DESC:
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2006
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See Section 10; rule 13]

“CAN EXCHANGING APPARATUS AND A METHOD THEREOF FOR A TEXTILE SPINNING PREPARATORY MACHINE

LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD.,
an Indian company, of Perianaickenpalayam, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu 641020, India,

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to textile spinning preparatory machines. Particularly, the invention is related to a spinning preparatory machine equipped with a sliver filling station and a can exchanging mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic can exchanging apparatus for said textile spinning preparatory machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In textile fiber processing machines such as carding, draw frame or combing machine, a drafted fiber band known as sliver is filled in a can, located in the filling station of a draw frame or the like, by means of a turntable. Aforementioned machines are provided with delivery arrangement or sliver filling station in which drawn slivers coming out of the calender rollers are passed through a coiler tube fixed on a coiler plate. The coiler plate then lays the sliver in a can, positioned vertically below, in form of spiral coils. The can rests on a can plate, and with the rotation of the plate, the can also rotates. The rate of rotation of the can is kept slower than the rate of rotation of the coiler tube, which helps in proper deposition of drawn sliver in a spiral arrangement. In general, the sliver filling station further comprises a coiler can handling apparatus including a turntable rotatable about a substantially vertical platform axis for rotating a sliver filling can standing thereon. A can changer for moving an empty can onto, and moving a sliver filled can off, the platform. This can changing process is generally called as doffing and the said principle exists in rotary type can changers.

The operation of the can changer on the rotation of the turntable is designed in such a manner that the fiber sliver is filled into a can until the can leaves the zone of the turntable and exits the filling station. The sliver is then filled into an empty can which has been brought into the filling station, as soon as the empty can reaches the zone of the turntable. This has been carried out of by moving can pushing arms of the can changer unit. This arrangement is called a can changer arrangement.

In a known can changer disclosed in US5428869A, sliver is filled in a series of sliver filling cans disposed on the conveyor. This apparatus permits replacement of rectangular empty cans in the place of filled rectangular sliver filling cans, without reducing efficiency of carding machine. A major limitation of this art is, this method cannot be adopted for larger circular cans which are commonly used in textile mills. Moreover, a coiler head is moved over and along each can while filling the sliver and thus introduces a notable draft variation due to stretching in the depositing sliver.

Another known can changer, as disclosed in patent number GB680470 A, is used for circular cans of smaller diameter with movable coiler head. Such arrangement is applicable and adoptable only for smaller size circular cans, in a textile spinning preparatory machines. With the advent of technology and spinning mill production requirement, such kind of smaller sliver filling cans become obsolete because of the need for larger sliver volume storage. Therefore, the sliver filling cans with a diameter more than 600mm and upto 1200mm are practically becoming popular in respect of the mill requirement. For processing these sliver filling cans in textile spinning preparatory machines, there is a need for special provisions in drive arrangement and automatic exchanging mechanisms etc.

Moreover, for enhancing the performance of a sliver filling station involving larger cans, improved automation is required for the can changing mechanisms with less doffing time. There has thus been a need to develop a new can exchanging apparatus for replacing the full can with an empty can that would overcome the disadvantages present in the existing textile machines.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Main object of the present invention is to provide a textile spinning preparatory machine with an automatic can exchanging apparatus that employs simplified sliver filling can doffing mechanism.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a textile spinning preparatory machine with a can exchanging apparatus that reduces doffing time while processing larger diameter sliver filling cans.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a textile spinning prepatratory machine with an automatic can exchanger which increases the production, without reducing the quality of the sliver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a sliver filling station for automatically replacing a sliver filled can with an empty can is disclosed. The sliver filling station of spinning preparatory machine such as card, draw frame, comber or card with drafting system comprises a sliver coiling head mounted on a top frame supported by a plurality of legs. The sliver coiling head may dispense sliver through a sliver coiling plate rotatably connected to the sliver coiling head. A platform may be slidably mounted over a base frame. A first rotary can plate and a second rotary can plate may be present over a top surface of the platform. The first rotary can plate and the second rotary can plate may be spaced apart from each other. The platform may be horizontally (linearly or radially) movable from left or right during each doffing operation. The platform may move a distance of 0.25 - 0.80 times a diameter of the first sliver filling can or the second sliver filling can. The sliver filling station may enable the said horizontal movement while doffing a filled sliver filling can by an empty sliver filling can. The first sliver filling can may be placed on the first rotary can plate and the second sliver filling can may be placed on the second rotary can plate. Further, the platform may move either right or left while doffing takes place. Said first rotary can plate and second rotary can plate may be driven independently while filling the sliver so that each of the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can are rotated individually about their respective positions.

