Cross-lapper with three conveyor belts

Abstract

A cross-lapper, comprising an infeed conveyor belt (1') which introduces a web of fibres, in particular a nonwoven web, into an input carriage (4') or accumulator, which has a back-and-forth movement and in which the web is turned over, in particular by 180°, to be forwarded by a rear conveyor belt (6') to a laying carriage (3'), which moves in such a way that the accumulated web is laid on an output apron (2'), transversely in one direction and in the other with respect to the direction of movement of the output apron, to thus obtain the batt, characterized in that the infeed conveyor belt (1') is arranged such that it transports the web until the latter is turned over in the input carriage (4') and such that it sandwiches the web with the rear conveyor belt (6') before, during and after the turning over of the web, in particular as far as the laying carriage (3').

Description

Description Title of the invention: Three-belt lapper

[0001] The present invention relates to a spreader-lapper having the function of stacking a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, on itself, to provide at the output a web consisting of the stack, the spreader-lapper, comprising an input carriage or accumulator having a back and forth movement, in which the web is admitted by an admission belt and in which the web undergoes a reversal, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt, to an output or depositing carriage, which has a movement which deposits the web on an output apron, transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the output apron, to thus obtain the web.

[0002] Lappers of this type are already known from the prior art, for example from EP1367166 A1, in the name of the applicant. The web is introduced into the lapper by an entry / admission belt through which the web is both introduced into the lapper and admitted into an entry carriage, in which the belt is subjected to a turning, the web being sandwiched between the entry / admission belt and a rear belt after turning up to a depositing carriage, the web being deposited on an exit belt at a gap formed in the depositing carriage between the entry / admission belt and the rear belt. These lappers of the prior art do not withstand high flow rates well, and in particular, as soon as the production rate is increased, and therefore the speed of the entry and exit carriages, the quality, in particular the homogeneity, of the web obtained decreases.

[0003] From EP197528 A1, a lapper is known in which the web is introduced into the lapper by an inlet belt 6 which deposits the web on an inlet belt 20 by which the web is admitted into an inlet carriage 4 in which it is subjected to a turning, the web being sandwiched on the one hand between the inlet belt 6 and the inlet belt 20 before its turning, then on the other hand, after its turning, between the inlet belt 20 and a belt 14 endlessly to a depositing gap formed in a depositing carriage 5 which deposits the web on an apron 1, the depositing gap being formed between the endless belt 14 and another endless belt 23. This lapper suffers from the same drawbacks as those described above.

[0004] From EP0786545 A2, a lapper is known in which the web is introduced into the lapper by an input belt 1 or 2 which turns the web to deposit it on an intermediate belt 11 around which the web is again turned before being sent to a depositing carriage 5 which deposits the web on an apron 14 at a gap formed between the two input belts 1 and 2. The web is sandwiched by the two input belts 1 and 2 during its first turning, then, before and after its second turning, it is sandwiched by the input belt 1 or 2 and the intermediate belt 11. This lapper suffers from the same drawbacks as those described above.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a spreader-lapper of the type mentioned above which makes it possible, at a constant production rate, to increase the quality of the web leaving the spreader, and / or, at equal quality of the web, to increase the production rate of the spreader-lapper.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, the spreader-lapper, adapted to stack a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, on itself, to provide at the output a web consisting of the stack, the spreader-lapper, comprising an input carriage or accumulator, which has a back and forth movement, and in which the web undergoes a reversal, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt, to an output or depositing carriage, which has a movement which deposits the web on an output apron, transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the output apron, to thus obtain the web, is characterized in that the web is admitted into the input carriage by an admission belt, the web being sandwiched between the admission belt and the rear belt before, during and after its reversal, in particular up to the depositing carriage.

[0007] Thus, the web is introduced into the depositing carriage between two belts at a speed which does not depend on the movement of the input carriage, the web being geometrically stabilized by partial expulsion of the air contained within it before turning over, being held by the two mats on either side of the veil.

[0008] Preferably, the turning is carried out in the input carriage around a turning roller with an axis secured to the input carriage.

[0009] Preferably, the rear belt sandwiches the web with the inlet belt at least from a point called the pinch point upstream of the inlet carriage.

[0010] Preferably, the section of the rear belt which sandwiches the web with an inlet section of the intake belt at the pinch point is inclined relative to the inlet section of the intake belt, in particular by an angle of a few degrees, for example between 1° and 10°.

[0011] Preferably, the inlet belt comprises an outlet section which extends after the turning roller and which sandwiches the web with a section of the rear belt at least up to the removal carriage, the two sections being in particular parallel to each other, in particular horizontally.

