Storage device for fiber material with cleaning unit

Abstract

A storage device, the storage device has a storage shaft for temporarily storing fiber material, the storage shaft has a shaft shell with a storage space and an input line leading to the storage space, the fiber material can be pneumatically transported into the storage space by means of conveying air through the input line; the storage device has a cleaning unit for cleaning contaminated conveying air in the storage space, the cleaning unit includes a cleaning shell with a cleaning space; a separation wall retains the fiber material in the storage space and allows the contaminated conveying air to flow into the clean space, wherein the cleaning unit has a filter element arranged in the conveying air flow between the clean space and the surrounding environment, through which contaminants in the conveying air can be retained in the clean space and the filtered conveying air can leave the surrounding environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a storage device for a device for preparing and / or supplying fiber material, in particular for producing nonwoven fabrics, the storage device having a storage shaft for temporarily storing the fiber material, the storage shaft having a shaft housing with a storage space and an input line leading into the storage space, through which the fiber material can be pneumatically conveyed into the storage space using conveying air; the storage device having a cleaning unit for cleaning contaminated conveying air in the storage space, the cleaning unit comprising a cleaning housing with a clean space; and having a partially permeable separation wall arranged in the conveying air flow between the storage space and the clean space, the separation wall retaining the fiber material in the storage space and allowing contaminated conveying air to flow into the clean space, wherein the cleaning unit has a filter element arranged in the conveying air flow between the clean space and the surrounding environment, through which contaminants of the conveying air can be retained in the clean space and the filtered conveying air can escape into the surrounding environment. The invention also relates to a device for preparing and / or supplying fiber material for a textile machine having such a storage device. Background Art

[0002] A storage device for fiber material is known from FR 1.498.901 A, which has a storage shaft for storing fiber material. Between the shaft housing of the storage shaft and the cleaning housing of the cleaning unit, the storage device has a partially permeable partition wall. The partition wall traps the fiber material in the storage space and allows contaminated conveying air to flow into the clean space. The disadvantage is that the entire conveying air volume must be sucked. Therefore, a lot of energy is required to clean the conveying air, so air cleaning or the operation of the device is very expensive. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage device and a device having such a storage device, with which the conveying air can be cleaned in an energy-saving and thus cost-effective manner.

[0004] This object is achieved by a memory device and a device having such a memory device having the features of the independent claims.

[0005] A storage device for a device for preparing and / or supplying fiber materials, in particular for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, is proposed. The storage device comprises a storage shaft for temporarily storing fiber materials, the storage shaft having a shaft housing with a storage space and an input line leading to the storage space, through which the fiber materials can be pneumatically transported into the storage space using conveying air. In addition, the storage device comprises a cleaning unit for cleaning the contaminated conveying air in the storage space. The cleaning unit comprises a cleaning housing with a cleaning space. In addition, the storage device has a partially permeable separation wall. The separation wall is arranged between the storage space and the clean space in the conveying air flow of the conveying air. The partially permeable separation wall is constructed so that the separation wall traps the fiber materials in the storage space and allows the contaminated conveying air to flow into the clean space. Thus, the separation wall can be used to separate the fibers from the contaminated conveying air. The term "contaminant" can be understood in particular as dust, fine dust and larger foreign particles. Contaminants can also include the finest fibers or fiber particles of the fiber material.

[0006] In addition, the cleaning unit has a filter element arranged in the conveying air flow between the clean space and the surrounding environment. Therefore, pollutants of the conveying air can be trapped in the clean space by the filter element. Conversely, the filtered conveying air can pass through the filter element and leave the surrounding environment. Advantageously, the flow energy of the conveying air is used to allow the conveying air to pass through the filter element. As a result, a suction device for sucking the conveying air through the filter element can be saved. Therefore, most of the conveying air can be guided through the filter element without additional energy requirements. The cleaning unit can therefore be operated very energy-efficiently and therefore cost-effectively.

[0007] In order to ensure the operational readiness of the cleaning unit as long as possible or to keep the maintenance costs of the cleaning unit as low as possible, the cleaning housing has a collecting space on the bottom side. The collecting space is arranged below the cleaning space. Advantageously, the pollutants trapped in the cleaning space by the filter element are therefore deposited in the collecting space autonomously by gravity. It can be ensured that most of the pollutants fall autonomously from the filter element and are therefore transported out of the conveying air flow. The conveying air flow can thus pass through the filter element unimpeded for a long time. The above-mentioned storage device can therefore be operated very cost-effectively with low maintenance costs.

