CLAMPING OF COMB UNIT

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of textile manufacturing, in particular carding and/or combing of fibers.

Background Art

[0002] One of the most important processes in the production of textiles is the carding and combing process, whereby dirty natural fibers are refined to a coherent, smooth web that is suitable for spinning. When preparing fibers for spinning it is necessary to arrange the fibers in a uniform state in terms of density and thickness and remove impurities, and this is achieved by a carding and/or combing process.

[0003] Carding produces a thin fiber sheet of uniform thickness, the sheet being subsequently condensed to form a thick, continuous, untwisted strand called sliver. In such case where very fine yarns are desired, carding is followed by combing, a process that removes short fibers, leaving a sliver composed entirely of long fibers, all laid parallel and smoother and more lustrous than uncombed types. Carded and combed sliver is then spun.

[0004] In general carding or combing processes comprise a main drum covered with combs, with around it a plurality of different combs like flats and auxiliary cleaning mechanisms interacting with the main drum to card or comb the fibers. The combs usually comprise an open cylinder segment upon which saw teeth are provided for carding and/or combing the fibers.

[0005] Fixing saw teeth wire segments on a comb is done in several ways. In DE- LJ 1-299 13 366 for example, the saw teeth wire segments are fixed by gluing them on the open cylinder segment. In such case the wire segment has to be replaced by each time demounting the comb in its totality

resulting in considerably loss of operation time. In addition, the manufacture of such combs is labor intensive and difficult to automate.

[0006] Another example of teeth fixing is EP-A-0179 158 whereby the wire segments have a foot with a cutout which can be slid on a rod. The rod is then fixed in the open cylinder segment by means of bolts. In case a wire segment has to be replaced, only one row of wire segments, i.e. the segments of one comb unit, has to be slid off their rod in order to replace the damaged wire segment. However, sliding the wire segments off and on the rod is again very labor intensive, can not be done by a simple automation process and, hence, results in large down-times and high production cost of the resulting fibers.

[0007] Given the above drawbacks of existing carding and/or combing methods, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for an improved comb and an improved method for manufacturing such, as to render the comb manufacturing process less labor intensive.

[0008] It is further an objective of the present invention to enhance the carding and/or combing process efficiency, in particular to minimize the down-time of the carding and/or combing equipment.

[0009] It is further another objective of the present invention to improve the carding and/or combing process output.

[0010] In what follows the term 'comb' refers to a comb and may also refer to a carding assembly. [0011] The terms 'comb unit' refer to a comb unit and may also refer to a 'carding unit'. [0012] The terms 'comb profile' refer to a comb profile and may also refer to a

'carding profile'.

Disclosure of Invention

[0013] The present invention is directed to a comb comprising a comb unit and a comb unit profile, characterized in that the comb has clamping means for connecting the comb unit to the comb unit profile.

[0014] The present invention is further directed to a device comprising at least one such comb and a base profile for holding the at least one comb.

[0015] The invention is also directed to a wire segment having a top and a heel. The top comprises saw teeth. The heel is grooved to allow clamping.

[0016] In particular, the invention is directed to a comb unit profile, characterized in that it has two collars adapted to clamp wire segments having a grooved heel in the groove of the heel.

[0017] The present invention is also directed to a method for making a comb comprising the steps of providing a comb unit to a comb unit profile, and connecting the comb unit to the comb unit profile by clamping means.

[0018] Particular embodiments of all aspects of the invention are the subject- matter of the claims.

Brief Description of Figures in the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 shows a comb according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 shows in detail how two combs according to the present invention follow each other in the processing direction.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a device in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 shows a rolling system.

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention [0023] Definitions:

A comb unit, also referring to a carding unit, is a unit having saw teeth on its surface in order to actually card and / or comb the textile fibers.

A comb unit profile, also referring to a carding unit profile, is a profile holding a comb unit.

A comb, also referring to a carding assembly, comprises a comb unit and a comb unit profile.

A base profile is a profile holding at least one comb.

A device is a device used for combing textile fibers and / or carding textile fibers and which comprises at least one comb and a base profile for holding the at least one comb.

[0024] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described below are merely illustrative in accordance with the present invention and not limiting the intended scope of the invention. Other embodiments may also be considered.

[0025] As a first object the present invention provides a comb comprising a comb unit and a comb unit profile, characterized in that the comb has clamping means for connecting the comb unit to the comb unit profile.

[0026] A comb comprises at least one comb unit and a comb unit profile. In accordance with the present invention, such comb unit is a unit having saw teeth on its surface in order to actually card and/or comb the fibers. By connecting a comb unit to a comb unit profile by clamping means, fixation means like glue, screws or bolts and the like are not needed anymore to keep the comb unit positioned. This makes it very easy to install or replace a comb unit in the comb without labor intensive work. Furthermore, connecting comb unit to a comb unit profile may be easily automated.