[0012] Preferably, the intake belt is an air-permeable belt, in particular a perforated belt, which further improves the geometric stability of the web entering the depositing carriage due to the expulsion of the air contained within it, in particular before its turning over.

[0013] Preferably, the rear mat is an airtight mat, in particular a so-called solid mat, i.e. without perforations.

[0014] According to a favorable improvement, which constitutes in itself another aspect of the invention, independently of the aspect mentioned above, but which can be combined therewith in a favorable manner, the entry carriage is split into two parts, at a distance from each other, the turning taking place in the first part, in particular the axis of the turning roller being integral with the first part, and a second part comprising an axis roller integral with the second part, around which the admission belt passes, the depositing carriage preferably being located between the first and second parts.

[0015] Preferably, the two parts of the input carriage are integral in translation with each other, moving according to the same speed laws.

[0016] Following a first favorable arrangement, the veil is introduced into the lapper by an entry belt which feeds the veil to the admission belt.

[0017] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, the entry mat forms the drop-off gap with the rear mat.

[0018] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, the second part of the entry carriage comprises a second axle roller integral with the second part, around which the entry belt passes.

[0019] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, a compensation carriage is provided, the movement of which is synchronized with the translational movement of the depositing carriage, in particular by having a speed equal to half the speed of the depositing carriage.

[0020] Preferably, the compensation carriage comprises two rollers with respective axes integral with said compensation carriage and around which the entry belt passes respectively before and after passing around the second roller with an axis integral with the second part of the entry carriage.

[0021] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, the intake belt comprises an inlet section extending between the inlet carriage and the inlet belt, this inlet section of the intake belt being in particular parallel to a section of the inlet belt supplying the web to the intake belt.

[0022] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, at least one motorized roller drives the inlet belt, at least one motorized roller drives the rear belt, and the intake belt is free, without its own motorization. However, the present invention is not limited to this characteristic and it may be possible to consider motorizing the intermediate or intake belt.

[0023] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, an input carriage drive belt, or input belt, extends from a first part of the input carriage to a second part of the input carriage, the two ends of the belt being fixed to a respective one of the first and second parts and the belt being furthermore secured in translation to a front auxiliary carriage, itself secured in translation to a detour roller of the rear conveyor movable in translation.

[0024] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, a deposit carriage drive belt, or output belt, extends between two fixed points relative to the frame of the lapper and is secured in translation to the deposit carriage and, in the lower part, to a rear auxiliary carriage, itself secured in translation to a deflecting roller of the entry belt movable in translation. However, the present invention is not limited to this characteristic of the two fixed points and it may be envisaged that one of the points is not fixed but secured, for example attached, to the belt tensioning system.

[0025] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, the output drive belt passes around two rollers integral in translation with the compensation carriage, preferably the two rollers being the last rollers around which the belt passes before its attachment to the respective fixed points.

[0026] Preferably, according to the first arrangement, after having passed around each of the two rollers integral with the compensation carriage, the output belt extends in opposite directions to each other, towards the respective fixed points.

[0027] According to a second favorable arrangement, which in itself constitutes another aspect of the invention, independently of the previously mentioned aspects, but which can be combined therewith in a favorable manner, the web is introduced into the lapper by the admission belt.

[0028] Preferably, according to this second arrangement, a front deposit belt is provided which defines with the rear belt the gap where the web leaves the deposit carriage to fall onto the apron.

[0029] Preferably, according to the second arrangement, the front and rear drop-off mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, i.e. without perforation.

[0030] Preferably, according to the second arrangement, the depositing carriage is driven by a belt, in particular fixed to two front and rear ends of the depositing carriage, and two end rollers, respectively front and rear around which the front belt and the rear belt extend respectively, are mounted to move in translation while being integral with each other in their translational movement, in particular by having their respective axes mounted either on two compensation trolleys, respectively front and rear, each fixed to the drive belt of the removal trolley, or on a single rigid trolley.

[0031] Preferably, according to the second arrangement, the input carriage is driven by a drive carriage belt, in particular attached to two front and rear ends of the first part of the input carriage, and the second part is also attached to the drive carriage belt.

[0032] Preferably, according to the second arrangement, at least one motorized roller drives the rear belt, at least one motorized roller drives the front belt, and the intake belt is free, without its own motorization. However, the present invention is not limited to this characteristic and it may be possible to consider motorizing the intake belt.

