A roving frame with a cleaning assembly

Abstract

A roving frame (1) comprises a machine body (2) having a collection plane (25) and a cleaning assembly (5) comprising a plurality of blower devices (51), each suitable for blowing an air current towards the collection plane (25) to convey web waste (9) deposited on the collection plane (25) towards a discharge region (29) of the machine body (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the sector of textile machines for the transformation of ball fiber into a yarn wound on reels. In particular, the object of the present invention is a roving frame for processing a fiber web, typically coming from a drawing board, and obtaining a roving wound on reels, typically intended for a spinning machine.

[0002] During frame operations, the web travels from the cans to the drawing device and then to the vanes where it is wound for forming reels. During transit, which occurs at high speed, it often happens that numerous fibers, for example those that are shorter or broken, in particular upstream of the drawing device, detach from the web being processed and are dispersed into the environment.

[0003] To ensure that the accumulated material does not interfere with the operations carried out by the machine, insofar as it comprises highly volatile web waste, and also in order to ensure a clean working environment, the material must be removed and collected in a suitable and effective manner, i.e., in such a way as to be carefully managed and so as not to interfere with the work in progress.

[0004] It is clear that these ancillary operations require adequate systems which contribute to increased energy consumption and machine dimensions, without directly contributing to an increase in production.

[0005] The same problem also arises for breakages and detachments of the drawn roving produced downstream of the drawing device, and that fall onto the platform area, as discussed in documents DE-B-1036133 and DE-A119855200 and also in the International Applications WO-A1-2020 / 008310 and WO-A1-2020 / 148699 in the name of the Applicant. The document DE-A1-2419188 describes a roving frame wherein roving fibers that detach during the drawing when passing through the drawing device and fibers that detach from the drawn roving, i.e. downstream of the drawing device, before they reach the spindles, are removed.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to implement a roving frame that improves the working conditions and cleaning of the frame, has reduced dimensions and consumption and continues to meet the requirements mentioned above.

[0007] This object is achieved by a roving frame according to claim 1 and by a cleaning method according to claim 14. The dependent claims describe additional advantageous embodiments.

[0008] The features and advantages of the roving frame according to this invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of non-limiting example, according to the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a roving frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the roving frame of Figure 1 showing the collection plane; Figure 3 is a side view of the roving frame of Figure 1, according to one embodiment; Figure 4 shows a further side view of the roving frame according to the present invention, wherein the discharge region is highlighted; Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of a region of the roving frame in Figure 4; Figures 6 and 7 show a view from above of the collection plane, respectively, according to further embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] With reference to the figures in the attached drawings, the numeral 1 has been used overall to indicate a roving frame of a spinning line.

[0010] Typically, upstream of the roving frame 1 there is a drawing board that produces a drawn fiber web that is fed to the roving frame; the roving frame 1 processes the web and produces a roving wound on reels that are intended to be transported to a spinning machine downstream of the frame for subsequent processing.

[0011] The roving frame 1 has a storage region 2, located at the rear of the machine; the web from the drawing board, wound and stored in cans 4, is deposited within the storage region 2.

[0012] Also arranged within said storage region 2 is a creel 6 consisting of a frame provided with rollers 8 having a prevalent extension along a longitudinal direction X, generally having a hexagonal section and typically being motorized, arranged above the cans 4.

[0013] The web supplied from the cans 4 is located above the rollers 8 and fed to the frame 1.

[0014] The frame 1 comprises a machine body 2 that supports a drawing device 10 consisting of pairs of superimposed drawing rollers 11, engaged under pressure and having peripheral speeds of rotation that increase from upstream to downstream, so as to progressively draw the web that passes between the coupled rollers.

[0015] In particular, the drawing device 10 comprises motorized lower rollers, for example in the number of three or four, wherein each thereof extends in the longitudinal direction X along the frame. Each lower roller cooperates with a plurality of separate upper, idling, supported rollers, generally in pairs thereof, by pressure arms. Preferably, the pressure arms are pushed pneumatically so as to ensure the pressure coupling between the lower roller and the upper rollers.

