Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/003925 filed on May 4, 2007, entitled “DEVICE FOR MELT SPINNING, TREATING AND WINDING SYNTHETIC THREADS”, the contents and teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known that with the production of synthetic threads a plurality of filaments is extruded of a polymer melt, which is combined after completing a cycle of a cooling section to the thread. Subsequently, further treatment substantially including stretching, preparation, and swirling occurs in order to then be wound to a spool. The devices of such apparatuses usually extend across multiple levels. Such an apparatus is known, for example, from DE 103 55 294 A1. For this purpose a spinning device for extruding and cooling the threads, a treatment device for the treatment of the threads, and a winding device for winding the threads to spools are arranged on top of each other in a level manner. The devices form a plurality of production positions along a machine longitudinal side for simultaneous winding of multiple threads. In order to obtain an arrangement that is as user friendly as possible, the spinning nozzles are divided into multiple longitudinal modules in the known apparatus. Therefore, the operation of the spinning nozzles can be improved in the spinning directions with the double-sided arrangement. 
     In practice, however, the operating applications with the production of synthetic threads in the region of the treatment device and the winding device must be carried out more frequently, since each thread breakage requires realigning of the threads. Irrespective of whether the treatment device and the winding device are arranged on top of each other, as is known from DE 103 55 294 A1, or are arranged nested, as is known, for example, from EP 0 718 424 B1, operating heights are the result, particularly in the region of the treatment devices, which may only be overcome by incorporating an additional level, or by means of additional auxiliary means. Furthermore, in the arrangement of the treatment device known from EP 0 718 424 A1 and of the winding device great machine separations also occur, which particularly have the disadvantage in the case of a single thread process guiding that the spinning nozzles required for melt spinning must also be held at larger distances to each other within the heated spinning beam. However, such spinning devices require a large energy demand in order to be able to perform a continuous heating of the melt carrying components across the entire machine length. That is why arrangements of the devices in levels on top of each other are preferred in order to obtain respectively compact spinning devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads of the generic type, wherein particularly the treatment devices and winding devices are embodied in a user friendly manner. 
     Another goal of the invention is to enable a quick feeding of the threads in the treatment device and the winding device during process interruptions. 
     This object is solved according to the invention by means of an apparatus for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads, in that an operating platform is arranged at a height between the treatment device and the winding device for the operation of the production positions on the longitudinal side of the machine. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments, all production positions can be operated from the operating level by one operator. In this manner, the threads spun by the spinning device, for example, can be taken over by the operator directly via a manually guided suction gun, and fed to the following units of the treatment device and the winding device. Therefore, even greater heights can be overcome without any additional auxiliary means by the operator. 
     In order to obtain a quick feed by the operator despite the separation between the operation of the treatment device and the operation of the winding device, particularly with the process start, or with process interruptions, at least one passage opening is present on the operating platform opposite of the winding device according to an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, through which the thread feed and thread transition may occur. For this purpose the winding device is preferably formed by two spool spindles at a winding position in order to enable the continuous winding of the thread, or of the threads, respectively. One auxiliary device is provided per winding position for the spool exchange such that the winding device winds the spools in an automated manner substantially without any manual intervention. 
     For the automating of the feed process at the winding position the invention further provides a movable thread guide per winding position, which thread guide can be fed between an operating position adjacent to the passage opening on the operating platform, and through a feed position adjacent to the spool spindle. Therefore, the thread is transferred from the operator to the thread guide in a simple manner, wherein the thread guide guides the thread to the initial feed in a provided feed position. 
     For this purpose the thread guide can be formed, for example, by an injector device continuously guiding the thread transferred by an operator to a refuse bin. In a particularly inexpensive variation the thread guide is formed by a deflection means that is held on a guide carriage in a height adjustable manner. In this manner the thread can be guided during the feed process in the winding position without transferring the suction gun manually guided by the operator. 
     The feed process in the winding position can be further improved in that the auxiliary devices of the winding position have at least one pivoting feed arm that can be guided at one guide end in the straight grain formed by the thread guide held in the feed position for deflecting the thread. In this manner the thread can be fed automatically for winding the spool in the winding position without any manual intervention provided by the operator. For this purpose the thread guide may be embodied for guiding one thread, or for guiding multiple threads. 