[0033] According to yet another aspect of the invention, independent of the preceding aspects but which can, in a favorable manner, be combined with each of them or with any two of them or with all of them together, a spreader-lapper, comprising an inlet belt by which a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, is introduced into an inlet or accumulator carriage, having a back and forth movement and in which the web undergoes a reversal, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt, into a depositing carriage, which has a movement which deposits the accumulated web on an outlet apron, transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the outlet apron, to thus obtain the web, the depositing of the web taking place at the level of a gap, is characterized in that the depositing carriage comprises four rollers, namely two gap rollers,around which pass respectively the rear belt and a belt, in particular the entry belt of the first arrangement or the front removal belt of the second arrangement, the gap being defined between the two gap rollers respectively rear and front, and two first and second diverting rollers, the rear belt and the admission belt passing together with the web sandwiched between them around the first diverting roller in the direction of the gap, and the admission belt, after having passed around the first diverting roller, passing alone around the second diverting roller to be diverted from the gap.,

[0034] Preferably, the arrangement of the four gap and diverter rollers inside the depositing carriage is such that the sections of the rear and intake belts extending between the first diverter roller and respectively the rear gap roller and the second diverter roller are inclined relative to the direction of back and forth movement of the depositing carriage, in particular relative to the horizontal, in particular by an angle of between 30° and 60°, in particular equal to 52°.

[0035] According to yet another aspect of the invention, independent of the preceding aspects but which can, in a favorable manner, be combined with each of them or with any two or three of them or with all of them together, a spreader-lapper, comprising an inlet belt by which a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, is introduced into an inlet or accumulator carriage, having a back and forth movement and in which the web undergoes a reversal, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt, into a depositing carriage, which has a movement which deposits the accumulated web on an outlet apron, transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the outlet apron, to thus obtain the web, characterized in that the depositing carriage is driven by a belt, in particular fixed to two front and rear ends of the depositing carriage, and two end rollers respectively front and rear,around which extend respectively a front depositing belt and the rear belt, are mounted mobile in translation while being integral with each other in their translational movement, in particular by having their respective axes mounted either on two auxiliary compensation carriages respectively front and rear each fixed to the drive belt of the depositing carriage, or on a single carriage, the web being, preferably, introduced into the lapper by the admission belt.,

[0036] By way of example, preferred embodiments of crosslappers according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a spreader-lapper according to the invention, the drive belts of the different carriages and the rollers of these belts not being shown;

[0038] Figure 2 is an elevational view of the cross-lapper of Figure 1 without the inlet, outlet and intermediate belts and their rollers;

[0039] Figure 3 represents the speed curves of the different trolleys over a round trip period of the deposit trolley;

[0040] Figure 4 is an elevational view of the lapper of Figures 1 and 2 showing the assembly of the carriages and the entry, exit and admission (or intermediate) belts respectively, as well as their rollers, the drive belts of the carriages and the rollers of these belts being shown in dotted lines;

[0041] Figure 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a lapper in which the assembly of carriages and belts respectively for admission (or intermediate), entry (or front) and rear are shown, as well as their rollers, the drive belts of the carriages and the rollers of these belts being shown in dotted lines;

[0042] Figure 6 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a lapper in which the assembly of carriages and belts respectively for admission (or intermediate), rear and entry (or front) are shown, as well as their rollers and the drive belts of the carriages;

[0043] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 6;

[0044] Figure 8 is a view identical to that of Figure 7 of yet another embodiment of the invention, in which the intake mat is air permeable;

[0045] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6; and

[0046] Figure 10 is a view of a portion corresponding to the portion shown in Figure 9 of another embodiment of the invention.

[0047] The figures show elevation views of crosslappers according to the invention.

[0048] An endless inlet or front belt 1 allows the introduction into the crosslapper of a non-woven web, for example from a card upstream of the crosslapper, to form on an outlet apron 2 of the crosslapper, a web consisting of a stack of the web in successive sections inclined to each other in relation to the others by being alternately placed transversely to the deck in one direction and in the other.

[0049] The web is placed on the apron 2 by means of a placement or exit carriage 3, which performs back and forth movements transversely to the direction of movement of the apron 2, which is also the lengthwise direction of the sheet formed by the zigzag stacking of the web.

[0050] From the inlet belt 1, the web is conveyed to a belt 8 for admitting the web into an inlet carriage 4, in which it undergoes a 180° turn around a turning roller 5 with an axis secured to the carriage 4. The inlet carriage 4 also undergoes a back and forth movement in the same direction as the depositing carriage 3 and in correspondence with it to thus accumulate a section of web which is conveyed to the depositing carriage 3 which then deposits it on the apron 2.

[0051] A rear, endless belt 6 is arranged so as to support the web after it has been turned over by the turning roller 5 and this up to the depositing carriage 3. The carriage 3 deposits the web on the apron 2 at the level of a depositing gap 7 formed between the rear belt 6 and the entry or front belt 1, between two respective rollers 9.5 and 5.2 around which the two belts 1 and 6 extend, the two respective rollers having their respective axis secured to the depositing carriage 3.

