FIBRE HOLDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMBING
OPERATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fiber holding system for combing operations. More particularly, the invention is directed to a system for fiber holding in combing operations for eliminating undesired length of floating fibers wherein the combing of the fibers can be done gradually and the fiber fringe combed from bottom to the top for smooth and effective combing free of any oscillating movement and the process helps to eliminate the undesired length of floating fiber.
BACKGROUND ART:
It is well known in the art of combing operation that for removing undesired lengths of fiber from a bunch is achieved usually by the use of bottom and top nipper combination, meant for the feeding of the lap and holding the same while the undesired length of fibers are removed. One such nipper arrangement essentially consists of bottom nipper which carries a spring loaded feed roller and top nipper pivoted to the bottom nipper and mostly operated by a four bar drive.. Nipper moves back and forth radially by a rocking arrangement. Another drive arrangement is employed for the nipper opening and closing. Since the actuation of the nipper is accompanied by the rocking arrangement, vibration would be a drawback in increasing the speed of the combing machine further.
There has been thus a need for developing a fiber holding system for combing operations which would favour bottom and top nipper movement as a linear movement without an oscillating movement and help eliminating the undesired length of floating fiber effectively at desired higher speed of the combing machine.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a fiber-holding system favouring a combing operation to have both bottom and top nipper movement as a linear movement and importantly without any oscillating movement.
Another object of the present invention directed to said fiber holding system which would achieve imparting desired linear movement of top and bottom nipper with simple and cost-effective drive elements and also achieving higher speed of operation.
A still further object of the present invention directed to said fiber holding system wherein the nipper movements are linear and adapted such that the combing of fiber is done gradually and the fiber fringe is combed from bottom to top resulting in effective combing.
A still further object of the present invention directed to said fiber holding system for combing operation adapted to reduce rupture of fiber during combing.
A still further object of the present invention directed to said fiber holding system for combing operation, which would further favour reducing stress on the needles of the comb as it penetrates the fiber fringe from bottom to top, in spite of the higher speed of operation.
It is yet another object of the present invention wherein the nipper movements are independent to each other, but the closing and opening of top nipper happens in relation with the bottom nipper at appropriate timings due to the integrated system provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for fiber holding in combing operations for eliminating undesired length of floating fibers comprising:
a substantially horizontally placed bottom nipper and a cooperatively substantially vertically disposed top nipper such that during the combing operation the fiber fringes are held between the jaws of the bottom nipper and the said top nipper and the short fibers are removed;
means to impart linear motion to the bottom nipper in the substantially horizontal direction adapted to impart predetermined magnitude of linear up and down movement of the top nipper in the substantially vertical plane substantially free of any rocking motion to facilitate smooth, gradual and effective combing of fibers.
Importantly, in the above system for fiber holding of the invention the closing and opening of top nipper is in relation with the bottom nipper at appropriate timings is achieved by way of an integrated system.
Moreover, the system for fiber holding includes means for providing the linear movement comprising simple drive elements for higher speed of operation.
In accordance with a preferred aspect, in the above system the said means for effecting to and fro linear movement of the bottom and top nippers comprise a crank and arm arrangement with the drive for the crank through motor.
Importantly also, in the above system the said bottom nipper plate with the protruded and combed fringes is adapted to move from backward most position to forward most position in a short duration for detaching function.
In particular, in the system for fiber holding of the invention , said bottom nipper is provided with means to undergo to and fro motion in the horizontal plane through suitable drive means preferably by a variable speed motor with the rotary motion of the drive means adapted to be transmitted in to reciprocating linear movement.
Advantageously, the rotary motion of the drive means is adapted to be transmitted to a linear motion by the crank and arm arrangement with the drive from the drive means transmitted to the crank by the drive shaft which is coupled to the shaft of the drive means, a lever means is provided to drivingly connect the crank and the bottom nipper.
For achieving the desired linear motion in the above system for fiber holding the first end of the said lever means is eccentrically pivoted to the crank at a pivot point and the second end of the lever is pivotally mounted to the bottom nipper at another pivot point.
In accordance with a further aspect the above system for fiber holding of the invention includes:
a set of plurality of guide rollers pivoted at the sides of the bottom nipper and the guide rollers are slidably mounted on guide which is rigidly fitted on the frame arranged on both left hand and right hand side of the of the combing machine;
bracket means provided with vertical slots arranged substantially perpendicular to the bottom nipper are rigidly fitted to the front portion of the bottom nipper at its left hand and right hand side to facilitate guidance to the top nipper, guide rollers are pivotally mounted on the sides of the top nipper nearer to its lower end; and
another set of guide rollers are pivotally mounted on the sides of the top nipper nearer to its upper end, Lobe provided with profiled groove are rigidly fitted to the frame arranged on both left hand and right hand side of the of the combing machine, while said guide rollers attached to the lower end of the top nipper is slidably placed in the vertical slots of the bracket, the guide rollers attached to the upper end of the top nipper being slidably placed in the lobe ,such arrangement being adapted to facilitate the pre determined magnitude of linear up and down movement to the top nipper in the vertical plane.
