Patent ID: 6167593
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: D01G,D04H

Abstract:
In a fiber processing machine for forming a fiber lap from fiber tufts, including a generally vertically oriented reserve chute having reserve chute walls; an inlet; an outlet; a horizontal depth; a horizontal width extending perpendicularly to said depth; a generally vertically oriented feed chute having an inlet adjoining said outlet of said reserve chute; a fiber feeding assembly drawing fiber from said reserve chute and advancing fiber into said feed chute; the fiber feeding assembly includinga generally horizontally oriented feed roll having a rotary axis extending parallel to said width; a feed tray array cooperating with the feed roll and being composed of a series of individual feed trays lined up along the feed roll and rotatable about an axis; each feed tray having a length extending parallel to the rotary axis and defining a nip with the feed roll; measuring elements coupled to each feed tray for emitting signals representing an extent of excursion of the respective feed tray as the fiber material passes through the respective nip; and a control and regulating device connected to the measuring elements for receiving said signals; the improvement comprising (a) movable wall elements arranged side-by-side parallel to said width and forming part of at least one of said reserve chute walls; each wall element having a wall element length extending parallel to said rotary axis; and (b) setting means connected to said wall elements for moving said wall elements in sections in a direction parallel to said depth for varying said depth; said setting means including setting members; each said wall element being connected to a separate one of said setting members.