[0052] The lapper further comprises the inlet belt 8. This inlet belt 8 comprises a first rectilinear section 8.1 which conveys the web to the turning roller 5. On this first section 8.1, the web is sandwiched with a first rectilinear section 6.1 of the rear belt.

[0053] During the turning, the two belts 6 and 8, by semicircular sections extending around the roller 5, sandwich the web until the end of the turning, then, by second horizontal rectilinear sections, convey, still sandwiching it, the web to the depositing carriage 3. After the turning, it is the rear belt 6 which supports the web, whereas before the turning, it is the admission belt 8.

[0054] In the depositing carriage 3, the rear belt 6 has a third inclined rectilinear section which extends to the depositing gap, while the intake belt 8 has a third inclined rectilinear section which ceases to take the veil sandwiched with the rear carpet 6 before the end of the third section of the rear carpet.

[0055] The endless rear belt 6 further comprises fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth straight sections which extend between the third section and the first section 6.1 to form the endless output belt 6. The fourth, eighth, ninth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth sections are horizontal, parallel to the section 1.1 entrance of the carpet 1 before.

[0056] The various rectilinear sections of the rear belt 6 are separated from each other, in addition to the semi-circular section around the turning roller 5, by sections in the form of a circular arc extending around rotating detour rollers 5.1 to 5.12, of which only the drive roller 5.4 is driven by a motor.

[0057] The detour roller 5.7 of the rear belt 6 is mounted so as to be movable in translation, being integral with an auxiliary carriage 10 which is connected by belts to the entry carriage 4, the movement of the auxiliary carriage along a horizontal rail allowing the rear belt 6 to maintain a constant tension, the auxiliary carriage 10 following, for this purpose, the back and forth movement of the entry carriage 4. The axes of the rollers 5.1, 5.2 are mounted integral with the depositing carriage 3, so that their axis undergoes a back and forth movement in translation horizontally. The other rollers around which the rear belt extends have an axis of rotation which is fixed.

[0058] The endless inlet belt 1 comprises, in addition to the first inlet section 1.1, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth rectilinear sections which extend with the first section 1.1 to form the endless inlet belt 1. The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, tenth and eleventh rectilinear sections are horizontal, parallel to the first inlet section 1.1 of the front belt 1.

[0059] The straight sections of the inlet belt 1 are separated from each other by arc-shaped sections which extend around rotating detour rollers 9.1 to 9.14, of which only roller 9.7 is driven by a motor.

[0060] The deflecting roller 9.10 of the entry belt 1 is mounted so as to be movable in translation, being integral with an auxiliary carriage 11 which is connected by belts to the depositing carriage 3, the movement of the auxiliary carriage 11 along a horizontal rail allowing the entry belt 1 to maintain a constant tension, the auxiliary carriage 11 following, for this purpose, the back and forth movement of the depositing carriage 3. The axis of rotation of the roller 9.5 is mounted integral with the depositing carriage 3.

[0061] The deposit gap 7 is defined between the two belts 1 and 6 between their respective rollers 5.2 and 9.5.

[0062] The inlet belt 8 (which in this embodiment can also be called the intermediate belt), in addition to the first 8.1, second and third rectilinear sections, comprises fourth, fifth and sixth rectilinear sections. The rectilinear sections of the inlet or intermediate belt 8 are separated from each other, in addition to the semicircular section around the roller 5 and the arcuate section around the roller 5.1, by arcuate sections extending around rollers 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4 to together form the endless intermediate belt 8. The axes of the rollers 14.3 and 14.4 are fixed. The axis of the roller 14.2 is mounted integral with the second part 13 of the inlet carriage 4, while the axis of the roller 14.1 is mounted integral with the deposit carriage 3.

[0063] None of the rollers around which the endless intermediate belt 8 extends are driven in rotation by a motor.

[0064] The input carriage 4 is in two parts 12 and 13, at a distance from each other and integral in translation by being connected by a crosspiece 20. The first part 12 comprises the drive roller 5 while the second part 13 comprises the roller 14.2, around which the intermediate belt 8 passes, the axis of rotation of the roller 14.2 being integral with this second part 13 of the input carriage.

[0065] The second part 13 also includes the roller 9.3, around which the entry belt 1 passes, the axis of the roller 9.3 being integral with this second part 13.

[0066] The lapper also includes a compensation carriage 14, the speed R of which of back and forth movement is linked to that X of the depositing carriage 3. In particular, the respective mounting of the different rollers 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 carried by the second part 13 of the entry carriage 4 and by the compensation carriage 14 fact that, in the embodiment described in the figures, the speed R of the compensation carriage 14 is equal to half the speed X of the depositing carriage, knowing that depending on the positioning, the number and the size of the rollers, a ratio different from .

