Patent US4018893A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5027475A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5027475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for automatic piecing of comber laps
Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
•
Filing: 1990-07-16
•
Granted: 1991-07-02
•
Expires: 2010-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A textile machine is provided with apparatus for preparing the trailing end of a lap and a leading end of a fresh lap so that each end has a reduced fiber mass per unit length of lap in the prepared end. These lap ends are thereafter superimposed and joined together for subsequent processing in a combing unit of a combing machine or a drafting unit of a ribbon lap machine. The respective ends of the two laps may be prepared by a tearing action caused by clamping of the respective lap end between two spaced apart nip lines which are moved away from each other and wherein the spacing is slightly more than the length of the longest fiber in the lap. Preparation of a lap end may also be accomplished using a suction head for clamping of a lap along a nip line in order to carry out tearing of the lap to produced a prepared end.
Inventors
- 👤 Gian-Carlo Mondini
- 👤 Fredy Wichtermann
- 👤 Helmuth Langel
- 👤 Heinz Clement
- 👤 Oliver Wuest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:27
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01G; D01G19/00; D01G19/06; D01G19/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of joining an incoming lap with an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit in a textile machine comprising the steps of preparing a trailing end of an outgoing lap; preparing a leading end of an incoming lap; superimposing the prepared ends to join the laps; and feeding the joined laps to the lap processing unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of joining an incoming lap with an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit in a textile machine comprising the steps of preparing a trailing end of an outgoing lap; preparing a leading end of an incoming lap; superimposing the prepared ends to join the laps; and feeding the joined laps to the lap processing unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the said preparing steps comprises the step of reducing the fiber mass per unit length of lap in the prepared end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said preparing step involves a gradual reduction in the fiber mass per unit length towards the free lap end and wherein the mass of fiber per unit length in the join region is approximately equal to the mass of fiber per unit length along the laps.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of joining laps in a textile machine comprising the steps of clamping an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit along a nip line; severing the lap upstream in the direction of material flow of said nip line while combing out the lap extending from the nip line to the severed end to form a trailing end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said trailing end; clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a nip line; severing the fresh lap downstream in the direction of material flow of said second nip line while combing out the lap extending from said second nip line to the severed end to form a leading end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said leading end; thereafter clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the fresh lap.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of joining laps in a textile machine comprising the steps of clamping an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit along a nip line; severing the lap upstream in the direction of material flow of said nip line while combing out the lap extending from the nip line to the severed end to form a trailing end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said trailing end; clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a nip line; severing the fresh lap downstream in the direction of material flow of said second nip line while combing out the lap extending from said second nip line to the severed end to form a leading end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said leading end; thereafter clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the fresh lap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein combing out of said end of each lap is effected under suction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be combed; means to form a prepared end on a length of outgoing lap extending to said lap processing unit; means to support said length of outgoing lap upstream from said lap processing unit with said prepared end in a substantially predetermined position, means to form a prepared end on an incoming lap; and means to bring the prepared ends together and to feed said ends in joined relation to said unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be combed; means to form a prepared end on a length of outgoing lap extending to said lap processing unit; means to support said length of outgoing lap upstream from said lap processing unit with said prepared end in a substantially predetermined position, means to form a prepared end on an incoming lap; and means to bring the prepared ends together and to feed said ends in joined relation to said unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be processed; means to prepare the trailing end of an outgoing lap and the leading end of an incoming lap; means to bring said prepared ends together by superposition; and means for forwarding the laps with the superposed ends to said unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be processed; means to prepare the trailing end of an outgoing lap and the leading end of an incoming lap; means to bring said prepared ends together by superposition; and means for forwarding the laps with the superposed ends to said unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means to prepare the trailing end on the outgoing lap and to prepare the leading end on the incoming lap includes means to form a tapered end on each said lap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be processed; and a selectively operable device for pressing a lap tube against said carrier means to form a friction drive connection therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap to be processed; and a selectively operable device for pressing a lap tube against said carrier means to form a friction drive connection therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers means to perform a lap end preparation step in preparation for piecing of lap ends, said means comprising a suction take-up device with an adjustable mouth portion for selectively forming a clamping nip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers means to perform a lap end preparation step in preparation for piecing of lap ends, said means comprising a suction take-up device with an adjustable mouth portion for selectively forming a clamping nip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers means to perform a lap and preparation step in preparation for piecing of lap ends, said means comprising means selectively operable to urge a lap tube against a lap carrier to form a friction drive connection therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit; a pair of joining rollers means to perform a lap and preparation step in preparation for piecing of lap ends, said means comprising means selectively operable to urge a lap tube against a lap carrier to form a friction drive connection therebetween.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of preparing an outgoing lap for joining with an incoming lap in a textile machine comprising the step of urging a lap support tube into contact with a carrier unit to form a friction drive connection to withdraw lap from a nip downstream from the carrier unit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of preparing an outgoing lap for joining with an incoming lap in a textile machine comprising the step of urging a lap support tube into contact with a carrier unit to form a friction drive connection to withdraw lap from a nip downstream from the carrier unit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of preparing a lap end for joining in a textile machine comprising the step of taking up the lap in a suction device having an adjustable mouth portion selectively operable to clamp the lap.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of preparing a lap end for joining in a textile machine comprising the step of taking up the lap in a suction device having an adjustable mouth portion selectively operable to clamp the lap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit, a lap end joining means and a guide means for providing guidance for the joined lap ends on two opposed faces thereof as they move from the joining means to said unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A textile machine comprising a lap processing unit, a lap end joining means and a guide means for providing guidance for the joined lap ends on two opposed faces thereof as they move from the joining means to said unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
