rollers are represented by respective curved arrows. The supporting and guiding member serves to receive the apparatus 18 according to the invention. The letter A denotes the working direction. In Figure 2, the reference number 21 denotes the region in which the removed fibre web 19 passes from the stripping roller 6 to the squeezing rollers 7, 8. The supporting and guiding member 17 has essentially a four-cornered cross-section. The upper surface is slightly concavely curved. The radius of curvature of the curve of the upper surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the stripping roller 6. The arrow A indicates the running direction of the fibre we 19. The element 17 is in the form of a housing, a transparent window 20 being provided in the sliding contact region. The fibre web 19 is located initially on the clothing of the doffer 5, is guided in the roller nip between doffer 5 and stripping roller 5 around and over the clothing 6a of the stripping roller 6, is detached from the stripping roller 6 a little way after the region of the perpendicular diameter, is guided in the region of the window 20 in direction A, following the end region runs completely freely and finally enters the roller nip between the squeezing rollers 7, 8 and passes between these. The upper surface of the element 17 faces towards the clothing 6a of the stripping roller 6. With its one end region, the element 17 is associated with the roller nip between doffer 5 and stripping roller 6. The other end region is arranged in the region between stripping roller 6 and squeezing rollers 7, 8, the edge thereof being aligned in the direction towards the roller nip between the squeezing rollers 7, 8. The element 17 is an extruded profile, for example, of aluminium, with an inner cavity 17a. Fixed cameras 21a to 21i, for example, diode matrix cameras, an illuminating device 22 arranged to generate polarised light, (for example, comprising several light- emitting diodes), and a reflecting mirror 23 are arranged in the inner cavity 17a of the housing 17. The reflecting mirror 23 is arranged at an angle between the objective of the cameras 21a to 21i and the illuminating device 22 on the one hand and the inside of the window 20 on the other hand. The fibre web 19 runs over the outside of the window 20 in direction A. The window 20, for example of glass, is kept clean by contact with the moving fibre material. The cameras 21a to 21i (only camera 21a is shown in Figure 2) are arranged on a common support 24, which is secured to the element 17. The reference numeral 25 denotes an electrical lead. The reference numeral 26 denotes an electronic evaluating unit to which the display device 27 and/or a separating device 28 (see Figures 4 and 5) are connected. The reference numeral 52 denotes the machine control for the card (see Figure 1). In the arrangement of Figure 3, an apparatus 18 according to the invention is mounted on a cleaning machine 30, the apparatus 18 is associated with the fibre tuft material 33, e.g. cotton, removed by the last roller 31c - viewed in the working direction B - of the multiple roller cleaner 30 and discharged through a pipeline 32. The apparatus 18 is connected to the machine control system and allows unwanted polypropylene foreign objects in the cotton fibre material to be detected. Referring to Figure 4, an apparatus 18 according to the invention and a pneumatic foreign object separates device 34 are associated with the middle roller 31b of the cleaner 30, viewed in the direction of rotation 31' of the roller 31b. In the arrangement of Figure 5, the apparatus 18 according to the invention is associated with the high-speed roller 36 of a foreign object recognition and separation device 37, viewed in the direction of rotation of the roller 30, downstream of the device 37 there is arranged a pneumatic foreign object separating device 34, which comprises a plurality of blast nozzles 38 across the width of the machine 37. The machine control system (52, see Figure 2.) to which the apparatus 18 according to the invention and the device 34 are connected, always functions in response only to one nozzle 38a to 38n or to two adjacent nozzles 38a to 38n, in the operative region of which the foreign object has been detected. As a consequence, only a few fibre tufts (only 1-2 g) of cotton per separation process are removed. This permits a selective, sensitive adjustment of the system to enable even small portions to be separated out without allowing an unduly high loss of fibre material. The foreign objects 30 and the fibre material are located on the roller 36, which has a saw-tooth or needle clothing. Figure 6 shows an arrangement in which an apparatus of the invention is associated with a glass channel 40, the apparatus being operable as a transmitted light arrangement: the light radiating from a light source 4 is converted by means of a polariser 42 into linearly, circularly or even elliptically polarised light. Thus shines through the material to be inspected that is being transported through the transparent channel 40 through the optical arrangement. Whereas with cotton 43 and other natural constituents of the cotton 43 there is no change in the light, the plastics foreign object 44 produces a change in the plane of polarisation of the light. This change can be rendered visible by means of the analyser 45. Contrast differences and colour shifts occur relative to the other good material. These are picked up one or more detectors 46 (a camera in Figure 6) and processed by an associated evaluating unit 47, so that an automatic separation (not shown) of the detected plastics items 44 can be carried out. Figure 7 shows an arrangement which is the same, in principle, as Figure 6, except that an incident light arrangement is used. The essential difference is that both illuminating means 41 and detector 46 (a camera in Figure 7) are situated on the same side of the material. The material is also separated here from the measuring arrangement by a window. The background 48 can be provided both by conveyor belts or rollers, which simultaneously serve to transport the material, and by fixed surfaces with lamps or surfaces with diffuse and shiny to mirror-like reflecting properties. Depending on the background used, the evaluating has to be effected differently, the important factor being