[0067] The intermediate mat 8 is a breathable mat, in particular a perforated mat, while the front mats 1 and 6 rear are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called full mats, i.e. without perforation.

[0068] In Figures 1, 2 and 4, the two parts of the input carriage 4 are secured to each other by a rigid connection in the form of a crosspiece 20 fixed at its two ends to each of the parts.

[0069] In Figure 5, unlike Figure 4, the two parts of the input carriage 4 are not directly secured to each other, but are each secured to the same drive belt.

[0070] Figure 2 shows the cross-lapper without the three inlet, rear and intermediate belts shown in Figure 1 respectively, but with the belts allowing the movement of the different trolleys of the cross-lapper.

[0071] In Figure 2, a so-called input belt 30, preferably notched, extends from the first part 12 of the carriage 4 to the second part 13 of the carriage 4, having its two respective ends fixed by respective flanges 31, 32 to the two parts 12 and 13. The flanges may in particular be made up of two plates, at least one of which is notched. One of the plates is secured to the carriage, in particular by welding and the other plate, in particular the notched plate, is tightened against the other plate by sandwiching the belt 30, preferably notched, the tightening being able in particular to be carried out by screws.

[0072] The belt 30 is also secured in translation to the auxiliary carriage 10, in particular as described in patent EP3138945B1 in the name of the applicant, namely by means of a flange 33 formed by a notched plate sandwiching with a flat part (which can also be made up of a flat plate secured to the carriage, in particular by welding) of the carriage 10 the belt 30, preferably itself notched, the notched plate, the flat part and the notched belt being tightened together by screws.

[0073] Instead of a belt, whether toothed or not, a cable can also be provided which can be fixed by the flanges 31, 32 and 33 or equivalent fixing means.

[0074] The belt 30 extends around rollers 30.1 to 30.7, at least one of the rollers being driven by a motor. In particular, it is possible to provide for two rollers to be driven, one controlled by torque and the other by speed, the torque setpoint being able in particular to come from the speed regulation, as according to the installation described in EP3138945B1. However, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to provide only one motor, or on the contrary three or more motors.

[0075] A belt 40 called the output belt (shown in dotted lines) extends between its two front and rear ends, each fixed by a respective flange, at two respective front and rear points 41 and 42 which are fixed relative to the frame of the lapper. The belt 40 is furthermore secured in translation to the depositing carriage 3 by means of a flange 43 of the same type as the flanges 31, 32 and also secured in translation to the auxiliary carriage 11 by means of a flange 44 of the same type as the flange 33.

[0076] The belt 40 extends, starting from the front fixed point 41, around rollers 40.1 to 40.8, up to the rear fixed point 42. The two end rollers 40.1 and 40.8 have their respective axes secured to the compensation carriage 14. At least one of the rollers is driven by a motor. In particular, it is possible to provide for two rollers to be driven, one controlled by torque and the other by speed, the torque setpoint being able in particular to come from the speed regulation, as according to the installation described in EP3138945B1. However, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to provide only one motor, or on the contrary three or more motors.

[0077] The compensation carriage 14 is not driven by any motor, its speed being a function of that of the deposit carriage 3.

[0078] Figure 3 shows the speed curves of the different carriages during an operating cycle of the lapper.

[0079] In the first part of the cycle (on the left in the figure), motor 5.4 driving the rear belt 6 has a zero speed Q=0, while motor 9.7 driving the input belt 1 has a speed P=2X(t), X(t) corresponding to a speed law in hat shape consisting, starting from zero speed, of a linear acceleration section, a substantially linear section in the shape of a plateau at constant speed followed by a deceleration section until zero speed is reached again.

[0080] In the second part of the cycle (on the right in the figure), motor 9.7 driving the inlet belt 1 has a zero speed P= 0, while motor 5.4 driving the rear belt 6 has a speed Q=2X(t), X(t) corresponding to a hat-shaped speed law consisting, starting from a zero speed, of a linear acceleration section, a substantially linear section in the form of a plateau at constant speed followed by a deceleration section until reaching zero speed again.

[0081] The speed of the depositing carriage is thus equal to X(t), while the speed of the compensation carriage 13 is X / 2.

[0082] In Figure 3, the input speed Ve and the speeds of the different carriages are represented, namely U the speed of the input carriage 4, AVI the speed of the compensation carriage 14 and W the speed of the deposit carriage 3.

[0083] In Figure 5, the first and second parts 12 and 13 of the carriage 4 are secured in translation, not as in the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 4 by a crosspiece 20, but by the fact of both being secured to the belt 30.