[0008] Advantageously, the collecting space has a cleaning opening leading away from the cleaning housing. Thus, pollutants deposited in the collecting space can be discharged from the collecting space through the cleaning opening. Preferably, the pollutants are discharged from the collecting space into a waste container through the cleaning opening. In an advantageous improvement of the invention, the cleaning opening is preferably configured at the side of the collecting space.

[0009] If the removal opening is arranged at a first collecting space wall of the collecting space, removal of the contaminants from the collecting space can be achieved in a very space-saving manner.

[0010] It is also advantageous if the cleaning unit has an in particular mechanical or pneumatic transport device, with which the contaminants can be discharged from the collecting space through the removal opening.

[0011] Preferably, the pneumatic transport device is designed in such a way that it sucks or blows a purge air flow through the purge opening. The pneumatic transport device is preferably designed in such a way that it generates a purge air flow flowing in the direction of the purge opening, with which pollutants deposited in the collection space can be discharged and / or sucked out of the purge opening. Advantageously, the pneumatic transport device can thus be operated very cost-effectively, since it only has to conduct a small part of the conveying air of the conveying air flow through the purge opening. On the contrary, the majority of the conveying air is passively discharged through the filter element as already explained above, wherein for this purpose the conveying air flow of the transport device is used, which blows the fiber material through the input line into the shaft housing.

[0012] Advantageously, the pneumatic transport device has at least one purge opening, through which a purge air flow can be introduced into the collecting space. The direction of the purge air flow can be advantageously influenced by the purge opening. The purge opening can be a conventional opening in the bottom and / or in the wall. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the purge opening is configured as a nozzle.

[0013] Advantageously, the at least one purge opening is oriented relative to the purge opening in such a way that a purge air flow can be generated which is oriented and / or directed in the direction of the purge opening, thereby enabling a very energy-efficient transport of the pollutants away from the purge opening.

[0014] In an advantageous development, the at least one purge opening is arranged on a second collecting chamber wall, in particular opposite the first collecting chamber wall. This ensures that the purge air flow leaves the purge opening and purges in the direction of the purge opening.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if at least one purge opening is arranged at the collecting space bottom of the collecting space, thereby preventing pollutants from being caught by the purge air flow and adhering to the collecting space bottom.

[0016] In an advantageous development of the invention, the collecting space bottom is inclined at least in a first section. Additionally or alternatively, the collecting space bottom can extend in an inclined manner in the first section toward the removal opening.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the collecting space bottom additionally or alternatively extends horizontally in the second section. Thus, the collecting space bottom can be designed, for example, in such a way that, starting from the removal opening, the collecting space bottom first extends horizontally and then rises obliquely.

[0018] Advantageously, the pneumatic transport device has a plurality of purge openings. In this case, at least one purge opening is preferably arranged on a collecting space wall and / or at least one purge opening is arranged on the collecting space bottom.

[0019] The purge openings can be designed very cost-effectively if the collecting space bottom is formed at least in sections by a perforated plate with a plurality of purge openings.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the collecting space bottom has at least one step. The step is preferably directed in the direction of the purge opening. This means that at least one end side of the step is oriented in the direction of the purge opening. The stepped collecting space bottom thus descends stepwise in the direction of the purge opening. Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if at least one purge opening is constructed in the step. The purge opening is therefore preferably constructed in an end side of the step, which is directed in the direction of the purge opening.

[0021] In this regard, it is also advantageous if the collecting space bottom is stepped in the direction of the purge opening by a plurality of steps arranged in succession. This ensures that purge openings are formed at different locations in the longitudinal direction of the collecting space bottom. Preferably, the purge openings are formed in separate stepped portions.

[0022] Advantageously, the pneumatic transport device has a blower for generating the purge air flow. The blower is preferably designed as a fan. The blower thus draws in air from the surroundings and blows it into the clean housing as the purge air flow.

[0023] The blowing blower is preferably in effective connection with the at least one purge opening. This is achieved in particular by constructing an air supply space at the back side of the second collecting space wall and / or at the back side of the collecting space bottom. Therefore, the blower draws air from the surrounding environment and allows air to enter the air supply space. Through the air supply space, air is distributed to the purge openings, and air leaves from the at least one purge opening as a purge air flow. The purge air flow leaving the at least one purge opening carries the pollutants and transports the pollutants out of the collecting space through the purge opening.

[0024] Advantageously, the blower and the removal opening are arranged on opposite sides of the cleaning housing.

[0025] It is also advantageous if the collecting space tapers in a funnel-like manner at least in sections in the direction of the collecting space bottom, so that pollutants deposited due to gravity can be guided to the collecting space bottom.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the transport device can also be designed as a mechanical transport device, wherein the mechanical transport device then preferably comprises a motorized conveyor belt, which preferably forms at least a part of the bottom of the collecting space. The conveyor belt is arranged relative to the removal opening in such a way that the pollutants can be transported out of the removal opening by the conveyor belt.

[0027] In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the separating wall is a perforated plate. It is also advantageous if the separating wall forms at least a portion of a common side wall of the shaft housing and the clean housing. The shaft housing and the clean housing are therefore arranged directly adjacent to one another, so that the shaft housing and the clean housing share a side wall. The separating wall is preferably formed by the common side wall.

[0028] Advantageously, the shaft housing has a lower storage space in which the fibers conveyed via the feed line can be deposited and stored. It is also advantageous if the shaft housing has a supply space which is arranged above the storage space. In the supply space, the fiber material is also mixed with the conveying air, so that the fiber material swirls. The separating wall is preferably arranged in the region of the supply space.

[0029] Advantageously, the filter element is arranged at an outer wall of the clean housing, in particular the clean space, which is located opposite the partition wall, and / or at least partially forms the outer wall. As a result, the conveying air can be discharged into the surroundings as soon as it passes through the filter element, which currently forms at least a part of the outer wall of the clean housing. The filter element is therefore advantageously designed as a filter wall and / or a filter outer wall, which preferably forms at least a part of the housing wall of the clean housing.

[0030] Another advantage is that the filter element can thus be easily cleaned. It can thus happen that a portion of the pollutants adhere to the inner side of the filter element. The filter element, which forms at least a portion of the outer wall, can thus be blown through from the outside inwards with a clean air jet, so that its inner side is released again. The released pollutants can thus be deposited in the collection space due to gravity.

[0031] Advantageously, the material of the filter element is metal, plastic and / or a fabric, in particular made of natural or artificial fibers. Preferably, the filter element is constructed from paper, metal fabric, metal mesh and / or a metal sheet, in particular with micropores. The term "micropores" is to be understood as holes that can retain dust particles in the air and / or that are in particular several times smaller than the holes of a separating wall that is constructed as a perforated plate.

[0032] In an advantageous development of the invention, the storage device has two cleaning units which are arranged, in particular, symmetrically and / or opposite one another. The two cleaning units are preferably constructed according to the above description, wherein the features mentioned can be present individually or in any combination. Preferably, the respective cleaning spaces of the two cleaning units are separated from the common storage space by a separate separating wall.

[0033] Furthermore, a device for preparing and / or supplying fiber material, in particular for producing nonwoven fabrics, for a textile machine is proposed, which has a storage device for temporarily storing the fiber material. The storage device is designed according to the above description, wherein the features mentioned can be present individually or in any combination. As a result, the conveying air can be cleaned very energy-savingly.

[0034] The device is advantageously an opener for opening the fiber material. In this case, the device is in particular a mixing opener and / or a finishing opener. Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the device is a feeder, with which the fiber material can be fed to a machine downstream of the device, in particular a carding machine and / or a combing machine.

[0035] In this context, it is advantageous if the device comprises a feed roller, a withdrawal roller and / or an opening roller which are arranged downstream of the storage device in the direction of material flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Other advantages of the present invention are described in the following embodiments.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a textile machine used to make nonwoven fabrics.

[0038] Figure 2a A device for preparing and / or supplying fiber material with a storage device having a cleaning unit is shown in a side sectional view.

[0039] Figure 2b A device for preparing and / or supplying fiber material is shown in a side sectional view with two supply lines for the fiber material.

[0040] Figure 3 The device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a or 2b is shown in a front view,

[0041] Figure 4 A detailed view of a cleaning unit of the device shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3 is shown in the area of ​​a pneumatic transport device according to a first exemplary embodiment, and

[0042] Figure 5 A detailed view of a cleaning unit of the device shown in FIGS. 2 a , 2 b and 3 is shown in the area of ​​a pneumatic transport device according to a second exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a textile device 1, which is currently configured for the production of nonwoven fabrics. The fiber material 2 provided as a bag is opened by a bag opener 3 and dropped onto a conveyor belt. The opened fiber material 2 is then supplied to a mixing opener 4 via a tubular line 5, through which the fiber material undergoes a first loosening (Auflösung) and further mixing. From the mixing opener 4, the fiber material 2 arrives at a final opener 6 via another tubular line 5, in which the fiber material undergoes a final loosening. The fiber material finally arrives at a filling shaft feeder 7 via a third tubular line 5, from which it is supplied to a carding machine 8. The transportation of the fiber material 2 is achieved through the tubular line 5 by means of at least one pneumatic conveying device 12, which generates a conveying air flow 29 by a fan.

[0044] The mixing opener 4, the finishing opener 6 and the filling shaft feeder 7 are embodiments of a device 9 for preparing and / or feeding the fibrous material 2, which is described in detail below. Detailed views of the device 9 are shown in FIGS.

[0045] According to FIG. 1 , the mixing opener 4, the final opener 6 and the filling shaft feeder 7 each have a storage device 10 with a storage shaft 11 that is narrow and high, especially in the side view. The large structural height of the storage shaft 11, which is necessary for a sufficiently large storage volume, has a space-saving effect in terms of floor space. The storage shafts 11 of the mixing opener 4, the final opener 6 and the filling shaft feeder 7 are used as buffers to compensate for fluctuations in the radial supply through the bale opener 3, the downstream openers, especially through the mixing opener 4 and / or the final opener 6 and / or the filling shaft feeder 7.

[0046] 2a, 2b and 3 show details of a device 9, with which fiber material 2 can be temporarily stored, prepared and / or supplied in a textile machine 1. The device 9 can be used in a textile machine 1 as already explained above, as it is shown by way of example in FIG. 1. In this case, the device 9 is a textile preparation device for producing nonwoven fabrics.

[0047] According to Figures 2a, 2b and 3, the device 9 comprises a storage device 10. The fiber material 2 can be temporarily stored in the storage device 10 in order to be able to absorb or buffer fluctuations in the supply of the respective machine.

[0048] In addition to the storage device 10, the device 9 also has a processing unit 13. The processing unit 13 is arranged below the storage device 10. With the processing unit 13, the fiber material 2 stored in the storage device 10 can be prepared, in particular opened, and / or supplied to a subsequent machine, in particular to a carding machine and / or a combing machine. At present, the processing unit 13 includes a supply roller 14, with which the fiber material 2 in the storage shaft 11 can be supplied to other devices. In addition, the processing unit 13 has at least one opening roller 15. The opening roller is arranged after the supply roller 14. In addition, the processing unit 13 includes a withdrawal roller 16, with which the fiber material 2 can be withdrawn from the device 9 and supplied to other devices, in particular a carding machine and / or a combing machine.

[0049] As already mentioned above, the storage device 10 shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3 comprises a storage shaft 11. The storage shaft 11 has a shaft housing 17. A storage space 18 is formed in the shaft housing 17, in which the fiber material 2 pneumatically conveyed into the storage device 10 can be temporarily stored. In the present case, the fiber material 2 is introduced in the upper region of the storage space 18. In this region, the fiber material 2 rotates together with the conveying air 21. The fibers 22 to be stored are deposited in the lower region of the storage space 18.

[0050] In order to be able to convey the fiber material 2 into the storage space 18, the storage shaft 11 comprises at least one supply line 19 which opens into the storage space 18. The at least one supply line 19 is in effective connection with a pneumatic conveying device 12, such as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The fiber material 2 can thus be conveyed pneumatically into the storage space 18 via the at least one supply line 19 with a corresponding conveying pressure. FIG. 2a shows an embodiment with a single such supply line 19. Figure 2b An embodiment with two input lines 19, 20 is shown. The two input lines 19, 20 are arranged on opposite sides of the storage space 18. Apart from the number of input lines 19, 20, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b are essentially identical in structure. The front view shown in FIG. 3 therefore relates to both embodiments.

