Fiber Processing System along with a Method for Opening and Mixing Fiber Material in a Fiber Processing System

Abstract

The invention relates to a fiber processing system for opening and mixing fiber material, with a multiple number of bale openers (2) for opening fiber bales (FB) and conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) downstream of the bale openers (2) for mixing and conveying the opened fiber material to a downstream processing device (10), for example a mixing chamber or a carding feed. The device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the bale openers (2) are divided into at least two opener groups (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b), each of which produces a fiber mixture (M1, M2), and that each opener group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) is allocated with a conveying device (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b), whereas the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) are designed and arranged in such a manner that the respective fiber mixture (M1, M2) is transported away in relation to the associated opener group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) in different directions (R1, R2; R1, R2) and the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) are combined before or in the processing device (10) into an overall fiber mixture (GM). Likewise, the invention relates to a method for opening and mixing fiber material in a fiber processing system.

Claims

1. Fiber processing system for opening and mixing fiber material, with a multiple number of bale openers (2) for opening fiber bales (FB) and conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) downstream of the bale openers (2) for mixing and conveying the opened fiber material to a downstream processing device (10), for example a mixing chamber or a carding feed, characterized in that the bale openers (2) are divided into at least two opener groups (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b), each of which produces a fiber mixture (M1, M2), and that each opener group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) is allocated with a conveying device (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b), whereas the conveying devices (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b) are designed and arranged in such a manner that the respective fiber mixture (M1, M2) is transported away in relation to the associated opener group (3a, 3b; 13a, 13b) in different directions (R1, R2; R1, R2) and the fiber mixtures (M1, M2) are combined before or in the processing device (10) into an overall fiber mixture (GM).

2-13. (canceled)

Description

[0028] In the following, the invention is described on the basis of figures. The following is shown:

[0029] FIG. 1 a top view of a first embodiment of a schematically shown fiber processing system, and

[0030] FIG. 2 a top view of a second embodiment of a schematically shown fiber processing system.

[0031] FIG. 1 schematically shows a fiber processing system 1 with ten bale openers 2 arranged in a row in a top view, which are formed, for example, as weighing tray feeders. The bale openers 2 are divided into two opener groups 3a, 3b, each of which in the present case comprises five bale openers 2 arranged directly next to each other. In some of the bale openers 2, a fiber bale FB is indicated, from which a removal device (not shown) tears off fibers. Thereby, multiple fiber bales FB can also be placed side by side in a bale opener 2 in front of its removal device (not shown). Each of these opener groups 3a or 3b is allocated with a conveying device 4a or 4b, onto which the bale openers 2 dispense the fibers that are detached or opened. In accordance with the invention, the conveying directions of the conveying sections of the two conveying devices 4a and 4b opposite to the bale openers 2 run in different directions R1 and R2, which are opposite here.

[0032] The arrows that are not provided with reference signs on the conveying devices 4a, 4b indicate the direction of travel of the conveying devices 4a, 4b.

[0033] The conveying devices 4a, 4b comprise conveyor belts, which also serve as so-called mixing belts for mixing the fiber material, deposited on them, of a respective opener group 3a or 3b from, in the present case, the respective five bale openers 2. Thereby, the mixture does not arise through an active mixing, but through the placement of the fiber material of the bale openers 2 of a respective opener group 3a or 3b, on top of and/or next to each other

[0034] A conveying device 4a or 4b can be formed as a single conveyor belt or as an arrangement of individual conveyor belts or as a multiple number of conveyor belts running close to each other.

[0035] The conveying device 4a guides the fiber mixture M1, which is transported by it and arises through the depositing of the bale openers 2 of the opener group 3a, directly in the direction R1 of a fiber processing device 10, while the conveying device 4b transports away the fiber mixture M2 in the opposite direction R2. The fiber mixtures M1, M2 are only indicated on a short section of their respective transport path.

[0036] The conveying device 4b is divided into a multiple number of conveying sections 5i, 5ii, 5iii, 5iv, which as a whole form an approximate U-shaped profile. The conveying section 5i guides the fiber mixture along the opener group 3b (in the opposite direction R2 in comparison to the direction R1 of the conveying device 4a). After passing the last bale opener 2, the conveying section 5ii, which runs through 90 to the conveying section 5i, is closed. The arrangement of the conveying sections 5i, 5ii for transferring the fiber mixture M2 from one conveying section 5i, 5ii to the other (and the additional subsequent transferring) is known to a specialist, and need not be explained in more detail here. At the end of the conveying section 5, the additional conveying section 5iii follows, whereas both conveying sections are likewise offset by 90 relative to each other, and the two conveying sections 5i, 5iii run in opposite directions. Thus, the conveying device 4b ensures a 180 deflection of the fiber mixture M2.