     The degree of automation of the device according to the invention can be even further improved by means of the further development of the invention in that a doffing device may be assigned to the winding positions for removal and transport of the spools. 
     The production positions for melt spinning, treating and winding of one or multiple threads may be utilized in a particularly flexible manner, in that the winding positions of adjacent production positions can be driven and controlled independently of each other according to another preferred further embodiment. Therefore, so-called sympathy thread breakages can be avoided advantageously in a plurality of threads such that the quick and easy operation, in addition to the individual control of the units of the production positions, lead to very little waste. 
     The treatment units are preferably also driven and controlled independently of each other such that the required operating and maintenance work can be performed quickly and efficiently in the production positions. 
     In order to obtain an arrangement of the treatment units that is as user friendly as possible, the treatment units are arranged at a frame wall such that a separation results between the thread guiding components and the drives and the electronic components, wherein the drives and controls are preferably embodied on the rear of the frame wall, and the assemblies required for guiding the thread are maintained at a front of the frame wall. 
     The apparatus according to the invention is particularly suited in order to continuously wind melt spun threads after a one-step or multiple-step treatment onto spools, wherein the user friendly embodiment particularly leads to the avoiding of longer production interruptions, and thus the avoiding of waste during production interruptions. The treatment units of the treatment devices may include godets, swirling devices, preparation devices, suctioning devices, thread monitors, and combinations of such units. In a particularly advantageous manner the apparatus according to the invention may also be utilized for the production of crimped threads. Therefore, additional treatment units are provided per production position, such a texturizing nozzle and cooling drum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The apparatus according to the invention is further explained in detail based on a few example embodiments making reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  schematically illustrate multiple views of a first example embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a view of a winding device of the example embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  schematically illustrate multiple views of another example embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate a first example embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads in multiple views.  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a front view, and  FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a side view of the apparatus. In this respect, as no express reference is made to one of the figures, the following description applies to both figures. 
     The apparatus in this example embodiment is formed by a spinning device  1 , a treatment device  8 , and a winding device  9 , which are arranged on top of each other in stages. The spinning device  1 , the treatment device  8 , and the winding device  9  overall form three production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  in order to spin, treat, and wind onto spools multiple threads parallel next to each other. The number of the production position is given as an example. Generally, such apparatuses may have a plurality of production positions in order to simultaneously produce a plurality of threads. A total of two threads  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  are simultaneously spun, treated, and wound per production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 . 
     The spinning device  1  has two spinning nozzles  2 . 1  per production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 . The spinning nozzles  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  are held at a base of the heated spinning beam. The spinning beam  6  extends across all production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  such that the spinning nozzles  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  are each arranged in two rows of nozzle arrangements. The spinning beam  6  is connected to a melt source (not illustrated) via a melt feed. A polymer melt is distributed onto the individual spinning nozzles  2 . 1  and  2 . 2  of the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  via the melt feed  7  by means of a distribution system (not illustrated in detail) having associated spinning pumps. 
     A cooling apparatus  3  is arranged below the spinning beam  6 , which interacts with one spinning hopper  4 . For this purpose each production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  has a spinning hopper  4  including a conical outlet. The cooling apparatus  3  is embodied as a cross flow blower, wherein a laterally directed cooling air flow is created for cooling the freshly extruded filaments. At this point it should be expressly noted that other cooling principles not illustrated herein may also be utilized for cooling the filaments within the spinning hopper. In this regard, so-called blow candles may also be utilized for cooling, wherein a cooling air flow directed from the interior toward the exterior is created. 
     The treatment device  8  is arranged below the spinning hoppers  4 . The treatment device  8  has one preparation apparatus  8 . 1  and one stretching apparatus  8 . 2 . per production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 . The stretching apparatus  8 . 2  is connected downstream of the preparation device  8 . 1 , and is formed by a fluke godet duo  14 , and a stretching godet duo  15 . The fluke godet duo  14  and the stretching godet duo  15  each have at least one driven godet, on the circumference of which the individual threads are guided in multiple enlacements. 
     The preparation apparatus  8 . 1 , which may be embodied, for example, as a pin preparation, or as a roller preparation as illustrated herein, is associated with the outlet of the spinning hopper  4  directly in the production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , or  1 . 3 , and is combined with a convergence thread guide  5 , which combines the filaments extruded through the spinning nozzle  2 . 1  to one thread  24 . 1  and  24 . 2 . 
