Bale opener
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023741380
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-08-18
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing bale openers fail to ensure contamination-free batch processing by allowing fiber materials from one type to be inadvertently directed to the wrong processing line, leading to inefficiencies and contamination.
A material switch is integrated between the suction line unit and the channel device, allowing selective diversion of the fiber material stream into either the first or second processing line, ensuring that each type of fiber is processed in its designated line, and this switch can be manually or automatically controlled to optimize production.
This solution ensures that fiber materials are directed to the correct processing line, reducing contamination, increasing production efficiency by minimizing switching times between lines, and allowing for the processing of multiple bale groups with different fiber types.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Title: Bale opener
[0002] Description
[0003] The present invention relates to a bale opener for removing fiber flakes from fiber bales placed on a stationary floor, comprising a machine frame movable on the floor, a removal unit held vertically adjustable on the machine frame for removing the fiber flakes, a suction line unit connected to the removal unit and held on the machine frame and a channel device that can be arranged stationary relative to the floor for receiving and transporting the fiber flakes in a fiber material flow optionally to a first processing line or a second processing line.
[0004] DE 33 35 763 A1 discloses a bale opener that is connected via an extraction line unit to a suction air duct that is fixed relative to the floor. The suction air duct is connected to a blow room pipeline that splits into two pipelines via a pipe switch. The first pipeline is connected to a first processing line, and the second pipeline is connected to a second processing line. In this way, the bale stack to be processed by the bale opener can remove fiber bales containing at least two different fiber types, with specific portions of each fiber type being removed successively and fed to the corresponding processing lines via the pipe switch.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a bale opener that supplies the respective controlled processing line with as pure a bale as possible and thus ensures batch processing that is as free from contamination as possible.
[0006] The object is achieved by a bale opener of the aforementioned type in that a material switch arranged in a fixed position on the machine frame is connected between the suction line unit and the channel device, wherein the material switch can be controlled in such a way that the fiber material flow can be guided optionally through a first channel section of the channel device connectable to the first processing line or a second channel section of the channel device connectable to the second processing line.
[0007] The material diverter forms the transition between the suction line unit mounted on the machine frame and the stationary channel device. The advantage is that the fiber material can be directed into the desired channel section of the corresponding processing line as soon as it enters the channel device. In this way, no material fibers of one fiber type intended for the first processing line end up in the channel section of the second processing line, and vice versa. The material diverter therefore fulfills a two-way function and can also be referred to as a 2-way diverter. By arranging the material diverter upstream of the channel device, the switchover times between the processing lines are also shortened, thereby increasing production in the respective processing line. The bale stack to be processed by the bale opener can comprise several bale groups of different fiber types, which can be processed as required.For example, one bale group may contain cotton fiber bales and the other bale group may contain polyester fiber bales.
[0008] A first embodiment is characterized in that the channel device has a continuous channel, with the material diverter dividing the channel into the first channel section and the second channel section. This is a particularly space-saving option, as the channel device requires only a single channel. The material diverter can engage in the channel or be inserted from above, so that both material outlets of the material diverter are located in the channel. Depending on the diverter position, the material diverter redirects the fiber material flow into the first or second channel section.
[0009] Furthermore, the channel can have an elongated, continuous basic shape with a constant length. The channel can extend along the travel path or alongside the track of the machine frame. The channel can be a suction channel covered on top with a cover belt, which can be locally raised by a belt lifting device arranged on the machine frame. By locally lifting the cover belt, a receiving opening is formed, which moves as the machine frame moves. The fiber flakes can be introduced into the channel via the movable receiving opening, with the material diverter redirecting the fiber material flow either into the first channel section or the second channel section.Due to the material diverter being fixed to the machine frame, it moves with the movable machine frame during operation of the bale opener, so that the ratio of the length of the two channel sections constantly changes when the machine frame is moved.