[0027] In a comb in accordance with the present invention, the comb unit profile may have clamping means for holding the comb unit. In this case the

comb unit may be clamped and kept in position by the comb unit profile.

[0028] In an embodiment of the first object of the present invention, the comb unit may have a grooved heel and the comb unit profile may have collars clamping the comb unit at each side of the heel.

[0029] Each comb unit may have a heel wherein at both left and right side a groove is provided. This groove is located below the saw teeth. The collars, which are located at both left and right top side along the length of the comb unit profile, have a grip on the heel at the groove and hold the heel in a clamping manner.

[0030] The groove and the collars may be slanted such that the comb unit is pushed towards the top surface of the comb unit profile.

[0031] If the groove in the heel is slanted such that the width of the heel is smaller towards the saw teeth than at the heel's bottom, the collars may be slanted in the direction of the heel, thereby pushing the heel towards the top surface of the comb unit profile. In this way the comb unit may be held tighter and may be kept easier in position during the combing and/or carding process. The angle of the collars with respect to the comb unit profile top surface may be between 90° and 75°, preferably between 85° and 80°.

[0032] In a comb according to the present invention, the comb unit comprises wire segments having saw teeth. In this case, a particular advantage of the present invention is that, due to the fact that the wire segments are connected to the comb unit profile by clamping means, the replacement of these wire segments may be easily performed, because the comb unit profile holding the wire segments as a whole may be replaced, thereby minimizing the down-time of the carding and/ or carding equipment. If only one or a few wire segments of a particular comb unit have to be replaced, this can be done off site after quickly replacing that comb unit by a spare

one.

[0033] The wire segments may be of a high-carbon steel and may have a grooved heel. A suitable high-carbon steel composition is along the following lines: a carbon content ranging from 0.30 % to 2.0 %, e.g. from 0.5 to 1.2 %; e.g. from 0.6 to 1.1 %; a silicon content ranging from 0.10 % to 2.5 %, e.g. from 0.15 to 1.60 %; a manganese content ranging from 0.10 % to 2.0 %, e.g. from 0.50 to 0.90 %; a chromium content ranging from 0.0 % to 2.0 %, e.g. from 0.10 % to 1.50 %; e.g. from 0.10 % to 0.90 %; a vanadium content ranging from 0.0 % to 2.0 %, e.g. from 0.05 % to 0.60 %, e.g. from 0.10 % to 0.50 %; a tungsten content ranging from 0.0 % to 1.5 %, e.g. from 0.1 % to 0.70 %. [0034] In some compositions either chromium or vanadium is present. In some other compositions both chromium and vanadium are present. The amounts of sulfur and phosphorous are preferably kept as low as possible, e.g. both below 0.05 %, e.g. below 0.025 %. A method of manufacturing wire segments has been disclosed in WO-A-2006/128745.

[0035] The comb unit profile is made of aluminium, preferably an aluminium which allows machining such as an extrudable aluminium, e.g. an aluminium of the type 6063, e.g. AIMgO.7Si or AIMgSi0.5.

[0036] As a second object of the invention, a device is provided and the device comprises a base profile for holding at least one comb. In accordance with the present invention, such device is built up from at least one comb, but usually a plurality of combs. The comb or combs are connected to a base profile. Each comb comprises at least one comb unit which has saw teeth on its surface in order to actually card and/or comb the fibers, and which is connected to a comb unit profile by clamping means.

[0037] A device in accordance with the present invention may comprise means to fix the comb unit profile of at least one comb in a base profile. In the context of the present invention, the base profile may be an open cylinder segment on which at least one comb unit profile connected to at least one comb unit can be mounted. As such a comb may be demounted and replaced as a whole.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention the at least one comb may be held by the base profile by means of sliding dovetail fastening. Therefore, the comb unit profile may have along its length a dovetail shaped bottom. The base profile may have along its length at least one dovetail shaped recess wherein the dovetail shaped bottom of the comb unit profile fits. Consequently, the at least one comb may be slid on the base profile. Usually, a plurality of dovetail shaped recesses is provided in the base profile in order to be able to slide a plurality of combs on one base profile.

[0039] Sliding dovetail fastening of comb units on a base profile makes it even easier and less labor intensive to replace a comb, thereby minimizing the down-time of carding and/or combing equipment.

[0040] The base profile is made of aluminium, preferably an aluminium which allows machining such as an extrudable aluminium, e.g. an aluminium of the type 6063, e.g. AIMgO.7Si or AIMgSi0.5.

[0041] In a particular embodiment of the first object of the present invention, a device is provided wherein the wideness of the comb unit profile may be such that, when a plurality of combs, each comprising at least one comb unit, are positioned adjacently to each other in the base profile, substantially no gap may be created between the comb units.