that there is always an assessable change in light intensity or colour between cotton material 43 and the plastics items 44. Depending on the evaluating method used, a contrast between background 48 and the material can be present/desirable cr not. A further modification of the arrangement of Figure 7 is illustrated in Figure 8. Here, the element polariser 42 and analyser 45 are combined in one componert 51. Here too, surfaces of diffuse or shiny to reflective construction come into consideration as the background. Yet other embodiments comprise working with one or more pairs of cameras/detectors, the cameras of the or each pair being directed directly onto the same spot in the flow of material, as illustrated in Figure 9. One camera 46 is equipped with an analyser 45, which is arranged so that the analyser 45 suppresses reflection. The other camera 49 of the pair does not need this analyser 45 and is spatially arranged so that a maximum light reflection occurs with plastics films. Both cameras 46 and 49 are aligned with respect to one another so that they both take exactly the same image section. Even if the cameras are not aligned, however, this can be created by a calibration in the evaluating unit. In the evaluation, both images of the spatially identical scene (one with and one without light reflection) are now assessed by comparison after a previously possible signal conditioning. One option for this would be, for example, to compute the two image signals to a third image, for example, by means of a difference or quotient process. The advantage of using two cameras is that the slight differences between image with light reflection and image without light reflection can easily be brought out, so that reliable detection is possible. In order to simplify the mechanical construction, it is also possible to house both cameras/detectors in a common housing 50, optionally with a common objective, the interior construction of which is designed in such a way, for example, by using beam splitters, prisms etc. or by the exact alignment of the two sensors relative to one another, that both image signals are received exactly from the same point or a spatial calculation or calibration in the evaluating unit 47 is easily possible. If the material is being conveyed by a conveyor belt or a needle roller, in which case the spatial arrangement of the individual fibres or fibre bundles relative to one another does not change, that is, the transport is merely linear, then both cameras 46 and 49, as shown in Figure 10, can scan the surface also at different points. The evaluation is then effected in the manner described for Figure 9. The described arrangement shown in Figure 6 to 10 can basically be used with linearly or circularly polarised light. In instances of the arrangements shown in Figures 6 to 8 it is advantageous, however, to use circularly polarised light, because this enables independence from the effect of the rotated position of the plastic items 44 to be achieved. WE CLAIM 1. An apparatus in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastic material, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films and the like, in or among fibre flocks, that are being opened from bales of textiles fibre, during which process a foreign object detector and the fibre flocks are movable relative to one another, the foreign object detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves, and at least one evaluating device for distinguishing the foreign objects from the fibre flocks, wherein a source of polarised light emitting circularly polarised light cooperates with at least one detector device which acts on the fibre material, the fibre material being irradiated, with light passing through one of a light-coloured and transparent sheet-form foreign objects of plastics material, and the detector device distinguishing the sheet-form foreign objects from fibrous plastics materials. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device is arranged to detect foreign objects of plastics material that rotate the polarisation vector of the polarised light. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source of polarised light and the detector device are arranged on different sides of the firbre flocks. 4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the source of polarised light and the detector device are arranged on the same side of the fibre flocks. 5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a depolarisation device by which the light can be depolarised for detection. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein, reflection can be suppressed for facilitating detection. 7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the arrangement is such that the foreign objects of plastics material can change the polarised light by anisotropic behaviour for example, double refraction such that the light is rendered visible by an analyser of the detector device. 8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transporting arrangement comprises a channel of a transparent material within which the fibre material is located. 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fibre material is conveyed through the channel pneumatically. 10. An apparatus as claimed any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transporting arrangement comprises a conveyor belt upon which the fibre material is arranged. 11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transporting arrangement comprises a roller. 12.An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the roller is a detaching roller. 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the roller rotates rapidly. 14.An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the detecting device is arranged to view the fibre material against a diffuse background. 15.An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the detecting device is arranged to view the fibre material against a reflecting background,. 16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 and 15, wherein the detecting device is arranged to view the fibre material against a background that resembles a mirror. 17.An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the detecting device is arranged to view the fibre material against a luminous background. 18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector device is a line-scan camera. 