[0010] Furthermore, a first end of the duct can have a stationary first connection opening for connection to a suction side of a first air conveying device for transporting the removed fiber flakes to the first processing line. A second end of the duct, remote from the first end, can have a stationary second connection opening for connection to a suction side of a second air conveying device for transporting the removed fiber flakes to the second processing line. The transport directions through the two duct sections can thus point in two opposite directions. An adjustable supply air opening can be formed in the flow path between the material switch and the respective air conveying device in order to supply the strand that is temporarily unused, depending on the switch position, with supply air.According to a second embodiment, which is an alternative to the first embodiment, the channel device can comprise a first channel forming the first channel section and a second channel structurally separate from the first channel and forming the second channel section. In particular, the two channels can each have an elongated, continuous basic shape with a constant length. The two channels can extend along the travel path or alongside the track of the machine frame. In particular, the first channel and the second channel can be arranged parallel and, in particular, next to one another. The two channels can be suction channels that are covered on the top side with a common cover strip or each with its own cover strip. A strip lifting device for locally lifting the at least one cover strip can be arranged on the machine frame.The local lifting of the cover strip creates a receiving opening in the respective channel, which moves along with the machine frame. The fiber flakes are introduced into the respective channel via the movable receiving opening, with the material diverter redirecting the fiber material flow either to the first channel or the second channel.
[0011] Furthermore, a first end of the respective channel can be closed, and a distant second end of the respective channel can be connected to the respective associated processing line. For this purpose, the second end of the respective channel can have a fixed connection opening for connection to a suction side of a respective air conveying device for transporting the removed fiber flakes to the first or second processing line. The transport directions through the channels can point in two opposite directions or in the same direction. An adjustable air supply opening can be formed at the closed end of the respective channel in order to supply the channel, which is temporarily unused depending on the diverter setting, with air.
[0012] For both designs, the material diverter can be arranged on the belt lifting device. This allows the material diverter to engage in one or the respective channel via the movable receiving opening. Furthermore, the belt lifting device can have a frame arranged on the machine frame, over which the cover belt is guided. For this purpose, rollers can be rotatably arranged on the frame in order to be able to guide the cover belt over the frame with less wear. The material diverter can be arranged in the space enclosed by the frame. In this way, the material diverter is housed compactly and can still be inserted into one or the respective channel from above.
[0013] The material diverter can comprise a housing through which the fiber material flow is directed. The housing can have a material inlet connected to the suction line unit on the input side and two material outlets connected to the channel device on the output side. An adjustable diverter device can be formed in the flow channel of the material diverter defined by the housing for selectively opening and closing the material outlets in order to selectively redirect the fiber material flow into the first channel section or the second channel section.
[0014] The switch device has at least one pivotable switch element that connects the material inlet of the material switch to the first channel section in a first switch position and to the second first channel section in a second switch position. The at least one switch element can be a movable flap, a diverter plate, or the like. According to one embodiment, the switch device can have two of the switch elements per channel. The at least one switch element can be adjustable manually or by a motor. In particular, the switch device has at least one actuator. The at least one actuator can be, for example, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, or a manual actuator.
[0015] Furthermore, a control unit can be provided and configured to control the material diverter, in particular the at least one actuator, such that the fiber material flow can be directed selectively through the first channel section of the channel device or the second channel section of the channel device. In this way, switching between the two processing lines can be automated. The bale opener can comprise display means to visually indicate the diverter position to an operator of the system. These can include displays directly on the bale opener, a display of a mobile device, or displays of a stationary control center.
[0016] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. They show:
[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bale opener according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the channel device comprises a channel that transports fiber flocks removed by a pickup unit toward a first processing line;
[0018] Figure 2 shows the bale opener from Figure 1, wherein the channel transports the removed fiber flakes to a second processing line;
[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective sectional view of the bale opener in the region of a material switch, wherein the material switch is shown in a first switch position, in which a suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to a first channel section leading to the first processing line; Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of the bale opener in the region of the material switch, as in Figure 3, wherein the material switch is shown in a second switch position, in which the suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to a second channel section leading to the second processing line;
[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective sectional view of the bale opener in the area of an alternative material switch, the material switch being shown in the first switch position in which the suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to the second channel section leading to the first processing line, analogous to Figure 3;
[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view of the bale opener in the area of the alternative material switch, as in Figure 5, wherein the material switch is shown in the second switch position, in which the suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to the second channel section leading to the second processing line, analogous to Figure 4;
[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bale opener according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the channel device comprises a first channel connected to a first processing line and a second channel connected to a second processing line, wherein a material switch is shown in a first switch position in which a suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to the first channel leading to the first processing line; and
[0023] Figure 8 shows the bale opener from Figure 7, wherein the material switch is shown in a second switch position in which the suction line unit of the bale opener is connected to the second channel leading to the second processing line.
