US 5,311,645 AGranted

Can distribution apparatus

AssigneeW. Schlafhorst AG & Co.

InventorsHans-Werner Schwalm, Rolf Schumacher, Reiner Reising

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Abstract

A can distribution apparatus includes an assembly forming an endless path interconnecting a plurality of distribution locations for support movement of cans to and between distribution locations and an assembly for simultaneously advancing cans of varying degrees of fullness and readiness to a textile machine. The can distribution locations include a textile machine delivery location, a can return location, a full can supply location, and a can receipt location. The advancement of each can is effected simultaneous with the advancement of the other cans in the endless path independent of whether the can is empty, partially loaded or contains a full load and whether the full load is prepared for delivery or not. A detector detects the sliver fullness of each can on the endless path and signals this information to a control device which controls the distribution of cans to the various can distribution locations. A sliver end preparation device prepares full cans for delivery to a textile machine and a detector detects the presence or absence of an end in a preferred position. The control device prevents the distribution of cans having a full load of unprepared sliver to a textile machine in response to a signal from the detector.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A sliver can distribution apparatus for distributing cans of the type which carry sliver to be withdrawn for processing at a textile machine comprising:

means for conveying sliver cans in an endless path interconnecting a plurality of can distribution locations, the can distribution locations including a can transfer location at a textile machine at which cans having sliver prepared for automatic engagement of the sliver by a textile machine are distributed from the endless path to a textile machine and cans are returned to the endless path from the textile machine, a full can supply location at which cans with full loads of sliver are supplied to the endless path, and a can receipt location at which cans having less than a usable load of sliver are received from the endless path for subsequent filling of the cans with sliver;
said conveying means simultaneously advancing along the endless path cans of varying degrees of sliver fullness and varying degrees of readiness independent of whether a can is an empty can, a can having less than a usable load of sliver, a can having a usable partial load of sliver but not prepared for automatic engagement of the sliver by a textile machine, a can having a full load of sliver but not prepared for automatic engagement of the sliver by a textile machine, or a can having a full or usable partial load of sliver prepared for automatic engagement of the sliver by a textile machine;
means for sensing the condition of the sliver in the cans;
and
control means responsive to said sensing means to control transfer of cans at at least one of said can distribution locations depending on the sensed condition of sliver in the cans.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.