Automatic apparatus for supplying laps to a group of combers

Claim 2

In an automatic apparatus for supplying laps from at least one lap forming machine to lap stands of a group of combers by means of an overhead conveyer provided with a plurality of lap carriers and bare bobbin carriers, an improvement comprising in combination: a. a lap transfer system comprising, a lap lifting device for lifting a lap received from said lap forming machine to a position for transferring said lap to a lap carrier, a first detector for detecting the arrival of a lap carrier not holding a lap, and an actuating means for enabling said lap carrier to receive a lap from said lap lifting device after receipt of an actuation signal from said detector; b. a lap supply system comprising, a second detector for detecting the arrival of a lap carrier holding a lap, an actuator means for enabling said lap carrier to drop said lap, lap supporting means for receiving said lap dropped from said lap carrier, and means for displacing said lap supporting means to a waiting position to receive said lap from said lap carrier and for displacing said lap supporting means to an adjacent upper position above said lap stand and for opening said supporting means during downward displacement thereof at the terminal zone of said downward displacement so that said lap is dropped to said lap stand; c. means for automatically controlling the sequential operation between said lap lifting device and lap carriers, and between said lap supporting means and lap carriers.

Claim 3

An automatic apparatus for supplying laps according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically transferring bare bobbins from bare bobbin carriers to a bare bobbin hopper connected to said lap forming machine.

Claim 4

An automatic apparatus for supplying laps according to Claim 1, further comprising means for stopping said overhead carrier during said sequential operations between said lap lifting device and lap carriers, and said lap supporting means and lap carriers.

Claim 5

An automatic apparatus for supplying laps according to claim 1, wherein said lap lifting device is provided with a lap receiving plate for receiving a lap from said lap forming machine and for lifting said lap to a position to transfer said lap to said lap carrier, said lap receiving plate being provided with means for winding a free end of fiber web onto the main body of said lap during said lifting motion.

Claim 6

An automatic apparatus for supplying laps according to claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises an upright guide stand disposed at a position adjacent to said lap stand of said comber, a pair of side rails secured to the upper half side portions of said guide stand in symmetrical relationship, a pair of guide rails which are formed to provide looped passageways secured to the lower half side portions of said guide stands in symmetrical relationship and a drive mechanism for displacing said lap supporting means; said supporting means comprising a lifting member provided with guide rollers and a pair of swing arms provided with guide rollers and a pair of lap supporting plates secured to a bottom portion of said swing arms respectively; said drive mechanism being connected to said lifting member by way of a chain drive means, said guide rollers of said lifting member displaceably engaging with upright grooves formed in said upright guide stand, said guide rollers of said swing arms displaceably engaging with guide grooves formed in both sides of said upright guide stand by said side rails and said guide rails respectively, whereby said lifting member is displaced upward or downward alternatively by engaging said guide rollers thereof with the upright guide stand, said lap supporting members are displaced in closed condition while said guide rollers mounted to said swing arms are displaced along said side rails respectively and are gradually opened when said guide rollers of said swing arms are displaced downward along said guide rails respectively and are gradually closed when said guide rollers of said swing arms are displaced upward along said guide rail respectively.

Claim 7

An automatic apparatus for supplying laps according to claim 2, wherein said automatic bare bobbin transfer means comprises a detector for detecting the arrival of said bare bobbin carrier holding a bare bobbin, a drive means for providing reciprocal movement actuated in response to a signal from said detector, said drive means being disposed below said bare bobbin hopper provided with an opening and side wall, and a bobbin receiving plate connected to the top end of a plunger of said fluid cylinder, said opening of said bare bobbin hopper being formed in sufficient size for permitting the passing of said bobbin receiving plate but not permitting the passing of said bare bobbin, said side wall of the bare bobbin hopper being engaged with the leading end of a bare bobbin to take the bare bobbin from the bare bobbin carrier.