A textile machine comprising a carrier means having at least one roller for supporting a lap roll thereon; a lap processing unit having lap processing elements for receiving a lap from said carrier means; means defining a clamping nip between said carrier means and said unit for holding a lap thereat; a guide plate between said carrier roller and said nip for guiding a lap from said carrier roller to said nip; a suction head for receiving and extracting loose fiber from a leading end of a fresh lap on said carrier means; control means connected to said carrier roller for reversing rotation of said roller to effect tearing of a lap between said nip and said roller to form a trailing end for laying on said guide plate, and for subsequently rotating said carrier roller to deliver the leading end of a fresh lap onto said guide plate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
A textile machine comprising a carrier means having at least one roller for supporting a lap roll thereon; a lap processing unit having lap processing elements for receiving a lap from said carrier means; means defining a clamping nip between said carrier means and said unit for holding a lap thereat; a guide plate between said carrier roller and said nip for guiding a lap from said carrier roller to said nip; a suction head for receiving and extracting loose fiber from a leading end of a fresh lap on said carrier means; control means connected to said carrier roller for reversing rotation of said roller to effect tearing of a lap between said nip and said roller to form a trailing end for laying on said guide plate, and for subsequently rotating said carrier roller to deliver the leading end of a fresh lap onto said guide plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means is a roll pair.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said carrier means includes a pair of said rollers for supporting a lap roll thereon and said suction head is disposed between said carrier rollers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as set forth in claim 15 which further comprises a pressing means for biasing a lap roll against said carrier roller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said pressing means includes a pair of pressing rollers, each pressing roller being disposed at respective ends of said carrier roller and being movable into a position inside a lap roller on said carrier roller for pressing the lap roller against said carrier roller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein each said pressing means is pivotally mounted for movement into and out of a lap roller.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said pressing rollers are reciprocally mounted on a common axis, each said pressing roller having a frusto-conical end position for engaging a bevelled surface within a carrier roller.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine as set forth in claim 21 wherein said carrier roll is fluted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means defining said nip includes a pair of rolls and means for moving one of said rolls relative to the other of said rolls to define said nip in an operative position of said one roll.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap thereon; a pair of joining rollers for pressing superimposed laps ends to each other to join said ends; and means for moving at least one of said joining rollers between an operative position for pressing said lap ends together and a retracted position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
A textile machine comprising at least one lap processing unit; a carrier means for supporting a roll of lap thereon; a pair of joining rollers for pressing superimposed laps ends to each other to join said ends; and means for moving at least one of said joining rollers between an operative position for pressing said lap ends together and a retracted position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A machine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said unit is a combing unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A machine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said unit is a drafting unit.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of joining an incoming lap with an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit in a textile machine comprising the steps of severing an outgoing lap; supporting a severed length of the outgoing lap between the lap processing unit and a lap joining means downstream from a carrier for an incoming lap; bringing the end of an incoming lap together with the outgoing lap at said lap joining means; and feeding the joined laps to the lap processing unit.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of joining an incoming lap with an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit in a textile machine comprising the steps of severing an outgoing lap; supporting a severed length of the outgoing lap between the lap processing unit and a lap joining means downstream from a carrier for an incoming lap; bringing the end of an incoming lap together with the outgoing lap at said lap joining means; and feeding the joined laps to the lap processing unit.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of joining laps in a textile machine comprising the steps of clamping an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the lap; tearing the lap between said nip lines to effect at least a prepared trailing end on the lap extending to the lap processing unit, said end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said trailing end; thereafter clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the fresh lap; tearing the fresh lap between said nip lines to effect at least a prepared leading end on the fresh lap, said leading end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said leading end; thereafter superimposing said ends; and then pressing the superimposed ends to effect a join having a fiber mass per unit of length equal to the fiber mass per unit of length in a respective lap.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of joining laps in a textile machine comprising the steps of clamping an outgoing lap extending to a lap processing unit along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the lap; tearing the lap between said nip lines to effect at least a prepared trailing end on the lap extending to the lap processing unit, said end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said trailing end; thereafter clamping an incoming fresh lap extending from a roller along a pair of nip lines spaced apart a distance greater than the longest fiber in the fresh lap; tearing the fresh lap between said nip lines to effect at least a prepared leading end on the fresh lap, said leading end having a gradual reduction in fiber mass per unit of length towards said leading end; thereafter superimposing said ends; and then pressing the superimposed ends to effect a join having a fiber mass per unit of length equal to the fiber mass per unit of length in a respective lap.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein one of said nip lines is moved away from the other of said nip lines to effect tearing of a respective lap therebetween.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said distance between said nip lines is from 60 to 120 millimeters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |