SPINNING PREPARATION MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a textile machine according to the preamble of claim 1 in the area of ​​spinning preparation.

[0002] Such textile machines are known. They serve to separate incoming fiber material (fiber flakes, possibly with other foreign material) from that foreign material from the fiber material released by the bale opener, which could cause damage to the downstream textile machines, and to open the fiber flakes and transport them to a downstream textile machine such as a mixer.

[0003] From EP 0 818 566 A1, a device for opening and cleaning fibers is known. The device comprises a first and a second cylinder. The two cylinders are arranged with their axes horizontally and parallel, but offset from each other, so that the fibers are first forced to travel in a spiral path around the cylinder to reach a transfer area between the two cylinders, in which the fiber stream is directed to the subsequent cylinder.

[0004] CN 101 842 527 B discloses an opener with two chambers, in each of which an opening roller is rotatably driven. An input line feeds the fibers to be processed simultaneously to the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0005] EP 2 554 726 B1 discloses an opener with a grate for separating foreign material in the form of shells and dirt from a fiber material to be opened. In technical terms, this is a cleaner. This cleaner includes a feeder. The feeder splits the incoming fiber-air stream so that both partial streams strike the first opening roller at a relatively short distance from the center. Due to its rotation and guide elements along its outer circumference, the first opening roller transports the incoming fiber material from these points of impact outwards in opposite directions along its axis of rotation towards its two ends. The fiber material is then transferred to the opposite end of a second opening roller.The second opening roller, due to its rotation and the guide elements along its outer circumference, transports the fiber material transferred from the first opening roller from its ends inwards towards its center in two opposing directions along its axis of rotation. The combined fiber material is then discharged via an outlet to a downstream textile machine. Furthermore, a grate with a rotary valve underneath is located below each opening roller to separate any foreign material that is removed. The disadvantages of this cleaner are, firstly, that two transfer points are required between the pair of opening rollers, which complicates the design and increases costs. Secondly, the division into two partial streams necessitates a divider, which further increases the cost. The inclusion of two rotary valves also increases the machine's price.An air cushion is necessary to divide the fiber flow at the first opening roller. If this cushion breaks down, it is impossible to predict where the fiber material will move. Furthermore, it is known that the fiber material is moved along the opening rollers by means of air. If fiber material accumulates at one end of the first opening roller, the air previously flowing there is diverted to the other end of the first opening roller. This results in less or no air flowing to the accumulated fiber material. Consequently, the fiber material gradually accumulates in this direction, so that ultimately only half of the first opening roller remains effective. In addition to the problem of material jamming, the productivity of this type of cleaner drops to about half its maximum capacity. Finally, this cleaner consumes a relatively large amount of energy due to the numerous driven components.

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to address the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a textile machine is provided with a device. That is, this device is integrated into or attached to the textile machine as a component. The device comprises a plurality of cleaning sections, each with an associated opening roller. Each cleaning section is designed to convey fiber material in a corresponding transport direction along the axis of rotation of the associated opening roller in a predetermined direction when the associated opening roller rotates in that direction, thereby separating foreign materials. For each pair of immediately adjacent opening rollers of two cleaning sections, the device includes an associated transfer section.Each transfer section is designed so that the fiber material conveyed by one opening roller is transferred at one end of that opening roller to the opposite end of the other opening roller, viewed transversely to the conveying direction. Thus, after cleaning by this opening roller, the fiber material enters the working area of ​​the subsequent opening roller. The device also has an inlet designed to convey incoming fiber material to an end of a first opening roller facing away from the corresponding transfer section. Only one other opening roller is immediately adjacent to this first opening roller. This ensures that the fiber-air flow from an upstream textile machine, such as a bale opener, reliably reaches the leading end of the first opening roller in the cleaning direction.Furthermore, the device has an outlet arranged to transport fiber material from the end of a final opening roller, opposite the associated transfer section, where only one other opening roller is immediately adjacent. Thus, the cleaned fiber material exits the device after passing through all opening rollers. This prevents the incoming fiber-air stream from splitting, thereby eliminating the aforementioned problem of clogging. Moreover, the device according to the invention ensures that the fiber material travels at least the same cleaning distance as with the cleaner disclosed in EP 2 554 726 B1, thus maintaining at least the same cleaning performance, and reliably so, throughout the entire operating period.Since there is only one transfer section between two immediately adjacent opening rollers, the number of parts in the device is reduced, thus lowering costs and simplifying the design. Furthermore, no section is required to generate the dividing air cushion, offering the same advantages. In addition, the full volume flow can be used to transfer the material.

[0009] Preferably, each cleaning section has a fiber guiding section designed to guide the fibers along the axis of rotation of the associated opening roller and to allow foreign materials to escape from the transport path along the associated opening roller. This prevents material jams, which improves operational reliability.

