[0002] It is known how optimisation of the many processes performed by textile machines requires adjustment of some of the parts, e.g. to speed up some of such processing phases or to adapt the machines to the specific features of the fibre being processed. Such adjustments must be simple to perform, so that users do not encounter difficulties and must also be reliable and simple in terms of design, so as not to increase the complexity of the machine.

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to produce an auxiliary device for manufacturing fibre webs which satisfies the aforesaid requirements. [0004] Such purpose is achieved by an auxiliary device made according to claim 1 below. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations. [0005] Such purpose is also achieved by an auxiliary method according to claims 14 and 15.

[0006] The characteristics and advantages of the auxiliary device and of the method according to the present invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of a non-limiting example, in accordance with the attached figures wherein:

[0007] - figure 1 shows an axonometric view of an auxiliary device according to the present invention; [0008] - figures 2a to 2c show an auxiliary device according to one embodiment of the present invention, applied to a drawing head, e.g. of a combing machine, drawing frame or lap-winder, in different adjustment configurations;

[0009] - figures 3a to 3c show a further embodiment of the auxiliary device, applied to a drawing head, e.g. of a combing machine, drawing frame or lap-winder, in different adjustment configurations;

[0010] - figures 4a to 4h show yet a further embodiment of the auxiliary device, applied to a forming device of the lap in a lap-winder, in subsequent manufacturing phases;

[0011] - figures 5a to 5c show the automatic straightening of the auxiliary device according to the present invention, on the main cylinder of the textile machine, automatically centring itself;

[0012] - figures 6a and 6b show the automatic adjustment of the auxiliary device according to the present invention on a main cylinder of the textile machine even when mounted off centre in relation to the main cylinder; and

[0013] - figures 7 and 8 show the auxiliary device according to the present invention, according to a further embodiment, in two functioning configurations; and

[0014] - figure 9 shows the auxiliary device according to the present invention, according to yet a further embodiment.

[0015] According to figure 1 and figures 2a to 2c, webs W are fed to a drawing head 1, e.g. of a combing machine, a drawing frame or a lap-winder.

[0016] The drawing head 1 comprises a first input cylinder 2; the webs W engage with the input cylinder 2 at the entrance of the drawing head 1.

[0017] The drawing head 1 comprises, in addition, a mobile auxiliary device 10 suitable to modify its position in relation to the input cylinder 2 on command, so as to engage it in different regions. [0018] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary device 10 comprises at least one auxiliary roller having a rotation axis essentially parallel to that of the input cylinder 2, with which it is engaged for the movement of the webs W.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary device 10 comprises a pair of auxiliary rollers 12, 14 and a command flange 16, for example composed of a disc coaxial to the input cylinder 2, to which the rollers are joined in rotation.

[0020] With reference to the direction of advancement IN of the incoming combed webs W, the auxiliary rollers are identifiable as an upward auxiliary roller 12 and a downward auxiliary roller 14.

[0021] Preferably, in addition, the auxiliary device comprises movement devices bringing the auxiliary rollers closer to or further away from the input cylinder 2 upon command.

[0022] For example, the movement devices comprise a first support 20 and a second support 22, each of which supports one of said auxiliary rollers12, 14.

[0023] Preferably, the two supports are counter-shaped to the input cylinder 2.

[0024] The two supports are hinged to each other in a hinge support Hs and, for example in the same hinge section, Hs, hinged to the command flange 16.

[0025] This way, for a given angular position of the command flange 16, rotation of the supports 20, 22 brings the auxiliary rollers 12, 14 closer to or further away from the input cylinder 2.

[0026] Rotation of the command flange rather makes the auxiliary rollers 12, 14 rotate around the input cylinder 2, changing the regions of engagement between the auxiliary rollers and said input cylinder.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the movement devices comprise, in addition, a cylinder-piston unit 30, e.g. pneumatically powered, joined to the command flange and connected to the supports 20, 22. Operation of the cylinder- piston unit leads to rotation of the supports and thereby brings the auxiliary rollers and the input cylinder closer together or further away (depending on the direction of translation of the piston). [0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the movement devices comprise a pair of rods 32, 34, each hinged to a relative support 20, 22 and to the piston of the unit 30, for example at the same hinging point.