[0016] Downstream of the drawing device 10, the machine body 2 comprises a platform 20 having an extension along the longitudinal direction X, preferably for the entire length of the frame, defining above an upper region of the frame and below a lower region.

[0017] The platform 20 houses a plurality of nodes 22, arranged in two longitudinal rows, arranged offset longitudinally, protruding from a platform area 21 of said platform 20.

[0018] The machine body 2 further comprises a plurality of vanes 30, arranged in the lower region at each node 22, supported by the platform 20. The vanes 30 are suitable for being rotated about a relevant vane axis Z by means of an electric vane motor.

[0019] The machine body 2 further comprises a carriage 40, arranged in the lower region, carrying a plurality of spindles 42, each arranged coaxially to the relevant vane 30. The carriage 40 is vertically translatable with an alternating motion for the formation of the reel, by means of a first electric carriage motor.

[0020] Furthermore, the carriage 40 is horizontally translatable and / or rotatable for the operations of lifting the reels and loading the empty tubes, by means of a second electric carriage motor.

[0021] The spindles 42, aligned along the longitudinal direction X, are also movable in rotation coaxially with the vanes 30, by means of an electric spindle motor.

[0022] The vanes 30 are also provided with forming means that are suitable for keeping the roving attached to the tube inserted onto the relevant spindle 42 or attached to the reel during the formation.

[0023] The web supplied from the creel 6 passes through the drawing device 10 and then enters the relevant node 22, through which it passes into the lower region of the frame. Here, by means of the node 22, it enters the relevant vane 30 and exits from the lower end; the carriage 40 is moved with an alternating vertical motion, so that the roving is wound onto the tube threaded on the spindle and forms a reel.

[0024] Once the reels have been formed, they are picked up and transported, automatically or manually, to the spinning machine, for subsequent processing.

[0025] During the operation of the roving frame, the drawn roving at the output of the drawing device 10, before entering the nodes 22, occasionally suffers breakages, and falls onto the platform area 21 of the platform 20, where it accumulates.

[0026] In order to prevent such an accumulation from interfering with the work in progress, the frame 1 comprises a suction system that operates on the platform area 21.

[0027] Preferably, the suction system comprises a primary conduit and a plurality of nozzles for the suction of the roving deposited on the platform area 21.

[0028] The primary duct extends longitudinally along the entire machine, preferably below the drawing device 10, and from here the nozzles branch out, arranged side by side longitudinally, protruding over the platform area 21.

[0029] The primary duct 70 carries an intake air current, so that, in the event of a broken roving, it is sucked by one of said nozzles and moved away from the platform area 21.

[0030] Upstream of the drawing device 10, the roving frame 1 has a collection plane 25 having an extension mainly along the longitudinal direction X, i.e. parallel to the drawing rollers 11.

[0031] The collection plane 25 is preferably implemented at least partially below the drawing device 10, i.e. below the drawing rollers 11, in relation to a supporting surface P whereupon the roving frame 1 rests.

[0032] Any web waste 9 comprising damaged or broken fibers or other waste material that detaches from the web being processed in the drawing device 10 falls onto the collection plane 25, where it is deposited and accumulates.

[0033] The roving frame 1 has a cleaning assembly 5 that operates upstream of the drawing device 10 and that is dedicated to the management of the web waste 9.

[0034] In one embodiment, the drawing device 10 is provided with a support band 12 that is in contact with at least one drawing roller 11 in order to guide the rotation thereof. Preferably, the cleaning assembly 5 includes a removal member 13 configured to remove the web waste 9 deposited, for example dragged, from the support band 12 and direct it towards the collection plane 25.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the removal member 13 is a plate-shaped element, for example having an L-shaped cross-section, comprising an operating portion 131 or sliding portion with respect to an outer surface 121 of the support band 12, and a guiding portion 132 extending from the operating portion 131 in order to guide the web waste 9 towards the collection plane 25.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the roving frame 1 also comprises a blower member 61, preferably a blowing-suction machine, preferably translating along the longitudinal direction, for example an "overhead cleaner".

[0037] Specifically, the blower member 61 operates on the platform area 21 and is suitable for blowing an air current towards the platform area 21 for moving residual material 95 that detaches from the web leaving the drawing device 10, upstream of the nodes 22, and is deposited onto the platform area 21. Preferably, said residual material 95 is conveyed to the collection plane 25 where it is subjected to the flow of air delivered by the blower devices 51.

