Three-belt tablecloth spreader

Abstract

Title: Three-belt web spreader. The web spreader comprises an infeed belt (1') through which a web of fibers, particularly non-woven, is introduced into an infeed carriage (4') or accumulator, having a reciprocating motion. In this carriage, the web is reversed, notably by 180°, to be returned, via a rear belt (6'), to a discharge carriage (3'). This discharge carriage has a motion that deposits the accumulated web onto an outfeed apron (2'), transversely in one direction and then the other relative to the direction of movement of the outfeed apron, thus obtaining the web. The web is characterized in that the infeed belt (1') is arranged to transport the web until it is reversed in the infeed carriage (4') and to sandwich the web with the rear belt (6') before, during, and after its reversal, notably until it reaches the discharge carriage (3'). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 6

Description

Title of the invention: Three-belt lapper

[0001] The present invention relates to a crosslapper comprising an inlet or front belt through which a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, is introduced into the crosslapper, the crosslapper having the function of stacking this web on itself to provide at the outlet a web consisting of the stack, the inlet belt being arranged so as to convey the web towards 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, to an outlet or deposit 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.

[0002] Spreader-lappers of this type are already known from the prior art, for example from EP1367166 A1, in the name of the applicant. These spreader-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 input and output carriages, the quality, in particular the homogeneity, of the sheet obtained decreases.

[0003] According to a first aspect, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a crosslapper of the type mentioned above which makes it possible, at a constant production rate, to increase the quality of the web leaving the crosslapper, and / or, at equal quality of the web, to increase the production rate of the crosslapper.

[0004] According to the invention, the lapper comprises an intermediate belt arranged so as to transport the web conveyed by the front belt until it is turned over in the entry carriage, and to sandwich the web with the rear belt at least after it has been turned over, preferably before, during and after it has been turned over, in particular up to the exit carriage.

[0005] Thus, the web is introduced into the depositing carriage between two belts at a speed which does not depend on the movement of the entry carriage, the web being geometrically stabilized by partial expulsion of the air contained within it before turning over while being held by the two belts, respectively entry and intermediate, on either side of the web.

[0006] Preferably, the turning is carried out in the input carriage around a turning roller with an axis secured to the input carriage.

[0007] Preferably, the intermediate mat is an air-permeable mat, in particular a perforated mat.

[0008] Preferably, the front and rear mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, i.e. without perforation.

[0009] Preferably, the input 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 a first axis roller integral with the second part, around which the intermediate belt passes.

[0010] Preferably, the second part of the input carriage comprises a second axle roller integral with the second part, around which the input belt passes.

[0011] Preferably, the two parts are integral in translation with each other, moving according to the same speed laws.

[0012] Preferably, 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.

[0013] 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 having passed around the second roller with an axis integral with the second part of the entry carriage.

[0014] Preferably, the intermediate belt comprises an entry section extending between the entry carriage and the entry belt, this entry section of the intermediate belt being in particular parallel to a section of the entry belt supplying the intermediate belt with web.

[0015] Preferably, the rear belt sandwiches the web with the intermediate belt, in particular with the entry section of the intermediate belt, at least from a point called the pinch point upstream of the entry carriage.

[0016] Preferably, the section of the rear belt which sandwiches the web with the intermediate belt at the pinch point is inclined relative to the entry section of the intermediate belt.

[0017] Preferably, the intermediate 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 depositing carriage.

[0018] Preferably, at least one motorized roller drives the inlet belt, at least one motorized roller drives the rear belt, and the intermediate 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 belt.

[0019] Preferably, an input carriage drive belt, or input belt, extends from a first portion of the input carriage to a second portion of the input carriage, both ends of the belt being secured to a respective one of the first and second parts and the belt being further secured in translation to a front auxiliary carriage, itself secured in translation to a detour roller of the rear conveyor belt movable in translation.

[0020] Preferably, 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.

[0021] Preferably, 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.

[0022] Preferably, after having passed around each of the two rollers integral with the compensating carriage, the output belt extends in opposite directions to each other, towards the respective fixed points.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, independent of the first aspect, but which can be combined therewith in a favorable manner, 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 turn, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt, to 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, is characterized in that the inlet belt is arranged so as to transport the web until it is turned over in the inlet carriage and to sandwich the web with the rear belt before, during and after its turning over, in particular up to the outlet carriage.