[0051] The fibrous material 2 is conveyed into the storage space 18 by means of the conveying air 21 via the at least one supply line 19, 20. The conveying air 21 is thereby contaminated. The fibrous material 2 therefore has not only fibers 22 but also contaminants 23. Before the conveying air 21 can be blown out into the surroundings 24, the contaminants 23 must be filtered out. For this purpose, the storage device 10 comprises a cleaning unit 25.

[0052] The cleaning unit 25 has a cleaning housing 26. A cleaning space 27 is formed in the cleaning housing 26. The storage space 18 of the storage shaft 11, in particular its upper region, and the cleaning space 27 of the cleaning unit 25 are separated from each other by a partition wall 28. With respect to the conveying air flow 29, which is currently indicated by the arrow, the partition wall is therefore located between the storage space 18 and the cleaning space 27. In the lower region of the storage shaft 11, the wall of the storage space 18 is designed to be impermeable.

[0053] The separating wall 28 is constructed in such a way that the separating wall retains the fiber material 2 or the fibers 22 contained therein in the storage space 18 and allows the conveying air 21 to flow into the clean space 27 together with the pollutants 23 contained therein. The separating wall 28 is therefore constructed to be partially permeable. Preferably, the separating wall 28 is constructed as a perforated plate for this purpose. The separating wall has a plurality of separating wall holes 30, of which only one is provided with a reference numeral for clarity. The size of the separating wall hole 30 is constructed in such a way that the fibers 22 are retained, but the pollutants 23 can pass through together with the conveying air 21.

[0054] As can be seen from FIGS. 2a and 2b , the shaft housing 17 and the cleaning housing 26 are arranged directly adjacent to each other. They thus have a common side wall 48. At least a portion of the common side wall 48 forms a semi-permeable separating wall 28. In the present case, the common side wall 48 is designed as a separating wall 28.

[0055] According to the above description, the separating wall 28 thus serves to separate the fibers 22 from the contaminated conveying air 21. The fibers 22 thus remain in the storage space 18 and collect in the lower region of the storage shaft 11 due to gravity.

[0056] According to the conveying air flow 29 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b , the conveying air 21 passes through the partition wall 28 together with its pollutants 23 into the clean space 27. In order to separate the pollutants 23 from the conveying air 21, the cleaning unit 25 comprises a filter element 32. The filter element 32 is arranged in the conveying air flow 29 between the clean space 27 and the surroundings 24. The filter element 32 is also designed to be semi-permeable, that is to say in such a way that at least a part of the pollutants 23 contained in the conveying air flow 29 can be retained in the clean space 27 and the conveying air 21 filtered by the filter element 32 can now leave the surroundings 24.

[0057] The filter element 32 is preferably a dry filter and / or an air filter. It can, for example, have fibers and / or particles. In addition, it can have a paper-like and / or cloth-like fabric. The separation wall 28 thus fulfills a coarse screening function and the filter element 32 fulfills a fine filtering function. Advantageously, the material of the filter element 32 is metal, plastic and / or a fabric made especially of natural or artificial fibers. Preferably, the filter element 32 is constructed of paper, metal fabric, metal mesh and / or a metal sheet material with micropores, especially. The term "micropores" can be understood as holes that can trap dust particles in the air and / or are particularly multiple times smaller than the holes of the separation wall 28 constructed as a perforated plate.

[0058] As can be seen from Fig. 2a, 2b and 3, filter element 32 is arranged at the outer wall 33 of clean space 27 and / or clean housing 26. According to the current embodiment, filter element 32 is arranged at the outer wall 33 of clean housing 26 opposite to separating wall 28. Filter element 32 at least partially forms outer wall 33. Filter element 32 is therefore configured as filter wall and / or filter outer wall, which preferably forms at least a part of the housing wall of clean housing 26. Thus filter element 32 can be easily cleaned in the following manner, i.e., blown through by filter element from the outside with clean air flow. Pollutants 23 attached in the interior of filter element 32 and / or at its inner side can therefore be blown back in clean space 27, so that filter element 32 becomes unobstructed and pollutants 23 can be deposited in the lower region of clean housing 26 due to gravity.