     The treatment units of the treatment devices  8  are arranged on a frame wall  26 . For this purpose the components of the treatment units  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  critical for the thread guide protrude from the front of the frame wall  26 . The electric drives and the control are arranged on the opposite side on the rear of the frame wall  26 . It is generally possible that the treatment device has additional treatment units, such as swirling devices, or alternatively, treatment units, such as individual godets. In this respect the treatment device  8  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  serves as an example. 
     The winding device  9  is also held on the frame wall  26 . For this purpose the frame wall  26  may be embodied as one part, or also in multiple parts. The winding device  9  has a winding position for each production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 , which has two driven spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  for winding the two threads. The spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  are held on a rotating spindle carrier  20 . The spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  of the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  are alternately guided through the spindle carrier  20  between an operating position and an alternating position. In the operating position the spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  interact with a pressure roll  23  and a changing device  22  in order to wind the threads  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  to one spool  25 . 1  and  25 . 2 . 
     Each of the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  has an auxiliary device  38  in order to be able to automatically perform a spool change. The auxiliary device  38 , which is formed, for example, by a displacement fork for spools, further has a feed arm  39  that is held laterally next to the spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2 , and which supports the initial feed of a thread at a pivoting axis. The function of the feed arm  39  is explained in further detail below. 
     An operating platform  27  is arranged on the longitudinal side of the machine at the height between the treatment device  8  and the winding device  9  for operating the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 , particularly when feeding a thread to the treatment device  8  and to the winding device  9 . The operating platform  27  extends across the entire length of the longitudinal side of the machine such that an operator can perform all necessary work steps for feeding the thread or for the maintenance of the treatment units  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  from the operating platform  27 . For example, the threads  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  of the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  exiting at the spinning hopper  4  during spinning can be transferred by means of a manually guided suction gun, and fed successively to the treatment units  8 . 1  and  8 . 2 . Due to the raised position of the operating platform  27  on the longitudinal side of the machine, all work operations can be carried out by an operator from one position. 
     The operating platform  27  has one passage opening  28  each in the region of the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3 , which enables a thread transfer and a straight grain during a feed process. A movable thread guide  29  is associated with each winding position  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  for the thread transfer to the winding position that is embodied below the operating platform  27 . The movable thread guide  29  can be guided between an operating position and a feed position.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the thread guide  29  in an operating position adjacent to the passage opening  28 . In this example embodiment the movable thread guide  29  is formed by a deflection means  31  that is connected to a guide carriage  32  in a projecting manner. The deflection means  31  may be embodied, for example, by a deflection pin, or a deflection roll. The guide carriage  32  is guided in vertical direction on a guide rail  33 , and can be therefore displaced between the operating position and a lower feed position. The function of the movable thread guide  29  will be explained in further detail below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of the winding position  10 . 1  showing the winding device  9  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a situation, wherein a thread is fed to a spool spindle for winding a spool at the beginning of the process. For this purpose the situation is illustrated by means of only one at a straight grain. 
     At the beginning of the feed process the movable thread guide  29  is held adjacent to the passage opening  28  in the operating position thereof. The thread guide  29  has a deflection means  31  for guiding the thread, which is held at the guide carriage  32 . The thread  24  is now continuously drawing from a spinning device  1  via a manually guided suction gun  34 , and fed to a waste bin. First the thread  24  is inserted into the treatment units  8 . 1  and  8 . 2  of the treatment device  8  one after another in order to be threaded into a head thread guide  30  at the end. Then an operator guides the suction gun  34  with the thread around the deflection means  31  into a loop, and keeps the suction gun  34  in a holding position. The thread  24  is threaded into the movable thread guide  29  in this manner. The operator triggers the drive of the guide carriage  32  by means of control elements in the region of the treatment device  8 , such that the thread guide  29  moves vertically from the operating position into the feed position toward the bottom. The feed position is indicated in  FIG. 3  in the lower region of the guide rail  33  in a dotted line. For this purpose the guide end of the thread guide  29  is held adjacent to the spool spindles  21 . 1  and  21 . 2 . The straight grain between the head thread guide  30 , the deflection pin  31 , and the suction gun  34  is also indicated by a dotted line. Now the feed arm  39  of the auxiliary device of the winding position  10 . 1  is activated during the further course of the feeding process such that a guide end  40  of the feed arm  39  meets the straight grain of the thread  24  guided between the head thread guide  30  and the deflection means  31  at an increasing pivoting angle. The guide end  40  of the feed arm  39  grips the thread and deflects the same in the direction of the spool spindle  21 . 1 . The spool spindle  21 . 1  holds a spool cartridge including a trapping means such that the thread  24  is gripped and separated. The spool travel of the winding position  10 . 1  begins. In this manner the winding device  9  may also be advantageously operated from the operating platform  27 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a further example embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in several views.  FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a front view, and  FIG. 5  schematically illustrates a side view of the apparatus. In this respect no express reference is made to one of the figures the following description applies to both figures. 