In an embodiment, the first rotary can plate may rotate on its position to cause rotation of the first sliver filling can and the second rotary can plate may rotate on its position to cause rotation of the second sliver filling can. Rotation of the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can may enable uniform filling of the sliver, dispensed by the sliver coiling plate, within the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can. When one of the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can is filled with sliver, the platform is moved to left or right with respect to the sliver coiling head for changing a full sliver filling can by an empty sliver filling can. Specifically, the platform is moved inwardly in alternation, first from one side of the sliver coiling head and next from an opposite side of the sliver coiling head, into coiling position for successive cycle of can changing operation. Accordingly, the platform moves to a distance of 0.25 - 0.8 times the diameter of the first sliver filling can or the second sliver filling can, which is enough for the sliver coiling head to be in right position for filling the empty sliver filling can. This makes the doffing time much lesser than the time required during in doffing operation in existing sliver filling stations. Said platform has a width of 900mm-1600mm and a length of 1500mm-2700mm. This reduces the space requirement for the sliver coiling head of filling stations of carding machine or draw frame or comber or carding machine with drafting system. Thus, for example if plurality of said machines serially arranged in a spinning mill floor, a center to center distance between machines is significantly reduced upto 300mm to 600mm, which is a major advantage in mill perspective.

In an aspect, the platform may move over guide wheels, guide rails, screw rods, or sliding brackets, using pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. The platform may have a defined shape to move the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can in a linear and/or radial path during doffing operation. The sliver filling station may further comprise a drafting system present in the sliver coiling head. The drafting system may linearly stretch the sliver before coiling the sliver in the first sliver filling can or the second sliver filling can.

In an embodiment, a method of automatically replacing filled can in a sliver filling station is disclosed. Sliver may be dispensed through a sliver coiling plate connected with a sliver coiling head mounted on a top frame supported by a plurality of legs. The sliver coiling plate may dispense a predetermined quantity of sliver into one of a first sliver filling can and a second sliver filling can present vertically below the sliver coiling plate and positioned over a platform. The platform may be slidably mounted over a base frame and may comprise a first rotary can plate and a second rotary can plate spaced apart from each other over a top surface of the platform. The first sliver filling can may be placed over the first rotary can plate and the second sliver filling can may be placed over the second rotary can plate. The platform may be moved to position an empty can amongst the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can, beneath the sliver coiling plate to receive the sliver when a can present beneath the sliver coiling plate is filled with the predetermined quantity of sliver.

In another embodiment, the sliver coiling plate may be rotatably connected to the sliver coiling head to dispense the sliver inside the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can in a circular pattern. The first rotary can plate may rotate on its position to cause rotation of the first sliver filling can and the second rotary can plate may rotate on its position to cause rotation of the second sliver filling can. Accordingly, rotation of the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can enables uniform filling of the sliver within the first sliver filling can and the second sliver filling can.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiment and features described above, further aspects, embodiment and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure - 1 of the drawings shows an elevation view and a top view of a sliver filling station with can exchanging apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure - 2 of the drawing illustrates an elevation view and a top view of doffing cycle with an empty sliver filling can being present in a filling position and a filled sliver filling can being present in an unloading position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure - 3 of the drawing illustrates top views of a platform showing can changing positions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure - 4 of the drawing illustrates a top view of a platform showing can changing positions, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure-1 of the drawings, an embodiment of the sliver filling station (1) of a spinning preparatory machine such as card, draw frame, comber or card with drafting system comprising a sliver coiling head (2) associated with a sliver coiling plate (3) therein is described. The sliver coiling plate (3) may be rotatably connected to the sliver coiling head (2) to dispense sliver inside a sliver filling can.

A platform (4) may be slidably mounted over a base frame (10) of the sliver filling station (1). In one implementation, the platform (4) may have substantially rectangular shape and may have a width of 900mm-1600mm and a length of 1500mm-2700mm. The platform having a substantially rectangular shape may move linearly. The coiling head (2) may have a drafting system (not shown) for linearly stretching the sliver before coiling them in a first sliver filling can (5) or a second sliver filling can (9). The coiling head (2) is mounted on the top frame (6) supported by a plurality of legs (7). The platform (4) may comprise a first rotary can plate (8) and a second rotary can plate (8’). The first sliver filling can (5) may be placed over the first rotary can plate (8) and the second sliver filling can (9) may be placed over the second rotary can plate (8’).

The platform (4) is moved either right or left in a linear path while doffing operation takes place. Therefore, the said platform (4) along with the first rotary can plate (8) and the second rotary can plate (8’) is horizontally movable with respect to the sliver coiling head (2). Thus, the proposed sliver filling station (1) enables horizontal movement while doffing a filled sliver filling can by an empty sliver filling can, for example doffing the first sliver filling can (5) by the second sliver filling can (9). The movable distance may range from 300mm to 700mm to the left or right of the sliver coiling head (2), during each doffing operation. The whole construction and mechanisms according to the invention is adoptable for accommodating sliver filling cans of diameters ranging from 600mm to 1600mm.

Said platform (4) is slidably mounted on the base frame (10) and is moved by means of pneumatic/hydraulic actuators/gear trains/belt conveyor (not shown). The slidable mechanism employed herein are by way of guide wheels or guide rails or screw rods or sliding brackets etc. The sliver coming out of the sliver coiling plate (3) is laid in filling cans in form of spiral coils, as illustrated to be filled in the first sliver filling can (5) in Figure-1. The spiral coils or spiral pattern of the sliver inside the first sliver filling can (5) is a result of rotation of the sliver coiling plate (3) and rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) present beneath the sliver coiling plate (3). Rotation of the sliver coiling plate (3) may be faster than rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) or the second sliver filling can (9). Rotation of the first rotary can plate (8) on its position causes rotation of the first sliver filling can (5). Accordingly, the rotation of the sliver coiling plate (3) with respect to rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) may result in the sliver being collected in a spiral pattern inside the first sliver filling can (5).

The first rotary can plate (8) and the second rotary can plate (8’) are driven by their respective individual or common drive arrangement (not shown) which can be an electric motor. In an embodiment, a can plate drive arrangement helps to drive only the first rotary can plate (8) at a time during the sliver filling. Meanwhile, the second rotary can plate (8’) goes idle, since there is no sliver filling action on the second sliver filling can (9) placed on the second rotary can plate (8’). The first sliver filling can (5) may be positioned vertically below the sliver coiling plate (3) so that the first sliver filling can (5) receives a predetermined quantity of sliver dispensed by the sliver coiling plate (3).

Once the predetermined quantity of sliver is filled in the first sliver filling can (5), the platform (4) moves a stroke of 0.25 - 0.8 times the diameter of the first sliver filling can (5), as shown in Figure-2 of the drawings. Hence, when the first sliver filling can (5) gets filled, the first sliver filling can (5) goes to unloading position. Whereas, the second sliver filling can (9) which is empty, comes to filling position under the coiling head (2). For each successive doffing cycle, the aforesaid process is repeated in vice-versa as depicted in Figure-3 of the drawings. As shown by arrows, movement of the platform (4) for a distance (X1) at left or (X2) at right provides the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) to be moved by a small distance for filling to take place. Therefore, a sliver filling can will not be required to be moved throughout its whole diameter, across the coiling plate (3) for a next sliver filling operation. In an aspect, the platform (4) may move equal to a distance between the first rotary can plate (8) and the second rotary can plate (8’). Therefore, distance between the first rotary can plate (8) and the second rotary can plate (8’) is equal to the distance (X1) at left or (X2) at right.

Alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure-4 illustrates a radial platform (11) capable of making radial movements. On the radial platform (11), an empty sliver can (for example the second sliver filling can (9)) may replace a filled sliver can (for example the first sliver filling can (5)) in a curvilinear/radial path using pneumatic or hydraulic actuators and/or gear trains, belt conveyor. The curvilinear/radial path is shown by arrows in left distance (Y1) and right distance (Y2) to the sliver coiling plate (3) during doffing. The distance by which the radial platform (11) moves may range from 0.25 - 0.80 times the diameter of the first sliver filling can (5) or the second sliver filling can (9). The distance (Y1, Y2) may be equal to a distance by which the first rotary can plate (8) and the second rotary can plate (8’) are spaced apart.