[0038] In one embodiment, the residual material 95 pushed by the jet of air from the blower member 61 passes through a slot 105 connecting the platform area 21 to the collection plane 25, which slot is formed below the drawing device 10, and mixes with the web waste 9.

[0039] Preferably, the blower member 61 is translatable in the longitudinal direction and / or so as to approach and move away from the drawing device 10.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the blower member 61 comprises at least a first blower tube 611 operating in the upper region of the roving frame, above the platform area 21, and at least a second blower tube 612 operating in the lower region of the roving frame.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the blower member 61 is operatively connected to the cleaning assembly 5. For example, the blower member 61 and the cleaning system 5 are powered by the same pneumatic system that powers the roving frame 1.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the roving frame 1 comprises a blower member 61 and a suction system operating downstream of the drawing device 10, i.e. towards the platform area 21, and a cleaning system 5 operating upstream of the drawing device 10, i.e. towards the collection plane 25.

[0043] The combined action of the blower member 61 and the suction system ensures the cleaning of the platform area 21.

[0044] Further features of the blower member and the suction system are contained within the international application WO-A1-2020 / 008310 on behalf of the Applicant. The international application WO-A1-2020 / 148699 describes a variant embodiment of the suction system, wherein special management means and shut-off valves make it possible to limit the energy consumption of the suction system.

[0045] The cleaning assembly 5 is provided with a plurality of blower devices 51 that are preferably at least partially flexible and may be directed as required, each being suitable for blowing an air current towards the collection plane 25 in order to convey the web waste 9 present upon the collection plane 25 towards a discharge region 29 of the machine body 2.

[0046] Preferably, the number and mutual distance of the blower devices 51 are defined as a function of the air flow rate delivered.

[0047] The blower devices 51, preferably spaced apart, for example evenly distributed, along the longitudinal direction X, are configured so as to blow an air current substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0048] In other words, each blower device 51 blows a jet of air in a targeted and controlled manner onto a specific portion of the collection plane 25.

[0049] Preferably, each blower device 51 delivers air in such a way that the web waste 9 leaves the affected plane region and is arranged within the radius of action of another blower device 51, for example the directly adjacent blower device 51, preventing the web waste 9 from rising excessively from the collection plane 25.

[0050] Preferably, each blower device 51 is suitable for operating on a relevant plane area 27 of the collection plane 25 defined along the longitudinal direction X between two consecutive blower devices 51.

[0051] In one embodiment, each blower device 51 produces a controlled air flow that directly affects and moves the web waste 9 present only within the affected plane area 27 thereof. Preferably, the web waste 9 present within the other adjacent plane areas 27 is substantially stationary or moved in a negligible manner.

[0052] The cleaning assembly 5 comprises an air circuit 7 arranged in order to supply the blower devices 51. In particular, the air circuit 7 is provided with a control unit 71, preferably housed in the machine body 2, with which compressed air is supplied to the frame, preferably by means of a filtering unit. The control unit 71 provides compressed air and supplies the at least one blower device 51. The air circuit 7 also includes a main air line 72 exiting the control unit 71, and a secondary air line 73 to which the blower devices 51 are directly connected.

[0053] In one embodiment, the secondary air line 73 is fixed to a bulkhead 23 of the machine body 2 which will be discussed below, preferably in a proximal region but detached from the collection plane 25.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the air circuit 7 is an air circuit that is separate from the other air circuits of the roving frame 1.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the air circuit 7 is an integral part of the air circuit of the roving frame 2.

[0056] According to one embodiment, a blower device 51 delivers air at controlled time intervals or else with a variable flow rate, depending upon the position and requirements.

[0057] In accordance with a first embodiment, all blower devices 51 are configured to blow an air current in a single direction, for example towards a longitudinal end of the collection plane 25, as shown for example in Figure 2.

[0058] Preferably, a blower device 51 emits an air flow rate that is sufficient to longitudinally move the web waste 9 from the plane area 27 thereof only to the plane area 27 of the subsequent blower device 51 or appreciably a little further.