[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show a bale opener 1 for removing fiber flakes from fiber bales 3, 4 placed on a stationary base 2, according to a first embodiment. The fiber bales 3, 4 are arranged in two bale groups, slightly spaced apart from one another. For example only, the fiber bales 3 of the first bale group can be made of a first fiber type, for example, cotton, and the fiber bales 4 of the second bale group can be made of a second fiber type, for example, polyester.
[0025] The bale opener 1 has a machine frame 5 movable on the floor 2, on which a removal unit 6 for removing the fiber flakes is mounted in a height-adjustable manner. The removal unit 6 comprises, in a conventional manner, rotatably driven removal rollers (not shown) for removing the fiber flakes, which are guided in a fiber material flow consisting of air and fiber flakes from a suction line unit 7 arranged above the removal unit 6 into a channel device 8, here mounted on the floor 2. The course of the fiber material flow is indicated by arrows, which are provided with the reference symbol F.
[0026] The suction line unit 7 is attached to an opening formed above the collector rollers in the housing of the collector unit 6 and has a flexible hose section 9 so that the suction line unit 7 can follow the movements of the height-adjustable collector unit 6. In the course of the fiber material flow F, a rigid line section 10 of the suction guide unit 7 is connected to the flexible hose section 9 and is guided into a rear side panel 11 of the machine frame 5. The machine frame 5 is, here, designed as a portal and, in addition to the rear side panel 11, has a front side panel 12. The two side panels 11, 12 are connected to one another via portal struts 13 spanning the collector unit 6. In the rear side panel 11, the line section 10 coming from the outside runs vertically downwards towards the channel device 8.
[0027] The channel device 8 has an elongated, continuous channel 14 that extends along the travel path or alongside the track of the machine frame 5. The channel 14 can be connected to two processing lines (not shown) of a blowroom or spinning mill.
[0028] The duct 14 has, at its first end, a stationary first connection opening 15 for connection to a suction side of a first air conveying device for transporting the removed fiber flakes to the first processing line via a first piping system 50 and, analogously, at its second end remote from the first end, a stationary second connection opening 16 for connection to a suction side of a second air conveying device for transporting the removed fiber flakes to the second processing line via a second piping system 51. The duct 14 is designed as a suction air duct, the upper side of which is covered by a flexible cover belt 17. A belt lifting device 18, which locally lifts the cover belt 17, is arranged on the machine frame 5.In Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that the locally exposed upper side of the channel 14 forms a receiving opening 19 which moves with the machine frame 5 and through which the removed fibre flakes can be introduced into the channel.
[0029] The belt lifting device 18 is arranged on an outer side of the machine frame 5 facing away from the pickup unit 6 and is held above the channel 14. Figures 3 and 4 show a portion of the bale opener 1 around the belt lifting device 18. It can be seen that the belt lifting device 18 has a frame 20, which is fastened, here, to the rear side panel 11 of the machine frame 5. To guide the cover belt 17 over the frame 20, several rollers 21 are rotatably mounted on the frame 20. In the space enclosed by the frame 20, a material diverter 22 is arranged. This material diverter is fixedly arranged on the machine frame 5 and is connected between the suction line unit 7 and the channel 14 in the course of the fiber material flow F.
[0030] The material switch 22 has a switch housing 23 in which a flow channel 24 is formed with a material inlet 25 and a first material outlet 26, 27. The material inlet 25 is connected to the line section 10 of the suction line unit 7, and the two material outlets 26, 27 are connected to or arranged in the channel 14. The switch housing 23 has a curved shaft section 28 that bridges the offset between the line section 10 extending down the side wall 11 and the movable receiving opening 19 of the channel 14. The switch housing 23 branches off in a Y-shape at the end inserted in the channel 14 into the first and the second material outlet 26, 27. The switch housing 23 has a housing base 29 which has an upwardly or downwardly directed channel between the two material outlets 26, 27 facing away from each other.has an inwardly curved bottom section 30, which promotes the deflection of the fiber material flow F in the desired transport direction toward the first or second processing line. Outside of the inwardly curved bottom section 30, the housing bottom 29 rests on a channel bottom 31 of the channel 14.