Importantly, in the system of the invention, the said to and fro linear motion of the bottom and top nippers is selectively adapted such that during the combing operation the fiber fringes are held between the jaws of the bottom nipper and the top nipper and the short fibers are removed, the top nipper is withdrawn and the bottom nipper carrying the protruded and combed fringes moves from backward most position to forward most position for a predetermined shorter duration of time and the combed fringes are presented to the nip of detaching rollers.
Preferably, the location of the pivot point connecting the lever to the crank is selected to determine eccentricity adapted to govern the magnitude of the to and fro motion of the bottom nipper.
Also, the profiled groove of the lobe is adapted such that the opening and closing of the top nipper can be selectively provided as per the requirement with the shape of the profiled groove and its location determining the magnitude of the up and down movement of the top nipper, otherwise the duration of closing and opening of the top nipper, in order to grip the fibre during the combing operation and for the subsequent release there upon.
Moreover, the said linear motion of the bottom nipper is adapted such that during the period when the combed fiber fringes are drawn by the detaching rollers, the top comb needles are made to penetrate in to the combed fringes, subsequently the said bottom nipper is moved to the backward position .The combed fringes delivered by the detaching rollers are fed to the set of driven delivery rollers for transporting the combed fiber to the drafting system of the combing machine for further processing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1: is the schematric illustratation of the perspective view of the nipper drive
arrangement according to the present invention.
Figure 2: is the schematric illustratation of the front view of the nipper drive arrangement according to the present invention.
Figure 3 : is the schematric illustratation of the the detailed side view of the nipper drive arrangement according to the present invention.
Figure 4: is the schematric illustratation of the detailed perspective view of the top nipper drive arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES:
The present invention is directed to a fibre holding device for combing operations involving both bottom and top nipper movement as a linear movement and without having any oscillating movement and thus facilitating the elimination of the undesired length of floating fiber effectively at desired faster speed of the combing machine.
Reference is first invited to the accompanying Figure 1 that illustrates the perspective view of the nipper drive arrangement according to the present invention. It is clearly apparent from the Figure 1 that the nipper arrangement comprises a bottom nipper (1) and a top nipper (2). The arrangement according to the present invention provides linear movement for both the bottom nipper (1) and a top nipper (2). The bottom nipper(l) is provided with means to undergo to and fro motion in the horizontal plane, which may be effected through suitable drive means (3) for example by a variable speed motor. The rotary motion of the drive means (3) is transformed in to the linear reciprocating movement by suitable crank arrangement. For example the embodiment explained in Figure 1 (or in Figure 3), involve the crank and arm arrangement Drive from the drive means (3), transmitted to the crank (4) by the drive shaft (5) which is coupled to the shaft of the drive means (3). A lever or connecting rod type link(6) is provided to rotatably connect to the crank (4) at its one end and to the bottom nipper (1) at the other, such as to provide reciprocating sliding motion to said bottom nipper(l) while the said rotation of crank (4) is effected operatively by said drive means (3). The first end of the lever (6) is eccentrically pivoted to the crank (4) at pivot point (4a) and the second end of the lever (6) is pivotally mounted to the bottom nipper (1) at the pivot point (la).
Reference is next invited to the accompanying Figures 2 and 3, wherein a plurality of guide rollers (7,7') are pivoted at the sides of the bottom nipper and the guide rollers (7,7') are slidably mounted on guide (8) which is rigidly fitted on the frame (9,9a) arranged on both left hand and right hand side of the of the combing machine frame. The rotary motion of the drive means (3) is converted in to reciprocating linear motion, providing desired to and fro motion to the bottom nipper (1) in the horizontal plane.
Reference is further invited to the accompanying Figures 3 and 4, wherein illustrative figures show the brackets (10, 10') which are provided with vertical slots (10a, 10a') arranged perpendicular to the bottom nipper (1) and are rigidly fitted to the front portion of the bottom nipper (1) at its left hand and right hand side to facilitate guidance to the top nipper (2). Guide rollers (11,11') are pivotally mounted on the sides of the top nipper (2) nearer to its lower end. Another separate set of guide rollers (12, 12') are pivotally mounted on the sides of the top nipper (2) nearer to its upper end. Lobes (14, 14') provided with profiled inner groove (14a, 14a') are rigidly fitted to the frame (9,9a) arranged on both left hand and right hand side of the combing machine. While the guide rollers (11,11') attached to the top nipper (2), slidably placed in the vertical slots (10a ,10a') of the bracket (10,10'), the guide rollers (12,12') attached to the top nipper (2) are slidably placed in the upwardly inclined profiled inner grooves (14a, 14a') of the lobes (14,14'). By virtue of this arrangement, the to and fro motion of the bottom nipper
(1) facilitate the pre determined magnitude of linear up and down movement to the top nipper in the vertical plane and thus favoring holding and releasing of the fibres during the combing operation effectively at desired faster speed of the combing machine.
