AN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE TRANSPARENT WALLS IN A SPINNING PREPARATORY MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a spinning preparatory machine for fibers. More particularly, the invention is directed to a device capable of cleaning of the transparent walls of contamination detectors adapted to facilitate detecting and eliminating contaminants and foreign materials from the flow of fibers in blow room machines. The present invention provides for a cleaning system comprising an arrangement for cleaning dust/impurities deposited on the transparent walls at predetermined time interval and advantageously enable retaining the sensitivity of the sensors of the contamination-detecting machine for the effective detection and removal of foreign matters from flow of fibers prior to spinning. The cleaning system of the invention is thus having prospects of wide industrial application to enhance quality and efficiency of spinning process and the products obtained there from by ensuring detection and elimination of contaminants without any interruption, from fibers fed through the blow room machines in textile spinning mills.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known in the related art of textile spinning process that the fiber material is fed to the blow room line comprising a set of inter connected machines arranged in an orderly sequence. The majority of the machines in the blow room are provided with opening devices that favor opening and cleaning of fibers or flocks and are fed to the machines in the subsequent processing stage. Impurities contained in the fiber bales such as plastic sheets, foreign fibers, tying strings, bands of synthetic material, wire pieces etc. are essentially needed to be recognized and at the same time be separated/eliminated. In order to increase the efficiency of the foreign material separation, the loose fiber material is continuously led to a separating device wherein the presence of the impurities are checked by sensing devices such as cameras, optical sensors and the like. Also, provided are the means for removing the foreign matters from the flow of fiber material.

Conventionally, such contamination detector devices are placed as a separate machine or can be integrated with any opening and cleaning machines. Such conventional contamination detectors comprise a chute like member with four walls with opening on both sides for the passage of the opened fiber or flocks in between the machines on which a particular contamination detector is connected.

Further, it is experienced in the art that the contamination detectors are provided with either sensor, or camera, to sense the foreign matters and contaminations from the flow of fiber material. The contamination detecting units are provided with transparent walls and reflecting mirrors so that, the cameras /sensors can see through the reflecting mirrors and find out the contaminations present in the flow of fiber material. To have the reliable measurements, it is important that the transparent walls remain clean and free from accumulation of particles such as micro dust. Since the blow room line remain always in dusty atmosphere, the transparent walls are likely to get accumulated with particles such as micro dust, which can introduce errors in measurement or prevent the measurement from being made. In the existing machines, the transparent walls are usually cleaned manually at regular frequency of intervals.

There has therefore been a persistent need to develop on-line cleaning system for achieving improved efficiency of cleaning of critical optical surfaces to make it free from any deposit of dust and impurities, involving simple driving arrangement to clean the transparent walls at predetermined time interval such that the sensitivity of the sensors of contamination detector remain unaffected maintaining desired precision for detection of foreign /contaminant materials for their desired separation from flow of fiber materials and thereby improving the quality of the textile spinning.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is thus been the basic object of the present invention to provide for a system for effective online cleaning of the critical transparent wall surface of the contaminant detector means at pre determined time intervals selectively disposed in flow passages of fibers in between the machines of the blow room machines so that the efficiency of the sensors/camera used for detection and elimination of foreign particles and contaminants from flow of fibers prior to spinning may be reliably ensured.

Another object of the present invention is directed to an automatic cleaning system for the contamination detector device for flow of fibers wherein the system ensures that the surfaces of transparent walls of the detection device remains clean and free from accumulation of particles like micro dusts and/or other impurities such that the efficiency of sensing by the optical sensors/camera is maintained at satisfactory level and avoid problems and complexities to measurement of contamination due to the transparent walls transforming to translucent or opaque medium because of such depositions.

A further object of the present invention is directed to an automatic cleaning system for the contamination detector device for flow of fibers such that the cameras/sensors of the detection device find out the contaminants present accurately through the reflecting mirrors in the flow of fiber material to achieve reliability of measurements and separation thereof from fibers.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to an automatic system for cleaning of the transparent walls surface of the contaminant detector for fiber flow in blow room machines, such that the textile fibers available at the output end of blow rooms processes are free of foreign material so as to ensure improved quality in textile spinning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detector device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills comprising, said cleaning system cooperatively disposed with respect to the contamination detector comprising a chute like member with four walls with opening on both sides for the passage of the opened fiber or flocks in between the machines to which the contamination detector is connected, having transparent side walls adapted for reliable detection and subsequent elimination/separation of foreign particles, wherein said cleaning system comprises movable cleaning device adapted to clean the dust/impurities deposited on said transparent walls of said contamination detector by a wiping action.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a cleaning system wherein said movable cleaning device comprises cleaning strips attached to a drivable endless traction member selectively disposed with respect to said contamination detector such that the motion of the traction member facilitates the required wiping action of the cleaning strips on the sides of the transparent side walls of said contamination detector.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detector device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein said selective disposition of the said traction member with respect to said contamination detector comprises mounting brackets fixed on both left hand side and right hand side of the frame holding said transparent walls of said contamination detector at its two sides down the fiber flow path;