[0029] For example the rods 32, 34 are hinged to respective supports 20, 22 in hinge-rods Hb, while the two rods are hinged to each other and to the piston of the unit 30 at the other end, in a hinge-piston Hp.

[0030] Preferably, the two rods 32, 34 and the two supports 20, 22 are hinged to each other to form an articulated quadrilateral, hinged to the command flange 16.

[0031] The cylinder piston unit 30 is preferably comprised inside the perimeter defined by the articulated quadrilateral and, preferably, the cylinder of the unit 30 is also hinged to the hinge support Hs.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the drawing head 1 comprises a number of cylinders opposite each other, arranged in a cascade, the speed of rotation of which is regulated to obtain the desired drawing of the combed webs.

[0033] For example, the drawing head 1 comprises, downward of the input cylinder

2, a second lower cylinder 40, a third lower cylinder 42 and a fourth lower cylinder

44, positioned downward of each other.

[0034] In addition, the drawing head 1 comprises a further pressure cylinder 50, contemporarily engaged with the second lower cylinder 40 and with the third lower cylinder 42, and subsequent pressure cylinders 52, 60, engaged with the fourth lower cylinder 44. [0035] Upward of the drawing head 1 a conveying funnel 70 is positioned for the outgoing drawn webs W.

[0036] In the embodiment in figures 2a to 2c, by means of rotation upon command of the command flange 16, the auxiliary cylinders 12, 14 modify their position around the input cylinder 2, changing the position of the pinch generator of the webs W.

[0037] Such adjustment is particularly useful for adapting the drawing head to process webs with different average lengths of fibre, and in particular to overcome or substantially reduce the problem of floating fibres.

[0038] For example, moving from the adjustment configuration in figure 2a to the adjustment configuration in figure 2c, the circuit of the fibre webs between the input cylinder and the second lower cylinder 40 is modified, adapting to the different types of fibre being processed.

[0039] At most, in the adjustment configuration in figure 2c, a pinching occurs between the auxiliary downward cylinder 14 and the second lower cylinder 40, should drawing between the same not be desired.

[0040] According to the embodiment in figures 3a to 3c, the auxiliary device 10 is movable around the fourth lower cylinder 44.

[0041] In such embodiment, the adjustment of the auxiliary device makes it possible to adjust the circuit between the third lower cylinder 42 and the fourth lower cylinder 44 as needed.

[0042] In the adjustment configuration in figure 3a, pinching occurs between the upward auxiliary cylinder 12 and the third pressure cylinder 42, should drawing between the same not be desired.

[0043] According to the embodiment in figures 4a to 4h, the auxiliary device 10 is applied to a forming device 101 of a lap L in a lap-winder.

[0044] The forming device 101 comprises an input cylinder 102, downward of which the forming area 104 of the lap is positioned.

[0045] The lap L being formed, is supported in rotation by a first calender 106 and a second calender 108, positioned next to each other so as to support a tube T around which the webs W are wound to form the lap L.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the forming device 101 comprises a belt 110 which forms a closed circuit engaging with the first calender 106 and with the input cylinder 102.

[0047] Preferably, in addition, the forming device 101 comprises a stretching roller

112, inside the circuit formed by the belt. For example the stretching roller is connected to a cylinder piston unit 114 to move the axis of the stretching roller 112 and consequently tighten the belt 110.

[0048] Preferably, in addition, the forming device 101 comprises an input unit 116 comprising a number of cylinders for the input of the webs W and their support on the belt 110.

[0049] For example, the input unit 116 comprises a starting cylinder 118 and, upward of this, a pair of auxiliary cylinders 120, 122.

[0050] The starting cylinder 118 receives the webs W from the two auxiliary cylinders 120, 122 and engages the belt 110 in a section outside its circuit, so as to rest the webs W on said belt.

[0051] The belt 110 therefore takes the webs W downward from the starting cylinder 118; the input cylinder 102 and the accompanying device 10 thereby working on the belt 110 and on the webs W transported by it.

[0052] In a first introduction phase (figure 4a) of the webs W (initialisation phase) in T/IB2009/055780

the forming device 101 , the command flange 16 is made to rotate so that the auxiliary rollers 12, 14 and in particular the upward auxiliary roller 12, are brought as far as possible upward of the input cylinder 102 in relation to the direction of advancement of the belt 110.