[0010] For this purpose, at least one guide section can have a guide section that is arranged and / or designed at a distance along an outer circumferential surface of the associated opening roller such that the fiber material is forced against the guide section by the rotation of the associated opening roller and the centrifugal force acting on the fiber material, and deflected and / or captured in the corresponding transport direction due to the design of the guide section. This serves to ensure the reliable transport of the material to be cleaned along the respective opening roller.

[0011] The guide section can be equipped with ribs. Each rib has a wall oriented against the transport direction of the respective opening roller, extending at least partially towards the opening roller and forming an acute or right angle with the transport direction when viewed transversely to the corresponding transport direction. The ribs thus form a kind of ramp for the material pushed outwards away from the opening roller by centrifugal force, and can therefore prevent a build-up around the respective opening roller. Alternatively or additionally, this wall extends at least partially in the transport direction from a front end to a rear end with respect to a rotational direction of the associated opening roller. That is to say,The ribs, for example, run in a helical pattern along the axis of rotation of the respective opening roller and thus support the movement of the material to be cleaned along the desired direction of movement along the associated opening roller.

[0012] Each of the aforementioned opening rollers can have pins which, viewed transversely to the corresponding transport direction, form an acute or right angle with the transport direction. This means that these types of pins can also serve to support material transport and prevent material jams. Alternatively or additionally, these pins also extend, with respect to a rotational direction of at least one opening roller, from a front end to a rear end, at least partially in the transport direction, thus running helically, with the same advantages as those described for the ribs.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the transfer section can be designed to be straight, free of kinks, and / or curved towards the opening rollers, at least partially on one side facing the two associated opening rollers. This helps to avoid material jams, as it is known that fibrous material in particular tends to accumulate at edges and kinks.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, for each pair of opening rollers, one opening roller is positioned further away from the floor on which the textile machine is placed than the other opening roller. This means that the opening rollers decrease in height from the inlet towards the outlet. This facilitates the transfer of the material to be cleaned from one opening roller to the immediately following one by utilizing gravity. The material to be cleaned essentially "falls" into the operating area of ​​the subsequent opening roller due to the airflow.

[0015] Preferably, in each of the aforementioned devices, the internal cross-section of the associated transfer section can decrease from one opening roller to the other in at least one pair of opening rollers. This accelerates the air flowing through, along with the material it carries. This reduces the risk of material build-up or adhesion, particularly of fibrous material, to the walls of, for example, this transfer section.

[0016] Each of the aforementioned devices can have a corresponding chamber surrounding each opening roller. Fiber material is transported from the respective opening roller to each chamber due to its rotation. The transfer section is designed as a tunnel and opens at one end into the chamber surrounding one opening roller in such a way that the fiber material transported by that opening roller, due to the rotation of the opening roller and the resulting centrifugal force acting on the transported fiber material, as well as an existing volume flow (moving air and the fiber and foreign material contained therein), automatically enters one end of the transfer section. At the other end, the transfer section opens into the other chamber surrounding the other opening roller in such a way that the fiber material coming from the first opening roller automatically enters this other chamber due to its velocity.This ensures that the fiber material is safely transferred from one opening roller to the next. The chambers also prevent material from escaping the operating area of ​​the opening roller they are handling.

[0017] Preferably, the transition between the inner surface of at least one of the two chambers, which faces the enclosed opening roller, and the transfer section is designed without kinks, thus offering the advantages of the aforementioned possibility of a kink-free transfer section. This kink-free design can be achieved by means of rounded edges, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the device has a discharge section. The discharge section comprises one discharge chamber per chamber. Each discharge chamber opens at one end into a discharge pipe common to at least two immediately adjacent chambers. At the opposite end of each discharge chamber, a grate section is arranged, separating the respective discharge chamber from the associated enclosed opening roller. The discharge pipe has a discharge opening, to which a discharge tube is connected, and a transport section. The transport section is designed and arranged to transport material coming from the connected discharge chambers to the discharge opening. Due to the grate section, the discharge section is designed to remove rejected material from the fiber-air flow guided over the opening roller housed in each associated chamber.This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the separated material to be discharged centrally from the device. This reduces costs compared to two rotary valves and simplifies the overall design.

[0019] Preferably, one end of the discharge chambers has a smaller distance to the ground than the other end. This allows the separated material to fall towards the discharge pipe.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, at least one discharge section is designed to taper from its other end to its one end. This reliably guides the excreted material towards the discharge pipe.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the discharge pipe can be designed as a tube open at both ends, into whose walls, forming the tube-like cross-section, the associated discharge chambers open at one end. Such a pipe is a space-saving and cost-effective way to remove the separated material from the device.

