FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for textile machinery. Particularly the invention relates to an apparatus for feeding fibre materials for a fibre processing machine, such as a carding machine. More particularly the invention relates to improved chute feeding apparatus for feeding the fibre to carding machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The fibres are opened and cleaned on blow room machines which opens and separate the fibres for trash removal. Afterwards the fibres are delivered from the blow room machines to a feeding system which feeds to the carding machine, commonly referred to as chute feed. The fibres received by the chute feed are compressed and delivered to the carding machine in the form of a compacted fibre batt. The mass uniformity of the card sliver is an essential criterion for good subsequent processing for preparing quality yarn. The fibre mat to be fed to carding machine should be of high degree of uniformity to ensure consistent opening and carding. This uniformity is achieved using the chute feeding system, which aims at feeding a fibre sheet of uniform packing density and uniform linear density to the carding machine.
The known arrangement of feed chute discloses a lower feed chute which is permanently fixed by means of fixing elements. In order to carry out maintenance, servicing, cleaning and setting works on the rear side of the carding machines such as feed roll and licker-in, the lower feed chute is to be dismantled from fixing means. The disassembling requires removal of fastening members and it makes difficult and time consuming operation. Meanwhile the down time of the machines also increases. Even for small works, access to the rear side of the carding machines has considerable difficulties.
Thus there is need to provide better apparatus with improved feeding for feed chutes of fibre processing machines. This invention is accordingly based to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks and providing an improved apparatus to facilitate the maintenance of rear side of carding machine.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved feeding apparatus for feed chutes of fibre processing machines which facilitates maintenance, servicing, cleaning and setting works at rear side of the carding machine.
It is another object of the present invention to simplify the constructional structure of the feeding apparatus for feed chutes of fibre processing machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided an improved chute feed for fibre
processing machine comprising a lower feed chute to discharge the compacted fibre
batt to the carding machine; said lower feed chute is pivotally mounted about an axis of
rotation, by that means, the lower feed chute can be swung i.e. away and towards the
rear side of the carding machine, thereby enabling easy approach to the rear side of
the carding machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the existing chute feed.
Fig. 2 is a side view of lower feed chute arrangement in operational position.
Fig. 3 is a side view of lower feed chute arrangement in non operational position.
Fig. 4 is the detailed construction of pivotal arrangement of lower feed chute.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, maintenance, servicing, cleaning and setting works at rear side of the carding machine is possible without disassembly of the lower feed chute. According to the present invention the swinging movement of the lower feed chute can be assisted and limited by means of a gas spring system. Swinging away and towards the rear side of the carding machine is carried out in user friendly manner.
Fig. 1 shows the conventional/ available chute feeding system/ apparatus for carding machine. The chute feed comprises a upper vertical chute (1) connected to the main fibre conveying duct (not shown) which is disposed for the transport and feeding of the

fibre material from the feeding area with the help of air. The lower end of the upper vertical chute (1) is provided with feed roller (2) and opening roller (3). The feed roller
(2) enables feeding of the fibre material downwards and opening roller (3) enables opening of the fibre material. A lower feed chute (4) is arranged downstream of the opening roller (3). The lower feed chute (4) receives the fibres from the opening roller
(3) and also arranged in such way that the received fibres are uniformly distributed across the entire width of the carding machine. The feed roller (6) and licker-in (7) of the carding machine are shown.
The invention is now described with help of figures which are for illustration of the invention and ought not to be construed to limit the invention.
To eliminate the disadvantages mentioned in the background part, the chute feed according to the present invention as shown in Fig. 2 and 4 comprises a lower feed chute (4) accommodated in a shield (5). The lower feed chute (4) is pivotally mounted on a hollow shaft (8) provided in the shield (5). The hollow shaft (8) extends axially across the width of the chute and mounted in the shield (5) using connecting elements (9). The lower feed chute (4) is swingable in the direction of the arrow (x) about the hollow shaft (8).
A locking arrangement (10) is provided to hold the lower feed chute (4) in working position. When the lower feed chute (4) is pushed in to the Carding machine, the locking arrangement (10) is gravity lock, which holds the lower feed chute (4) in working position firmly. There is no need of additional manpower to lock it. Advantageously the locking arrangement (10) can also be provided with an adjustment provision to adjust the position of lower feed chute (4) with respect to the feed roll (6) of downstream fibre processing machine. The adjustment provision can be a screw rod system (not shown).
According to an embodiment of the invention the swinging movement of the lower feed chute (4) is assisted and limited by means of at least a gas spring (11) and/or damping system (12).The gas spring (11) is actuated during swing movement of the lower feed chute (4) away from the rear side of the carding machine after releasing the locking

arrangement (10). After swinging, suitable locking arrangement is provided for the lower feed chute (4) in non-working position (not shown). Then user can freely access the rear side of the carding machine.
Fig. 3 shows the lower feed chute (4) arrangement in non working position i.e. away from the rear side of the carding machines, as a result it facilitates the maintenance, servicing, cleaning and setting works at rear side of the carding machine. The lower feed chute (4) is locked in non-working position during maintenance, servicing, cleaning and setting works at rear side of the carding machine (not shown).
Also the apparatus according to the invention is structurally simple and permits a very compact arrangement of components. The lower feed chute (4) is held substantially at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical axis during working position. The lower feed chute (4) is swingable to an angle of substantially 147 degrees away from the working position between working and non working positions. In non-working position, the hinge point is positioned in such a way that, it has a clearance of more than 1100 mm from the bottom of machine. This enables easy access to rear side of the carding machine. The lower feed chute (4) duct according to the invention has a varying cross section, with an end feeding width of approximately 56 inches against the normal working width of 59 inches. This arrangement reduces side fly in carding machines.
The lower feed chute (4) is preferably provided as two separate portions. The bottom portion being fixed onto the card feed roller (6) and the top portion is swingable to an angle of 147 degrees away from the working position at the rear side of the carding machine. During working position, the lower feed chute (4) setup seals the entire gap in downstream feed roller (6) and feed plate of carding machine. If the gaps are not sealed correctly, the air leaks out along with the fibre and leads to stoppage of the machine.
In view of the present disclosure, which describes the present invention, all changes, modifications and variations within the meaning and range of equivalency are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. An improved chute feed apparatus for fibre processing machine, said apparatus comprising upper feed chute (1) and lower feed chute (4) wherein said lower feed chute (4) is swingably mounted.
2. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein swinging movement of the lower feed chute (4) is controlled and limited by means of at least a gas spring (11) between working and non working positions.
3. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein lower feed chute (4) is accommodated in a shield (5).
4. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein lower feed chute (4) is pivotally mounted on a hollow shaft (8) which is provided in the shield (5).
5. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 wherein hollow shaft (8) is extended axially across the width of the chute and mounted in the shield (5) by connecting element (9).
6. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a locking arrangement (10) is provided to hold the lower feed chute (4) in the working position.
7. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a screw rod arrangement is provided to adjust the position of lower feed chute (4) with respect to feed roller (6) of downstream fibre processing machine.

8. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lower
feed chute (4) is held substantially at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the
vertical axis during working position.
9. The improved chute feed apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said lower
feed chute (4) is swingable to an angle of substantially 147 degrees away from
the working position between working and non working positions.