a pair of shafts fitted on each of said mounting bracket and end rollers rigidly fixed on both the ends of the shaft rotatably mounted on said frame to drivingly support to the endless traction member, on which are mounted a pair of cleaning devices comprising cleaning strips, selectively disposed such as to thereby achieve desired cleaning of dust deposit from the transparent walls by wiping action of said cleaning strips against the transparent walls based on the drive motion of said endless traction member.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said cleaning system wherein said endless traction member and said cleaning device are selectively disposed such as to facilitate the detection of foreign material involving the illumination and reflector means for inspection of foreign materials in flowing fibers past the detector device; and sensors /cameras for inspecting and detecting the presence of contaminant/foreign material in flowing fibres for separation.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent surfaces of the contaminant detecting device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein, said endless traction member is preferably a flexible belt.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention is directed to said cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detecting device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein, said belt drive comprises means provided for tensioning adjustment of the traction element to accommodate the change in belt length in case of continuous operation of the system.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent surfaces of the contaminant detecting device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein, said cleaning strips comprise a soft cleaning element mounted over a sheet metal, preferably said soft cleaning being a replaceable variety.

Further in said cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detecting device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein said cleaning strips are adapted to wipe away the accumulated micro dust from both side of the transparent surface of walls.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detecting device in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein said cleaning strips are selectively located diagonally opposite to each other on said belt drive being attached to it, such that the predetermined displacement of the end less traction member wipes both the transparent portions/faces of the side walls.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said cleaning system for on-line cleaning of the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detecting devices in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein said cleaning device is adapted for either manual operation such as a rotating handle means, or alternatively driven by means of any drive system.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to said on-line cleaning system for the transparent wall surfaces of the contaminant detecting devices in flow path of fibers in blow rooms of spinning mills wherein said cleaning device is adapted to clean the deposited dust from the transparent walls in a preset manner at a predetermined time period/interval or based on the feed back from sensing arrangement.

The present invention and its objects and advantages are described in greater details with reference to the accompanying non limiting illustrative figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Figure 1: is the schematic illustration of the contamination detector device integrated with the cleaning arrangement according to the invention adapted for cleaning of transparent surfaces of said detector means favoring effective sensing by sensors for accurate detection of contaminants.

Figure 2: is the schematic illustration of the cleaning system according to the present invention.

Figure 3: is the schematic illustration of the driving arrangement for the cleaning system according to the present invention.

Figure 4: is the schematic illustration of the cleaning strip of the cleaning system according to the present invention.

Figure 5: is the schematic illustration of the tensioning arrangement for the cleaning system according to the present invention.

Figure 6: is the schematic illustration of one embodiment of the driving arrangement for the cleaning system according to the present invention.

Figure 7: is the schematic illustration of another embodiment of the driving arrangement for the cleaning system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The present invention relates to a cleaning system for the transparent walls of the contamination detector device (CD) in the fiber flow in blow rooms of spinning mills for simple yet reliable detection of the foreign materials in the flow line and eliminate the same for obtaining textile fibers free of any contaminants so as to ensure improved quality of finished products textile spinning. In the conventional blow room operations, such detection systems are installed in between machines for detection and separation of the contaminants which may include plastic sheets, foreign fibers, tying strings, bands of synthetic material, wire pieces etc. must at the same time be recognized and separated in a separating device. Since the blow room line is in dusty atmosphere the transparent walls are likely to get accumulated with particles such as micro dusts which introduce errors in measurement or prevent the measurement from being made. It is therefore, important that for the effective detection of the foreign matters in the flow of fibers, the efficiency of the sensors/cameras deployed for the purpose be maintained at desired level by maintaining desired cleaning of the transparent surfaces of the detection system and thus effective illumination of the fibers and undesired materials mixed therein for accurate detection by said sensors for required separation.