[0059] Preferably, the discharge region 29 is positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of the collection plane 25. For example, the discharge region 29 is an area of the collection plane 25 delimited by a longitudinal edge 24 of the machine body 2.

[0060] In one embodiment, several intermediate discharge regions are arranged along the longitudinal direction X, depending upon the length of the collection plane 25 and the number of blower devices 51.

[0061] In accordance with a second embodiment, the blowing devices 51 are arranged, for example suitably directed, in such a way as to emit air currents in several directions along the longitudinal direction X.

[0062] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the collection plane 25 is preferably divided into at least two consecutive plane sections 25a, 25b, 25c, upon each of which respective groups of blowing devices 51 act.

[0063] Preferably, in such an embodiment, multiple discharge regions 29 are anticipated, each dedicated to a pair of consecutive plane sections 25a, 25b, 25c.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the collection plane 25 is divided substantially in half, and the blower devices 51 operating on the same first plane section 25a are suitable for blowing air in a first direction V1, for example towards the left; whilst the blower devices 51 acting on the second plane section 25b complementary to the first plane section 25a, are suitable for producing a jet of air in the second direction V2 opposite to the first direction V1, for example towards the right.

[0065] In the embodiment of Figure 7, the collection plane 25 is divided into three plane sections 25a, 25b, 25c and, for each pair of consecutive plane sections, the blower devices 51 blow onto a plane section in the opposite direction in relation to the blower devices 51 acting upon the adjacent plane section.

[0066] Furthermore, there are at least two discharge regions 29 for each pair of consecutive sections. For example, the plane sections 25b and 25c share the same discharge region 29 implemented at the boundary between the two.

[0067] In one embodiment, for each discharge region 29, the cleaning assembly 5 comprises a discharge slide 26, for example suitably inclined and fixed at the same height as the collection plane 25 in relation to the supporting surface P, for emptying the web waste 9 from the discharge region 29.

[0068] In accordance with one embodiment, the discharge slide 26 extends from a free edge 28 of the collection plane 25.

[0069] According to a second embodiment, the discharge slide 26 is made so as to pass through the collection plane 25.

[0070] Preferably, the machine body 2 is provided with a bulkhead 23 that extends longitudinally and protrudes, for example vertically, from the free edge 28 of the collection plane 25, so as to prevent the web waste 9 from possibly falling.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the discharge slide 26 extends from a discharge opening 261 passing through the bulkhead 23; for example, the discharge opening 261 is positioned on an imagined plane that is incident to the supporting surface P.

[0072] In one embodiment, the collection plane 25 is inclined towards the supporting surface P of the roving frame 1 so that the web waste 9 that accumulates on the collection plane 25 slides, due to the force of gravity, towards the free edge 28, for example towards the bulkhead 23.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the at least one blower device 51 is suitable for blowing close to the free edge 28 of the collection plane 25.

[0074] In one embodiment, a blower device 51 comprises a blower element 511 having a cylindrical or straw shape, at least partially positioned in contact with the collection plane 25, for example aligned with the collection plane 25, configured to directly emit the jet of air.

[0075] Preferably, the blower element 511 produces air from the base of the bulkhead 23, i.e. close to the free edge 28, in a substantially longitudinal direction.

[0076] According to a variant embodiment, a single blower element 511 produces two jets of air in opposite directions.

[0077] According to a variant embodiment, the bulkhead 23 at least partially covers the collection plane 25.

[0078] An object of the present invention is also a method for cleaning a roving frame 1 having the features described above.

[0079] The method provides for the step of collecting the web waste 9, and preferably also residual material 95, produced by the drawing device 10, conveying it to the collection plane 25 of the machine body 2, and the step of blowing an air current towards the collection plane 25 in order to convey some web waste 9 in the longitudinal direction X towards the at least one discharge region 29 of the machine body 2.

[0080] Preferably, the method provides for each blower device 51 to generate an air current that is such to move the web waste 9, onto which the air current is directed, substantially to the plane region affected by the adjacent blower device 51 or appreciably slightly therebeyond so as to minimize the dispersion of web waste into the environment.

