FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The device of invention relates to the circular weaving machines (also termed as
circular weaving looms or simply looms). In particular, the invention relates to
telescopic weaving ring arms for adjusting woven polyolefin tubular fabric width
in circular weaving machines. The present invention provides stable and rigid
structure for aligning vertical motion of tubular fabric.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Circular weaving machines are used for producing polyolefin tubular fabric made
by weaving slit film tapes (or simply tapes) used as weft and warp. The warp
tapes are taken from a tapes-discharging buffer consisting of more than one creel.
The tension in the warp tapes is maintained by using suitable tensioning device
like drop wire which ensures uniform warp tension. The warp tapes are fed to the
weaving part of machine through rollers installed on both sides. Weft tapes are
delivered by shuttle bobbins mounted on a reed ring (5). The shuttles move
circularly along the inner circumference of the reed ring; the rotating bobbins on
shuttles deliver weft tape for formation of fabric by interlacing with warp tapes.
Warp tapes pass linearly through the reed ring structure and weave with weft tapes
delivered by the circular moving tape bobbin. Weaved tubular fabric is then
passed through a weaving ring structure (4) which is supported by fixed ring
holding arms (2). Assembly of holding arms and weaving ring ‘5’ structure
determines the size of tubular fabric.
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Conventionally, weaving ring (4) structure is supported by fixed span length
holding (4) arms (shown in Figure 1). Whenever tubular fabric size has to be
changed, the weaving ring diameter would need to be changed resulting in the
change of the holding arm’s length.
Changing holder arms is time consuming and disturbs the existing settled
arrangement which needs to be done every time fabric dimensions to be changed.
This increases the machine downtime and reduces the efficiency and productivity
of the weaving process.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a circular weaving machine which allows
efficient adaptation of the machine to varying size of the woven fabric by
reducing the downtime and by eliminating the need to change the entire holding
arm assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the conventional circular weaving machines, weaving of fabrics of different
sizes requires change of holding arm to suit a particular fabric size. This is
inefficient as it increases downtime of the machine. The present invention
discloses a circular weaving machine incorporating an adjustable weaving ring
holder which is provided with adjustable length holding arms. In the preferred
embodiment, the adjustability of length is provided using telescopically movable
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structural parts such that the length of the holding may be adjusted according to
different sizes of the weaving ring. The telescopically adjustable structural parts
of the holding arm of the invention may be locked at different positions using a
spring activated locking mechanism or any other suitable locking mechanisms.
The present invention thus provides flexibility of size adjustment while providing
the rigidity and sturdiness of conventional machines. Using the circular weaving
machine of the present invention, the fabric size change may be achieved without
having to change the entire holding arm.
Another object of the present invention is to provide structural stability by not
disturbing central part of the machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
To clearly describe the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 shows the prior art version of fixed length holding arm
Fig. 2 is a simplified partial top view of the area of Loom machine where the
present invention is located
Fig. 3 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment
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Figure 4 shows the various embodiments of the invention:
4A – a holding arm with three structural parts where the step-up part is in
the middle
4B – a holding arm with three structural parts where the middle part is
capable of moving inside the adjacent two parts
4C – splicing arrangement
LIST OF PARTS:
Adjustable holding arm (1)
Adjusting locations (3)
Step-up part (6)
Locking system (7)
Splicing mechanism (8)
Fixed span length holding arm – prior
art (2)
Weaving ring (4)
Reed ring (5)
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a circular weaving machine which incorporates
an adjustable weaving ring holder. Specifically, it incorporates holding arms (1)
with telescopic movement such that its length may be adjusted according to
different fabric sizes to be produced.
The looms typically comprise, apart from many other components, a reed ring (5)
and a weaving ring (4). The diameter of the reed ring (5) is typically fixed. The
diameter of the weaving ring (4) varies according to the size of the fabric to be
manufactured. The weaving ring (4) is typically placed concentrically with the
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reed ring (5). The reed ring (5) is structurally supported by a weaving ring holder
which comprises a set of holding arms (1). The holding arms (1) are affixed to the
reed ring (5) at their one end and to the weaving ring (4) at their other end. The
weaving ring (4) thus 'hangs' from the reed ring (5) with support from holding
arms (1). The length of the holding arm (1) in any set up depends on the size of
the fabric being woven.
In the conventional looms, the entire holding arm (1) has to be replaced to set the
loom for fabric of different size. The present invention provides a holding arm (1)
that may be adjusted in its length depending on the size of the fabric being woven.