[0042] It is important to card and/or comb the fibers by means of an as less interrupted as possible carding and/or combing movement. Therefore, it is advantageous to avoid gaps between adjacent comb units, so-called dead

zones. If now the wideness of the comb unit profiles is chosen such, that, when a plurality of combs, each holding at least one comb unit, is mounted on a base profile, adjacent comb units form a substantially continuous surface of saw teeth, then a substantially continuous carding and/or combing movement may be created.

[0043] Preferably, the grooved heel of the comb units is provided below the saw teeth surface in order to allow the collars clamping the heel accordingly below the saw teeth surface. Consequently, when mounting a plurality of combs on a base profile, the grooved heel and the collars of the plurality of combs do not prevent adjacently mounting them without creating a gap between adjacent comb units.

[0044] As a third object, the invention provides a wire segment having a top and a heel. The top comprises saw teeth and the heel is characterized it is grooved to allow clamping.

[0045] As a fourth object, a method for making a comb comprising the steps of providing a comb unit to a comb unit profile, and connecting the comb unit to the comb unit profile by clamping means.

[0046] By connecting a comb unit to a comb unit profile by clamping means, the step of connecting the comb unit to the comb unit profile may easily be automated. Indeed, such comb unit may be connected as a whole to the clamping means, which makes the manufacturing of a comb less labor intensive.

[0047] In case the comb unit comprises wire segments, a further advantage is that deburring of the wire segments as last step of their manufacturing may be performed after connecting them to the comb unit profile by clamping means, thereby deburring the comb unit as a whole. Again, by doing so, the automation of the manufacturing process is enhanced.

[0048] In a method according to the present invention, a grooved heel may be provided in the comb unit and two collars may be provided along each side of the comb unit profile, such that the grooved heel may be put between the collars, thereby clamping the comb unit in the comb unit profile.

[0049] The grooved heel may be obtained by punching. To obtain individual wire segments, a large segment is punched into individual segments. Simultaneously a grooved heel may be punched in the segments.

[0050] The collars of the comb unit profile may be manufactured such that in a first step a comb unit can be put between them and in a second step the collars can be pushed towards the heel of the comb unit, thereby clamping the comb unit.

[0051] Preferably, pushing the collars towards the grooved heel is performed by a rolling system. Therefore a comb unit, optionally comprising wire segments, is provided between the collars of the comb unit profile. Then, a set of wheels at each side of the comb unit profile rolls over the collars and pushes them towards the grooved heel.

[0052] A method in accordance with the present invention may further comprise the step of mounting at least one comb in a base profile by sliding dovetail fastening.

[0053] Therefore, the comb unit profile of the at least one comb may be provided with a dovetail shaped bottom along its length. In the base profile at least one dovetail shaped recess wherein the dovetail shaped bottom of the comb unit profile fits may be formed. Consequently, the at least one comb may be slid on the base profile. Usually, a plurality of dovetail shaped recesses is provided in the base profile in order to be able to slide a plurality of combs on one base profile.

[0054] Example.

[0055] In Figure 1 a comb 10 according to the invention is shown. A comb unit 12 having saw teeth on its surface is clamped by a comb unit profile 14. In particular, the comb unit 12 comprises a plurality of wire segments having saw teeth. Each wire segment has a top housing the saw teeth and a heel 16 which is grooved. The comb unit profile 14 has two collars 18 which are adapted to clamp the comb unit 12, in this case the plurality of wire segments, in the groove of the heel 16.

[0056] In Figure 2 it is shown that, preferably, the collars 18 may be slanted in the direction of the heel 16, thereby pushing the heel towards the top surface of the comb unit profile 14. In this way the subsequent wire segments along the circumference of the comb may be held tighter and may be kept easier in position during the combing or carding process. In the combing or carding processing direction, the various wire segments are not alternated by empty spaces and the teeth of adjacent wire segments closely follow each other.

[0057] The device 30 as shown in Figure 3 comprises a plurality of combs 10 mounted on a base profile 32. The comb unit profile 14 of each comb 10 is provided with a dovetail 34. The base profile 32 is in its turn provided with a plurality of dovetail shaped recesses wherein the dovetail shaped bottoms 34 of the comb unit profiles 14 fit. Such device 30 may be mounted on circular comb machine or on a carding cylinder.

[0058] Also illustrated in Figure 3 is the advantage that the teeth of adjacent wire segments or comb units 12 closely follow each other without leaving gaps.

[0059] Another advantage derivable from Figure 3 is that each comb 10 can be easily mounted or dismounted simply by means of a boult 36, without having to replace or to remove the neighbouring or adjacent combs 10.

Figure 4 shows a rolling system adapted to manufacture the clamping of a comb unit 12 in a comb unit profile 14. A set of rolling wheels 40 at each side of the comb unit profile 14 rolls over the collars 18 and pushes them towards the grooved heel 16 such that they are slanted towards the heel 16 of the wire segments.