[0081] Innovatively, the roving frame according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, insofar as it makes it possible to effectively manage web waste falling from the drawing device.

[0082] Advantageously, the roving frame allows for the conveyance, accumulation and collection of web waste that has detached from the web being processed, in an extremely efficient way, containing the volatility and dispersion thereof into the environment.

[0083] Advantageously, the problem of drawn roving contamination within the cans is obviated.

[0084] Advantageously, the residual material comprising roving waste produced by the drawing device is also collected and conveyed to the discharge region.

[0085] Advantageously, the air circuit is optimized so that the web waste and roving waste are handled in a fluid and controlled manner, minimizing the energy consumption of the frame.

[0086] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could make modifications to the roving frame and method described above, which modifications are all contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A roving frame (1) for processing a fiber web and forming a roving wound on reels, comprising: - a machine body (2) that has a collection plane (25) having a main extension along a longitudinal direction (X); - a drawing device (10) supported by the machine body (2), for drawing the web supplied to the roving frame (1) ; - a cleaning assembly (5) operating upstream of the drawing device (10), comprising a plurality of blower devices (51), each blower device being suitable for blowing an air current towards the collection plane (25) to convey web waste (9) deposited on the collection plane (25) towards at least one discharge region (29) of the machine body (2), characterised in that each blower device (51) is configured to blow an air current in the longitudinal direction (X).

2. Roving frame according to claim 1, wherein the blower devices (51) are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction (X).

3. Roving frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each blower device (51) operates on a respective plane area (27) of the collection plane (25), wherein the plane area (27) of a blower device (51) longitudinally extends at least partly overlapping a plane area of an adjacent blower device.

4. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning assembly (5) comprises an air circuit (7) that supplies the blower devices (51), wherein the air circuit (7) is provided with a compressor unit (71), a main air line (72) and at least a secondary air line (73) placed in an area close to the collection plane (25), to which the blower devices (51) are directly connected.

5. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine body (2) comprises a discharge region (29) positioned at a longitudinal end of the collection plane (25).

6. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection plane (25) is divided into at least two consecutive plane sections (25a, 25b, 25c), wherein the blower devices (51) that operate on a first plane section (25b) are configured to blow an air current in a first direction (V1), wherein the blower devices (51) that operate on a second plane section (25a, 25c) consecutive to the first plane section (25b) are configured to blow an air current in a second direction (V2) opposite to the first direction (V1).

7. Roving frame according to claim 6, wherein the machine body (2) comprises at least one discharge region (29) for each pair of consecutive plane sections (25a, 25b, 25c).

8. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, the cleaning assembly (5) comprising, for each discharge region (29), a discharge slide (26) configured for emptying the web waste (9) from the discharge region (29).

9. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection plane (25) is inclined towards a supporting surface (P) of the roving frame (1) so that the web waste (9) slide by gravity, wherein the machine body (2) comprises a bulkhead (23) protruding from a free edge (28) of the collection plane (25) to prevent the web waste (9) from falling.

10. Roving frame according to claim 9, wherein the at least one blower device (51) is configured to blow close to the free edge (28) of the collection plane (25).

11. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawing device (10) comprises a plurality of drawing rollers (11) suitable for progressively drawing the web, and a support band (12) in contact with at least one drawing roller (11) to guide the rotation thereof, wherein the cleaning assembly (5) comprises a removal member (13) configured to remove the web waste (9) from the support band (12) and direct it towards the collection plane (25).

12. Roving frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine body (2) comprises a platform (20) having a platform area (21), wherein the roving frame comprises a suction system operating on the platform area (21), downstream of the drawing device (10).

13. Roving frame according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the machine body (2) comprises a platform (20) having a platform area (21), wherein the roving frame comprises a blower member (61) operating on the platform area (21), downstream of the drawing device (10).

14. A method for cleaning a roving frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - collecting web waste (9) coming from the drawing device (10) on the collection plane (25) of the machine body (2); - blowing an air current towards the collection plane (25) to convey, along the longitudinal direction (X), some web waste (9) towards at least one discharge region (29) of the machine body (2).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein each blower device (51) blows an air current such as to move the web waste (9) substantially up to the successive blower device (51).

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