     The example embodiment again includes a spinning device  1 , a treatment device  8 , and a winding device  9 . The spinning device  1 , the treatment device  8 , and the winding device  9  are combined overall to three production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 , having a one-threaded thread guide per production position. 
     For each production position  1 . 1  and  1 . 2  and  1 . 3  the spinning device  1  contains three spinning nozzles  2 . 1 ,  2 . 2 , and  2 . 3 , which are held at a base of a heatable spinning beam  6 . For this purpose the spinning  6  beam carries the spinning nozzles  2 . 1 , to  2 . 3  of the production positions  1 . 1  to  1 . 3  in a single row arrangement. The spinning beam  6  is connected to several melt sources (not illustrated) via multiple melt feeds  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2 , and  7 . 3 . One polymer melt is supplied through each of the melt sources, which distributes the melt feed  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2 , and  7 . 3  in the distribution system (not illustrated) within the spinning beam  6  with associated spinning pumps on the individual spinning nozzles  2 . 1 ,  2 . 2 , and  2 . 3  of the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 . In this manner differently dyed polymer melts can be extruded in the spinning nozzles  2 . 1 ,  2 . 2 , and  2 . 3 , in order to produce, for example, a so-called tricolor thread per production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 , as is usually necessary for the production of carpet. Therefore the filament bundles of the spinning nozzles  2 . 1 ,  2 . 2 , and  2 . 3  in each of the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  are combined to one thread. 
     The cooling apparatus  3  arranged below the spinning beam  6  is identical to the previous example according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  such that no further explanations are provided at this point. 
     The treatment device  8  having treatment units  8 . 1 ,  8 . 2 ,  8 . 3 , and  8 . 4  is arranged below the spinning hoppers  4 . The treatment device  8  has one preparation device  8 . 1 , one stretching apparatus  8 . 2 , one crimping device  8 . 3 , and one relaxer apparatus  8 . 4 , being held at a frame wall  26  substantially below each other, per production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3 . For this purpose the components of the treatment units critical for the thread guides protrude from a front of the frame wall  26 . The electric drives and controls, however, are held on the opposite side of the frame wall  26 . 
     The stretching apparatus  8 . 2  is connected downstream of the preparation apparatus  8 . 1 , wherein the stretching apparatus is formed by a fluke godet duo  14 , and a stretching godet duo  15 . The stretching apparatus  8 . 2  is followed by the crimping device  8 . 3 , which contains a texturizing nozzle  16  and a cooling drum  17 . The individual threads are texturized into a mutual thread within the texturizing nozzle  15 , and cooled as a thread stopper at the circumference of the cooling drum  17 . After cooling the thread is released from the thread stopper, and fed to the winding device  9  via the relaxer apparatus  8 . 4 . The relaxer apparatus  8 . 4  contains multiple relaxer godets  18 . 1  and  18 . 2 , which are each embodied as a driven godet having an associated spillover roller. A swirling device  19  is arranged between the relaxer godets  18 . 1  and  18 . 2  in order to compact the thread before winding. 