Thus, the doffing time or can exchanging time between each sliver filling operation is drastically reduced which results a less idle time for a machine and increased production thereby. In the embodiment shown according to the present invention, the moving distance (X1/X2/Y1/Y2) is only between 500 mm to 550mm for a can diameter of 1200mm. However, construction can be adopted for moving distance (X1/X2/Y1/Y2) of 0.25 - 0.80 times a diameter of a sliver filling can, where the diameter could range from 600 to 1600mm. With this configuration, for example if plurality of carding machines with drafting system are serially arranged in a spinning mill floor, a center to center distance between machines is significantly reduced upto 300mm to 600mm for better space saving advantage. Furthermore, advantage of the invention is that a sliver filling can of diameter upto 1200mm with height of 1200 mm and 1300mm can accommodate increased sliver content upto 44 % & 56 % respectively.

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. It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiment of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiment may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A sliver filling station (1) comprising:
a sliver coiling head (2) mounted on a top frame (6) supported by a plurality of legs (7), wherein the sliver coiling head (2) dispenses sliver through a sliver coiling plate (3) connected to the sliver coiling head (2);
a platform (4, 11) slidably mounted over a base frame (10), wherein at least a first rotary can plate (8) and a second rotary can plate (8’) spaced apart from each other are present over a top surface of the platform (4); and
a first sliver filling can (5) placed over the first rotary can plate (8) and a second sliver filling can (9) placed over the second rotary can plate (8’), wherein one of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) is present vertically below the sliver coiling plate (3) to receive a predetermined quantity of sliver dispensed by the sliver coiling plate (3),
wherein, when one of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) has received the predetermined quantity of sliver, the platform (4, 11) moves to position an empty can amongst the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) beneath the sliver coiling plate (3), to receive the sliver.

2. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliver coiling plate (3) is rotatably connected to the sliver coiling head (2) to dispense the sliver inside the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) in a circular pattern.

3. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first rotary can plate (8) rotates on its position to cause rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second rotary can plate (8’) rotates on its position to cause rotation of the second sliver filling can (9), and wherein rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) enables uniform filling of the sliver within the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9).

4. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) ranges from 600mm to 1600mm.

5. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform (4, 11) moves over guide wheels, guide rails, screw rods, or sliding brackets, using pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, gear trains, or belt conveyor.

6. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform (4) has substantially rectangular shape and moves linearly, and wherein the platform (4) has a width ranging from 900mm to 1600mm and length ranging from 1500mm to 2700mm.

7. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform (11) has substantially radial shape, and moves the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) in a radial path during doffing operation.

8. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in any of claims 1, 6 and 7, wherein movement of the platform (4, 11) ranges from 0.25 to 0.8 times a diameter of the first sliver filling can (5) or the second sliver filling can (9).

9. The sliver filling station (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drafting system present in the sliver coiling head (2), for linearly stretching the sliver before coiling the sliver in the first sliver filling can (5) or the second sliver filling can (9).

10. A method of automatically replacing filled can in a sliver filling station (1), the method comprising:
dispensing sliver through a sliver coiling plate (3) connected with a sliver coiling head (2) mounted on a top frame (6) supported by a plurality of legs (7), wherein the sliver coiling plate (3) dispenses a predetermined quantity of sliver into one of a first sliver filling can (5) and a second sliver filling can (9) present vertically below the sliver coiling plate (3) and positioned over a platform (4, 11), the platform (4, 11) being slidably mounted over a base frame (10) and comprising a first rotary can plate (8) and a second rotary can plate (8’) spaced apart from each other over a top surface of the platform (4, 11), and wherein the first sliver filling can (5) is placed over the first rotary can plate (8) and the second sliver filling can (9) is placed over the second rotary can plate (8’);
moving the platform (4, 11) to position an empty can amongst the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) beneath the sliver coiling plate (3) to receive the sliver when a can present beneath the sliver coiling plate (3) is filled with the predetermined quantity of sliver.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sliver coiling plate (3) is rotatably connected to the sliver coiling head (2) to dispense the sliver inside the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) in a circular pattern.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first rotary can plate (8) rotates on its position to cause rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second rotary can plate (8’) rotates on its position to cause rotation of the second sliver filling can (9), and wherein rotation of the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) enables uniform filling of the sliver within the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9).

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the platform (4, 11) moves over guide wheels, guide rails, screw rods, or sliding brackets, using pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, gear trains, or belt conveyor

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the platform (4) has substantially rectangular shape and moves linearly.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the platform (11) has substantially radial shape, and moves the first sliver filling can (5) and the second sliver filling can (9) in a radial path during doffing operation.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising linearly stretching the sliver before coiling the sliver in the first sliver filling can (5) or the second sliver filling can (9) through a drafting system present in the sliver coiling head (2).