Abstract:
In an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine for changing sliver cans, sliver is delivered by a delivery device and deposited in a sliver can. The apparatus comprises means for moving a full sliver can away from the region of the delivery device and means for subsequently bringing in an empty sliver can, from a reserve position to the region of the delivery device. An intermediate storage device is arranged to be brought in to the delivery device during changing of the sliver cans is provided. In order to avoid disadvantageous piling up of the sliver on the intermediate storage device and/or in the sliver can and to allow can changing at maximum sliver production speeds, the immediate storage device is arranged to be driven such that it is movable whilst collecting the sliver.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2004 063 027.5 dated Dec. 22, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine, for example a card, card drawing mechanism, draw frame, combing machine or the like, for changing sliver cans. In one known arrangement, sliver is delivered by a rotary plate and deposited in a sliver can, the arrangement comprising means for moving a full sliver can away from the region of the rotary plate, means for subsequently bringing in an empty sliver can from a position of readiness to the region of the rotary plate, and an intermediate storage means, for example a holding plate, arranged to be brought in to the rotary plate during changing of the sliver cans.  
         [0003]     A known apparatus (DE 36 18 857 A) has an intermediate storage means in the form of a plate, which can be pivoted about an axis from a pivoted-out position to a position under the rotary plate. The plate is provided with a drive for the pivoting, preferably a pneumatic press. After separation of the sliver, which continues to be supplied, the intermediate storage means in the form of a plate is pivoted into a position under the rotary plate so that the separated sliver is caught by the plate. When the empty sliver can is placed under the rotary plate, the plate is moved out again. When the plate is moved out, which is preferably carried out with a jerking movement, the sliver deposited on the plate in the form of sliver cycloids is thrown off and transferred to the empty sliver can. In order to facilitate that throwing-off, the plate has a slight inclination such that the edge which is at the front while moving away from the region of the rotary plate is closer to the rotary plate. It is disadvantageous that the sliver continuing to run onto the plate becomes heaped into a column of sliver in undesirable manner, which results in its piling up in the empty can and consequently in a lack of uniformity. In addition, problems of space in the height direction also arise as a result. Finally, it is disadvantageous that can changing is not possible at maximum speed or in the region of the maximum speed without disadvantageous piling up of the sliver.  
         [0004]     It is an aim of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind described at the beginning that avoids or mitigates the mentioned disadvantages and that especially avoids disadvantageous piling up of the sliver on the intermediate storage means and/or in the sliver can and allows can changing at maximum sliver production speeds.  
         [0005]     The invention provides a can-changing apparatus for a spinning preparation machine, comprising: 
        a filling station at which a sliver can can be filled with fibre sliver from a sliver delivery device;     a device for removing a full can from the filling station;     a device for delivering an empty can to the filling station; and     an intermediate storage device which can be positioned to collect sliver delivered during changing of the cans, in which the intermediate storage device is arranged to be driven such that it is movable beneath the delivery device whilst collecting the sliver.        
 
         [0010]     As a result of the fact that the intermediate storage means is moved during deposition, disadvantageous piling up of the sliver is avoided both on the intermediate storage means and in the empty can. It is especially advantageous that can changing is possible at especially high sliver production speeds, ideally without—or without substantially—reducing the delivery speed of the sliver-producing machine. As a result of use of the intermediate storage means, operation at a higher delivery speed is possible during can changing. Because there exists a direct relationship between variations in delivery speed and the quality obtained during such variations, this increases both the efficiency of the machine and the quality of the sliver produced during can changing. In particular, disadvantageous drafting effects in the sliver are reduced or avoided.  
         [0011]     In one preferred embodiment, the sliver can is an oblong can. Advantageously, the movement of the oblong can during deposition is a rectilinear, reciprocating movement. In that case, the movement of the intermediate storage means during changing of the oblong can is preferably a rectilinear, reciprocating movement. Advantageously, the intermediate storage means is arranged to be brought in in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oblong can.  