In the existing blow room operations, comprising a number of machines arranged in selective sequential order, the contamination detectors are placed as a separate machine or are integrated with the opening device of the blow room line and the opened fiber materials are passed through that machine. Such contamination detectors comprise a plurality of cameras/sensors for inspecting the flow of fiber material, detecting the foreign matter present in the fiber material which flow through it in order to segregating the same. The contamination detector is provided with a chute like configuration of the flow passage for the pneumatic transport of the fiber material in between the cleaning machines to which the contamination detector is attached.

It is clearly apparent from the accompanying Figure 1 that the chute like member (11) is usually having substantially rectangular cross section and portion of its side walls (1) are constructed essentially with transparent material such as glass, polycarbonate and the like and mounted over the end of the side frame. Sensing arrangement (10) such as camera, sensor is selectively disposed out side of this chute like member (11). An illumination arrangement (8) such as lamps are also provided on the out side of said chute like member in a manner adequate to illuminate the fibers flowing inside as well as any trace of undesirable foreign objects carried therein and further provide for an reflecting means (9) such as mirror arranged at an appropriate angle provided for reflecting the light on the fiber material transported in side the chute like member (11). This facilitates in the detection of the foreign material by the sensing arrangement. In the event of the sensing device detects any foreign material, then the portion of the material carrying the foreign material is ejected out from the chute (11) through the opening (12) provided by the control system of the machine.

Reference is first invited to the accompanying Figure 2, that illustrates an embodiment of the cleaning system (C) for the detection devices in the blow room operation in textile spinning mills involving simple drive arrangements and cleaning elements for automatic cleaning of the transparent surfaces of the detection devices at predetermined time intervals and thus enhancing efficiency of the detection means to detect presence of undesired foreign materials in fiber flow, favoring their separation in a separate device.

As already discussed, that for the accurate sensing of the foreign materials, it is necessary that the transparent portion of the side walls (1) should be kept clean and made free from deposits of impurities/dusts or dirt. In order to facilitate the above requirement the present invention provides for an arrangement that ensure keeping the portion of the transparent portion of the side walls (1) clean. The cleaning system (C) according to the invention illustrated in the schematic embodiment of Figure 2 comprises mounting bracket (2) which are fixed on both the left hand side and right hand side of the frame on which shafts(3) are rotatably mounted. Two numbers of such shafts (3) are mounted by means of mounting bracket(2) on each end of the frame and end rollers (4) are rigidly fixed on both the ends of the shaft(3). The said end rollers (4) are provided to drivingly support an endless traction member (6). A set of cleaning strips (5) are provided whose ends are attached to said end less traction member (6) such that the displacement of the end less traction member (6) also displaces the cleaning strips(5). The endless traction member(6) are moving over the shafts by means of any suitable powered motor drive or even manual drive by cranked handles. Such traction member is selected from flexible materials with adequate tensile strength such as a flat belt preferably flexible belt.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an arrangement of cleaning strips (5) according to the present invention. A set of cleaning strips (5) are provided whose ends are attached to said end less traction member (6) using the studs (12a &12b) and clamping members. Such that the displacement of the end less traction member (6) also displaces the cleaning strips (5). The cleaning strips (5) are so positioned that the displacement of the end less traction member (6) wipes the outer surface of transparent portion of the side walls (1). The cleaning strips (5) are located diagonally opposite to each other on said belt drive, such that the predetermined displacement of the end less traction member (6) wipes both the transparent portion of the sidewalls. These cleaning strips (5) comprise a soft cleaning element (5a) made up of foam, rubber or any kind of polymer material preferably a replaceable variety, mounted over a sheet metal (5b) such that after prolonged use if the cleaning element is found ineffective, the same cleaning elements alone can be replaced.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the tensioning arrangement for the endless traction member (6). A tensioning arrangement (21) is provided for tensioning of the traction element/belt (6) to accommodate the change in belt length in case of continuous operation of the system. The tensioning arrangement (21) comprises a bracket (2) and its larger vertical portion (2c) rigidly fixed on the frame (22). One end of the roller shaft (3) is inserted into the bracket (2) through a hole (not shown) in the horizontal portion (2b) of the bracket (2) in a freely rotatable manner. A screw rod (25) is provided in the inner side of the bracket (2) and is adjustably fixed using the stud means (26a, 26b and 26c) and a L shaped plate (27). A turning element (28) provided in the outer end of screw rod (25). The upper end of the shaft (3) has a bore (29) (not shown) with inner threads and the screw rod (25) being inserted into the bore (29). The belt tension can be adjusted by changing the position of the shaft (3) by rotating the turning element (28). A similar type of the tensioning arrangement is provided in the other end of the shaft (3). This tensioning arrangement keeps belt tension as constant and helps to retain the operational efficiency of the cleaning system.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the driving arrangement for the cleaning system according to the present invention. The driving arrangement (31) can be mounted in any side of the contamination detecting device as shown in figure 3. The drive means (32) such as motor is mounted over the frame (22). The driving shaft (33) of the motor (32) connected with the shaft (3) using the coupling (34). The endless traction member (6) is driven by the end roller (4) which is rigidly mounted on the shaft (3). The direction of rotation of the motor is controlled by suitable sensing means (not shown) provided in the cleaning system.