[0022] The discharge section can include a conveyor wheel. The conveyor wheel is positioned in the discharge pipe such that its axis of rotation extends along the longitudinal axis and transversely to the outlet openings leading to the connected chambers. The discharge section also includes a drive section. The drive section is designed to set the conveyor wheel in rotation. The discharge section can be configured as a rotary valve. In this case, the discharge pipe is preferably open at both ends, and the conveyor wheel is designed as a rotary valve. This ensures the reliable removal of the discharged material. The discharge section can also be configured as a screw conveyor. In this case, the discharge pipe is closed at least at one end, and the conveyor wheel is designed as a screw.This allows for an additional degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the discharge opening; it can also be located on the front.

[0023] The textile machine can be configured as a cleaner, stage cleaner, or feeder. The invention is therefore universally applicable.

[0024] If the device has the chambers specified above, it is preferably provided that one chamber is bounded on one side by a housing wall of the textile machine. This housing wall is located closest to a transfer section and has at least one through-opening. This at least one through-opening is formed in the area of ​​the respective opening roller. Since the material to be cleaned is moved by negative pressure through the textile machine past the opening rollers and through the at least one transfer section, the through-opening causes, from a physical perspective, the resulting overpressure in the surrounding area of ​​the chamber in question, which in turn forces air into the interior of this chamber through this at least one through-opening.This, in turn, creates a kind of air cushion on the inner wall of the chamber, which has at least one through-opening. This cushion prevents, or at least hinders, the adhesion of fiber material in particular. Functionally, the at least one through-opening thus acts as a kind of false air inlet. The air forced into this inlet can originate from air extracted from the incoming material stream at the inlet side of the textile machine, for example, by means of a condenser. This allows the transfer section to be positioned at a distance from this inner wall without the risk of material accumulating between the transfer section and this inner wall. This provides greater flexibility in the placement of the transfer section within the textile machine.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. These show: Figure 1 shows a cleaner according to a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of the in Figure 1 Reverse side, Figure 3, an enlarged view of Figure 2 Figure 4 shows the material flow through the cleaning sections of the cleaner. Figure 1 Figure 5 shows the cleaning sections of the cleaner. Figure 1 In the area of ​​the transfer from one opening roller to the other, Figure 6 shows a section of the inside of the Figure 5 right chamber in relation to the guide ribs, Figure 7 a vertical section from the in Figure 1 Front view, Figure 8, a detail view of the cleaner from the inside Figure 1 Front side, figure 9 Figure 3 similar sectional view to top view, Figure 10 Figure 8 Similar representation of a cleaner according to a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 11 shows a representation of the cleaner of Figure 10 in a view from a low right angle in Figure 10Figure 12 shows a horizontal section with a view from below. Figure 10 regarding the cleaner of Figure 10 Figure 13 shows a cleaning section with a slot-like opening in the machine housing, and Figure 14 shows two enlarged detail views of the cleaning section. Figure 13 .

[0026] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a textile machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention in the form of a cleaner. The cleaner 1 comprises a housing 2 which contains the essential operating elements of the cleaner 1. The housing 2 comprises, as is known, covers, flaps and a frame not shown here, which is not labelled.

[0027] A display 3 is located here on the front of the housing 2. The display 3 serves the purpose of making operating states, operating processes or production values ​​visible to the outside.

[0028] Above the housing 2 is an inlet section 20, which serves to supply two cleaning sections 60, described in more detail later, with fiber material. This inlet section is enclosed by the housing 2. A feed section 10 serves to connect the inlet section 20 to a fiber-air supply. In the example shown, the feed section 10 essentially consists of two pipes 12 and 12 and a sensor 11 arranged between them. The sensor 11 serves, for example, to determine the velocity of the fiber-air flow. In the example shown, the right pipe 12 opens into a pipe section 22. The incoming fiber-air flow is diverted via pipe section 22 into a pipe section 23, which opens into a pipe section 24 at its end furthest from pipe section 22. Pipe section 24, in turn, opens into an air separator 26 at its end furthest from pipe section 23.

[0029] The air separator 26 serves to remove excess (in extreme cases: the entire) air volume from the incoming fiber-air stream. The remaining material stream (fiber material possibly mixed with air) is introduced into a first cleaning section 60, which is enclosed by the housing 2. Furthermore, a motor 21 can be seen, which, via a fan 25 (described in more detail later), redirects the fiber-air stream arriving from the right-hand tube 12 into tube section 22 or tube section 23.

[0030] A pipe 28 serves to discharge air separated by the air separator 26 to the outside from the cleaner 1.

[0031] The housing 2 is placed on four adjustable feet 5. The adjustable feet 5 serve, in a known manner, to align the cleaner 1 on the surface (floor).

[0032] The cleaner 1 further comprises a discharge section 30 for the cleaned fiber material. The discharge section 30 comprises two tubes 31, 32, between which a sensor 33 is arranged.

[0033] Furthermore, a discharge section 40 with a pipe 41 is shown. The discharge section 40 serves to transport material (dirt, shells, etc.) separated from the incoming fiber-air stream out of the cleaner 1.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of cleaner 1 from the in Figure 1 The back side. The back side of the cleaner is 1 in Figure 1 exposed. In addition, the inlet section 10 has been omitted. This provides a clear view of pipe section 22, allowing the aforementioned fan 25 to be seen.