[0031] A switch device 32 is arranged in the switch housing 23, which selectively opens or closes the first material outlet 26 or the second material outlet 27. The material switch 22 or the switch device 32 thus divides the channel 14 into a first and a second channel section 33, 34, with the length ratio between the two channel sections 33, 34 constantly changing as the machine frame 5 moves. The first channel section 33 is connected to the first processing line, and the second channel section 34 is connected to the second processing line.
[0032] The switch device 32 has two pivotable switch elements 35, 36, which can be moved between two switch positions about their pivot axes 37 by means of actuators (not shown), in particular pneumatic cylinders. In order to be able to set the material switch 22 automatically, the actuators can be connected to a control unit (not shown) of the bale opener 1. Switching between the processing lines can be specified via a control panel 43 or, for example, a mobile device, or can occur automatically according to a predetermined procedure. The switch position can also be indicated via display means 49, which can be mounted, for example, on both portal struts 13 so that they are clearly visible from a distance.
[0033] In the first switch position, shown in Figure 3, the first material outlet 26 is open and the second material outlet 27 is closed. The fiber material flow F is now transported through the first channel section 33 to the first processing line. Figure 4 shows the material switch in its second switch position, in which the first material outlet 26 is closed and the second material outlet 27 is open. The fiber material flow F is now transported through the second channel section 34 to the second processing line. In order to continue supplying the temporarily closed channel section 33 or 34 with air, if necessary, a controllable air supply opening (not shown) can be provided, which can be arranged between the material switch 22 and the respective air conveying device.
[0034] Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the material switch 22, which differs from the previously described switch device 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, only in the design of the switch device 38. The alternative switch device 38 has only one switch element 39, which is pivotally mounted centrally between the two material outlets 26, 27 on the upwardly or inwardly curved base portion 30 of the housing base 29 of the material switch 22.
[0035] Figures 7 and 8 show a bale opener 40 according to a second embodiment, which largely corresponds to that of Figures 1 to 6, so that reference is made to the above description regarding similarities. Identical or modified details are provided with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 6. The only difference lies in the design of the channel device 8 and the material diverter 22.
[0036] The duct device 8 also has a first duct section 33 and a second duct section 34, each formed by a separate duct 41, 42. The first duct 41 is connected to the first processing line. The second duct 42, which is structurally separate from the first duct 41, is connected to the second processing line. Both ducts 41, 42 each have an elongated, continuous basic shape with a constant length. The ducts 41, 42 are arranged parallel to and next to one another. The first duct 41 lies between the travel path of the machine frame 5 and the second duct 42. A first duct end of the respective duct 41, 42 is closed and can have an adjustable supply air opening (not shown), if necessary, in order to supply the duct 41 or 42, which is temporarily unused depending on the switch position, with supply air.A second channel end of the respective channel 41, 42, remote from the first channel end, has a fixed connection opening for connection to the respective processing line. The transport directions through the channels 41, 42 point, here, in two opposite directions, but can in principle also point in the same direction if the connection openings are arranged on the same side of the channel.
[0037] The belt lifting device 18 arranged on the machine frame 5 lifts, here, both cover belts 17', 17" simultaneously, locally. The switch housing 23 of the material switch 22 branches out from the shaft section 28 leading out of the side wall 11 within the space encompassed by the frame 20 of the belt lifting device 18 into two switch lines 44, 45, which reach from above through the respective receiving opening 19', 19" into the respective channel 41, 42. The first switch line 44 has within the first channel
[0038] 41 the first material outlet 26 and the second switch line 45 has the second material outlet 27 within the second channel 42. The switch lines 44, 45 are in the respective
[0039] Channels 41, 42 are curved towards the channel end leading to the respective processing line and touch the respective channel bottom 31.
[0040] The switch device 46 has two switch elements 47, 48 which are arranged above the channels 41,
[0041] 42 are arranged in the switch housing 23. In Figure 7, the switch device 46 is shown in the first switch position, in which the material switch 22 connects the suction line unit 7 to the first channel 41 leading to the first processing line. In Figure 8, the switch device 46 is shown in the second switch position and connects the suction line unit 7 to the second channel 42 leading to the second processing line.
