GB1345450A - Sliver handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1345450 Handling; crimping and coiling fibres BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES INC 14 May 1971 [23 June 1970] 15022/71 Heading D1F In sliver handling apparatus to and from which sliver is continuously supplied and taken-up, any increase or decrease (as sensed according to weight or volume) of an accumulation of sliver supported on a surface of a reservoir causes a corresponding change in the speed of take-up. In the operation of the apparatus of Figs. 2 and 3 which controls the speed of rotation of a coiler can 30 in response to the weight of crimped sliver in a reservoir 28, sliver is delivered through a funnel 34 to adjustably loaded feed rolls 26 of a stuffer-box crimper 46 wherein the sliver is compacted against a spring-loaded end-flap. The crimped fibre then passes along a ramp 49 and surface 49' in a reservoir 28 whence it moves through a conduit 50 and into the sliver coiler 52 to be deposited into can 30. When the accumulation of sliver is sufficient, reservoir 28 pivots about a pin 38 against the resistance of a spring 42 and actuates a microswitch 54 (as determined by preadjustment of set screw 40) thus opening a valve 84 to supply high pressure air to cylinder 78 and compel a piston rod 76 to move an idler arm 72 to the position shown dotted in Fig. 3, whereat belt 62 is moved towards the centre of a spring-loaded sheave 60 to reduce its effective diameter thus causing increased speed of coiler can mechanism through gear box 64. The resultant decreased weight in the reservoir allows it to return to a horizontal position whereupon the coiler can mechanism slows. In the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 4, as sliver accumulates in a reservoir 112, a movable flap 114 is forced upwards to actuate a microswitch 116 and initiate operation of a valve member 108 to supply high pressure air to an air cylinder 102 thus causing idler arm 98 to rotate and force a belt to move within a spring-loaded adjustable sheave 92, reducing the effective diameter thereof thus increasing the speed of the coiler can mechanism and removal of sliver from the reservoir. This speed change reduces the accumulation of sliver so that flap 114 is restored to its former position with a resultant fall in speed of the can mechanism.