19.An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the detector device is a matrix camera. 20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the detector device comprises light sensors. 21. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the arrangement is such that detection takes place in colour. 22. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the arrangement is such that detection takes place in black and white. 23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the source of polarised light comprises a light source and a polariser arranged between the light source and the fibre material. 24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the source of polarised light comprises a light source that emits polarised light. 25. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the source of polarised light comprises a light source and a polamer integrated on or within the light source. 26. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an analyser is arranged between the fibre material and the detector device. 27. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising a detector that also acts as an analyser. 28. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising an analyser integrated on or within the detector device. 29. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-reflecting elements are arranged in the ray path. 30.An apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein mirrors are used as light- reflecting elements. 31. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein light-refracting elements are arranged in the ray path. 32.An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein prisms are used as light- refracting elements. 33.An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein lenses are used as Jight- refracting elements. 34. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein anisotropies associated with the foreign objects can be used for detection. 35.An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 31, wherein a double refractive effect of the foreign objects can be used to assist detection. 36.An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein selectively absorbing behaviour (dichroism) of the foreign objects can be used for detection. 37. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims i to 31, wherein optically active behaviour for example, rotary dispersion of the foreign objects can be used for detection. 38. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector device is able to distinguish sheet-form from fibre-form foreign objects on the basis of its resolution. 39.An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising, downstream of the detector device, a removal device for removing foreign objects. 40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the detection device and the removal device are electrically connected with one another by a control or switching device. 41. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is arranged downstream of a bale opener. 42. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged in a cleaning device. 43. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged in downstream of a cleaning device. 44. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged in a carding machine. 45. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged downstream of a carding machine. 46.An apparatus as claimed any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged in a foreign fibre separator. 47. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arragned downstream of a foreign fibre separator. 48. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, which is arranged in a foreign object separator. 49. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, which is arranged downstream of a foreign object separator. 50. A method for detecting foreign objects of plastics material in or amongst fibre material, comprising effecting relative movement of the fibre material and a source of polarised light, irradiating a portion of the fibre material with polarised light, detecting light from the fibre material, and evaluating the detected light to distinguish foreign objects of plastics material. 51.An apparatus in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastic material as substantially described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention relates to an apparatus in spinning preparation for detecting foreign objects of plastic material, such as polypropylene bands, fabric and films and the like, in or among fibre flocks, that are being opened from bales of textiles fibre, during which process a foreign object detector and the fibre flocks are movable relative to one another, the foreign object detector comprising a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves, and at least one evaluating device for distinguishing the foreign objects from the fibre flocks, wherein a source of polarised light emitting circularly polarised light cooperates with at least one detector device which acts on the fibre material, the fibre materiel being irradiated, with light passing through one of a light-coloured and transparent sheet-form foreign objects of plastics material, and the detector device distinguishing the sheet-form foreign objects from fibrous plastics materials.

Documents:

545-KOL-2004-(07-12-2011)-FORM-27.pdf

545-KOL-2004-(13-08-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

545-KOL-2004-FORM 27.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-claims.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-correspondence.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-examination report.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 13.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 18.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 2.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 26.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 3.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-form 5.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-petition under rule 137.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-priority document.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-specification.pdf

545-kol-2004-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf