US2324539A - Sliver forming machine - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1943- L.'A. RUNTON 2,324,539

SLIVER FORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1939 3 ShQGf-S-ShOBt 2 3 16 21 I 33 3s 15 b 14- 9 I an $2.2 v L 3p 7 8 4 1.9 :6 4', "as a.

y 5 v 1 3e was ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1943 Application DecemberlG, 1939, Serial No. 309,602

2 Claims.

The invention relates to a sliver forming machine, and theobject of the invention is to provide' a machine by which rayon lap of indeterminate length may in continuous operation be out into sections of determinate length, and these sections brought intooverlap, or pieced together, preparatory to spinning. V

A further object is to provide a quick-acting machine and one that is precise and positive in its operation. v

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawings in which Fig, 1 is a plan of the machine.

Fig.2 is a cross sectional view thereof showing the feed later tobe referred to, in their retracted position.

Fig.3 is a cross sectionalview showing the feed boxes in their advanced position.

Fig. 4 is a View inside elevation of a detail oil construction, which includes especially the brush later to bereferred to.

Fig.5 is a view in front elevation of the cut ter, later to be referred to, in its relationto certain of the operating parts of the machine shown in cross section. I

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional E-tof Fig. 5. i, v Fig. '7 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the drawing off mechanism later to be referred to. 2

Fig. 8 is a cross sectionalview of another porview on the line tion of the machine showing especially the lap hold-down blade later to bereferred to.

'Fig. 9 is a plan in enlarged detail of abortion of the drawing ofi mechanism; and

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of a detail of construction which includes especially one of the .lap lifting blades later to be referred to.

l represents the stationary bed of the machine. This bedis circular in form and presents a gen erally flat top surface 2 at all points of its cross section. It is supported in any suitable manner as ofi legs, or a web, 3, which rests upon any suitable base of support. I

Mounted to rotate upon the stationary bed is an annular table 4. This table, in the part; thereof adjacent its interior edge, rests to ride upon the bed of the machine through interposed ball bearings 5, both bed and table being suitably channeled to receive these bearings; In the part adjacent its outer edge thetable rests to slide upon a raised cam rail Tl adjacent the outer edge of thes'tationary bed. Thus mounted the table 4 may. be rotated to turn'on the top of the stationary bed. "Rotation of the table is bthe boxes at the rear top ends thereof.

tained by a motor driven gear 8. mounted on the stationary bed of the machine as shown in Fig; 2, which engages teeth 9 on the inner edge of the table, the table being turned as the gear is rotated by the motor;

Borne by hangers l0 onthe table 4 are a plurality of spools 12 each bearing a mass of Wound strands of continuous filament. The spools are mounted in thehangers in any manner suitable to permit of the strands being withdrawn from the individual spools. The spools extend around the annular table lying in relatively close prox imity toone another. They are-carried around by the table as it is rotated. Afiixed to the top surfaceof the table 4, in

the part thereof adjacent its inner edge, is a set of pin carrying rings l4 and I5, respectively:

These rings lie concentric with one anotherinw same horizontal plane, but are slightly spaced from eachother. lhe outer pin carrying ring i4 is preferably slightly wider than the inner pin carrying ring with preferablyiour rows of pins, circumferentially arranged, while the inner rin has preferably three rows of pins. i

Mounted upon the table 4 outside the pin carrying rings borne by it are feed units l5 which correspond in number and location with the re-. pective spools. The. strands on each of the spools arewithdrawn from the spool in a preelse and determinate manner at proper timed interval during the rotation of th table 4 through the operation of its attending unit which in turn is operated from off the stationary bed of the machine asthe table 4, on which the unit 1 mounted, is rotated. i r

Before referring specifically to the construm,

tion of each of the units !5 in its relationto the circular table 4 and stationary bed of the mae chine, it will be first explained that the strands upon each of the spools are wound to present a] multiplicity of ends, and, also, so wound that when Withdrawn from the spool, in the operation of its attending unit, the strands will lie and project in parallelism with each othenand with the same extent of end projection."

Each of the units it, preferably made sectional, is composed of a'plurality of feed boxes !8 which are disposed side by side. Each of these feed boxes has the formof an elongated tray with a bottom 19, sides 20, and a cover 2|. The ends are open The covers for all the boxes in any, unit are pivoted to turn upon a common pin 22 which isfixed to extend through the sides of all 22 extend through slots 23 in the sides ZEI. These slots are preferably slightly elongated to permit of the covers having a slight endwise or longitudinal movement or play with relation to the body of the box. The covers are made relatively heavy. Each cover at its fore end is provided with a flattened foot 24 which, when the box is devoid of strands, has gravity bearing against the bottom of the box. The bearing surface of each of these feet together with the face portion of the box bottom against which the foot has bearing are preferably made serrated.

Each of the boxes I 8, forming as it does a part section of each feed unit I6, is, in its relation to the table 4, so mounted upon the table as will enable it to have longitudinal movement in or out radially across that portion of the table on which the box is mounted, and to also have a tipped up and down movement when the fore end portion of the box is either raised or lowered. To this end the bottom of each box at a point adjacent its outer or rear end is provided with a fin 25 interposed between a set of hubs 26 on a pivot pin 21 which extends through both hubs and fin. The hubs are borne by a bearing 23 which slidably rests upon the table 4 along a radial slot 29 therein. The bearing 28 is provided on its under side with a stud 30 which slidably extends through the slot 29 in the table with extension into a slot 32 formed in the cam rail 1 on the stationary bed of the machine where the stud is provided with a wheel enabling it to run within the slot in the rail. The slot 32 cut in the top'of the bed of the machine is a waving slot so that the bed will form a cam for moving the feed boxes in or out along the radial slots 29 in the table as the table is turned. The in and out radial movement of all the feed boxes as the table is turned, is governed by this slot, and the precise location of any feed box at any determinate point of the tables turning is, also, governed by the slot.

Besides their endwise or longitudinal movement the feed boxes may be raised or lowered, turning on their rear end pivotal connections. Secured to the bottom of each feed box, at a point adjacent its fore end, is an arm 33. This arm projects downwardly through the slot 29 in the table, above which the box lies adjacent, with sliding fit within this slot. The arm projects to either rest and slide upon a raised rail 34 on the stationary bed of the machine for holding the box in an upturned position, as shown in Fig. 2, as the table is turned, or rest and slide upon the top surface 2 of the bed of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3, which permits of the then gravitated downturned position of the feed box. In order to facilitate the movement of the arms 33, either upon the raised rail 34 or upon the top surface 2 of the bed, as the table is turned, the arms for all the feed boxes are preferably each fitted with a roller bearing 35.

As previously explained it is by means of the feed units it and feed boxes forming these units that the strands are withdrawn from the Spools during the rotation of the table 4. The strands a from the respective spools extend through the feed boxes, the strands on any one of the spools being drawn to extend through the unit l6 adjacent to it, and the strands on any spool are separated into separate hanks to pass through the various sections, or feed boxes, forming the unit. At a determinate point in the tables rotation which corresponds with the section line 2-2, Fig. 1, the stationary bed of the machine, acting as a cam, will have moved one of the feed boxes of some one of the units I5 associated with a spool into a position substantially'as shown in Fig. 2. All the parts will in turn as the table is rotated arrive at this same position as indicated in Fig. 2. Accordingly, description will be made in the light of this particular feed box located as aforesaid.

Referring, accordingly, to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the feed box is occupying a p sition at the outer end of the slot 29 in the table, and is occupying its upturned position with its arm 33 resting upon the upturned rail 34 on the bed of the machine. It will also be'seen that the strands a, from the adjacent spool, extend outwardly through the feed box with the flattened serrated foot 24 of its cover 2! resting upon the strands. The strands extend forward from the fore end of the feed. box and rest by a lap b upon a guard 35 having fore and outer ends 31, 38 respectively. This guard is fixed to the bed of the machine and extends over the pins on the respective rings I4,

5. The guard is arcuate in form, and its position and the amount of its arcuate extensionin" the circle described by the table during its rotation is substantially as shown in Fig. 1 where it between the two pin carrying rings l4 and l5.,

As the table is turned the stationary bed of the machine acting as a cam will then operate through its cam connection with the feed box to move it inwardly along the slot 29 in the table. As the feed box moves forward it draws the hank of strands with it from off the adjacent spool. This drawing action takes place because the strands are gripped between the foot of the heav cover and the adjacent bottom of the feed box. This gripping action is facilitated by the serrating or roughening of the foot and box bottom as aforesaid, and also by the fact that the cover by reason of its loose pivotal connection is permitted to have a certain amount of play in order that the serrations on its foot may better grip the strands. As the feedbox moves forward by the rotation of the table the strands will gradually be further projected over the guard, and in due course over the pins of both rings; The movement of the feed box will continue as the table continue to rotate, until the box has been moved to a point substantially adjacent the outer end 38 of the guard 36, when the feed box will have been advanced so far that the strands will have been extended beyond the inner edge of the guard to form a fringe c beyond this edge, the fringe extension being substantially that shown in Fig. 3.

While description has been made of this single feed box it will be understood that other of the feed boxes, through which hanks of. strandsare extending lying forward of the feed box just considered, are undergoing the same operation, so

that a lap b is continuously being formed on the guard with gradual extension to form the fringe c as approach i made to the outer end 38 of the guard.

In order that the la b upon the guard, and fringe extension therefrom, may maintain correct positioning during the period of their formation, and especiall to stop back drag of the strands, both lap and fringe are subjected to air blasts through jet forming connections 40, air under pressure being introduced from any suitable source.

V Located on the machine at points just forward of the outer'end 38 of theguardis a brush 4i, and a pin carrying wheel :42. Both'the brush and wheel are borne by an arbor (not shown) connected tothe bed of the machine The brush is freely rotatable. The wheel has geared conas :it is rotated by thetable. ,In consequence.

when the lap b and fringe pass the outer end 38 of the guard, as the table turns, both lapland the strands thereof arranged in overlapping relay fringe will be pressed down by theQbrus-hinto the pins on the rings and thosecn the wheel;

Theda-p b will be pushed into the pins of the respectiverings while the fringe 0 will be pressed into the pins on the rotating wheel. In consequence while the Ian I or t'hat. portion of the fibres contained within the pins on therespece tive rings will be carried forward as the table turns, the fringe acted upon'by the pins of the rotating wheel will be combed and straightened as;the circles described by the table and w heel draw apart. p I p The lap and combed fringelthen pursue a relatively short arcuate course in the tables turning, vand the lap b is then cut, separating that portion of the lap in the pins of the inner-ring 15, which bears the fringe c, fro m that' portion of the'lap lying within'the pins on the outer-ring i4. 4 4'.

represents the cutter which is anelectric cutter of common type havinga cuttingbladefii The cutter, mounted on the bed of the machine, is so -arranged that its; bladewillzenter the space betweenthe rings M and Hand there sever the;

lap as aforesaid. In order to facilitate the cutting of the lap the cutter is; provided with asp lit footAB which is borne by a lever ll on the cutter; and so arranged that the foottwill enter between] the pin carrying rings and engage the lap under in place whilebeing cut. Pressure is obtained by'a spring 48 connected atone end of the bodv to the cutter, and atits-other end to an arm .49-

slight pressure thus holding the lap:

M will continue to be carried forward by the rotating table," but the portion of the fringe carrying lap on the pins of the inner ring will be withdrawn therefrom in the form of a continuous sliv eras the strands forming the fringe are brought forward, or presented, by the rotating table. In this sliver the strands overlap due to the difference in the time of their withdrawal.

For drawing the strands of the fringe carrying lap from thepins of the inner ring a nip roll 50 is arranged in the path of. the fringe. This nip roll is arranged in a vertical position, or one normal to the path of the fringe, and is preferably a relatively small steel roll with a fluted or serrated surface. 7 This roll works in co-operation with a set of endless aprons 5i and 52, which at their forward ends travel around rolls53, 53, and at the outer ends around rolls 54, 54. The disposition of the aprons is such that the nip roll will lie in engagement with the fore end or: the

apron52 which is passing around the roll 53, thus forming a bight 55 between the nip roll and the apron. As the fringe is brought forward in the rotation of the table it will engage the nip roll, and also the end of the apron 52 with which the nip roll is co-operating, with the effect that the ends of the fringe forming strands willbe brought into the bight 55 of the roll and apron, and the strands will accordingly be withdrawn from the pins of the inner ring to pass asa sliver 56 between the nip roll and the apron with which it is in engagement, and thence pass through the respective aprons which are ar ranged to snugly hold the sliver between them and carry it forward. The sliver is formed with successive order of withdrawal and by reason,

also, of the fact that nip roll and the apron with which it is co-operating are rotating at a speed faster than the speed of the rotating table; the preferred ratio being about 2 to 1, though this may be changed as requirements demand; The nip roll 50 and the roll 53 which assists in bearing the apron 52, are'suitably supported to turn within hearings in a stationary frame58 sup-- ported off the bed of the machine whichis provided with a suitable inside support 59. The bearings for the roll 53' are backed by springs 60 which tend to iyieldingly hold this roll, and the apron passing around it, hard against the .motor 64 arranged onthe inside support 59 in the stationary bed of the machine. This motor drives a sprocket wheel 65 inchain connection 65 with a sprocket wheel 6! on-a shaft 58 in worm drive connection 69 with the end of the nip roll or shaft bearing this roll. The rotation of the nip roll turns the'apron 52 through frictional engagement therewith, and the apron 52 turns the apron 5| with which it is in frictional engagee ment. I

After leaving the aprons the sliver 5B preferably passes through a trumpet l0, and is then taken'care of, or processed, as may be desired.

That portion of the lap left in the pins of the outer ring I4 is carried forward as the table con tinues to rotate, and attention will now be directed especially to that arcuate space in the tables turning which lies between the point where the strands are drawn off from the pins of the inner circle and the inner end 31 of the guard 36. At the time that the strands are withdrawn from the pins of the inner circle, the feed boxes I8 will not have been returned from their firmly in place by a hold-down blade 12, which traps the strands in the outer circle of pins, while the feed boxes are being moved outwardly to get a fresh hank of strands equal in length to the ones out off. The feed boxes are gradually moved outwardly along the slots 32 cut in the top of the bed of the machine, and reach their outermost retracted position just before approach is made to the inner end of the guard. At this time the lap will be lifted out of the pins in the outer circle to pass onto the guard, as the table continues to rotate, by stationary blades 13 which are located between the rows of pins. The feed boxes will then be occupying a raised position so that they may feed the lap onto the guard as the table continues to rotate, the operation beingrepeated. In consequence a sliver 56 is .being continuously formed as the strands are drawn off from the respective packages.

I claim:

1. In a sliver forming machine the combination comprising a stationary bed, a rotary table bearing inner and outer sets of pins, means for rotating said table, a plurality of packages carried by said table each bearing wound strands of continuous filament and from which packages the wound strands may be withdrawn, a stationary guard covering said pins for a substantial distance along and above the path thereof as the table is rotated, means borne by said rotary table for drawing the strands from said packages during determinate periods of arcuate movementof said table as it is rotated and for feeding the strands inwardly over said guard to rest thereon whereby lap lifted from out of the outer set of pins and resting upon said guard will be moved inwardly and the lap progressively deepened by strands drawn from said packages with ends forming an inward fringe forming extension to said lap, means for maintaining the strands in proper aligned position during their passage over said guard as the table is rotated, means for impaling the fringe carrying lap in the pinsafter the lap has left the guard in the rotation of the table, means for severing the impaled lap whereby the fringe carrying portion of the lap, severed from the portion of the lap remaining in the outer set of pins, will lie impaled only upon the inner set of pins, drawing means whereby the fringe carrying portion of the lap remaining'in the inner set of pins will be withdrawn therefrom to form a sliver with overlapping strands through draft applied to the ends of said fringe as said 7 ends of the fringe are brought into engagement with said drawing means in the rotation of the table, and means whereby the lap left in the outer set of pins after the severance of the fringe forming portion thereof as aforesaid will be lifted to pass onto said guard during the rotation of the table.

2. In a sliver forming machine the combina-' tion comprising a stationary bed, a rotary table bearing inner and outer sets of pins, means for rotating said table, a plurality of packages car-- ried by said table each bearing wound strands of continuous filament and from which packages the wound strands may be withdrawn, a stationary guard covering said'pins for, a substantial distance along and above the path'thereof V as the table is rotated, means borne by said rotary table for drawing the strands from said packages during determinate periods of arcuate movement of said table as it is rotated and for feeding the strands inwardly over said guard to rest thereon whereby lap lifted from out of the outer set of pins and resting upon said guard will be moved inwardly and the lap progressively deepened by strands drawn from said packages with ends forming an inward fringe forming extension to said lap, means for maintaining the strands in proper aligned position during their passage over said guard as the table is rotated, means for impaling the fringe carrying lap in the pins after the lap has left the guard in the rotation of the table, means for straightening the fringe after the fringe carrying lap has left the guard and been impaled in the pins as aforesaid and before severance of the lap, means for severing the impaled lap whereby the fringe carrying portion of the lap, severed from the portion of the lap remaining in the outer set of pins, will lie impaled only upon the inner set of pins, draw-' ing means whereby the fringe carrying portion of the lap remaining in the inner set of pins will be withdrawn therefrom to form a sliver with overlapping strands through draft applied to the ends of said fringe as said ends of the fringe are brought into engagement with said drawing means in the rotation of the table, and means whereby the lap left in the outer set of pins after the severance of the fringe forming portion thereof as aforesaid will be lifted to pass onto said guard during the rotation of the table.

LESLIE A. RUNTON.

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