     The winding device  9  is embodied substantially identical in its winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  to that illustrated in the example embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein only one thread  24  is wound to a spool  25  per winding position  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3 . For an explanation as to the construction of the function of the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  reference is made to the previous description of the example embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The operating platform  27  having a passage opening  28  opposite of each of the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3  extends along the longitudinal side of the machine at the height between the treatment device  8  and the winding device  9 . In this respect the thread transfer with the initial feed is carried out via the passage opening  28 . A free space is formed below the operating platform  27  for changing the spools at the winding positions  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 , and  10 . 3 . The spool change at the winding positions  10 . 1  to  10 . 3  is carried out fully automatically by means of a doffing device  42 . For this purpose the doffing device  42  has multiple spool changing apparatuses  43 , wherein one of the spool changing apparatuses  43  is associated with the winding position  10 . 1  to  10 . 3 . The spool changing apparatuses  43  interact with a spool transport device  44 . The spools  25  removed at the winding positions  10 . 1  to  10 . 3  via the spool transport devices  44 . In this example embodiment the spool changing device  44  is embodied as a suspension track. The spool changing apparatus  43  is formed by means of a turnstile arm system, as described in German patent application 10 2006 010855, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     In order to achieve high flexibility in utilizing the apparatus, the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  with their treatment units and winding positions are driven and controlled independently of each other. For this purpose the drive and control electronics of the production positions  1 . 1  to  1 . 3  are each separately combined into an electronic assembly unit  35 , and are each associated with the production position  1 . 1  to  1 . 3 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the situation for the production position  1 . 1 . For this purpose the electronic assembly unit  35  is held on the rear of the frame wall  26 . The godet drives, the roller drive of the cooling drum, the changing drive, the spindle drives of the spool spindles, and the rotational drive of the spindle carrier  20  are connected to the electronic assembly unit  35 . Furthermore, additional actuators and sensors may be associated with the treatment units, which are also coupled to the electronic assembly unit  35 . A control unit  37  is associated to the electronic assembly unit  35  for the control, which is coupled in an operating panel  36 . The operating panel  36  is held at the front of the frame wall  26  so that all process unit functions can be activated by an operator via the operating panel. The operating panel  36  is located in the region of the treatment device  8  above the operating platform  27 . 
     In order to be able to operate the spinning device  1  without interruption in case of a broken thread in one of the production positions  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , or  1 . 3 , a thread hacker  12  and an intake  13  are associated with each production position  1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 , and  1 . 3  in the feed region of the treatment device  8 . The intake  13  that is connected to the waste bin and the thread hacker  12  interact with each other in order to remove the threads from the feed device in case of a process interruption. 
     The example embodiment according to the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is particularly well suited in order to produce a plurality of composite threads parallel to each other, having a high flexibility from the quick spinning process to the winding. For this purpose the selection of the treatment units held at the production positions serves only as an example. Generally, additional treatment steps, such as a pre-swirling of the thread directly after preparation, or alternative treatment steps, such as a multiple stretching without texturizing, may also be performed. It is also possible to perform treatment steps using a plurality of production position groups of individual production positions in different designs of the process units. In this manner different thread types can be produced using one apparatus. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
         
           
               1  spinning device 
               1 . 1 ,  1 . 2 ,  1 . 3  production position 
               2 . 1 ,  2 . 2 ,  2 . 3  spinning nozzle 
               3  cooling apparatus 
               4  spinning hopper 
               5  convergence thread guide 
               6  spinning beam 
               7  melt feed 
               8  treatment device 
               8 . 1  preparation apparatus 
               8 . 2  stretching apparatus 
               8 . 3  crimping apparatus 
               8 . 4  relaxing apparatus 
               9  winding device 
               10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 ,  10 . 3  winding position 
               11  collective thread guide 
               12  thread hacker 
               13  intake 
               14  feed godet duo 
               15  stretching godet duo 
               16  texturizing nozzle 
               17  cooling drum 
               18 . 1 ,  18 . 2  relaxing godet 
               19  swirling device 
               20  spindle carrier 
               21 . 1 ,  21 . 2  spool spindle 
               22  changing device 
               23  pressure roll 
               24 ,  24 . 1 ,  24 . 2  thread 
               25  spool 
               26  frame wall 
               27  operating platform 
               28  passage opening 
               29  movable thread guide 
               30  head thread guide 
               31  deflection means 
               32  guide carriage 
               33  guide rail 
               34  suction gun 
               35  electronic assembly 
               36  operating panel 
               37  control unit 
               38  auxiliary device 
               39  feed arm 
               40  guide end 
               42  doffing device 
               43  spool changing apparatus 
               44  spool transport apparatus

Technology Category: 6