[0024] Thus, the web is introduced into the depositing carriage between two belts at a speed which does not depend on the movement of the entry carriage, the web being geometrically stabilized by being held by the two belts, respectively admission and rear, on either side of the web.

[0025] Preferably, the turning is carried out in the input carriage around a turning roller with an axis secured to the input carriage.

[0026] Preferably, the intake mat is an air-permeable mat, especially a perforated mat, which further improves the geometric stability of the web entering the deposit trolley due to the expulsion of the air contained within it, particularly before it is turned over.

[0027] Preferably, a front depositing belt is provided which defines with the rear belt a gap where the web leaves the depositing carriage to fall onto the apron.

[0028] Preferably, the front and rear drop-off mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, i.e. without perforation.

[0029] Preferably, 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 carriages, respectively front and rear, each fixed to the drive belt of the depositing carriage, or on a single rigid carriage.

[0030] 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 both sets, 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, is characterized in that the inlet carriage is split into two parts, at a distance from each other, the reversal taking place in the first part, in particular the axis of the reversing roller being integral with the first part,and a second part comprising an axis compensation roller integral with the second part, around which the intake belt passes, the depositing carriage preferably being located between the first and second parts.

[0031] Preferably, 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, the turning is carried out in the input carriage around a turning roller with an axis secured to the input carriage.

[0033] Preferably, the intake mat is an air-permeable mat, in particular a perforated mat.

[0034] Preferably, the front and rear mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, i.e. without perforation.

[0035] Preferably, the two parts are integral in translation with each other, moving according to the same speed laws.

[0036] Preferably, a section of the rear belt sandwiches the web with an inlet section of the intake belt at least from a point called the pinch point upstream of the inlet carriage.

[0037] Preferably, the section of the rear belt which sandwiches the web with the 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°.

[0038] 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 depositing carriage, the two sections being in particular parallel to each other.

[0039] Preferably, 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.

[0040] 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 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 front belt, 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 intake 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.

[0041] 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°.

[0042] 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 deposit belt and the rear belt, are mounted to move in translation while being integral with each other in their translation movement, in particular by having their respective axes mounted either on two compensation carriages, respectively front and rear, each fixed to the drive belt of the deposit carriage, or on a single carriage.

[0043] By way of example, a preferred embodiment of a crosslapper according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0044] [Fig. 1] is an elevational view of an embodiment of a crosslapper according to the invention, the drive belts of the various carriages and the rollers of these belts not being shown;

[0045] [Fig.2] is an elevational view of the lapper of [Fig.l] without the inlet, outlet and intermediate belts and their rollers;

[0046] [Fig.3] represents the speed curves of the different carriages over a round trip period of the deposit carriage;

[0047] [Fig. 4] is an elevational view of the lapper of Figures 1 and 2 in which the assembly of the carriages and the belts, respectively the input, output and intermediate, and their rollers are shown, the drive belts of the carriages and the rollers of these belts being shown in dotted lines;

[0048] [Fig. 5] is an elevational view of another embodiment of a lapper in which all the carriages and belts are shown. respectively input, rear and intermediate, as well as their rollers, the drive belts of the carriages and the rollers of these belts being represented in dotted lines;

[0049] [Fig. 6] is an elevational view of another embodiment of a lapper in which the assembly of the carriages and the intake, rear and front belts respectively are shown, as well as their rollers and the drive belts of the carriages;

[0050] [Fig.7] is an enlarged view of part of [Fig.6];

[0051] [Fig.8] is a view identical to that of [Fig.7] of yet another mode of embodiment of the invention, wherein the intake mat is air permeable;

[0052] [Fig.9] is an enlarged view of a portion of [Fig.6]; and

[0053] [Fig. 10] is a view of a portion corresponding to the portion shown in [Fig. 9] of another embodiment of the invention.

[0054] The figures show elevation views of crosslappers according to the invention.

