Patent Application
20110179610
A. Field of the invention.
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for a compressive treatment of a fibrous material, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll.
B. Description of the prior art.
Where greater shrinkage control is required, the fabric must be compacted to a greater amount in the stuffing chamber formed between the moving surfaces and the confining apparatus. Under high fabric compression forces, the fabric tends to be forced into the nip area between the moving surfaces instead of around the apex of the confining apparatus with the result that the fabric will not flow at a relatively fast speed into the chamber and at a slower speed out of the chamber. In order to prevent this from occurring, applicant includes an impact blade that is rigidly positioned between the rolls.
Impact blade adjustment apparatus moves the impact blade towards or away from the confining apparatus in order to regulate the size of the stuffing chamber for thick or thin fabrics. It has been discovered, however, that due to the length and movement of the impact blade, as discussed above, the impact blade has a tendency to move laterally away from the feed roll allowing the fabric to jam between the feed roll and the blade.
Thus, there exists a need to prevent the impact blade from moving laterally so as not to cause jamming.
Numerous innovations for apparatuses for compressing a web of fibrous material have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the embodiments of the present invention in that they do not teach a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll.
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,161 to Catallo.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,161 issued to Catallo on Dec. 14, 1982 in U.S. class 26 and subclass 18.6 teaches an apparatus for compressing a web of fibrous material, which includes a first surface movable in one direction, and a second surface movable in an opposite direction and at a speed slower than the speed of movement of the first surface. A confining apparatus having an apex extends between the first and second surfaces. A stuffing chamber is formed between the first and second surfaces and the confining apparatus. Movement of the first surface feeds a web of material into the stuffing chamber, and movement of the second surface moves compressed material out of the stuffing chamber. A method of compressing a web of fibrous material, wherein the material is forced into a stuffing chamber formed between a confining apparatus having an apex and two surfaces is further taught. A web of material is fed into the stuffing chamber by moving one of the surfaces in one direction at a particular speed. Compressed material is removed from the stuffing chamber by moving the second surface in a direction opposite to that of the first surface and at a slower speed than that of the first surface.
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,938 to Catallo.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,938 issued to Catallo on May 15, 1984 in U.S. class 26 and subclass 18.6 teaches an apparatus for compressing a web of fibrous material, which includes a first surface movable in one direction, and a second surface movable in an opposite direction and at a speed slower than the speed of movement of the first surface. A confining apparatus having an apex extends between the first and second surfaces. A stuffing chamber is formed between the first and second surfaces and the confining apparatus. Movement of the first surface feeds a web of material into the stuffing chamber, and movement of the second surface moves compressed material out of the stuffing chamber. A method of compressing a web of fibrous material, wherein the material is forced into a stuffing chamber formed between a confining apparatus having an apex and two surfaces is further taught. A web of material is fed into the stuffing chamber by moving one of the surfaces in one direction at a particular speed. Compressed material is removed from the stuffing chamber by moving the second surface in a direction opposite to that of the first surface and at a slower speed than that of the first surface.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for apparatuses for compressing a web of fibrous material have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll.
Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll. The device includes an impact blade and a stabilizing apparatus. The impact blade is rigid and replaceable. The stabilizing apparatus stabilizes the impact blade against moving away from the feed roll to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material between the feed roll and the impact blade during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material.
The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:
Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to
The overall configuration of the device 10 can best be sen in
The device 10 comprises an impact blade 20 and a stabilizing apparatus 22. The impact blade 20 is rigid and interchangeable. The stabilizing apparatus 22 stabilizes the impact blade 20 against moving away from the feed roll 16 to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material 12 between the feed roll 16 and the impact blade 20 during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material 12.
The specific configuration of the impact blade 20 and the stabilizing apparatus 22 can best be seen in
The impact blade 20 is thin, elongated, interchangeable for fibrous material 12 of different weights, generally flat, and has an upper extreme 24, a lower extreme 26, a pair of sides 28, and a pair of free ends 30.
The upper extreme 24 of the impact blade 20 has a pair of notches 32. Each notch 32 of the impact blade 20 extends from a respective free end 30 of the impact blade 20 to a short distance inward therefrom.
The impact blade 20 further has a pair of through bores 34. Each through bore 34 of the impact blade 20 extends laterally through the pair of sides 28 of the impact blade 20, below a respective notch 32 of the impact blade 20, and in proximity to a respective free end 30 of the impact blade 20.
The impact blade 20 further has a pair of end pins 36. Each end pin 36 of the impact blade 20 extends outward from one side 28 of the impact blade 20, in proximity to a respective notch 32 of the impact blade 20.