[0084] Thus, in this embodiment, the lower belt 30 extends between two points of the first part 12, the two ends of the belt 30 being fixed at these points of the first part by end flanges 31 and 35. In addition, the second part 13 is secured to the belt 30 by an intermediate flange 32. The remainder of this embodiment of a lapper is identical to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 4.

[0085] Figures 6 to 10 describe another embodiment of a lapper according to the invention. In this embodiment, the inlet belt, in addition to the function of introducing the web into the inlet carriage, in particular by supporting it, also performs the function of introducing the web into the lapper, a function assigned to the inlet belt in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

[0086] An endless inlet belt T allows the introduction of a non-woven web, for example from a card upstream of the crosslapper, to form on a 2' spreader outlet apron, a web consisting of a stack of the web in successive sections inclined relative to each other while being alternately deposited transversely to the apron in one direction and the other.

[0087] The web is placed on the apron 2' by means of a placement carriage 3', which makes back and forth movements transversely to the direction of movement of the apron 2', which is also the lengthwise direction of the sheet formed by the zigzag stacking of the web.

[0088] The web is conveyed by the inlet belt T to an inlet carriage 4', in which it undergoes a 180° turn around a 5' turning roller with an axis secured to the carriage 4'. The inlet carriage 4' also undergoes a back and forth movement in the same direction as the depositing carriage 3' and in correspondence with it to thus accumulate a section of web which is conveyed to the depositing carriage 3' which then deposits it on the apron 2'.

[0089] A rear endless belt 6' is arranged to support the web after it has been turned over by the turning roller 5' and this up to the depositing carriage 3'. The carriage 3' deposits the web on the apron 2' at a depositing gap 7' formed between the rear belt 6' and a front depositing belt 8', between two gap rollers 5.2' and 10. T respectively rear and front around which the two belts 6' and 8' extend, the two respective gap rollers 5.2' and 10. T having their respective axis integral with the depositing carriage 3'.

[0090] The inlet T belt has a first straight 1.1' section which carries the web to the 5' turning roller. On this first 1.1' section, the web is sandwiched with a first straight 6. T section of the rear 6' belt.

[0091] During the turning, the two belts 6' and 1', by semicircular sections extending around the roller 5', sandwich the web until the end of the turning, then, by second horizontal rectilinear sections 1.2' and 6.2', convey, still sandwiching it, the web to the depositing carriage 3'. After the turning, it is the rear belt 6' which supports the web, whereas before the turning, it is the admission belt T.

[0092] In the 3' depositing carriage, the rear 6' belt has a third inclined rectilinear section 6.3' which extends to the depositing gap, while the intake belt 1' has a third inclined rectilinear section 1.3' which stops sandwiching the web with the rear 6' belt before the end of the third section 6.3' of the rear belt, in particular the section 6.3' extending to a first gap roller 5.2' while the third section 1.3' extends to a first detour roller 9.T arranged above the gap formed by the first gap roller 5.2' and a second gap roller 10.T. The arrangement of the rollers inside the 3' depositing carriage is such that the sections 1.3' and 6.3' are inclined relative to the second sections 1.2' and 6.2', in particular by an angle of between 30° and 60°, in particular equal to 52°, in particular relative to the horizontal.

[0093] The rear endless belt 6' further comprises fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth rectilinear sections which extend between the third section 6.3' and the first section 6.T to form the rear endless belt 6'. The fourth, eighth, ninth, eleventh and twelfth sections are horizontal, parallel to the inlet section 1.1' of the intake belt T.

[0094] The various rectilinear sections of the rear 6' belt are separated from each other, in addition to the semi-circular section around the 5' turning roller, by circular arc-shaped sections extending around rotating 5. T to 5.13' detour rollers, of which only the 5.4' drive roller is driven by a motor.

[0095] The 5.7' detour roller of the rear 6' belt is mounted to move in translation while being integral with an auxiliary carriage 10' which is fixed, in particular by opposite clamping plates, arranged laterally on the carriage, to the 30' drive belt of the 3' removal carriage, the movement of the auxiliary carriage 10', in particular along a horizontal rail (not shown in the figures), allowing the rear 6' belt to maintain constant tension, the auxiliary carriage 10' following, for this purpose, the back and forth movement of the 3' removal carriage. The axes of the rollers 5.1', ​​5.2' are mounted integral with the removal carriage 3, so that their axis undergoes a back and forth movement in translation horizontally. The axes of the rollers 5' and 5.10' are mounted integral with the entry carriage 4', so that their axis undergoes a back and forth movement in horizontal translation. The other rollers around which the rear belt extends have an axis of rotation which is fixed in translation relative to the frame.