[0035] The air separator 26 opens at its outlet into a connection 27, which opens at its outlet via an opening 64 into a wall section 63 of the first cleaning section 60. The wall section 63, in conjunction with a grate 62 arranged on its underside, defines a chamber 68 in which an opening roller 61 is arranged to rotate freely in a known manner. The opening roller 61 comprises outwardly projecting, rod-like projections, which serve to carry the fiber material into the chamber 68.

[0036] Furthermore, the cleaner 1 has a second cleaning section 60 with a rear chamber 68, which in turn is enclosed by a wall section 63 and an associated second grate 62. The rear chamber 68 has an opening on its upper side (not shown here) into which a connection 34 of the discharge section 30 opens on the inlet side. On the outlet side, the connection 34 opens into the pipe 31 mentioned above.

[0037] The fiber material arriving from the air separator 26 is preferably directed horizontally to the right by the opening roller 61 at the front. Figure 2 transported. To accomplish this, guide elements 65, which will be explained in more detail later, are arranged in chamber 68. These guide the fiber material horizontally to the right. Figure 2 Foreign material (stones, shells, etc.) is discharged through the right-hand grate 62. Below the grates 62 is the discharge section 40, which in its upper area, facing the grates 62, comprises wall sections 47. The wall sections 47, in conjunction with a rotary valve 42 and the grates 62, each enclose a (discharge) chamber 48.

[0038] In the example shown, the wall sections 47 are configured such that the cross-section of each chamber 48 decreases towards the rotor 42. The two outer wall sections 47 adjoin a wall section 43 at their bottom. The wall section 43 partially encloses the rotor 42 and forms a discharge pipe 44 below the rotor 42. The discharge pipe 44 is open towards the rotor 42. The discharge pipe 44 is hollow inside, forming a discharge chamber 45. During cleaning, foreign materials fall through the grates 62 into the chambers 48 towards the rotor 42. The rotation of the rotor 42 causes the ejected foreign material to be conveyed into the discharge chamber 45, sealing the chambers 48 against each other and against the discharge chamber 45.

[0039] The rotary valve 42 is designed in a known manner, and its projections preferably have elastic sealing lips that bear against the wall sections 43, 47 or have such a small distance between them that the foreign material is safely transported into the discharge chamber 45.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of Figure 2The arrangement of the guide elements 65 is particularly clear in the perspective shown here. They run at an acute angle to the plane of rotation of the respective opening roller 61. Furthermore, the wall sections 47 and their transitions to the wall section 43 are clearly depicted. As can also be seen, guide elements 65 are missing in the area of ​​the openings 64 of the wall section 63 to the connections 27, 34. If the guide elements 65 were arranged differently, they could also extend over the entire horizontal extent of the respective wall section 63. Moreover, multiple arrangements of guide elements 65 are also possible.

[0041] Figure 4Figure 4 shows the material flow through the cleaning sections 60 of the cleaner 1. The fiber material enters the left chamber 68 via the connection 27, is transported helically by means of the guide elements 65 (not shown) towards a transfer section 8 (explained in more detail later), and is carried into this transfer section 8 by the centrifugal force acting upon it. The centrifugal force causes the fiber material to automatically enter the area of ​​the right chamber 68. This is facilitated by the fact that the right chamber 68 is closer to the base of the cleaner 1 than the left chamber 68. This allows gravity to be used, and the fiber material enters the right chamber 68 without significant difficulty.The opening roller 61, located therein (not shown), transports the fiber material in a helical motion towards the connection 34 in conjunction with the guide elements 65 arranged therein. Foreign material is removed from both chambers 68 via the grates 62 (also not shown). Figure 4 With regard to the grates 62, the bearings 67 of the grate bars are recognizable.

[0042] Figure 5Figure 1 shows the cleaning sections 60 in the area of ​​the transfer from one opening roller 61 to the other. This means that the transfer section 8 is particularly easy to see here. The fiber material is transferred from the right chamber 68 to the left chamber 68. On the rear of the housing 2, windows 6 are provided in the area of ​​the chambers 68 above the opening rollers 61. These windows, in conjunction with the guide elements 65, prevent fiber material from accumulating between the transfer section 8 and the rear wall of the housing 2. This is because the fiber material is transported through the chambers 68 and the transfer section 8 under negative pressure. Due to the windows 6, positive pressure acts towards each chamber 68.In conjunction with the fact that, at pressure differences, air is not drawn in but rather pushed from the area of ​​higher pressure towards the area of ​​lower pressure, it becomes clear that air always flows into chamber 68 through the windows 6. This ensures that the fiber material, which is beaten upwards to the right in the right chamber 68 due to the counterclockwise rotation of the opening roller 61, can only reach the transfer section 8. The transfer section 8 is formed here by three pipe segments. The curvature of the middle pipe segment facilitates the movement of the fiber material towards the left, lower chamber 68.

