GB2115138A - Cleaning unit for cloth cutting bed blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

Cloth cutting bed blocks moulded in plastic material and have bristles on one side are cleaned by apparatus comprising a blower jet and suction nozzle. The jet and suction nozzle are mounted on a horizontal arm with the jet below the bed block and the suction nozzle above. The block is supported on a wire mesh and the arm is traversed backwards and forwards by a pneumatic cylinder and moved sideways by a chain drive also activated by a pneumatic cylinder. A spade is attached to the suction nozzle for parting the bristles as the nozzle passes over the block. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cleaning unit for cloth cutting bed blocks This invention is concerned with cleaning accumulated fibres, dust and other extraneous matter from several cloth cutting bed blocks simultaneously.

The blocks are moulded in a plastic material and form part of a cloth cutting bed on which cloth is held flat by suction whilst being cut by means of a C.N.C Cutting Machine. The blade of the cutting machine pushes into the bristles of the block after passing through the cloth and leaves fibres etc., embedded between the bristles of the block. The bristles become clogged with the fibres etc., and the blocks have at present to be manually cleaned individually by operators banging each block on the floor.

The object of this invention is to enable an unskilled person to quickly and efficiently clean several blocks at a time. The invention ensures that the whole of the block has been cleaned and enables the blocks to be put back into service as soon as possible with a minimum down time of the cutting machine and a maximum amount of dust and fibre collection.

In carrying the invention into effect, blocks to be cleaned are placed in a horizontal plane with bristles uppermost into a wire mesh recess positioned under a perspex transparent hinged lift-up lid. On closing the lid the operating circuit is activated enabling the operation of the invention to be initiated by the operator at the touch of a start button.

The cleaning is effected by means of a suction nozzle moving above the blocks. This nozzle, as well as sucking dust from the blocks, has a spade attached to its outer edge which parts the bristles of the block as the nozzle passes over the block being cleaned.

Underneath the blocks, exactly opposite the suction nozzle and attached to the same arm as the suction nozzle, is a blower jet which blows compressed air vertically upwards through the blocks being cleaned and into the mouth of the suction nozzle directly above. As the air is blown through the blocks, the dust and fibres which were trapped in the block bristles are conveyed towards the suction nozzle by the compressed air.

The dust and fibres are conveyed by the air along a flexible tube which connects the suction nozzle to a filter unit. The dust and fibres are deposited on the inside of filter bags in the filter unit, the air passing through the bags and out into atmosphere.

The top suction nozzle and bottom blower jet are mounted on a horizontal moving arm which is traversed backwards and forwards across the blocks by means of a pneumatic cylinder. On completion of two passes the traverse arm is moved sideways by means of a chain drive mounted on shafts activated by an air operated clutch/brake unit and pneumatic cylinder. On completion of the cleaning operation the mechanism stops automatically and the clean blocks are removed from the invention.

The structural framework of the invention is manufactured from 2" square mild steel hollow section which forms a support mounted on a 6" dia.

castors giving the invention complete mobility.

The external cladding is of light gauge mild steel supported by the hollow section framework with access panels to the internal parts of the invention.

Mounted internally is the suction unit filter housing consisting of a two stage fan unit drawing air through filter bags putting the filter unit under negative pressure.

Further equipment inside the invention is a compressor unit which operates the pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic controls and the air jet blowing to the underside of the blocks.

The control equipment is kept to a minimum and is contained in a control panel with a hinged door mounted on the front of the invention. All sequencing of the invention is done by pneumatic power operated from the compressor unit. The invention operates from an electric supply of415v. 3ph. 50hz., and complies fully to the Health and Safety at Work Specifications.

This invention will clean cloth cutting bed blocks moulded from plastic by a combination of two jets blowing underneath the blocks and sucking above the blocks whilst simultaneously oscillating and indexing across the blocks in a methodical manner completely covering the face of the blocks.

The invention utilises a proprietry brand of com pressorand extraction unit combined with a pneumatic mechanism in such a combination as to provide a self contained cleaning unit which has been specifically designed for the purpose described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   SPECIFICATION Cleaning unit for cloth cutting bed blocks This invention is concerned with cleaning accumulated fibres, dust and other extraneous matter from several cloth cutting bed blocks simultaneously.

   The blocks are moulded in a plastic material and form part of a cloth cutting bed on which cloth is held flat by suction whilst being cut by means of a C.N.C Cutting Machine. The blade of the cutting machine pushes into the bristles of the block after passing through the cloth and leaves fibres etc., embedded between the bristles of the block. The bristles become clogged with the fibres etc., and the blocks have at present to be manually cleaned individually by operators banging each block on the floor.

   The object of this invention is to enable an unskilled person to quickly and efficiently clean several blocks at a time. The invention ensures that the whole of the block has been cleaned and enables the blocks to be put back into service as soon as possible with a minimum down time of the cutting machine and a maximum amount of dust and fibre collection.

   In carrying the invention into effect, blocks to be cleaned are placed in a horizontal plane with bristles uppermost into a wire mesh recess positioned under a perspex transparent hinged lift-up lid. On closing the lid the operating circuit is activated enabling the operation of the invention to be initiated by the operator at the touch of a start button.

   The cleaning is effected by means of a suction nozzle moving above the blocks. This nozzle, as well as sucking dust from the blocks, has a spade attached to its outer edge which parts the bristles of the block as the nozzle passes over the block being cleaned.

   Underneath the blocks, exactly opposite the suction nozzle and attached to the same arm as the suction nozzle, is a blower jet which blows compressed air vertically upwards through the blocks being cleaned and into the mouth of the suction nozzle directly above. As the air is blown through the blocks, the dust and fibres which were trapped in the block bristles are conveyed towards the suction nozzle by the compressed air.

   The dust and fibres are conveyed by the air along a flexible tube which connects the suction nozzle to a filter unit. The dust and fibres are deposited on the inside of filter bags in the filter unit, the air passing through the bags and out into atmosphere.

   The top suction nozzle and bottom blower jet are mounted on a horizontal moving arm which is traversed backwards and forwards across the blocks by means of a pneumatic cylinder. On completion of two passes the traverse arm is moved sideways by means of a chain drive mounted on shafts activated by an air operated clutch/brake unit and pneumatic cylinder. On completion of the cleaning operation the mechanism stops automatically and the clean blocks are removed from the invention.

   The structural framework of the invention is manufactured from 2" square mild steel hollow section which forms a support mounted on a 6" dia.

   castors giving the invention complete mobility.

   The external cladding is of light gauge mild steel supported by the hollow section framework with access panels to the internal parts of the invention.

   Mounted internally is the suction unit filter housing consisting of a two stage fan unit drawing air through filter bags putting the filter unit under negative pressure.

   Further equipment inside the invention is a compressor unit which operates the pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic controls and the air jet blowing to the underside of the blocks.

   The control equipment is kept to a minimum and is contained in a control panel with a hinged door mounted on the front of the invention. All sequencing of the invention is done by pneumatic power operated from the compressor unit. The invention operates from an electric supply of415v. 3ph. 50hz., and complies fully to the Health and Safety at Work Specifications.

   This invention will clean cloth cutting bed blocks moulded from plastic by a combination of two jets blowing underneath the blocks and sucking above the blocks whilst simultaneously oscillating and indexing across the blocks in a methodical manner completely covering the face of the blocks.

   The invention utilises a proprietry brand of com pressorand extraction unit combined with a pneumatic mechanism in such a combination as to provide a self contained cleaning unit which has been specifically designed for the purpose described.