[0096] The endless intake belt T comprises, in addition to the first inlet section 1.1', second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth rectilinear sections which extend with the first section 1.1' to form the endless intake belt T. The second and fourth rectilinear sections are horizontal, parallel to the first inlet section 1.1' of the intake belt T.

[0097] The straight sections of the inlet belt 1' are separated from each other by arc-shaped sections which extend around rotating detour rollers 5', 5. T and 9.1' to 9.8'. If necessary, one of these rollers, in particular roller 9.3', can be driven by a motor.

[0098] The 7' drop-off gap is defined between the rear 6' belt and a front 8' drop-off belt, between the 5.2' detour roller forming the gap roller of the rear 6' belt and a 10. T detour roller forming the gap roller of the front 8' belt.

[0099] The 8' front deposit belt is an endless belt consisting of eight rectilinear sections extending between rollers 10. T at 10.8' of detour and by arcuate sections extending around rollers 10.1 ' to 10.8' to form together the belt. The first section 8. T is rectilinear and the second, sixth and seventh sections are parallel to the first section 8. T. Only the 10.3' roller is motorized. The 10.2', 10.3', 10.4', 10.5', 10.7' and 10.8' rollers are fixed to the frame. The 10.1' and 10.6' rollers are movable in translation, the 10. T roller being integral in translation with the 3' deposit carriage, while the 10.6' is mounted mobile in translation while being integral with an auxiliary carriage 11' which is fixed, in particular by opposite clamping plates, arranged laterally on the carriage, to the drive belt 40' of the depositing carriage 3', the movement of the auxiliary carriage 11', in particular along a horizontal rail, allowing the front belt 8' to maintain a constant tension, the auxiliary carriage 11' following, for this purpose, the back and forth movement of the depositing carriage 3'. In the present embodiment, two auxiliary carriages, respectively 10' and 11', are provided to compensate for the movement of the rear belts 6' and 8' front. However, these two. carriages being secured to the same drive belt of the depositing carriage, and by the same secured to each other, they could advantageously be replaced by a single carriage which would be secured to the drive belt and to which the two rollers 5.7' and 10.6' would be secured in translation.

[0100] The inlet carriage 4' consists of two parts 12' and 13', at a distance from each other and integral in translation by each being fixed, in particular by respective opposite clamping plates to the drive belt of the inlet carriage 3', the drive belt being fixed to the front and rear of the first part 12' of the inlet carriage 3' and laterally to the second part 13'. Rather than securing the two parts 12' and 13' by means of the drive belt of the inlet carriage 3', they could also be connected by a crosspiece. The first part 12' comprises the drive roller 5' while the second part 13' comprises the roller 9.2', around which the intermediate belt 8 passes, the axis of rotation of the roller 9.2' being integral with this second part 13' of the inlet carriage.

[0101] The intake mat T is an air-permeable mat, in particular a perforated mat, while the front 8' and rear 6' mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, i.e. without perforation. In particular, the permeability of the mat 1' is greater than 100, in particular is between 200 and 600 standard cubic feet per minute, while the permeability in standard cubic feet per minute of the impermeable mats is close to zero, in particular less than 100, preferably less than 50, even more preferably less than 10, in particular equal to zero.

[0102] The drive belt 30' of the input carriage 4', preferably toothed, extends from the front to the rear of the first part 12' of the carriage 4, having its two respective ends fixed by respective flanges 31' and 32'. The flanges may in particular be made up of two plates, at least one of which is toothed. One of the plates is secured to the carriage, in particular by welding, and the other plate, in particular the toothed plate, is tightened against the other plate by sandwiching the belt 30', preferably toothed, and the tightening may in particular be carried out by screws. In addition, the belt 30' is fixed laterally to the second part 13' by a flange 33' of the same type as the flanges 3T and 32'.

[0103] Instead of a belt, whether toothed or not, a cable can also be provided which can be fixed by the flanges 31', 32' and 33' or equivalent fixing means.

[0104] The belt 30' extends around rollers 30. T to 30.4', at least one 30. T of the rollers being driven by a motor. In particular, it is possible to provide for two rollers to be driven, one controlled by torque and the other by speed, the torque setpoint being able in particular to come from the speed regulation, as according to the installation described in EP3138945B1. However, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to provide only one motor, or on the contrary three or more motors.

[0105] A 40' drive belt of the depositing carriage extends between its two front and rear ends, each fixed by respective flanges 4 T and 42', at the front and rear of the depositing carriage 3'. The 40' belt is furthermore secured in translation to the auxiliary carriages 10' and 11' by means of a respective flange 43' and 44'.