[0043] In the example shown, the outwardly projecting edges of the opening rollers 61 serve only to fling the fiber material away from the center of rotation of the respective opening roller 61 in the direction of the surrounding wall section 63.

[0044] The guide elements 65 in the right chamber 68 are arranged as shown in Figure 6. Each guide element 65 is designed as a rib, with the eleven guide elements 65 on the right being inclined obliquely upwards and to the left. The left rib 65 is inclined in the opposite direction. Between the two left guide elements 65 is the transfer section 8 and its associated opening 66. The guide elements 65 thus facilitate the safe entry of the fiber material into the transfer section 8.

[0045] In the left chamber 68, the guide elements 65 shown are inclined like the left guide element 65 shown in Figure 6. Preferably, the rightmost guide element 65 can be inclined like the one shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 The eleven right-hand guide elements 65 shown are arranged. This enables or facilitates the exit of the fiber material from the left chamber 68 into the connection 34.

[0046] Figure 7 shows a vertical section of the in Figure 1Front view. The windows 6 in or on the housing 2 are clearly visible. Furthermore, a drive section 90 is formed on this side of the cleaner 1. The drive section 90 comprises a concealed motor, on whose output shaft a pulley 91 is fixedly mounted. A drive belt 94 is wound around the pulley 91 and another pulley 92. The pulley 92 is fixedly mounted to the opening roller 61 located behind it. Figure 5 The pulley 92 is arranged in the left chamber 68. It has two levels. In the first level, the drive belt 94 is wound around it. In a second level behind it, a second drive belt 95 is wound around it, which is also wound around a third pulley 93. The pulley 93 is fixed to rotation in Figure 5The right opening roller 61 is arranged. This allows the motor to drive both opening rollers 61 and 62. Preferably, the pulley 92 has a smaller outer diameter than the pulley 93. This results in a higher rotational speed of the right opening roller 61 than the left opening roller 61. This has the surprising effect of slightly spreading out the transported fiber material, particularly in the area of ​​the transfer section 8. This promotes smooth transport of the fiber material through the non-visible transfer section 8, even at high production volumes, and reduces the risk of fiber material accumulation. Overall, this results in smoother operation.

[0047] Furthermore, in the arrangement shown, a preferably adjustable tensioning roller 96 is arranged in the area of ​​the drive belt 95. Such a tensioning roller can, of course, also be provided in the area of ​​the drive belt 94. Alternatively, there is only one drive belt, in which case a tensioning roller can be provided to deflect the drive belt so that windows 7 remain positioned below the drive belt.

[0048] The windows 7 are located in the area of ​​chambers 48 of the discharge section 40 and have a similar effect to the windows 6, only in relation to chambers 48.

[0049] Finally, a motor 46 is provided, which is arranged to be non-rotatable relative to the rotary valve 42. The motor 46 thus sets the rotary valve 42 in rotation, so that the separated material can be transported away from the cleaner 1.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of cleaner 1 from the in Figure 1Front view. This illustration serves to clarify the arrangement of the connections 27, 34 in relation to the associated chambers 68 or wall sections 63.

[0051] Figure 9 shows a to Figure 3A similar sectional view to the top view. The transfer section 8 is located in front of connections 27 and 34 and in front of the cutting plane, and is therefore not visible. The fiber material enters the left chamber 68 through connection 27. The clockwise rotating opening roller 61 moves the fiber material along the left grate 62 and the wall section 63 perpendicular to the plane of the sheet and out of the sheet. Via transfer section 8, the fiber material, pre-cleaned in the left chamber 68, enters the right chamber 68 and is transported into the plane of the sheet by the opening roller 61, which also rotates clockwise here, perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. At the rear end of chamber 68, the cleaned fiber material enters connection 34 and from there into the pipe 31 of the discharge section 30.

[0052] At the rear end of the discharge chamber 45, the pipe 41 connects and, as can be seen through two windows 9, extends from the discharge chamber 45 to the right and then in an arc upwards.

[0053] The placement of the transport areas 10, 20, 30 and 41 relating to the material flow above the housing 2 of the cleaner 1 allows for the installation of material transport pipes on the top side. This minimizes the footprint of the cleaner 1, and the connection to upstream and downstream textile machines can be standardized.

[0054] Figure 10 shows a to Figure 8 Similar representation of a cleaner 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0055] In contrast to the first embodiment, the connections 27, 34 are formed at opposite ends of the wall sections 63. The transfer section 8, on the other hand, is formed at the opposite ends of these two wall sections 63 or of the chambers 68. Both opening rollers 61, not shown, rotate counterclockwise.