[0055] An endless inlet or front belt 1 allows the introduction into the crosslapper of a nonwoven 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 relative to each other while being alternately deposited transversely to the apron in one direction and in the other.

[0056] 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.

[0057] From the input belt 1, the web is conveyed to an input carriage 4, in which it undergoes a 180° turn around a turning roller 5 with an axis integral with the carriage 4. The input 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.

[0058] 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 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.

[0059] The lapper further comprises an intermediate belt 8. This intermediate belt 8 comprises a first rectilinear section 8.1 which conveys the web up to the turning roller 5. On this first section 8.1, the veil is sandwiched with a first straight section 6.1 of the rear belt.

[0060] 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 intermediate belt 8.

[0061] In the depositing carriage 3, the rear belt 6 has a third inclined rectilinear section which extends to the depositing gap, while the intermediate belt 8 has a third inclined rectilinear section which stops sandwiching the web with the rear belt 6 before the end of the third section of the rear belt.

[0062] The rear endless belt 6 further comprises fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth rectilinear sections which extend between the third section and the first section 6.1 to form the endless outlet belt 6. The fourth, eighth, ninth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth sections are horizontal, parallel to the inlet section 1.1 of the front belt 1.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The deflecting 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The rectilinear 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.

[0067] The roller 9.10 for diverting the entry belt 1 is mounted to be movable in translation while 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.

[0068] The deposit gap 7 is defined between the two belts 1 and 6 between their respective rollers 5.2 and 9.5.

[0069] The intermediate belt 8, in addition to the first 8.1, second and third rectilinear sections, comprises fourth, fifth and sixth rectilinear sections. The rectilinear sections of the 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. 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.

[0070] None of the rollers around which the endless intermediate belt 8 extends is driven in rotation by a motor.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The lapper also comprises 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 means 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 ^2 can be achieved.

[0074] The intermediate mat 8 is an air-permeable mat, in particular a perforated mat, while the front mats 1 and 6 rear mats are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, that is to say without perforation.

[0075] 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.

[0076] In [Fig.5], unlike in [Fig.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.

[0077] In [Fig.2], the lapper is shown without the three inlet, rear and intermediate belts shown in [Fig.l] respectively, but with the belts allowing the movement of the different carriages of the lapper.

[0078] In [Fig. 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, and the tightening may in particular be carried out by screws.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Instead of a belt, toothed or not, it is also possible to provide a cable which can be fixed by the flanges 31, 32 and 33 or equivalent fixing means.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The compensation carriage 14 is not driven by any motor, its speed being a function of that of the depositing carriage 3.

[0085] In [Fig.3], the curves of the speeds of the different carriages during an operating cycle of the lapper are shown.

[0086] In the first part of the cycle (on the left in the figure), the motor 5.4 driving the rear belt 6 has a zero speed Q=0, while the motor 9.7 driving the entry belt 1 has a speed P=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.

[0087] In the second part of the cycle (on the right in the figure), the motor 9.7 driving the entry belt 1 has a zero speed P= 0, while the 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.

[0088] The speed of the depositing carriage is thus equal to X(t), while the speed of the compensation carriage 13 is X / 2.

[0089] In [Fig.3], the input speed Ve and the speeds of the different carriages are thus 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.

[0090] In [Fig. 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the intermediate belt constitutes the admission belt within the meaning of the invention, that is to say the belt performing the function of introducing the web into the entry carriage, in particular by supporting it.

[0093] Figures 6 to 10 describe another embodiment of a lapper according to the invention. In this embodiment, the inlet belt performs, in addition to the function of introducing the web into the inlet carriage, in particular by supporting it, the function of introducing the web into the lapper.

[0094] An endless inlet belt 1' allows the introduction 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 relative to each other while being alternately deposited transversely to the apron in one direction and in the other.

[0095] The web is placed on the apron 2' by means of a placement 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.

[0096] The web is conveyed by the inlet belt 1' to an inlet carriage 4', in which it undergoes a 180° turnaround 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'.

[0097] 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 a depositing gap 7' formed between the rear belt 6' and a front depositing belt 8', between two gap rollers 5.2' and 10.1' respectively rear and front around which the two belts 6' and 8' extend, the two respective gap rollers 5.2' and 10.1' having their respective axis secured to the depositing carriage 3'.

