US 5,377,385 A · Draw frame, storage device and coiler, delivery regulation

Abstract

An autoleveller draw frame achieves changes in the draft by changing the supply speed. The can press nevertheless works evenly. A storage device between the sliver calenders and the can press compensates for changes in the amount of supplied sliver. The storage device can be arranged in such a way that it allows a "flying change of cans." In one aspect, between the sliver calenders and the can press, the sliver forms a hanging loop which varies in depth, depending upon any changes in the supply speed of the sliver, while the can press operates relatively evenly and is not required to be accelerated or braked in response to changes in the supply speed. In another aspect, the storage device includes a conveyor belt arrangement between the supply of the sliver and the can press. Sliver loops are formed on an upper conveyor belt strand, whereafter they are deflected to a lower conveyor belt strand and then fed to the can press. The can press stretches the sliver loops on the lower conveyor belt strand as the sliver is received in the can. During a short period of time during the changing of cans, the sliver is no longer stretched on the lower conveyor belt strand, but is allowed to be maintained in loops, which represents an increase in the amount of sliver maintained at the storage device during can changing.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for producing and storing a sliver, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a drafting device comprising:
(1) a feed zone comprising:
(i) means for introducing at least one preliminary sliver to said drafting device;
and
(ii) a sliver mass measuring unit;
(2) a predrafting zone and a main drafting zone;
(3) means for delivering a drafted sliver from said drafting device at a supply speed;
(4) means for driving said drafting device at a feed speed;
(5) a control unit, said control unit comprising means for controlling said driving means as a function of measurements made by said mass measuring unit for reducing mass fluctuations sensed by said mass measuring unit by changing said driving of said main drafting zone, said changing of said driving of said main drafting zone also changing said supply speed;
and
(b) a storage device for storing a variable amount of said drafted sliver delivered by said drafting device;
(c) means for sensing an amount of said drafted sliver in said storage device;
and
(d) a can press for receiving said drafted sliver from said storage device at an intake speed, wherein said means for driving said drafting device further comprises means for driving said can press;
said control unit comprising means for controlling said drafting device driving means in response to said means for sensing, for maintaining an amount of said drafted sliver in said storage device within a predetermined range, and said means for controlling comprising means for controlling a change in at least said feed speed of said drafting device.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Draw frame, storage device and coiler, delivery regulation

Life of this patent

Draw frame, storage device and coiler, delivery regulation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10