[0056] The material entering the left chamber 68 via connection 27 is conveyed forward along the left opening roller 61. Figure 10 The material is transported, directed into transfer section 8, and from transfer section 8 into the right chamber 68. The right opening roller 61 also rotates counterclockwise and transports the fiber material arriving from transfer section 8 to the rear. Figure 10At the rear end, the cleaned fiber material enters the connection 34. A section 70 is preferably arranged on the upper side of each wall section 63 of the chambers 68, the section 70 being essentially formed from a support 72 and rods 71 ​​attached to it. The supports 72 are attached to the outside of each respective wall section 63.

[0057] Figure 11 shows a representation of cleaner 1 of Figure 10 in a view from a low right angle in Figure 10As can be seen, the rods 71 ​​project into the chamber 68. This means that the fiber material guided along the guide elements 65 strikes these rods 71. The rods 71 ​​are spaced apart, allowing fiber material to pass through the gaps. Depending on the size and shape of the fiber tufts, they are rotated by the impact against the rods 71, so that on the next revolution they are moved along the grate 62 (not shown) with a different side facing the surface. This makes it possible to clean the fiber material on different sides as it moves along the respective opening roller 61. This significantly improves the overall cleaning effect of the cleaner 1. The rods 71 ​​preferably have a round cross-section, but can also be non-circular and / or have a guiding function along the axis of rotation of the associated opening roller 61.This could potentially eliminate the need for guide elements 65.

[0058] Figure 12 shows a horizontal section with a view from below in Figure 10 With regard to the cleaner 1 shown therein. According to this illustration, windows 6 are preferably formed on both walls of the housing 2 that delimit the chambers 68. This effectively makes fiber accumulation in the area of ​​the connections 27, 34 and the transfer section 8 more difficult or even impossible, so that in particular no fiber material can accumulate on the housing 2.

[0059] The openings 66, which form the passage area between the respective chamber 68 and the transfer section 8, can also be seen.

[0060] Figure 13Figure 1 shows a section of cleaning section 60. Wall sections 63 and 64, which enclose chamber 68 above grate 62 (symbolized by grate support 67), are visible on the right and left. The openings 64 and 66 to connection 27 and 34, respectively, and to transfer section 8 are also indicated. The associated opening roller 61 is also shown. Above the opening roller 61, the housing 2 has a slot-like through-opening 2a and two screw holes 2b.

[0061] Figure 14 The housing 2 shows in greater detail in the area of ​​the through-opening 2a, once from the in Figure 13 front side ( Figure 14a ) and once from their back ( Figure 14b ).

[0062] As can be seen, a cover plate 13 rests against the housing 2 on the outer side facing chamber 68. In the example shown, the cover plate 13, with its upper edge 13c, covers approximately two-thirds of the through-opening 2a. The cover plate 13 has a projection 13a at its lower edge, extending away from both the housing 2 and chamber 68. Furthermore, the cover plate 13 has two elongated holes 13b, 13b, which, in the example shown, extend parallel to each other and towards the slot opening 2a. Two screws 15, with washers 14, are screwed into each of the two screw holes 2b, thus fixing the cover plate 13 to the wall of the housing 2. The vertical position of the cover plate 13 can be adjusted via the elongated holes 13b, 13b, allowing the opening width of the through-opening 2a to be varied. This serves the purpose of adjusting the amount of air that can flow into chamber 68 from the outside.

[0063] Of course, it is not necessary to provide only one through-opening 2a. Several through-openings 2a can also be provided. The cover plate 13 can then be provided with several slots in order to adjust all through-openings 2a simultaneously with one and the same adjusting mechanism.

[0064] Instead of being slid, the cover plate 13 can also be arranged to rotate. That is, the passage opening 2a does not have to be straight and slot-like, but can, for example, also be curved. Of course, several cover plates 13 are also conceivable.

[0065] Within the scope of the claims, the embodiments shown can be partially combined or interchanged. This applies, for example, to section 70.

[0066] For example, one of the connections 27, 34 or the transfer section 8 can be connected to the front of the respective chamber 68.

[0067] Guide elements 65 can alternatively or additionally also be realized by means of the projections of at least one opening roller 61, so that these are wing-like.

[0068] Instead of or in addition to being inclined, the guide elements 65 can be curved in such a way that the curvature deflects the fiber material in the transport direction along the respective opening roller 61 and, if necessary, also rotates it. In this case, the guide elements 65 could also be designed parallel to the plane of rotation of the respective opening roller 61.

[0069] The guide elements 65 can be used instead of the ones in Figure 6 The straight design shown may also be bent, folded or otherwise shaped to push the fiber material in the transport direction along the associated opening roller 61.

[0070] The cell wheel 42 can be replaced by a worm wheel so that it actively moves the separated material towards pipe 41. In In that case, the discharge chamber 45 with the discharge pipe 44 can be omitted.

[0071] The transfer section 8 may also have internal kinks, as long as the fiber flow is not so strongly affected that fiber clumps can form which cannot be removed during operation.