The holding arm (1) provided in the invention has at least two structural parts, the
position of which parts is adjustable with respect to each other and which may be
locked in a required position with a locking system. The adjustability is provided
with the means such as telescopically movable parts or parts that can be spliced in
different positions. The locking system may be spring-based (such as a ball and
socket arrangement), a nut and bolt arrangement, a hole and a pin arrangement, a
snap fit arrangement involving male and female elements, or a spring activated
switch, or any similar suitable mechanism.
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Figure 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention that uses a
telescopically adjustable holding arm (1). It has two sections that are capable of
movement relative to each other so that the length of the holding arm (1) is
adjustable. A first section is typically fixed to circular part of the reed ring (5) and
other second section moves in a telescopic manner (shown by the direction ‘a’ in
Figure 3) inside or over said first section. The section that is fixed to the reed ring
is termed as the fixed section because, in a loom or weaving machine, the reed
ring (5) is fixed in position. The weaving ring (4) is supported by the holding arms
(1). Since the holding arms (1) have variable length depending on the fabric size,
the weaving ring position is also variable.
A number of locking positions ‘3’ are provided on both sections of the holding
arm (1). In the case where the locking mechanism is a ball and socket
arrangement, balls with springs may be provided in the structural part (inner part)
that moves on the inside of another structural part (termed as outer part), and the
outer part may be provided with a socket on its internal surface so that it may
receive the ball to fix the two sections in a locked position. Alternatively, instead
of a socket a hole may be provided. In the case where the locking arrangement is a
screw and nut, holes may be provided at suitable locations on both structural parts
that need to be locked together in a position so that screw may be put through
them to lock them in a desired relative position.
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The structural parts may be made using metals or plastic reinforced composites.
The material used for different structural parts of a single holding arm may be
same or different. Materials used for different holding arms may be same or
different.
In the preferred embodiment the first section moves inside the second section. In
this embodiment, a spring activated switch is provided on the second section such
that the switch may lock into one of the locking positions provided on the first
section. Thus the first and second sections may be fixed relative to each other in
varying positions. This allows variation of the length of the holding arm (1).
The invention is used for making woven fabric made from tapes made from PP,
HDPE, or other blends of polyolefin and incorporating a number of bobbins. The
invention holds the central part of the machine used for moving woven tubular in
upwards direction.
A number of variations of the invention are disclosed.
The weaving ring and reed ring are typically situated in different planes. The
holding arm (1), which in the present invention is composed of a plurality of parts,
is therefore designed in such manner that there is at least one 'S' type step-up part
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(6) provided so that the holding arm (1) may straddle over the two planes, namely
the plane of the reed ring (5) and the plane of the weaving ring (4).
The 'S' type step-up part (6) may be connected to either the weaving ring (4) or the
reed ring (5). It may also be a middle part in the case where there are more than
two structural parts to a holding arm.
In a variation of the invention, the holding arm (1) is made of three structural parts
(see Figure 4), namely a third section, a fourth section, and a fifth section, wherein
the third section is the middle section. In this instance, the fourth section is
telescopically adjustable with the third and fifth sections. As an alternative the
structural parts may be in a splicing arrangement with the adjacent structural parts.
In another variation of the invention, the holding arm (1) may comprise more than
three structural parts.
The telescopic movement may be such that any one of the sections may move
telescopically inside or outside the other section with which it's telescopically
adjustable. In another aspect of the invention, the structural parts may be attached
to their adjacent parts using a splicing mechanism. The splicing mechanism may
be of a bridge type or overlap type. (See Figure 4.)
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The locking mechanisms may of any type selected from a group comprising a ball
and socket arrangement, a nut and bolt arrangement, a hole and a pin arrangement,
a snap fit arrangement involving male and female elements, or a spring activated
switch.
It is evident from the foregoing disclosure that the invention has the following
embodiments:
1. A circular weaving machine incorporating a weaving ring holder
characterized in that there is provided in said holder at least one holding
arm of adjustable length, wherein the length of said holding arms between
the reed ring and the weaving ring of said machine is adjustable according
to the fabric sizes to be produced.
2. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 1, characterized
in that the number of said holding arms is at least three.
3. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 2, characterized
in that one end of said holding arm is affixed to the reed ring of said
weaving machine and the other end of said holding arm is affixed to a
weaving ring.
4. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 3, characterized
in that said holding arm has a plurality of structural parts which are
adjustable in their position with respect to adjacent structural parts and
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which may be locked in a required position with respect to said adjacent
parts using a locking system.
5. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 4, characterized
in that said structural parts are adjustable telescopically with respect to
said adjacent structural parts.
6. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 4, characterized
in that said structural parts are adjustable with adjacent structural parts
using a splicing mechanism.
7. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 6, characterized
in that said splicing mechanism is of overlap type or a bridge type.
8. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 6,
characterized in that the number of said structural parts is at least two.
9. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 6,
characterized in that the number of said structural parts is at least three.
10. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 9 wherein
said locking system is selected from a group comprising ball and socket
arrangement, a nut and bolt arrangement, a hole and a pin arrangement, a
snap fit arrangement involving male and female elements, or a spring
activated switch.
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11. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 5, and 8 to
10, characterized in that any one structural part may move inside or
outside its adjacent structural parts.
12. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 11, wherein
the structural parts are adjustable with respect to adjacent structural parts
in at least one position.
13. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 12, wherein the
joint between the said holding arm (1) and the reed ring (5) and that
between the holding arm (1) and the weaving ring (4) are of hinge type
that allows rotation of the respective ends of the holding arm (1) in planes
parallel to the plane containing the reed ring (5).
14. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 13, wherein at
least one structural part is an 'S' type part (6).
15. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 14, characterize
in that said S-type part (6) is connected at its one end to either said reed
ring (5) or said weaving ring (4).
16. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiment 14, characterized
in that said S-type part (6) is not an end-part of said holding arm (1).
17. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 16, wherein
the number of structural parts in any two of said holding arms (1) is
unequal.
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18. A circular weaving machine as disclosed in embodiments 1 to 17, wherein
the material used for said structural parts of said holding arms (1) may be
metal or reinforced plastic composites or a combination thereof.
19. A circular weaving machine as claimed in disclosed in embodiments 1 to
18, wherein material used for any two structural parts of any of said
holding arms (1) is not same.
While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be
construed as limitation in the scope of the invention, but rather as an
exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. It must be realized that
modifications and variations are possible based on the disclosure given above
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated,
but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

We claim:
1. A circular weaving machine incorporating a weaving ring holder
characterized in that there is provided in said holder at least one holding arm
(1) of adjustable length, wherein the length of said holding arms between the
reed ring (5) and the weaving ring (4) of said machine is adjustable according
to the fabric sizes to be produced.
2. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
number of said holding arms (1) is at least three.
3. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that one
end of said holding arm (1) is affixed to the reed ring (5) of said weaving
machine and the other end is affixed to the weaving ring (4).
4. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said
holding arm (1) has a plurality of structural parts that are adjustable in their
position with respect to adjacent structural parts and locked in a required
position with respect to said adjacent parts using a locking system (7).
5. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that any
of said structural parts are adjustable telescopically with respect to said
adjacent structural parts.
6. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said
structural parts are adjustable with adjacent structural parts using a splicing
mechanism (8).
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7. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said
splicing mechanism is of overlap type or a bridge type.
8. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
the number of said structural parts is at least two.
9. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
the number of said structural parts is at least three.
10. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 9 wherein said locking
system is selected from a group comprising ball and socket arrangement, a
nut and bolt arrangement, a hole and a pin arrangement, a snap fit
arrangement involving male and female elements, or a spring activated
switch.
11. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 5, and 8 to 10,
characterized in that any one structural part may move inside or outside its
adjacent structural parts.
12. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the
structural parts are adjustable with respect to adjacent structural parts in at
least one position.
13. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the joint
between the said holding arm (1) and the reed ring (5) and that between the
holding arm (1) and the weaving ring (4) are of hinge type that allows
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rotation of the respective ends of the holding arm in planes parallel to the
plane containing the reed ring (5).
14. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one
structural part is an 'S' type step-up part (6).
15. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 14, characterize in that said
S-type step-up part (6) is connected at its one end to either said reed ring (5)
or said weaving ring (4).
16. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said
S-type step up part (6) is not an end-part of said holding arm (1).
17. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 16, wherein the number
of structural parts in any two of said holding arms (1) is unequal.
18. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 17, wherein the
material used for said structural parts of said holding arms (1) may be metal
or reinforced plastic composites.
19. A circular weaving machine as claimed in claims 1 to 18, wherein material
used for any two structural parts of any of said holding arms (1) is not same.