It is also possible to clean the transparent walls in pre-programmed manner at a predetermined time interval/period or operated automatically based on the feed back from sensing arrangement, using suitable interface with control logic unit.

The cleaning system (C) can also be manually operated for example with the help of a rotating cranked handle. Figure 7 illustrates the another embodiment of the driving arrangement according to the present invention. A rotatable handle (41) being fixed on a drive shaft (42). The other end of the drive shaft (42) is rotatably fixed on a bearing bracket (43) which is mounted over the frame (22). A driving means for example a bevel gear (44) rigidly mounted on the drive shaft (42) to drive the another driving means (45) mounted on the end of the roller shaft (3). The drive shaft can be rotated either in clockwise or anticlockwise direction using the rotatable handle (41). Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 1 that schematically illustrates an arrangement of integrating the cleaning system of the present invention with the detection unit in the fiber flow line of the blow room operations in textile spinning mills. The accompanying Figure 1 shows that light sources (8) are mounted in selective numbers over a lighting sheet (7) atop the chute member of the cleaning unit such that the beam of light is directed through the product stream/fiber flow. A reflecting arrangement (9) involving a mirror is positioned at predetermined angle to illuminate the flowing fiber material through the transparent walls. There is also a plurality of sensing arrangements (10) which comprise cameras, sensors, mounted selectively under the reflecting arrangement (9) for inspecting the flow of material.

It is thus possible by way of the present invention to develop an automatic cleaning system for the transparent wall surfaces of the contamination detection device used to detect foreign materials carried by the flowing fibers through different stages of the machines in the blow rooms of textile spinning mills, to ensure desired cleaning of the critical transparent surfaces of said detecting device removing dust and impurities at regular intervals and thus favoring reliable detection of illuminated contaminants by the optical sensors selectively disposed for detection of such materials and their subsequent separation. The cleaning system according to the present invention is thus capable of cleaning the transparent walls of the detection unit at predetermined time intervals to enable retaining reliable detection efficiency by the detector device of the foreign elements carried by the flow of fibers. The present invention thus ensures obtaining fibers free of any contaminants/undesired foreign materials in order to ensure the desired quality of textile spinning, and thus favoring wide industrial application with substantial economic advantage.

We Claim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine which cooperatively disposed with respect to the contamination detector comprising a chute like member (11) with four walls with opening on both sides for the passage of the opened fiber or flocks in between the machines to which the contamination detector is connected , having transparent side walls (1) adapted for reliable detection and subsequent elimination/separation of foreign particles, wherein said cleaning system (C) comprises movable cleaning device adapted to clean the dust/impurities deposited on said transparent walls (1) of said contamination detector.

2. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable cleaning device comprises cleaning strips (5) attached to a drivable endless traction member (6).

3. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein, said endless traction member (6) is preferably a flexible belt.

4. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein, means (21) are provided for tensioning adjustment of the traction member (6) to accommodate the change in belt length in case of continuous operation of the system.

5. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as Claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein, said cleaning strip (5) comprise a soft cleaning element (5 a) mounted over a sheet metal (5b), preferably said soft cleaning element (5b) being a replaceable variety.

6. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein said cleaning strips (5) are selectively located diagonally opposite to each other on said endless traction member (6) such that the predetermined displacement of the end less traction member (6) and the cleaning strips (5) wipes both the transparent portion/faces of the sidewalls (1).

7. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said cleaning device (C) is provided with a driving arrangement (31) with a drive means such as motor (32) to operate the endless traction member (6).

8. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said cleaning device (C) is provided with a driving arrangement with a rotating handle (41) to operate the endless traction member (6) manually.

9. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein said cleaning device (C) is adapted to clean the deposited dust from the transparent side walls (1) in a pre set manner at a predetermined time period/interval or based on the feed back from sensing arrangement.

10. An apparatus for cleaning the transparent walls in a spinning preparatory machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein said cleaning device (C) is adapted to operate either independently as separate system or is integrated with said contaminant detector device (CD)