[0072] The number of chambers 47, 68 with opening rollers 61 is not limited to two. Three or more of these arrangements can also be provided. In that case, several transfer sections 8 are provided, one fewer than the number of opening rollers 61 or chambers 68.

[0073] The distance between the opening rollers 61 need not decrease from the inlet 27 towards the outlet 34 and the base of the cleaner 1. It can just as well remain constant or even increase. This is particularly conceivable in the case of a direct transition between two immediately adjacent chambers 68, 68.

[0074] Preferably, the cross-section of the transfer section 8 from the dispensing opening roller 61 to the receiving opening roller 61 is reduced. This leads to an acceleration of the fiber material flow towards the receiving opening roller 61 and thus reduces the risk of fiber accumulation.

[0075] The transfer section 8 need not be designed as a separate pipe system. For example, the wall sections 63, 63 can adjoin two adjacent chambers 68, 68 and have an opening between them through which the fiber material passes from one chamber 68 to the other. For this purpose, both chambers 68, 68 are preferably connected to each other on the side facing away from the opening rollers 61, 61 by means of a roof-like wall section.

[0076] The transition from the respective chamber 68 to the transfer section 8 is preferably designed without kinks, so that the risk of fiber accumulation is further reduced and the fiber flow is supported.

[0077] A worm gear can also be used instead of the rotary valve 42. This would eliminate the need for the discharge chamber 45, which would have a positive impact on manufacturing costs and space requirements.

[0078] The chambers 48, 48 do not need to be designed such that the grates 62, 62 are at a greater distance from the installation surface of the cleaner 1 than the discharge chamber 45. Due to the negative pressure problem in the cleaner 1, the discharge chamber 45 can also be at the same height or even higher than the grates 62, 62.

[0079] Chambers 48, 48 do not need to reduce their cross-section towards the discharge chamber 45.

[0080] The air separator 26 can be designed to remove only a portion of the incoming air or to remove all of it (condenser). In the latter case, air might need to be reintroduced.

[0081] All, some, or none of the elements 8, 27, 34, 44, 45, 47, and 48 are bounded on at least one side by a wall of the housing 2 of the cleaner 1. This eliminates the need for additional cover elements, which has a positive effect on manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the walls 63, 43, and 47 surrounding elements 44, 45, 48, and 68 can have a reinforcing effect with respect to the housing 2, thus at least partially ensuring the stability of the cleaner 1.

[0082] In addition to the cleaner 1 presented, feeders or step cleaners are also suitable as textile machines for using the solutions described above.

[0083] As a result, the invention provides a simple and cost-effective solution for opening and cleaning fibrous material very easily and effectively. Reference symbol list

[0084] 1 Textile machine 2 Housing 2a Through opening 2b Screw hole 3 Display 4 Fiber material flow 5 Adjustable foot 6 Window 7 Window 8 Transfer section 9 Window 10 Feed section 11 Sensor 12 Pipe 13 Cover plate 13a Projection 13b Slotted hole 13c Edge 14 Washer 15 Screw 20 Inlet section 21 Motor 22 - 24 Pipe section 25 Fan 26 Air separator 27 Connection 28 Pipe 30 Drainage section 31, 32 Pipe 33 Sensor 34 Connection 40 Discharge section 41 Pipe 42 Cell wheel 43 Wall section 44 Discharge pipe 45 Discharge chamber 46 Motor 47 Wall section 48 Chamber 60 Cleaning section 61 Opening roller 62 Grate 63 Wall section 64 Opening 65 Guide element 66 Opening 67 Grate bearing 68 Chamber 70 Section 71 Rod 72 Bracket 90 Drive section 91 - 93 Pulley 94, 95 Drive belt 96 Tensioner

Claims

1. Textile machine (1), in particular a cleaner, step cleaner or feeder, having a device (8, 20, 30, 60), wherein the device (8, 20, 30, 60) comprises: • a plurality of cleaning zones (60) - each having an associated opening roll (61) and - configured, on rotation of the associated opening roll (61) in a predetermined direction, · to convey fibre material along the rotational axis of the associated opening roll (61) in a corresponding transport direction and · in so doing to separate foreign materials, - wherein two of the opening rolls (61), which are arranged directly adjacent to one another, in each case form a pair, • an associated transfer zone (8) for each pair of directly adjacent opening rolls (61) of two cleaning zones (60), configured so that the fibre material conveyed by one opening roll (61) of the respective pair to one end of the one opening roll (61) of the respective pair is transferred to an opposite end, seen transversely with respect to the conveying direction, of the other opening roll (61) of the respective pair, from which the fibre material is transported away along its rotational axis, • an inlet (27), which is arranged to convey incoming fibre material to that end of a first opening roll (61) of the opening rolls (61) which is remote from the associated transfer zone (8), directly adjacent to which first opening roll only one of the opening rolls (61) is arranged, and • an outlet (33), which is arranged to transport fibre material away from that end of a last opening roll (61) of the opening rolls (61) which is remote from the associated transfer zone (8), directly adjacent to which last opening roll likewise only one of the opening rolls (61) is arranged, characterised in that the transport directions of the directly adjacent opening rolls (61) are oriented opposite to one another.