         [0012]     In another preferred embodiment, the sliver can is a round can, and the movement of the round can during deposition is a rotary movement. In that case, the movement of the intermediate storage means during changing of the round can is preferably a rotary movement.  
         [0013]     Advantageously, the intermediate storage means is arranged to be brought in in the direction towards the delivery device and away therefrom. Advantageously, the intermediate storage means is arranged to be brought into a position underneath the delivery device. Where the cans are oblong cans, the intermediate storage means, for example holding plate or the like, is advantageously substantially oblong. Where the cans are round cans, the intermediate storage means, for example holding plate or the like, is advantageously substantially round.  
         [0014]     Advantageously, a clearing element or the like is provided, which can be used for clearing the sliver off from the intermediate storage means. Advantageously, the clearing element and the intermediate storage means are arranged to be moved relative to one another. Preferably, the clearing element is stationary. Advantageously, the clearing element is arranged between the sliver delivery device and the intermediate storage means. Advantageously, the clearing element is capable of clearing the sliver off from the upper surface of the intermediate element. In use, it is preferred that the cleared sliver drops into the empty can, for example, onto a lifting bottom of the empty can. Advantageously, a sliver separating device is provided. Advantageously, the sliver separating device is capable of separating the sliver deposited in the full can from the subsequently supplied sliver. For example, before deposition, there may be produced, in the sliver, a thin location from which the sliver tears off when the full can is moved away. Advantageously, the height of the intermediate storage means is adjustable relative to the sliver delivery device and/or the sliver can.  
         [0015]     Where oblong cans are used, during change-over, the sliver delivery device is advantageously located at that end face of the full can which is next to the empty can. The full can may be moved away from and/or the empty can subsequently brought in perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the can (via the long wall surface). Instead, the full can may be moved out and/or the empty can subsequently brought in in the longitudinal direction of the can (via the short wall surface).  
         [0016]     It is preferred that, during changing of the sliver cans, sliver that continues to be supplied from the delivery device is deposited on the intermediate storage means.  
         [0017]     The invention also provides an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine, for example a card, card drawing mechanism, draw frame, combing machine or the like, for changing sliver cans, wherein sliver is delivered by a rotary plate and deposited in a sliver can, comprising means for moving a full sliver can away from the region of a rotary plate, comprising means for subsequently bringing in an empty sliver can from a position of readiness to the region of the rotary plate and comprising an intermediate storage device, for example a holding plate, arranged to be brought in to the rotary plate during changing of the sliver cans, wherein there is associated with the intermediate storage device a drive element, which is capable of imparting to the intermediate storage device during changing of the sliver cans a movement which substantially corresponds to the movement of the sliver can during deposition of the sliver. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic side view of a card having a can coiler and rectangular can and also an apparatus according to the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic top view of a draw frame for filling rectangular cans, having an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, and also a can store;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3   a  shows a holding plate according to the invention spaced away from a rotary head with the empty can in the reserve position, beneath the rotary head;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3   b  shows the holding plate of  FIG. 3   a  beneath the rotary head;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3   c  shows the holding plate of  FIG. 3   a  spaced away from the rotary head with the empty can in the filling position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     With reference to  FIG. 1 a  card K, for example a TC 03 card made by Trutzschler GmbH &amp; Co. KG of Monchengladbach, Germany, has a feed roller  1 , feed table  2 , lickers-in  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , cylinder  4 , doffer  5 , stripper roller  6 , nip rollers  7 ,  8 , web-guiding element  9 , web funnel  10 , draw-off rollers  11 ,  12 , revolving card top  13  having card-top-deflecting rollers and card top bars, rectangular can  15  and can coiler  16 . Curved arrows denote the directions of rotation of the rollers. Reference letter M denotes the centre (axis) of the cylinder  4 . Reference numeral  4   a  denotes the clothing and reference numeral  4   b  denotes the direction of rotation of the cylinder  4 . The arrow A denotes the work direction. Upstream of the card is a flock feeding apparatus  17 . The coiler plate  19  is rotatably mounted in the coiler plate panel  18 . The coiler plate  19  comprises a sliver channel  20 , having a sliver