[0059] In order to support the filter element 32 relative to the conveying air flow 29 and / or the reverse clean air flow, the cleaning housing 26 includes a supporting grid 34 (see Figure 3 in detail). The supporting grid is configured in a chessboard shape. The filter element 32 can extend over the entire supporting grid 34. In this case, the filter element 32 is preferably spread out onto the supporting grid 34. However, alternatively, the filter element 32 can also be configured as a multi-piece type, in particular, composed of a plurality of filter plates 35. For reasons of clarity, only some of the filter plates 35 are provided with reference numerals.

[0060] According to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3, the clean housing 26 includes a collecting space 36 in addition to the clean space 27 in the region of which the pollutants 23 are filtered out by the filter element 32. The collecting space 36 is used to collect the pollutants 23 filtered out by the filter element 32 so that the pollutants can be subsequently removed. For this purpose, the collecting space 36 is arranged in the bottom side of the clean housing 26. Therefore, the collecting space 36 is arranged below the clean space 27 according to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3. As a result, the pollutants 23 trapped in the clean space 27 by the filter element 32 are deposited in the collecting space 36 due to gravity.

[0061] In an embodiment not shown here, at least one additional intermediate filter can be arranged in the conveying air flow 29 between the partition wall 28 and the filter element 32. The intermediate filter is preferably arranged in the interior of the cleaning housing 26 in such a way that a first part of the pollutants 23 passes through the intermediate filter and a second part of the pollutants 23 that passes through the intermediate filter is retained by the filter element 32. Furthermore, the intermediate filter is preferably designed and / or arranged in such a way that both the first part and the second part of the pollutants 23 are deposited in the same collecting space 36 due to gravity.

[0062] The collecting space 36 is delimited on the bottom side by a collecting space bottom 37. Furthermore, the collecting space 36 has a plurality of collecting space walls, namely a first collecting space wall 38 and a second collecting space wall 39. In order to guide the pollutants 23 to the collecting space bottom 37 by means of gravity, it is advantageous if the collecting space 36 tapers in a funnel-like manner at least in sections in the direction of the collecting space bottom 37 according to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3.

[0063] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3 , the cleaning unit 25 has a drain opening 31. The drain opening 31 is formed in the region of the collecting space 36. The contaminants 23 deposited by gravity can be discharged from the collecting space 36 through the drain opening 31 formed in the cleaning housing 26. Preferably, the contaminants 23 are conveyed directly or indirectly via a line system into a waste container (not shown here) through the drain opening 31.

[0064] In order to guide the contaminants 23 out of the collecting space 36 through the cleaning opening 31, the cleaning unit 25 includes a transport device 40. According to the current embodiment, the transport device 40 is configured as a pneumatic transport device. For this purpose, the pneumatic transport device 40 includes at least one purge opening 41. Through the purge opening 41, a purge air flow 42 can be blown into the collecting space 36. The at least one purge opening 41 is preferably arranged and / or configured in such a way that the purge air flow 42 is oriented and / or directed in the direction of the purge opening 31.

[0065] In order to generate the purge air flow 42, the pneumatic transport device 40 comprises a blower 43. The blower 43 can thus generate a purge air flow 42 which is guided through the at least one purge opening 41 into the collecting space 36 in such a way that the pollutants 23 deposited on the collecting space bottom 37 by gravity can be discharged from the collecting space 36 through the purge opening 31. The blower 43 is therefore in particular designed as a fan.

[0066] As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2a and 2b, the at least one supply line 19, 20 extends from the outside through the clean space 27 into the storage space 18. In addition, the storage device 10 comprises a cleaning unit 25 and a second cleaning unit 44. The second cleaning unit 44 is also constructed according to the above description, wherein the features mentioned can exist individually or in any combination. In addition, the storage device 10 comprises a second partition wall 45, by which the second cleaning unit 44 is separated from the common storage space 18.

[0067] Thus, in the device 9 shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3, the fiber material 2 is transported, in particular blown, into the storage space 12 by the pneumatic conveying device 12, as shown, for example, in the textile machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, via the at least one feed line 19. The fiber material 2 has contaminants 23 in addition to fibers 22. Due to gravity, the fibers 22 are deposited in the lower region of the storage shaft 11. In the upper region of the storage shaft 11, the conveying air 21 passes through the partition wall 28 into the clean space 27 according to the conveying air flow 29 indicated by the arrows. In this case, the conveying air 21 carries the contaminants 23, while the fibers 22 are retained in the storage space 18 by the partition wall 28.