The impact blade 20 further has a center pin 38. The center pin 38 of the impact blade 20 extends outward from the one side 28 of the impact blade 20, between the pair of end pins 36 of the impact blade 20.
The impact blade 20 further has an impact blade hook hand tool 40. The impact blade hook hand tool 40 is L-shaped, and as such, has a short portion 42 and a long portion 44. The long portion 44 of the impact blade hook hand tool 40 is longer than the short portion 42 of the impact blade hook hand tool 40, and has a free end 46. The free end 46 of the long portion 44 of the impact blade hook hand tool 40 has a pin 48 thereon. The pin 48 of the impact blade hook hand tool 40 replaceably engages in a respective through bore 34 of the impact blade 20 so as to allow removal of the impact blade 20 from the stabilizing apparatus 22 by manually lifting the impact blade 20, via the impact blade hook hand tool 40, from the stabilizing apparatus 22, and so as to allow insertion of the impact blade 20 into the stabilizing apparatus 22 by manually lowering the impact blade 20, via the impact blade hook hand tool 40, into the stabilizing apparatus 22.
The stabilizing apparatus 22 comprises a base support 49. The base support 49 is elongated, has a pair of free ends 51, and is generally inverted U-shaped, and has such, has a transverse portion 53 and a pair of upright portions 55.
The transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 has a pair of primary through bores 57. Each primary through bore 57 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 is disposed in proximity to a respective free end 51 of the base support 49.
The transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 further has four pair of secondary through bores 50. Each two pair of secondary through bores 50 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 straddle a respective primary through bore 57 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49.
The stabilizing apparatus 22 further comprises a mounting plate 52. The mounting plate 52 is flat, elongated, disposed above the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49, and lies between the pair of primary through bores 57 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49.
The stabilizing apparatus 22 further comprises a blade holder body 54. The blade holder body 54 has a pair of free ends 55a, is elongated, and generally L-shaped, and as such, has a transverse portion 56 and an upright portion 58.
The upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54 has a pair of end through slots 60. Each end through slot 60 of the blade holder body 54 is axially disposed in proximity to a respective free end 55a of the blade holder body 54.
The upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54 further has a pair of primary through bores 61. Each primary through bore 61 of the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54 is disposed inward of a respective through slot 60 of the blade holder body 54.
The upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54 has a center through slot 63. The center through slot 63 of the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54 is disposed between, and in line with, the pair of end through slots 60 of the blade holder body 54.
The blade holder body 54 further has a blade rest 62. The blade rest 62 of the blade holder body 54 is thin, elongated, and extends along the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54, on a side thereof opposite to that of the transverse portion 56 of the blade holder body 54, past the pair of free end 55a of the blade holder body 54, and below the pair of through slots 60 of the blade holder body 54 so as to allow the lower extreme 26 of the impact blade 20 to rest thereupon, while one side 28 of the impact blade 20 rests against the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54, with the pair of end pins 36 of the impact blade 20 replaceably engaging in the pair of through slots 60 of the blade holder body 54, respectively, and with the center pin 38 of the impact blade 20 replaceably engaging in the center through slot 63 of the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54.
The stabilizing apparatus 22 further comprises a blade clamp stiffener 64. The blade clamp stiffener 64 is thin, elongated, laterally-oriented, and disposed on a side 28 of the impact blade 20 opposite to that of the blade holder body 54 so as to allow the impact blade 20 to be captured between the blade clamp stiffener 64 and the blade holder body 54.
The blade clamp stiffener 64 has a side 66 with a pair of bores 68. The pair of bores 68 of the blade clamp stiffener 64 are threaded and in line with the pair of primary through bores 61 of the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54, respectively.
The stabilizing apparatus 22 further comprises a pair of hand knobs 70. Each hand knob 70 extends threadably into a respective primary through bore 61 of the upright portion 58 of the blade holder body 54, and threadably into a respective bore 68 of the blade clamp stiffener 64, and when tightened, securely captures and stabilizes the impact blade 20 between the blade holder body 54 and the blade clamp stiffener 64.
The device 10 further comprises an impact blade leveling assembly 72. The impact blade leveling assembly 72 levels the impact blade 20.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 comprises three block shaft supports 74. The three block shaft supports 74 are substantially identical to each other, and has a central through bore 76 extending axially therethrough.