inlet and outlet, and a rotary plate  21 . Located above the can coiler covering panel  18  is a housing  22 , in which the entry to rotating coiler plate  19  and a drawing mechanism  35  upstream thereof are located. The can  15  is in the form of a rectangular can and, during filling with sliver by the rotary plate  19 , is moved to and fro in the direction of arrows B, C by means of a drive device (not shown). Arranged to be brought in between the underside of the rotary plate  21  and the top of the rectangular can  15  is an intermediate storage means in the form of a holding plate  23 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a draw frame  24  having a filling station, in which a can to be filled  15   1 , which has an elongate cross-section, is located in a filling position. The sliver is fed to the can  15   1  via the coiler plate  25 . For reasons of clarity, the sliver has been shown only in a short partial region. The coiler plate  25  is rotatably mounted in a stationary position in a frame (not shown in further detail). The sliver is fed to the coiler plate  25  in known manner by two calender rollers after it has been delivered to the calender rollers by drawing mechanism  24   a  of the draw frame  24 . The diameter of the coiler plate  25  corresponds approximately to the width of the narrow side of the can  15   1 . The can  15   1  is located on a carriage  26 . In addition, an empty can  15   2  is located on the carriage  26 . During the filling procedure, a reciprocating movement in the direction of arrows D, E is transmitted, by means of a displacement device, to the carriage  26  having the cans  15   1 ,  15   2 . As a result, the can  15   1  in the filling position moves to and fro, over its entire length, underneath the coiler plate  25 , whilst the empty can  15   2  in the reserve position on the carriage  26  moves along with it. The reciprocating movement extends over the filling path, which substantially corresponds to the length 1 of the can. The displacement device is driven by a speed-controlled electric motor. The carriage  26  is moved to and fro on a first path  27   1 . (The direction of movement of the carriage  26  corresponds to the direction of movement E, D of the cans  15   1 ,  15   2 .) Arranged parallel to the first path  27   1  is a second path  27   2 , on which there is a carriage  30  for a rectangular can. The length of the paths  27   1 ,  27   2  corresponds to four times the length 1 of a can  15   1 ,  15   2 . Parallel to the longitudinal side of the draw frame  24  there is provided a can store  28 , which consists of an empty-can store  28   a  for empty cans  15   2  and a full-can store  28   b  for sliver-filled full cans  15   1 . Seen in the direction of movement (arrows K, L) an intermediate space  29  is provided between the last empty can and the first full can. The empty and full cans  15   1 ,  15   2  are located on a conveyor belt, which endlessly revolves around return rollers and which is driven by an electric motor. Reference numerals  36  and  37  denote drive motors for the carriages  26  and  30 , respectively.  
         [0025]     Starting from the position and situation shown in  FIG. 2 , the sliver is delivered in operation by the stationary coiler plate  25  and is deposited in rings, and the can  151  carries out a movement to and fro (arrows D, E) during the filling procedure. Once the can  15   1  has been filled with sliver, the carriage  26  is, for the purpose of can changing, so moved through a can length 1 in the direction of arrow D that the empty can  15   2  is located underneath the coiler plate  25 . The carriage  26  then undergoes reciprocating movement in direction D, E so that the can  15   2  is filled. At the same time, the carriage  30  moves to and fro in direction D, E parallel to the carriage  26  and to the can  15   1 . In the process, the can  15   1  is moved in the direction of arrow G from the carriage  26  onto the carriage  30  by means of a displacement device (not shown). Then, whilst the can  15   2  is being filled, the carriage  30  moves in direction H into the gap  29  and transfers the full can  15   1  into the full-can magazine  28   b . After that, an empty can  15   2  is moved from the empty-can magazine  28   a  onto the carriage  30 , which is moved in direction I and which, on reaching the carriage  26 , then moves parallel to and fro at the same speed as the empty position on the carriage  26  in the direction H, I. In the process, the empty can  15   2  is moved from the carriage  30  onto the carriage  26  in the direction of arrow F. On-the-fly can changing at maximum speed is accomplished in the manner shown. The continuing supply of sliver from the coiler plate  25  is neither interrupted nor slowed down during can changing. One advantage is that the cans  15   1 ,  15   2  are moved between the carriages  26  and  30  (arrows F, G) via the long walls of the rectangular cans, that is to say over short distances. A further particular advantage is the arrangement of two cans  15   1 ,  15   2  on one carriage  26 , which makes possible especially fast can changing between the full can  15   1  and the empty can  15   2  by means of fast movement of the carriage  26  in the direction of arrow D. During can changing, the sliver is separated between the coiler plate  25  and full can  15   1 , for example by means of a thin location—produced in the drawing mechanism  24   a —at which the sliver tears off on movement of the carriage  26  together with the can  15   1  in direction D.  