[0053] The incoming webs W, transported by the belt 110, immediately engage with the auxiliary roller 12 and the input cylinder 102.

[0054] In a second initialisation phase (figures 4b and 4c), the webs W are accompanied by the belt 110 around the input cylinder 102 and the command flange 16 too is progressively rotated downward so that the downward auxiliary roller 14 accompanies the webs W coming out of the input cylinder 102.

[0055] The webs W, transported by the belt 110 towards the tube T positioned between the calenders 106, 108, wind themselves around said tube and form the lap L (formation phase; figures 4d to 4f). Such winding is started with the aid of a depression generated inside the tube T, perforated on the surface.

[0056] During forming the belt 110 is progressively loosened.

[0057] Once the lap L has been formed, the webs W need to be torn, so as to remove the formed lap L and start the formation of a new lap.

[0058] The command flange 16 is made to rotate so that the auxiliary rollers 12, 14, and, in particular, the downward auxiliary roller 14, move as far downward as possible in relation to the input cylinder 102.

[0059] This way, the region in which the webs are pinched for tearing is very close to the webs wound on the lap, so that the torn edge is sharp and even.

[0060] The movement devices remain driven in the sense of causing a pressure of the auxiliary rollers 12, 14 against the input cylinder 102.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, for example, the piston of the cylinder piston unit 30 withdraws, causing pressure of the auxiliary rollers on the input cylinder.

[0062] The carriage advances raising the lap L from the calenders and the two plates rotate at low speed, causing tearing of the lap L.

[0063] For the expulsion of the lap L (figure 4h), according to a preferred embodiment, the belt 110 is tightened by the stretching roller 112; the belt itself 110 acting on the lap L, making it rotate on the secondary calender 108.

[0064] Alternatively, the dimensions of the calenders 106, 108 and their reciprocal positioning is defined so that the centre of gravity of the lap L formed, falls on the descending section of the surface of the secondary calender 108, causing the free rolling of the lap downward.

[0065] Innovatively, the auxiliary device according to the present invention makes it possible to make adjustments to textile machines, in particular to modify as needed the circuit of the webs being processed or to be processed.

[0066] Advantageously, in addition, the auxiliary device automatically adjusts the auxiliary rollers onto the cylinder below, automatically centring them (figures 5a to

5c).

[0067] In fact, since the supports and the rods form an articulated quadrilateral and the cylinder and piston of the cylinder piston unit are also hinged, the device automatically adjusts the auxiliary rollers onto the cylinder underneath by activating the cylinder-piston unit, in any angular position of the auxiliary rollers around the cylinder underneath.

[0068] Advantageously, in addition, the auxiliary device automatically settles the auxiliary rollers on the cylinder underneath even when the supports are mounted off-centre in relation to the cylinder below (figures 6a and 6b).

[0069] The auxiliary device has been described above with reference to the drawing head of a combing machine or a drawing frame or a lap-winder and to the forming device of the lap of a lap-winder.

[0070] According to further embodiment variations, the auxiliary device is utilisable on other textile machines, in conjunction with a main guide cylinder of the webs.

[0071] In general, the present invention relates to an auxiliary web W system for a textile machine, comprising:

[0072] - a main cylinder, composed of the input cylinder 102 or of the drawing cylinders 2, 40, 42, 44, suitable to rotate around a rotation axis;

[0073] - the auxiliary device 10, comprising the auxiliary roller 12, 14, suitable to rotate around a rotation axis essentially parallel to the axis of the main cylinder;

[0074] wherein the auxiliary roller 12, 14 can be positioned on command around the main cylinder to modify the regions of engagement of the auxiliary roller on the main cylinder.

[0075] In particular, according to one embodiment, the auxiliary device 10 comprises a single rotating auxiliary roller 212 joined to a single support 220

(figures 7 to 9), for example hinged to the fixed or mobile hinge support Hs.

[0076] For example, the support 220 is, in addition, connected to the cylinder piston unit 30, the piston of which is hinged by a hinge rod Hb to the support 220. The unit cylinder 30 is rather hinged to the fixed or mobile hinge-cylinder Hc. The movement conveyed by the cylinder piston unit 30 to the support 220 allows the auxiliary roller

212 and the main cylinder 2, 102 to be brought closer together or distanced from each other.