[0098] The intake belt 1' comprises a first rectilinear section 1.1' which conveys the web to the turning roller 5'. On this first section 1.1', the web is sandwiched with a first rectilinear section 6.1' of the rear belt 6'.

[0099] 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 over, then, by second horizontal rectilinear sections 1.2' and 6.2', convey, still sandwiching it, the veil to the 3' depositing carriage. After turning over, it is the rear 6' belt which supports the veil, whereas before turning over, it is the 1' admission belt.

[0100] In the depositing carriage 3', the rear belt 6' comprises a third inclined rectilinear section 6.3' which extends to the depositing gap, while the intake belt 1' comprises a third inclined rectilinear section 1.3' which stops sandwiching the web with the rear belt 6' 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 9.1' arranged above the gap formed by the first gap roller 5.2' and a second gap roller 10.1'. 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.

[0101] 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 6.1' 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 1'.

[0102] 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 shape of a circular arc extending around rotating detour rollers 5.1' to 5.13', of which only the drive roller 5.4' is driven by a motor.

[0103] The roller 5.7' for deflecting the rear belt 6' 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 drive belt 30' of the depositing carriage 3', the movement of the auxiliary carriage 10', in particular along a horizontal rail (not shown in the figures), allowing the rear belt 6' to maintain constant tension, the auxiliary carriage 10' following, for this purpose, the back and forth movement of the depositing carriage 3'. 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 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 translation horizontally.The other rollers around which the rear belt extends have an axis of rotation which is fixed in translation relative to the frame.

[0104] The endless intake belt 1' 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 1'. The second and fourth rectilinear sections are horizontal, parallel to the first inlet section 1.1' of the intake belt 1'.

[0105] The rectilinear sections of the intake belt 1' are separated from each other by arc-shaped sections which extend around rotating detour rollers 5', 5.1' and 9.1' to 9.8'. If necessary, one of these rollers, in particular roller 9.3', can be driven by a motor.

[0106] The deposit gap 7' is defined between the rear 6' belt and a front 8' deposit belt, between the detour roller 5.2' forming the gap roller of the rear 6' belt and a detour roller 10.1' forming the gap roller of the front 8' belt.

[0107] The front depositing belt 8' is an endless belt consisting of eight rectilinear sections extending between detour rollers 10.1' to 10.8' and by arcuate sections extending around rollers 10.1' to 10.8' to form the belt together. The first section 8.1' is rectilinear and the second, sixth and seventh sections are parallel to the first section 8.1'. Only the roller 10.3' is motorized. The rollers 10.2', 10.3', 10.4', 10.5', 10.7' and 10.8' are fixed to the frame. The rollers 10.1' and 10.6' are movable in translation, the roller 10.1' being integral in translation with the depositing carriage 3', while the roller 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 integral with the same drive belt of the depositing carriage, and by the same integral with each other, they could advantageously be replaced by a single carriage which would be integral with the drive belt and to which the two rollers 5.7' and 10.6' would be secured in translation.

[0108] The input carriage 4' is made up of two parts 12' and 13', at a distance from each other and integral in translation, each being fixed, in particular by respective opposite clamping plates to the drive belt of the input carriage 3', the drive belt being fixed to the front and rear of the first part 12' of the input carriage 3' and laterally to the second part 13'. Rather than a connection of the two parts 12' and 13' by means of the belt drive of the input 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 input carriage.

[0109] The intake mat 1' is an air-permeable mat, in particular a perforated mat, while the front mats 8' and 6' are air-impermeable mats, in particular so-called solid mats, that is to say 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.

[0110] 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, in a sandwich, the tightening being able in particular to 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 31' and 32'.

[0111] 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.

[0112] The belt 30' extends around rollers 30.1' to 30.4', at least one 30.1' 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.

[0113] A drive belt 40' of the depositing carriage extends between its two front and rear ends, each fixed by respective flanges 41' and 42', at the front and rear of the depositing carriage 3'. The belt 40' is furthermore secured in translation to the auxiliary carriages 10' and 11' by means of a respective flange 43' and 44'.

