Apparatus on a spinning machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, for depositing fibre sliver

Abstract

An apparatus on a spinning machine for depositing fibre sliver. The apparatus comprises a delivery device comprising a coiler plate adapted to deliver fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package. The apparatus also comprises a substantially planar receiving support surface onto which the fibre sliver is deposited, the receiving support surface adapted to move back and forth in a deposition area with respect to the delivery device through a substantially horizontal stroke. The receiving support surface is also adapted to move away from the delivery device in a substantially vertical stroke during delivery of the fibre sliver. The delivery device and the receiving support surface are both adapted to remain in contact with the fibre sliver as it is deposited in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package, such that the fibre sliver package is stabilized during the substantially horizontal stroke and during lowering of the receiving support surface.

1 . An apparatus on a spinning machine for depositing fibre sliver, comprising: 
 a delivery device comprising a coiler plate adapted to deliver fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package;    a substantially planar receiving support surface onto which the fibre sliver is deposited, the receiving support surface being adapted to move back and forth in a deposition area with respect to the delivery device through a substantially horizontal stroke, the receiving support surface also being adapted to move away from the delivery device in a substantially vertical stroke during delivery of the fibre sliver;    wherein the delivery device and the receiving support surface are both adapted to remain in contact with the fibre sliver as it is deposited in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package, such that the fibre sliver package is stabilized during the substantially horizontal stroke and during lowering of the receiving support surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal stroke is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the length of the horizontal stroke dictates the length of the sliver package.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising drive control means for the receiving support surface, wherein the drive control means controls at least one of the horizontal stroke and the length of the sliver package.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially vertical stroke is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the length of the substantially vertical stroke dictates the height of the sliver package.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a drive control means for the receiving support surface, wherein the drive control means controls at least one of the vertical stroke and the height of the sliver package.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bounding side element associated with the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the side element and the receiving support surface are independent of one another.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one side element comprises two fixed side elements.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one side element comprises two side elements that are movable with the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one side element comprises a fixed side element and a side element that is movable with the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the side elements that are movable with the receiving surface are adapted to couple and decouple with the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising fixing elements located on the receiving support surface and adapted to secure initial layers of fibre material in position on the receiving support surface, the fixing elements comprising at least one of pyramids, cones, and needles.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the fixing elements are retractable with respect to the receiving support surface to allow removal of the sliver package from the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising longitudinal grooves located in the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are adapted to engage fork tines.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a surface coating on the receiving support surface, the surface coating adapted to promote sliding of the sliver package.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of displacement of the fibre sliver package within the apparatus, discharge of the fibre sliver package from the apparatus, and transport of the fibre sliver package to a subsequent processing device or storage means, is performed without cans.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the coiler plate comprises a rotary plate that rotates with respect to the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the delivery device is adapted to deposit the fibre sliver in ring form.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure device associated with the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving support surface is adapted to convey the fibre sliver package out of the deposition area.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to displace the fibre sliver package out of the depositing area.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a raising and lowering device adapted to raise and lower the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving support surface displaces the fibre sliver package in a substantially jolt-free manor.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving support surface is adapted to steplessly accelerate and decelerate at ends of the substantially horizontal stroke.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibre sliver package is elongated in cross-section.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibre sliver package is substantially rectangular in cross-section.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the delivery device comprises a rotary head having a lower surface, wherein, in use, substantially no gap exists between the lower surface of the rotary head and the upper surface of the fibre sliver package.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the delivery device further comprises a fixed panel having a lower panel face, wherein, in use, substantially no gap exists between the lower panel face and the upper surface of the fibre sliver package.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the upper surface of the fibre sliver package presses against the lower surface of the rotary head, and the lower surface of the fibre sliver package presses against the receiving support surface.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the receiving support surface exerts an upward biasing force on the fibre sliver package.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein after each pass along the substantially horizontal stroke, the receiving support surface is lowered substantially vertically by a substantially constant amount.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the substantially constant amount is less than a thickness of a fibre sliver.