[0106] The belt 40' extends around rollers 40.1' to 40.6'. At least one 40.3' of the rollers is driven by a motor. In particular, it is possible to provide for two rollers to be driven, one controlled by torque and the other by speed, the torque setpoint being able in particular to come from the speed regulation, as according to the installation described in EP3138945B1. However, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to provide only one motor, or on the contrary three or more motors.

[0107] In Figure 10, part of another embodiment is described, in which the two carriages 10' and 11' are replaced by a single carriage 100' fixed to the belt 40' by a flange 45', the axes of two rollers 5.7' and 10.6' respectively of the rear belt and the front deposit belt being integral with the carriage

[0108] In the present invention, a permeable mat has in particular a permeability of between 100 and 1000 CFM, in particular between 250 and 700 CFM, in particular between 300 and 600 CFM, the CFM values ​​being the volume of air passing through the mat or fabric under a pressure of 125 Pa through an area of ​​1 square foot (2.56 cm squared) for one minute (Cubic Feet per Minute), 1 CFM being equal to 5.1 liters / m 2 / s.

Claims

Claims

1. A crosslapper, suitable for stacking a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, on itself, to provide at the outlet a web consisting of the stack, the crosslapper, comprising an input or accumulator carriage (4; 4'), which has a back and forth movement, and in which the web undergoes a reversal, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt (6; 6'), into an output or depositing carriage (3; 3'), which has a movement which deposits the web on an output apron, transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the output apron, to thus obtain the web, is characterized in that the web is admitted into the input carriage (4; 4') by an inlet belt (8; T), the web being sandwiched between the inlet belt (8; T) and the rear belt (6; 6') before, during and after its turning, in particular up to the removal trolley (3; 3').

2. Lapper according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet carriage is split into two parts, at a distance from each other, the turning taking place in the first part (12; 12'), in particular the axis of the turning roller being integral with the first part, and the second part (13; 13') comprising an axis roller integral with the second part, around which the inlet belt (8; T) passes, the depositing carriage preferably being located between the first and second parts.

3. Lapper according to claim 2, characterized in that the two parts of the input carriage are integral in translation with each other, moving according to the same speed laws.

4. Lapper according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the web is deposited at a gap and the depositing carriage comprises four rollers (5.2, 9.5, 5.1, 14.1; 5.2', 10. T, 5. T, 9.1'), namely two gap rollers (5.2, 9.5; 5.2', 10. T), around which the rear belt (6; 6') and a belt (1; 8') pass respectively, the gap being defined between the two gap rollers, respectively rear and front, and two first and second diverting rollers (5.1, 14.1; 5. T, 9.1'), the rear belt and the inlet belt passing together with the web sandwiched between them around the first diverting roller towards the gap, and the intake belt, after passing around the first diverting roller, passing alone around the second diverting roller to be diverted from the gap.

5. Lapper according to claim 3, characterized in that the arrangement of the four gap and diverter rollers inside the depositing carriage is such that the sections of the rear and inlet belts extending between the first diverter roller and respectively the rear gap roller and the second diverter roller are inclined relative to the direction of back and forth movement of the depositing carriage, in particular relative to the horizontal, in particular by an angle of between 30° and 60°, in particular equal to 52°.

6. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turning takes place in the entry carriage around a turning roller with an axis integral with the entry carriage.

7. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear belt sandwiches the web with the inlet belt at least from a point called the pinch point upstream of the inlet carriage.

8. Lapper according to claim 6, characterized in that the section of the rear belt which sandwiches the web with an inlet section of the intake belt at the pinch point is inclined relative to the inlet section of the intake belt, in particular by an angle of a few degrees, for example between 1° and 10°.

9. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet belt is an air-permeable belt, in particular a perforated belt.

10. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear mat is an air-impermeable mat, in particular a so-called solid mat, i.e. without perforation.

11. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web is introduced into the lapper by an inlet belt (1) which feeds the web to the inlet belt.

12. Lapper according to claim 11, characterized in that the inlet belt (1) forms the depositing gap with the rear belt (6).

13. Lapper according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the web is introduced into the lapper by the inlet belt (1').

14. Lapper according to claim 13, characterized in that a front depositing belt (8') is provided which defines with the rear belt (6') the gap where the web leaves the depositing carriage (3') to fall onto the apron.

15. Lapper according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the depositing carriage (3') is driven by a belt (40'), in particular fixed to two front and rear ends of the depositing carriage, and two end rollers, respectively front and rear around which the front belt and the rear belt extend respectively, are mounted to move in translation while being integral with each other in their translational movement, in particular by having their respective axes mounted either on two auxiliary compensation carriages (10', 11') respectively front and rear, each fixed to the drive belt of the depositing carriage, or on a single rigid carriage (100').

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