[0068] The conveying air 21 leaves the environment 24 through the filter element 32. The blowing energy of the pneumatic conveying device 12 (not shown here) is used. The filter element 32 retains the pollutants 23 in the clean space 27. The pollutants 23 trapped in the clean space 27 are deposited in the collecting space 36 of the cleaning unit 25 due to gravity.

[0069] The pollutants 23 now located in the collecting space 36 are blown out of the cleaning opening 31 by the pneumatic transport device 40 with the cleaning air flow 42 shown in FIG3 . Advantageously, the cleaning unit 25 can thus be operated very cost-effectively and economically, since a very large air volume can already escape through the filter element 32 into the surroundings 24. Therefore, only a very small air volume in comparison has to be moved out of the cleaning opening 31 by the transport device 40 .

[0070] Two different embodiments for arranging the at least one purge opening 41 are shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 . In both embodiments, the purge opening 31 is located at the first collecting space wall 38 . The blower 43 enters the collecting space 36 through the second collecting space wall 39 opposite to the first collecting space wall 38 . In both embodiments, the cleaning unit 25 comprises an air supply space 46 . The air supply space is constructed on the back side of the collecting space bottom 37 , in particular between the cleaning housing 26 and the collecting space bottom 37 . The blower 43 is in effective connection with the purge opening 41 through the air supply space 46 . In the embodiments shown not only in FIG. 4 but also in FIG. 5 , a plurality of purge openings 41 are constructed in the collecting space bottom 37 . These purge openings establish an effective connection between the air supply space 46 on the back side and the collecting space 36 on the front side.

[0071] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the collecting space bottom 37 is configured in a stepped manner. Therefore, the collecting space bottom 37 has a plurality of steps 47. The stepped collecting space bottom 37 falls in the direction of the cleaning opening 31. At least one purge opening 41 is arranged at the end side of each step 37. The purge opening 41 points in the direction of the cleaning opening 31. As a result, the cleaning air flow 42 can be guided directly in the direction of the cleaning opening 31.

[0072] Alternatively, the collecting space bottom 37 can extend obliquely and / or descend toward the purge opening 31. By means of this inclination, the purge air flow 42 can be directed in the direction of the purge opening 31. In the present case, the collecting space bottom 37 is preferably designed as a perforated plate, wherein the holes of the perforated plate form the respective purge opening 41.

[0073] The features of the collecting space bottom 37 shown in Figures 4 and 5 can also be combined. Thus, the collecting space bottom 37 can have a step in a section and / or be inclined in this section or in another section. The stepping of the collecting space bottom 37 can also be produced by at least one perforated plate.

[0074] In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the transport device 40 can also be designed as a mechanical transport device, wherein the transport device then preferably comprises a motor-operated conveyor belt, which preferably forms at least a part of the collecting space bottom 37. The conveyor belt is arranged relative to the cleaning opening 31 in such a way that the contaminants can be transported out of the cleaning opening 31 by the conveyor belt.

[0075] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown and described. Variations within the scope of the claims are possible as are combinations of features, even if these are shown and described in different exemplary embodiments.

