The present application claims the priority of European Patent Application No. 09 111 918.1, filed Sep. 18, 2009, the subject matter of which, in its entirety, is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a nozzle foil for a nozzle bar of a textile processing machine.
In order to compact fleece materials the use of textile processing machines has been known, wherein water is ejected at high pressure in very fine, thin jets onto random fiber nonwovens. In so doing, the water jets take over the function of felting needles and of intertwining the fibers of the random fiber nonwoven in order to produce a compact fleece material.
To accomplish this, the textile machine comprises a nozzle bar containing a plurality of nozzle openings by way of which the water is formed into fine, needle-like water jets.
For example, a nozzle strip has been known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,308 B2. The nozzle strip comprises a carrier part on which the nozzle foil having the nozzle openings is arranged. In order to simplify handling of the nozzle foil, said foil may be divided into several length sections. The individual length sections are firmly connected to the carrier, for example, with the use of an adhesive such as, for example a UV-curable adhesive or epoxy.
Considering this, the object of the present invention may be viewed as an improvement of the known nozzle foil and, in particular, as a simplification of the installation of said nozzle foil in the nozzle bar of a textile processing machine.
The above object generally is achieved with a nozzle foil in accordance with the present invention that comprises at least two foil segments that can be connected to each other. For example, the two foil segments can be mechanically connected to each other by connecting means on one of the foil segments and by opposing connecting means on the other foil segment. By dividing the nozzle foil into several foil segments, handling is simplified, i.e., during assembly, as well as during transport of the nozzle foil. Also, the manufacture of shorter foil segments is simpler compared with the manufacture of a nozzle foil that has a length of several meters and enables the use of particularly wear-resistant materials such as, for example, ceramic or hard metal. In addition, the manufacture of shorter foil segments offers more freedom in view of the foil thickness. Thus, it is possible to manufacture foils having a thickness greater than 1 mm, as well as foils having a thickness of a few millimeters. As a result of the fact that the foil segments can be mechanically connected to each other, their relative position in the position of use in the nozzle bar of the textile processing machine is exactly defined. This simplifies the installation of the nozzle foil in the textile processing machine and prevents assembly errors and, hence, also prevents production errors during the manufacture of fleece material.
In so doing, the foil segments of the nozzle foil may be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. It is also possible, for example, to create a substance-to-substance bond by using an adhesive for the form-fitting connection.
Referring to a preferred embodiment, the connecting means and the opposing connecting means have at least one connecting projection and at least one connecting recess, whereby with the connection established between two foil segments, each connecting projection comes into engagement with a corresponding connecting recess. In so doing, the connecting means may have one or more connecting projections as well as one or more connecting recesses. Correspondingly, the connecting means have connecting recesses or connecting projections that can interact with the associate connecting projections or projection recesses of the connecting means and establish a connection. The connecting projections and connecting recesses are formed on or in the respective foil segment. Preferably, the connecting projections or connecting recesses are manufactured together with the foil segment of one material. During manufacture of the foil segment, for example, they may simply be punched out or cut out with the use of a laser.
At the connecting point between two foil segments, each foil segment preferably has a joining surface that comes into abutment with the respectively associate joining surface of the other foil segment, so that the two foil segments abut against each other by means of their respective joining surfaces. In so doing, the connecting projection may project away from the joining surface of the foil segment. The connecting recesses may be provided in the respective foil segment so as to be recessed with respect to the joining surface.
Advantageously, the connecting projection has a widened end section. As a result of this, an inadvertent separation of the established connection can be avoided in a direction transverse to the widened section. In so doing, the connecting projection of a preferred embodiment may, at the same time, also widen in two directions. This can be achieved in that the widened end section of the connecting projection tapers in an insertion direction in which said end section can be inserted in the associate connecting recess in order to form the connection. In this manner, it is possible to avoid an inadvertent separation of the connection in two directions at the same time. Also, the correct alignment of the upper side and the underside of the two foil segments that are to be connected can thus be ensured.
The joining surface of a foil segment may extend in one plane. However, it is also possible that the joining surface have several adjoining surface sections whose surface normals point in different directions. It is also possible to provide a convexly and/or concavely curved joining surface. In so doing, it is possible for two foil segments to overlap each other in the region of the connecting point, once the connection has been established. For example, the joining surface may extend in a stepped manner. To do so, one or more surface sections of the joining surface may be present on a projecting joining part of a foil segment, whereby the joining parts—with the connection established—are arranged above each other or next to each other, and an overlap results in the region of the connecting point of the foil segments.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obvious from the dependent patent claims, the description and the drawings. Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. The description is restricted to essential features of the invention and to miscellaneous situations. The drawings are to be considered as being supplementary.