Each block shaft support 74 further has a pair of upper bores 78. The three block shaft supports 74 depend in the base support 49, with the pair of upper bores 78 of each block shaft support 74 aligned with a respective pair of secondary through bores 50 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49, and with a screw 80 having a lock washer 82 and a flat washer 84 extending downwardly into a respective secondary through bore 50 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 and threadably into a respective upper bore 78 of the three block shaft support 74 to thereby secure the three block shaft supports 74 to the base support 49.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a jack shaft 86. The jack shaft 86 has a slotted proximal end 88, a distal end 90, and extends rotatably through the central through bore 76 of each block shaft support 74 via three flange bearings 91, respectively.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a coupling 92. One end 94 of the coupling 92 receives the slotted proximal end 88 of the jack shaft 86, while the other end 96 of the coupling 92 receives one end 97 of a shaft 98.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a bearing block 100. The bearing block 100 is stationarily affixed to a stationary structure 101 via a pair of screws 102, two pair of flat washers 104, and two pair of nuts 106, and has an axial through bore 108 that rotatably receives the other end 109 of the shaft 98.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a hand wheel 110. The hand wheel 110 has an indicator 112 thereon, and fixedly receives the other end 109 of the shaft 98 so as to rotate therewith.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a pair of collinearly aligned springs 114. The pair of collinearly aligned springs 114 receive the jack shaft 86, and are maintained against an intermediate block shaft support 74 by a clamp-on collar 116.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a pair of drive miter gears 118. Each drive miter gear 118 fixedly receives the jack shaft 86, and is disposed a distance outboard of an associated block shaft support 74 determined by a clamp-on collar 120.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a pair of jacking screws 120. Each jacking screw 120 has a wide lower end 122 and a thin threaded upper end 124 that is thinner than, and separated from, the wide lower end 122 of a respective jacking screw 120 by a flange 126.
The wide lower end 122 of each jacking screw 120 sits in a respective primary through bore 57 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49, with the flange 126 of a respective jacking screw 120 preventing the respective jacking screw 120 from falling therethrough.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a pair of driven miter gears 128. Each driven miter gear 128 fixedly receives the wide lower end 122 of a respective jacking screw 120, with a bronze bushing 130 sitting in a respective primary through bore 57 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49, and with each driven miter gear 128 being held on the wide lower end 122 of the respective jacking screw 120 by a snap ring 132.
One drive miter gear 118 engages with an associated driven miter gear 128, so when the hand wheel 110 is rotated, the jack shaft 86 rotates, which rotates the pair of drive miter gears 118, which rotates the associated driven miter gear 128 engaged therewith, which rotates an associated jacking screw 120.
Normally, the drive miter gear 118 closest to the hand wheel 110 is engaged with an associated driven miter gear 128 by virtue of biasing of the pair of collinearly aligned springs 114, however, when the jack shaft 86 is pushed in via the hand wheel 110 against the biasing of the pair of collinearly aligned springs 114, then the drive miter gear 118 closest to the hand wheel 110 is disengaged and the other drive miter gear 118 is engaged with an associated driven miter gear 128.
The impact blade leveling assembly 72 further comprises a pair of bar nuts 134. Each bar nut 134 fits into a respective secondary through slot 137 of the blade holder body 54 so as to allow the blade holder body 54 to move up and down therewith, and has a threaded central through bore 136 therein that receives the thin threaded upper end 124 of an associated jacking screw 120 so when a respective driven miter gear 128 is engaged and rotated, as previously discussed, the thin threaded upper end 124 of the associated jacking screw 120 rotates and threads an associated bar nut 134 up or down thereon, which in turn causes an associated free end 55a of the blade holder body 54 to move up or down accordingly with the impact blade 20 affixed thereto, and thereby level the impact blade 20.
The device 10 further comprises a blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138. The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 adjustably spaces the impact blade 20 from the feed roll 16.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 comprises a pair of end braces 140. Each end brace 140 extends upwardly from a respective free end 51 of the base support 49, and is maintained fixedly thereat by a pair of screws 142 having washers 144 thereon and passing through a respective pair of secondary through bore 50 of the transverse portion 53 of the base support 49 and threadably into a respective end brace 140.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of spacers 146. Each spacer 146 extends fixedly across a respective end brace 140.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of pivot plates 148. Each pivot plate 148 is disposed on a respective end brace 140, and is maintained thereat by a screw 150.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of spreader bearings 152. Each spreader bearing 152 is attached to a respective pivot plate 148 by a stud/screw combination 154.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of hand knobs 156. Each hand knob 156 extends into a respective anchor mount 158, a collar 160, and into a respective end brace 140.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of mounting blocks 162. Each mounting block 162 is attached to a respective end brace 140 by a screw 166 passing through a washer 168 and into the respective end brace 140.
The blade/feed roll adjusting assembly 138 further comprises a pair of ball plunger stubs 170. Each ball plunger stub 170 extends into a through bore 172 in a respective mounting block 162.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.
Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