[0076] Reference numerals list

[0077] 1Textile Equipment

[0078] 2. Fiber Materials

[0079] 3. Opening charter plane

[0080] 4 Mixing and opening machine

[0081] 5 Tubular lines

[0082] 6. Final opening machine

[0083] 7Filling wellbore feeder

[0084] 8 Carding machine

[0085] 9. Devices for preparation

[0086] 10 Storage Device

[0087] 11 Storage Shaft

[0088] 12Pneumatic conveying device

[0089] 13 Processing Units

[0090] 14 Supply roller

[0091] 15 Opening roller

[0092] 16 Extraction roller

[0093] 17 Wellbore casing

[0094] 18 Storage Space

[0095] 19 First input line

[0096] 20 Second input line

[0097] 21Conveying air

[0098] 22. Fiber

[0099] 23 Pollutants

[0100] 24Surroundings

[0101] 25First cleaning unit

[0102] 26. Clean the housing

[0103] 27. Clean Space

[0104] 28 first separation wall

[0105] 29 Conveying air flow

[0106] 30 separation wall holes

[0107] 31 Clear opening

[0108] 32 filter elements

[0109] 33 outer wall

[0110] 34 load bearing grid

[0111] 35 filter plate

[0112] 36 Collection Space

[0113] 37 Collection Space Bottom

[0114] 38 First collection space wall

[0115] 39 Second collection space wall

[0116] 40 Transportation Equipment

[0117] 41 Purge opening

[0118] 42 Clear air flow

[0119] 43 Blower

[0120] 44 Second cleaning unit

[0121] 45 Second separation wall

[0122] 46 air supply space

[0123] 47 Step

[0124] 48 common side walls.

Claims

1. A storage device (10) for a device (9) for preparing and / or supplying fiber material or for producing a nonwoven fabric, The storage device (10) comprises a storage shaft (11) for temporarily storing fiber material (2), the storage shaft having a shaft housing (17) with a storage space (18) and a supply line (19) leading to the storage space (18), through which the fiber material (2) can be pneumatically conveyed into the storage space (18) by means of conveying air (21), The storage device (10) has a cleaning unit (25) for cleaning the contaminated conveying air (21) in the storage space (18), the cleaning unit comprising a cleaning housing (26) with a cleaning space (27), and The storage device (10) has a partially permeable partition wall (28) arranged in the conveying air flow (29) between the storage space (18) and the clean space (27), which retains the fiber material (2) in the storage space (18) and allows the contaminated conveying air (21) to flow into the clean space (27), The cleaning unit (25) comprises a filter element (32) arranged in the conveying air flow (29) between the clean space (27) and the surrounding environment (24), by means of which pollutants (23) of the conveying air (21) can be retained in the clean space (27) and the filtered conveying air (21) can be discharged into the surrounding environment (24), It is characterized in that The cleaning housing (26) has a bottom-side collecting space (36) which is arranged below the cleaning space (27), so that the pollutants (23) trapped in the cleaning space (27) by the filter element (32) are deposited in the collecting space (36) due to gravity. The collecting space (36) has a removal opening (31) leading away from the cleaning housing (26), through which the contaminants (23) can be discharged from the collecting space (36), and the cleaning unit (25) has a transport device (40), by which the contaminants (23) can be discharged from the collecting space (36) through the removal opening (31).

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that The removal opening (31) is arranged at the first collecting space wall (38).

3. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transport device (40) has at least one purge opening (41) through which a purge air flow (42) can be introduced into the collecting space (36).

4. The storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The at least one purge opening (41) is oriented relative to the purge opening (31) in such a way that the purge air flow (42) is oriented and / or directed in the direction of the purge opening (31).

5. The storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The at least one purge opening (41) is arranged at the second collecting space wall (39) and / or at the collecting space bottom (37) of the collecting space (36).

6. The storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that The collecting space bottom (37) is inclined at least in sections and / or extends obliquely toward the removal opening (31).

7. The storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The collecting space bottom (37) is formed at least in sections by a perforated plate with a plurality of purge openings (41).

8. The storage device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The collecting space bottom (37) has at least one step (47) which points in the direction of the purge opening (31) and / or in which the at least one purge opening (41) is formed.

9. The storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transport device (40) has a blower (43) for generating a purge air flow (42), which is in effective connection with the at least one purge opening (41) via an air supply space (46) formed on the back side of the second collecting space wall (39) and / or the collecting space bottom (37).

10. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separating wall (28) is a perforated plate and / or at least a part of a common side wall (48) which forms the shaft housing (17) and the cleaning housing (26).

11. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter element (32) is arranged on an outer wall (33) of the cleaning housing (26) and / or at least partially forms the outer wall.

12. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device (10) comprises two cleaning units (25) and a second cleaning unit (44) which are arranged symmetrically and / or opposite to each other and are separated from the storage space (18) by a separate separation wall (28) and a second separation wall (45), respectively.

13. A device (9) for a textile machine (1) for preparing and / or supplying fiber material (2) or for producing nonwoven fabrics, The device (9) is provided with a storage device (10) for temporarily storing the fiber material (2), It is characterized in that The storage device (10) is designed according to any of the preceding claims.

Images