[0037] A weighing device or a scale 6 is indicated in the transport path of the two conveying devices 4a, 4b, which weighing device or scale weighs the fiber mixture M1 or M2 and controls subsequent textile machines (for example, the processing device 10) and/or regulates upstream machines (for example, the bale openers 2 and/or conveying devices 4a, 4b).

[0038] The two fiber mixtures M1, M2, which are ultimately transported parallel in the direction R1, are fed to a collecting device 7, into which the two conveying devices 4a, 4b open. In the present case, it is indicated that the two fiber mixtures M1, M2 are not fed side by side into the collecting device 7. Rather, an additional conveying section 5iv is provided on the last section of the conveying device 4b, which conveying section 5iv guides the fiber mixture obliquely to the collecting device 7. Other transport methods and directions for combining the fiber mixtures M1, M2 are readily possible.

[0039] In the present case, the collecting device 7 is designed as a fiber air separator, in which the fiber mixtures M1, M2 are introduced. Thereby, the conveying device 4a can feed the fiber mixture M1, for example, directly into the collecting device 7 (mechanical feed) while the fiber mixture M2 is pneumatically sucked into the collecting device 7. In the collecting device 7, the fiber mixtures M1, M2 are separated from the air and combined into an overall fiber mixture GM. According to one alternative, a fiber accumulator can be used instead of a fiber air separator.

[0040] The collecting device 7 is adjoined by a feeding device 9, into which the overall fiber mixture GM is transported, for example, by means of a belt conveyor 8. From the feed device 9, which is preferably formed as a tray feeder or a filling reservoir, the overall fiber mixture GM is ultimately fed into the processing device 10, for example a mixing chamber or a carding feed or a carding engine. From this, the resulting fiber mixture RM is transported away by means of an additional conveying device 11. The transport of the fiber mixtures from the collecting device 7 is represented by a dashed arrow.

[0041] In the following description of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same reference signs are used for characteristics that are identical and/or at least comparable in comparison to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in its arrangement and/or mode of operation. To the extent that they are not explained again in detail, their arrangements and/or modes of action correspond to the arrangements and modes of action of the previously described characteristics.

[0042] In FIG. 2, the two opener groups 13a, 13b, with five bale openers 2 each, are schematically shown in a top view. With the upper opener group 13a is shown in FIG. 2, its fiber mixture M1 is transported away by means of the conveying device 14aviewed in relation to the outlet of the bale opener 2 of this opener group 13ato the right in the direction R1, while, with the lower opener group 13b, its fiber mixture M2 is transported away by means of the conveying device 14bviewed in relation to the outlet of its bale opener 2 to the left in the direction R2. Thus, in relation to the respective opener groups 13a, 13b, the two fiber mixtures M1, M2 are conveyed in different directions, and here in the opposite directions. Such directions R1, R2 coincide in absolute terms (that is, not in relative terms with respect to the opener groups 13a, 13b) and lead to the collecting device 7.

[0043] The two conveying devices 14a, 14b are shown in FIG. 2 as separate conveying devices, for example as separate conveyor belts. However, it is also advantageous for the two conveying devices 14a, 14b to be formed as a single common conveying device (not shown), for example as a relatively wide conveyor belt, which can be, for example, 2 m wide. On one half of this conveyor belt, the fiber mixture M1 is then deposited from the one side, while the fiber mixture M2 is dispensed off the other side onto the other half of the conveyor belt. The overall conveying width can be reduced by means of mechanical slides, such that this amounts to, for example, 80 cm, and thus can pass through a scale according to the state of the art.

[0044] The invention has been explained in more detail based on embodiments. This invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are, however, readily possible, as is any combination of the characteristics, even if they are shown and described in different embodiments. For example, three or more opener groups with the same or at least a partially different number of bale openers, with a respectively connected conveying device, are also possible. Moreover, the number of bale openers per opener group is not set to a certain number. The multiple number of opener groups of a fiber processing system can also feature varying numbers of bale openers.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0045] 1 Fiber processing system [0046] 2 Bale opener [0047] 3a Opener group [0048] 3b Opener group [0049] 4a Conveying device [0050] 4b Conveying device [0051] 5i Conveying section [0052] 5ii Conveying section [0053] 5iii Conveying section [0054] 5iv Conveying section [0055] 6 Scale [0056] 7 Collecting device [0057] 8 Conveying device [0058] 9 Feeding device [0059] 10 Processing device [0060] 11 Conveying device [0061] 13a Opener group [0062] 13b Opener group [0063] 14a Conveying device [0064] 14b Conveying device [0065] M1 Fiber mixture [0066] M1 Fiber mixture [0067] GM Overall fiber mixture [0068] RM Resulting mixture [0069] R1 Direction [0070] R2 Direction [0071] R1 Direction [0072] R2 Direction