Dust control and cooling apparatus for circular knitting machines
AssigneeUniwave, Inc.
InventorElliot M. Cotler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dust control and cooling apparatus for use in connection with a circular knitting machine includes a flexible manifold which sits upon the knitting machine table and encircles the needle cylinder. A series of nozzles directs pressurized air applied to the manifold towards the needle cylinder to remove lint and dust from the operating surface and cool the components. The manifold assumes a generally flat configuration when not operating, allowing access to the enclosed area without removal of the manifold. When operating the manifold inflates and expands upwardly towards the overlying sinker ring, sealing the enclosed volume and allowing a positive pressure to be generated therein. This positive pressure helps prevent the further ingress of lint and dust into the enclosed volume.
Claims11
A dust control and cooling apparatus for a circular knitting machine having a table, a needle cylinder located inwardly of the table, and a sinker or needle ring above the table, comprising
- a flexible manifold adapted and constructed to rest on the table, said manifold having a pressurized air inlet and a plurality of outlet nozzles directed radially inwardly towards said needle cylinder,
- said manifold assuming a collapsed position upon said table in the absence of pressurization by a pressurized air source, and assuming an inflated position, substantially spanning the distance between the table and the sinker or needle ring when pressurization by the compressed air source is applied to the manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.