The manner of implementation of the fiber holding device performing desired combing operation is explained as under.
The fiber fringes are held between the jaws of the bottom nipper (1) and the top nipper
(2) and the short fibers are removed by the comb. The top nipper (2) and the bottom nipper (1) carrying the protruded and combed fringes moves from backward most position to forward most position. The top nipper (2) is withdrawn for a predetermined shorter duration of time and the combed fringes are presented to the nip of detaching rollers.
Due to the rotation of the crank (4) by the drive means (3), the bottom nipper and the top nipper (2) attached to it is moved forward and backward since the crank (4) is connected to the bottom nipper (1) by the lever (6). The location of the pivot point (4a) determines eccentricity which governs the magnitude of the to and fro motion of the bottom nipper (1) and the top nipper (2) attached to it.
The forward and backward movement of the bottom nipper is transferred to up and down movement of the top nipper. This is because of that the lower ends of the top nipper (2) is slidably connected to the vertical slots (10a ,10a') of the bracket (10,10') through the guide rollers (11,11') and the upper ends of the top nipper is slidably connected to profiled groove (14a, 14a') of the lobe (14,14') through the guide rollers (12,12'). The profiled groove (14a, 14a') of the lobe (14, 14') is so arranged that the opening and closing of the top nipper (2) can be achieved as per the requirement. The shape -of the profiled groove (14a, 14a') and its location determine the magnitude of the up and down movement of the top nipper , otherwise the duration of closing and opening of the top nipper , in order to grip the fibre during the combing operation and for the subsequent release there upon.
The detaching rollers which are driven by the drive system of the combing machine draw the combed fiber presented to it by the nipper and deliver the same to the nip of the pair of driven delivery rollers of the combing machine. During the period when the combed fiber fringes are drawn by the detaching rollers, top comb needles are made to penetrate in to the combed fringes. Subsequently the bottom nipper is moved to the backward position. Set of driven delivery rollers transport the combed fiber to the drafting system of the combing machine for further processing.
It is thus possible by way of this invention to providing a fiber-holding system that can be used in a combing operation to have both bottom and top nipper movement as a reciprocating linear movement and without any oscillating movement wherein said fiber holding system, enable the drive elements to be much simple favoring achieving higher speed of operation. The present invention directed to said fiber holding system involving the linear movement of the nippers such that the combing of fiber is done gradually and the fiber fringe is combed from bottom to top resulting in effective combing and said device further favoring adapted to reduce rupture of fiber during combing. The arrangement of links and mechanisms generating linear motions to the upper and the lower nippers for combing operation reduces stress on the needles of the comb as it penetrates the fibers from bottom to top, in spite of the higher speed of operation attainable by the device according to the invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. A system for fiber holding in combing operations for eliminating undesired length of floating fibers comprising:
a substantially horizontally placed bottom nipper (1) and a cooperatively substantially vertically disposed top nipper (2),
means are provided to impart predetermined magnitude of linear motion to the bottom nipper(l) in the substantially horizontal direction and /or predetermined magnitude of linear motion to the top nipper(2) in substantially vertical direction.
2. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for effecting to and fro linear movement of the bottom nipper (1) comprise a crank(4) and arm(6) arrangement with the drive for the crank through drive means (3).
3. A system for fiber holding as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 2,
wherein said bottom nipper(l) is provided with means to undergo to and fro motion in the substantially horizontal plane through suitable drive means (3) preferably by a variable speed motor with the rotary motion of the drive means adapted to be transmitted in to reciprocating linear movement.
4. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotary motion of the drive means (3) is adapted to be transmitted to a linear motion by the crank and arm arrangement (4,6) with the drive from the drive means (3) transmitted to the crank(4) by the drive shaft (5) which is coupled to the shaft of the drive means (3), a lever (6) means is provided to drivingly connect the crank (4) and the bottom nipper (1).
5. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claims 4, wherein the location of the pivot point (4a) connecting the lever (6) to the crank (4) determines the eccentricity adapted to govern the magnitude of the to and fro motion of the bottom nipper (1).
6. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined magnitude of linear motion to the top nipper(2) in substantially vertical direction is achieved by lobes (14,14') provided with profiled groove (14a,14a') which are rigidly fitted to the frame (9,9') arranged on both left hand and right hand side of the of the combing machine.
7. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claims 6 , wherein the profiled groove(14a,14a') of the lobe(14,14') is adapted such that the opening and closing of the top nipper(2) can be selectively adopted.
8. A system for fiber holding as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein brackets (10,10') provided with vertical slots (10a,10a') arranged perpendicular to the bottom nipper (1) and are rigidly fitted to the front portion of the bottom nipper( 1) at its left hand and right hand.
9. A system for fiber holding in combing operations for eliminating undesired length of floating fibers substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.