[0114] 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 may be provided that two rollers are 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

[0115] In [Fig. 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

[0116] 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 / m2 / s±

Claims

Claims

1. Lapper, comprising an inlet belt (8; 1') through which a web of fibers, in particular non-woven, is introduced into an inlet or accumulator carriage (4; 4'), having a back and forth movement and in which the web undergoes a turn, in particular at 180°, to be returned, by means of a rear belt (6; 6'), into a depositing carriage (3; 3'), which has a movement which deposits the accumulated web on an outlet apron (2; 2'), transversely in one direction and in the other relative to the direction of movement of the outlet apron, to thus obtain a web, characterized in that the inlet belt (8; 1') is arranged so as to transport the web until it is turned over in the inlet carriage (4; 4') and to sandwich the web with the rear belt (6; 6') before, during and after its turning over, in particular to the deposit trolley (3; 3').

2. Lapper according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet carriage (4; 4') is split into two parts, at a distance from each other, the turning taking place in the first part (12; 12') and a second part (13; 13') comprising an axis compensation roller integral with the second part, around which the inlet belt (8; 1') passes, the depositing carriage (3; 3') preferably being located between the first (12; 12') and second (13; 13') parts.

3. A lapper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the web is deposited by the depositing carriage at a gap (7; 7') and the depositing carriage (3; 3') comprises four rollers, namely two gap rollers (5.2, 9.5; 5.2', 10.1'), around which the rear belt (6; 6') and a front belt (1; 8') pass respectively, the gap being defined between the two rear and front gap rollers (5.2, 9.5; 5.2', 10.1'), and two first and second diverting rollers (5.1, 14.1; 5.1', ​​9.1'), the rear belt (6; 6') and the inlet belt (8; 1') passing together with the web sandwiched between them around of the first diverting roller (5.1; 5.1') towards the gap (7; 7'), and the admission belt (8; 1'), after having passed around the first diverting roller (5.1; 5.1'), passing alone around the second roller (14.1; 9.1') of diversion to be diverted from the gap (7; 7').

4. Lapper according to claim 3, characterized in that the arrangement of the four gap and diverter rollers (5.2, 9.5, 5.1, 14.1; 5.2', 10.1', 5.1', ​​9.1') inside the depositing carriage is such that the sections of the rear belts (6; 6') and (8; 1') of the inlet extending between the first diverter roller (5.1; 5.1') and respectively the rear gap roller (5.2; 5.2') and the second diverter roller (14.1; 9.1') are inclined relative to the direction of back and forth movement of the depositing carriage (3; 3'), in particular relative to the horizontal, in particular by an angle of between 30° and 60°, in particular equal to 52°.

5. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turning takes place in the entry carriage (4; 4') around a turning roller (5; 5') with an axis secured to the entry carriage (4; 4'), in particular the first part (12; 12') of the entry carriage (4; 4').

6. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a depositing gap (7; 7') is formed between the rear belt (6; 6') and a front depositing belt (1; 8').

7. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet belt (8; 1') is an air-permeable belt, in particular a perforated belt.

8. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear belt (6; 6') is an air-impermeable belt, in particular a so-called solid belt, i.e. without perforation.

9. Lapper according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the belt (1; 8') before laying is an air-impermeable belt, in particular a so-called solid belt, i.e. without perforation.

10. Lapper according to one of claims 3 to 9, 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 depositing 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 carriages (10', 11') respectively front and rear, each fixed to the drive belt of the deposit trolley, or on a single trolley (100').

11. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input carriage (4; 4') is driven by a drive carriage belt (30; 30'), in particular fixed to two front and rear ends of the first part of the input carriage, and the second part is also fixed to the drive carriage belt.

12. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a section of the rear belt (6; 6') sandwiches the web with an inlet section of the inlet belt (8; 1') at least from a point, called the pinch point, upstream of the inlet carriage (4; 4').

13. A lapper according to claim 12, characterized in that the section of the rear belt which sandwiches the web with the entry section of the intake belt at the pinch point is inclined relative to the entry section of the intake belt, in particular by an angle of a few degrees, for example between 1° and 10°.

14. Lapper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet belt has 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 depositing carriage.

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