Patent GB-687370-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in textile lap-forming machines
IPC: D01G27/04
Filed: 1950-08-01
Abstract: 687,370. Lap-forming machines. T.M.M. (RESEARCH), Ltd., SZALOKI, Z., Sen., W. J., and KNOWLES, A. July 30, 1951 [Aug. 1, 1950], No. 19186/50. Class 120(i) In a lap - forming machine of the kind in which the ends of the lap roller are rotatably supported in bearings incorporated in vertically slidable "rack-heads", movements of the rack heads away from and to 'the lap-forming position are utilized to actuate mechanisms which perform the respective operations of (a) ejecting a completed lap from the rack-heads (b) loading a fresh roller thereon, and (c) wrapping the leading edge of the new lap around the lap roller when the latter reaches the lap-forming position, such mechanisms being mounted on fixed parts of the machine and actuated by co-operation therewith of members moving with the rackheads. As shown, the'length of web wound on to a lap-roller 14 is measured by a wheel rotated by the bottom calender roller 4; when a predetermined lap size is reached, a lug on the measuring wheel operates a time switch and trips a drop lever which disconnects the drive to the calender rollers 1-4 and, since lap-forming rollers 5, 6 continue to rotate, causes the web to break. After a time interval in which the loose end of the lap is wound on the roll, the time switch energizes an electric motor 40 which drives a rack pinion 16 and raises rack-heads 7 to a doffing position when pegs 42 on the rack-heads engage abutments on ejector members 46 and cause them to swing forwards about pivots 44 to engage the ends of the lap roller and eject the lap from the open bearings 13 of the rack-heads and propel it to a cradle 47. The rack-heads continue to rise to a loading position where pegs 42 engage the undersides of a pair of levers 48 and turn a pair of arms 50 rearwardly from the position shown to a position where they deposit an empty lap roller, held in the recessed ends of the arms, in the bearings 13, the arms 50 being held in the rearward position by catches 51. Movement of levers 48 acts through a link 48, to raise the drop lever and restore drive to the calender rollers which resume web feed. Meanwhile, rotation of pinion 16 has caused a nut to advance along a lead screw to a position where it contacts a reversing switch for motor 40; thereafter the rack-heads are driven downwardly and in passing members 46 move them so as to disengage catch 51 and allow levers 50 to move under spring action to their original position. During downward movement of the rackheads, the nut on the lead screw is moved in the opposite direction, and when the heads reach the lap-forming position shown, the unit operates a cut-out switch for motor 40. During the last part of the downward movement of the racks, an abutment 71 on rack-head 7 engages a lever 68, 67 to cause a plate 63 to move to the position shown and thereby turn the leading edge of the web over the upper surface of the lap roller 14; thereafter the lap proceeds to build up. To load the racks during lapformation, a brake shoe on the end of a weighted lever 19 bears on a brake drum 15, and the degree of braking pressure is varied as the lap builds up, by means of a lead screw 75 driven from pinions 16 and engaging a nut 76 on the weight 74, so as to preserve constant tension on the lapped web. The racks may be articulated, so that when the rack-heads are in their lowest position the articulated portions 7<SP>2</SP>, 7<SP>3</SP>, 7<SP>4</SP> lie in a shallow receptacle 20. Associated with the lap tray 47 is a switch 83 which interrupts the circuit of motor 40 when a lap is upon the tray. Where a guard 84 is provided it may also be associated with a switch for ensuring that motor 40 cannot be started when the guard is not in the safety. position.