         [0026]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3   a , sliver  34  is deposited in the form of rings by the coiler plate  19  (rotary plate) in the full can  15   1  whilst it is being moved in direction B, C. The empty can  15   2  is located in a stationary reserve position. As an intermediate storage means there is provided a substantially rectangular holding plate  23 , which is located away from the coiler plate  19  during filling of the can  15   1 . Associated with the holding plate  23  is a drive element  31 , for example a double-acting pneumatic cylinder or an electric motor having a direction of rotation that can be changed, by means of which the holding plate  23  can be moved in direction M, N. Also associated with the holding plate  23  is a further drive element  32 , for example an electric motor having a speed of rotation direction that can be changed (a reversible electric motor), by means of which the holding plate  23  can be moved to and fro in the direction of arrows O, P. Reference numeral  33  denotes a clearing element. According to  FIG. 3   b , the can  15   1  has been moved completely out from the region of the coiler plate  19  in direction C. At the same time, the holding plate  23  has been moved in direction M to a position underneath the coiler plate  19  and is moved to and fro in that position in the direction of arrows O, P so that the sliver  34  delivered by the coiler plate  19  is deposited in the form of rings on the holding plate  23 . Then, within a short time, the empty can  15   2  is moved into a position underneath the coiler plate  19 . The holding plate  23  is then moved away from the region of the coiler plate  19  in direction N into the position shown in  FIG. 3   c . On movement of the holding plate  23  in direction N immediately beneath the clearing element  33 , the sliver  34  is held back by the clearing element  33  and it drops down into the empty can  15   2 . As a result of the movement of holding plate  23  in direction O, P, disadvantageous piling up of fibre material  34  is advantageously avoided during changing of the cans  15   1  and  15   2 . In the process, the holding plate carries out substantially the same movement that the carriage  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) carries out in direction D, E during filling of the can  15   1 . On-the-fly can changing with high changing speeds for the cans  15   1 ,  15   2  is made possible, during which the delivery of fibre material  34  by the coiler plate  19  continues at a high speed during can changing.  
         [0027]     In order to reduce the downtime during can changing or, in the case of the rectangular can  15   1 ,  15   2 , to be able to carry out changing of the can without stopping the machine (K,  24 ) upstream, an intermediate storage means is used, which collects the material  34  during can changing. That intermediate storage means comprises a doubly driven storage plate  23 . One drive  31  provides for moving the storage plate  23  into a position underneath the coiler plate  19  during can changing; another drive  32  moves the storage plate  23  beneath the coiler plate  19  so that the resulting deposition corresponds to that in the can  15   1 . After changing of the cans, the empty can  15   2  is located underneath the storage plate  23 . The latter is taken away (N,  31 ) from the depositing region, whilst a stationary clearing means  33  ensures that, in the process, the stored material  30  drops into the empty can  15   2 . The spacing between the coiler plate  10  and the storage plate  23  is adjustable so that the capacity of the intermediate storage means can be modified. This adjustment is advantageous because the coiler plate should in principle be located as close as possible to the top of the can.  
         [0028]     Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will be obvious that changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.