2. Textile machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein each cleaning zone (60) has a fibre guidance zone (62, 65), configured • to guide the fibres along the rotational axis of the associated opening roll (61) and • to let foreign materials out of the transport path along the associated opening roll (61).

3. Textile machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein at least one guidance zone (62, 65) has a directing zone (65) which is formed and / or arranged spaced apart along an outer circumferential surface of the associated opening roll (61) so that the fibre material, due to the rotation of the associated opening roll (61) and the centrifugal force acting on the fibre material, • is forced towards the directing zone (65) and, • due to the configuration of the directing zone (65), - captured and / or - diverted into the corresponding transport direction.

4. Textile machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the directing zone (65) has ribs (65) which each have a wall directed in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the respective opening roll (61), which wall at least in some regions • extends in the direction of the opening roll (61) and, • seen transversely with respect to the corresponding transport direction, - encloses an acute angle or right-angle with the transport direction and / or, - in relation to a direction of rotation of the associated opening roll (61), extends from a front end to the rear end at least partly in the transport direction.

5. Textile machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one opening roll (61) has pins which, seen transversely with respect to the corresponding transport direction, • enclose an acute angle or right-angle with the transport direction and / or, • in relation to a direction of rotation of the at least one opening roll (61), extend from a front end to the rear end at least partly in the transport direction.

6. Textile machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer zone (8), at least on a side that faces towards the associated two opening rolls (61), is at least in some regions constructed so as to be straight, free of sharp bends and / or curved in the direction of the opening rolls (61).

7. Textile machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the case of each pair of opening rolls (61) the one opening roll (61) is spaced a greater distance from a floor on which the opener has been installed than is the respective other opening roll (61).

8. Textile machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the case of at least one pair, an internal cross-section of the associated transfer zone (8) decreases from the one opening roll (61) towards the other opening roll (61).

9. Textile machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, • further having, for each opening roll (61), an associated chamber (68) which encloses the opening roll (61), in which chamber fibre material is transported by the respective opening roll (61) due to its rotation, • wherein the transfer zone (8) - is in the form of a tunnel, - at one end leads into the associated chamber (68) enclosing the one opening roll (61) so that the fibre material transported by the one opening roll (61), due to its rotation and the resulting centrifugal force acting on the transported fibre material as well as due to any flow movement present, automatically passes into the one end of the transfer zone (8), and - at the other end leads into the other chamber (68) enclosing the other opening roll (61) so that the fibre material coming from the one opening roll (61), due to its speed, automatically passes into the other chamber (68).

10. Textile machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein a transition between an inner side of at least one of the two chambers (48, 68), which inner side faces towards the respective enclosed opening roll (61), and the transfer zone (8) is constructed so as to be free of sharp bends.

11. Textile machine (1) according to claim 9 or 10, • further having a discharging zone (40) with - a discharge chamber (48) for each chamber (68) and - a discharge pipe (44, 45), • wherein - each discharge chamber (48) at one end leads into the discharge pipe (44, 45) and - at an end, opposite the one end, of each discharge chamber (48) there is arranged a grid zone (62) which separates the respective discharge chamber (48) from an associated chamber (68) enclosing the respective opening roll (61), and • the discharge pipe (44, 45) - has a discharge opening, which is adjoined by a discharging pipe (41), and - has a transport zone (42 - 48), configured and arranged to transport material coming from the adjoining discharge chambers (48, 48) to the discharge opening.

12. Textile machine according to claim 11, wherein the one ends of the discharge chambers (48) are spaced a smaller distance from the floor than are the other ends thereof.

13. Textile machine (1) according to either one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the discharge pipe (44) is in the form of a pipe that is open at both ends, the one ends of the associated chambers (68, 68) leading into the wall (47) forming the pipe-like cross-section of the discharge pipe.

14. Textile machine (1) according to claim 13, wherein • the discharge zone (40) - has a conveyor wheel (42) which is arranged in the discharge pipe (44) so that the rotational axis of the conveyor wheel (42) extends along the longitudinal extent and transversely with respect to the openings into the adjoining chambers (48), - comprises a drive zone (46), configured to set the conveyor wheel (42) in rotation, and - the conveyor wheel (42) is in the form of · a bucket wheel (42) or · a screw conveyor.

15. Textile machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the chamber (68) is bounded on one side by a wall of a housing (2) of the textile machine (1) that is closest to a transfer zone (8), which wall has at least one through-opening (6, 7) which is provided in the region of the opening roll (61) housed in the respective chamber.