US 2014/0304950 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARDING OF STAPLE FIBERS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of carding staple fibres like cotton. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for carding of staple fibres with minimum number of moving parts and to reduce the need for close tolerances, especially where moving parts are involved, in order improve the manufacturability of the apparatus. Density of input tufts to the carding machine is reduced. Diameter of carding cylinder (7) is reduced, with corresponding increase in its rotational speed, to maintain the peripheral speed. An air guiding element (6) and at least air deflection elements (8) used for capturing long fibres on a perforated roller. This enables elimination of close-set moving parts and simplifications of design. Advantageously, the present invention minimizes the damage to the fibres so that they retain their natural and desirable properties.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An apparatus for carding staple fibres comprising a feeding arrangement with a feed table (1) and a feed roller (2) for feeding tufts of staple fibers;

a rotating carding cylinder (7);
and one or more carding flats (4a, 4b, 4c), characterized in that the apparatus comprising:
a. the rotating carding cylinder (7) having carding pins (9) on its surface;
b. the carding flats (4a, 4b, 4c) co-operating with the said carding cylinder (7) for opening of tufts into individual fibres;
c. a zone downstream of the said carding flats (4a, 4b, 4c) where the air stream entrained by rotation of the said carding cylinder (7) is unconstrained;
d. an air guiding element (6) to enclose the unconstrained air stream and direct it towards a preferred exit;
e. at least one air deflecting element (8) to deflect the generated air stream away from the said carding cylinder (7) towards the said preferred exit;
and
f. a perforated roller (10) at the preferred exit for doffing fibres entrained in the said air current.

6 more elements

A method for carding staple fibers comprising:

a. enhancing the radial forces acting on materials entrained in air-current around a rotating carding cylinder of reduced diameter and increasing the rotational speed of the said carding cylinder to maintain the preferred surface speed;
b. feeding of loose tufts of staple fibres through a feeding arrangement of feed roller and feed table to the said rotating carding cylinder;
c. removing of coarse particles by placing a surface with its leading knife-edge close to the pinned surface of the said carding cylinder;
d. expelling short fibres radially by radial force generated in the said air current;
e. separating fine trash from carded fibers by allowing entrained trash particles to move radially away in an air-stream that is free to expand in the radial direction;
f. directing the air-current carrying fine trash away from the said cylinder using a trash separation plate;
g. enclosing the residual air-current carrying entrained long fibers and directing it towards a perforated roller by means of an air-guiding element;
h. allowing long fibres to stay close to the carding cylinder by the retaining action of pins whose leading surfaces are inclined towards the direction of rotation;
i. forcing the said long fibres to deflect from the carding cylinder onto a perforated roller by deflecting the air current away from the carding cylinder using at least one air deflection element proximate to the pinned surface of the said cylinder;
j. permitting the said air current to escape through the perforations in the roller while retaining the fibres on the perforated surface;
and
k. rotating the perforated roller to deliver carded web.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for carding of staple fibers

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for carding of staple fibers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27