[0042] Reference symbol
[0043] 1 bale opener 36 switch element
[0044] 2 Floor 37 Swivel axis
[0045] 3 fiber bales 38 switch device
[0046] 4 fiber bales 39 switch element
[0047] 5 machine frame 40 bale opener
[0048] 6 receiver unit 41 channel
[0049] 7 Suction line unit 42 channel
[0050] 8 Channel setup 43 Control panel
[0051] 9 Hose section 44 Switch line
[0052] 10 Line section 45 switch line
[0053] 11 Side cheek 46 Switch device
[0054] 12 Side cheek 47 Switch element
[0055] 13 Portal strut 48 Switch element
[0056] 14 Channel 49 Display Device
[0057] 15 Connection opening 50 Piping system
[0058] 16 Connection opening 51 Piping system
[0059] 17 Masking tape
[0060] 18 Belt lifting device F Fiber material flow
[0061] 19 Receiving opening
[0062] 20 frame
[0063] 21 rolls
[0064] 22 Material switch
[0065] 23 switch housings
[0066] 24 flow channel
[0067] 25 Material inlet
[0068] 26 Material outlet
[0069] 27 Material outlet
[0070] 28 shaft section
[0071] 29 Case back
[0072] 30 floor section
[0073] 31 Canal floor
[0074] 32 Switch device
[0075] 33 Canal Section
[0076] 34 canal section
[0077] 35 Switch element
Claims
AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on November 29, 2023 (29.1 1.2023) Bale opener (1; 40) for removing fiber flakes from fiber bales (3, 4) placed on a stationary floor (2), comprising a machine frame (5) movable on the floor (2), a collector unit (6) held vertically adjustable on the machine frame (5) for removing the fiber flakes, a suction line unit (7) connected to the collector unit (6) and held on the machine frame (5), and a channel device (8) which can be arranged stationary relative to the floor (2) for receiving and transporting the fiber flakes in a fiber material flow (F) optionally to a first processing line or a second processing line, and wherein the material diverter (22) can be controlled in such a way thatthat the fiber material flow (F) can be selectively guided through a first channel section (33) of the channel device (8) that can be connected to the first processing line, or a second channel section (34) of the channel device (8) that can be connected to the second processing line, characterized in that a material switch (22) that is fixedly arranged on the machine frame (5) is connected between the suction line unit (7) and the channel device (8). Bale opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel device (8) has a continuous channel (14), wherein the material switch (22) divides the channel into the first channel section (33) and the second channel section (34). Bale opener (40) according to claim 1, characterized inthat the channel device (8) comprises a first channel (41) forming the first channel section (33) and a second channel (42) structurally separate from the first channel (41) and forming the second channel section (34). Bale opener (40) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first channel (41) and the second channel (42) are arranged parallel to one another. Bale opener (1; 40) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a belt lifting device (18) for locally lifting a cover belt (17; 17', 17") covering the respective channel (14; 41, 42) on the top side is arranged on the machine frame (5), so that a receiving opening (19; 19', 19") in the respective channel (14; 41, 42) is created below the locally raised cover belt (17; 17', 17"), wherein the material switch (22) is arranged on the belt lifting device (18) and engages through the receiving opening (19; 19', 19") in the respective channel (14; 41, 42). 13 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) Bale opener (1; 40) according to claim 5, characterized in that the belt lifting device (18) has a frame (20) arranged on the machine frame (5), by means of which the cover belt (17; 17', 17") is guided over the frame (20), wherein the material diverter (22) is arranged in the space enclosed by the frame (20). Bale opener (1; 40) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one adjustable diverter device (32; 38; 46) is arranged in a flow channel (24) of the material diverter (22) in order to guide the fiber material flow (F) selectively into the first channel section (33) or the second channel section (34).Bale opener (1; 40) according to claim 7, characterized in that the switch device (32; 38; 46) has at least one pivotable switch element (35, 36; 39; 47, 48) which connects a material inlet (25) of the material switch (22) connected to the suction line unit (7) to the first channel section (33) in a first switch position and to the second first channel section (34) in a second switch position. 14 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)