The nozzle foil 12 features a row of nozzle openings 16 that are provided in the nozzle foil 12 at a distance from each other next to each other in longitudinal direction L. The diameter of the nozzle opening 16 may be approximately 0.05 to 0.2 mm. The nozzle foil 12 may have a length of several meters in longitudinal direction L. It is also possible to provide the nozzle openings 16 in several adjacent rows in longitudinal direction L in the nozzle foil 12. The nozzle foil 12 may have a thickness of approximately 0.1 to 1.5 mm. The width of the nozzle foil 12 in a transverse direction Q may be approximately 10 to 35 mm. The distance between two adjacent nozzle openings 16 may be within a range of approximately 0.3 to 1 mm. The nozzle foil 12 consists of several foil segments 25 adjoining each other in longitudinal direction L. Two foil segments 25 adjacent each other in longitudinal direction L are mechanically connected with each other at a connecting point 26 (
Referring to the illustrated preferred exemplary embodiments, the connecting means 27 have one and, as in the example, several connecting projections 29. Corresponding to the number of connecting projections 29, the opposing connecting means 28 have one or more connecting recesses 30. Considering a modification thereof, it would also be possible for the connecting means 27 to have connecting recesses 30 and for the opposing connecting means 28 to have connecting projections 29. The number of connecting projections 29 and of connecting recesses 30 may also vary. Considering the preferred exemplary embodiment, two connecting projections 29 and two connecting recesses 30 are provided on each connecting point 26 of two adjoining foil segments 25. The foil segment 25, including the associate connecting projections 29 and connecting recesses 30, respectively, are made in one piece of a uniform material, e.g., metal.
In the region of the connecting means 27 or the opposing connecting means 28, each foils segment 25 has a joining surface 33. With the connection established, the joining surfaces 33 of the connected foil segments 25 abut against each other at the connecting point 26.
The joining surface 33 may extend in one plane, as is obvious, for example, from
As an alternative thereto, it is also possible for the joining surface 33 of a foil segment 25 to have several surface segments 34. The surface normal N of at least two surface sections 34 of the joining surface 33 point in different directions. Consequently, a stepped joining surface 33 may be the result, for example, as is schematically shown in
Referring to the exemplary embodiment in accordance with
In the previously described exemplary embodiments of the nozzle bar 12, the foil segments 25 that are successive in longitudinal direction L are arranged so as to be in alignment with each other. In so doing, the longitudinal edges of the foil segments 25 form a longitudinal edge of the nozzle foil 12 that is essentially without steps. In so doing, the nozzle openings 16 are also arranged so as to be in alignment in a row extending in longitudinal direction L. Considering a modification thereof, the foil segments 25 in the exemplary embodiment in accordance with
Basically, the connecting projection 29 may have many different contours or shapes. Said projection projects away from a surface section 34 of the joining surface 33. Starting from this joining section 34, the connecting projection 29 widens at least in sections. As is obvious, for example, from
The inside contour of the associate connecting recess 30 corresponds—apart from the required tolerance—to the outside contour of the connecting projection 29, so that a form-fitting connection can be achieved. Referring to the exemplary embodiment in accordance with
Considering a modification thereof, the connecting projections 29, as well as the corresponding connecting recesses 30, may also have the shape of a prism (
Considering another modification of the connecting means 27 in accordance with
Considering the embodiment of the connecting means 27 and the opposing connecting means 28, respectively, there are additional variation options. Referring to the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the connecting projections 29 and the connecting recesses 30 of a foil segment 25 have the same size. Considering a modification thereof, it is also possible to choose different sizes for the connecting projections 29 and the connecting recesses 30 of a foil segment 25. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting projections 29 and the connecting recesses 30 of a foil segment 25 may also have different contours.
Referring to the preferred exemplary embodiments, the surface normals N of the joining surfaces 33 or the surface segments 34 extend in longitudinal direction L, in height direction H or in transverse direction Q. Considering a modification thereof, it would also be possible to provide surface sections 34 or joining surfaces 33, said surfaces having surface normals N being aligned inclined relative to longitudinal direction L and/or height direction H and/or transverse direction Q.
The invention relates to a nozzle foil 12 for a nozzle bar 10 of a textile processing machine. The nozzle foil 12 has a plurality of nozzle openings 16 that are arranged in one or more rows 40 in longitudinal direction L. The nozzle foil 12 consists of at least two foil segments 25. Respectively two adjacent foil segments 25 can be mechanically connected with each other and can, in particular, be connected in a form-fitting manner with each other. With the connection established, the upper sides 15 and the undersides 17 of the foil segments 25 are in a common plane. In order to accomplish a form-fitting connection, connecting means 27 are provided on a foil segment 25, said connecting means 27 interacting with the opposing connecting means 28 of the other foil segment 25. The connecting means 27 and the opposing connecting means 28 are integral components of the respective foil segment 25. In particular, the connecting means 27 and the opposing connecting means 28 are manufactured at the same time as the respective foil segment 25. Said connecting means consist of the same material as the respective foil segment 25.
It will be appreciated that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and modifications, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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09011918.1 | Sep 2009 | DE | national |
09011918.1 | Sep 2009 | EP | regional |