Title of Invention

AN ANTI-LAP LICKING ARRANGEMENT IN LAP FORMER

Abstract An anti-lap licking arrangement provided on the feed plate, said anti-lap licking arrangement comprising fixing plate being operationally connected with plurality of top bars and plurality of bottom bars arranged below the top bars, and actuating means operationally connected with the cylinder wherein on being actuated the cylinder is adapted to lift the fixing plate and the top bars to create a gap between top bars and bottom bars. The said arrangement avoids chocking during piecing of slivers and provides easy assembly and disassembly of the components of the arrangement. [Figure 2]
Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention resides in automated anti-lap licking arrangement. More particularly the invention resides in an automated anti-lap licking arrangement in a lap former which avoids chocking of lap sheet during piecing of slivers and provides easy assembly and disassembly of the components of the arrangement.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
There are various means of achieving piecing of fibres in a lap former so that broken sliver are joined and such joints are smooth. These usually lead to the combing unit. Various devices are incorporated to provide uniform compressing and detection of any variation in uniformity during piecing in the lap former.
Normally the anti-lap licking arrangement is employed to decrease the licking effect between lap layers when the lap is unwound in a combing machine. That is this device directly does not have an authority on performance of the lap former. But is useful in the further downstream process. Such an arrangement when employed in lap forming machines tends to cause certain disadvantages. When the lap sheet with a sudden increase in thickness across its width, because of improper piecing passes through this device it tends to chock causing unwarranted stops in the machine and also affecting the efficiency of the machine.
The fibre slivers are laid on the feed plate and then passed on to the anti lap licking device of lap former. Generally the drafted slivers from two different drafting arrangement are delivered in the form of lap are jointed together and delivered to the calendar rollers . Hairiness invariably present in the layers of the lap which causes the licking of the two layers. In order to eliminate this problem anti lap licking arrangement is provided to the lap forming machines. The existing anti-lap licking arrangement comprises fixing plates, top bars and bottom bars arranged on the feed plate. The sliver guide arranged near the fixing plate, guides the sliver into the arrangement.
The top bars are attached with the fixing plates by fastening means. The fixing plates along with the top bars can be removed manually when piecing is to be done..

.In the known arrangement the piecing of the slivers is to be done accurately so that the sliver thickness is maintained and thickening/lumping of the slivers is avoided for the entry of slivers through the anti lap licking device. Thickening of the slivers leads to chocking of the lap at the anti lap licking arrangement.
As mentioned above during run out of lap, changing of creels, breaking of sliver the machine needs to be stopped and piecing done. Thus the prior art though mentions stopping of the machine for piecing or providing signal for prior alert of impending run out of lap there is not much documentation as to how the dismantling of the anti lap licking arrangement may be automated when the processing unit is stopped. In the known devices one has to take out the fixing plate with top bars set until the pieced position of the lap crosses the anti lap licking arrangement. This arrangement has the disadvantages like requiring manual intervention, thus creating a probability for human errors, like running the machine without placing the top bars; increasing the time of piecing; difficulty in assembly and disassembly; chocking of lap at this area during piecing at table and creel.
Thus there is need to provide for an automated anti-lap licking arrangement such that the time required for manual dismantling of the top bars are reduced and the piecing of the slivers is done smoothly and accurately without the need for the removal and re fixing of fixing plates along with the top bars.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Thus the main object of the invention is to provide an automated anti-lap licking arrangement which requires minimum or no manual handling and is simple in structure.
Another object is to provide an automated anti-lap licking arrangement which eliminates the probability of running the machine without positioning the top bars after taking them out for
piecing.
Another object of the Invention is to provide an automated anti-lap licking arrangement which avoids chocking during piecing and restarting of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automated anti-lap licking arrangement which saves time and hence improving the machine efficiency and provides ease of assembly and disassembly and hence easier maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to an aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-lap licking arrangement provided on the feed plate of a textile machine , said anti-lap licking arrangement comprising: fixing plate assembly provided with a plurality of top bars ; a plurality of bottom bars fitted to the feed plate; the fixing plate assembly being operatively connected to an actuating means and capable of being held at a pre determined position automatically so as to maintain pre determined spacing between the top bars and the bottom bars both in an operative position and in an inoperative position of the anti-lap licking arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automated anti-lap licking arrangement which requires minimum manual handling and has improved efficiency.. In the known anti lap licking devices the top bars had to be manually lifted and the piecing done to prevent clogging. The present invention aims to avoid this inherent disadvantage by providing automation to lift the top part and allowing the free flow of the improperly pieced zone. Moreover the initial starting of the machine is made easier by this automated arrangement. The present arrangement is simple and the top bars lifted mechanically and yet smooth piecing is obtained. The top bars are lifted automatically when the machine is halted by signal of a known fault detecting sensor, from the area before the said arrangement at, the time of piecing and uniform piecing is done without clogging.
In the present invention the lifting and lowering of the top bars to a pre determined position from its operative position to an inoperative position to provide gap for the easy insertion of the lap through the anti lap licking device and back to its operative position /to remove the choked material is achieved by mechanical means for example by the usage of pneumatic

cylinders.
Two lifting cylinders arranged , each one is fixed at both (Left and Right) ends with the fixing plates which in turn attaches the top bars. The said cylinders can be actuated by actuating means when needed which leads to the lifting of the top bars from the level of the bottom bars. This provides a gap between the top bars and bottom bars. Through this gap the chock fibers may be removed / the lap can be taken to the calendar roller. . In normal working of the machine the pneumatic cylinders retain the top bars in their operative position and when ever the stop motion is actuated due to reasons like breakage of sliver, the pneumatic cylinders move the top bars to the inoperative position.
As shown in yet another embodiment, the top bars may be moved in between the operative and inoperative position by means of swinging the fixing plate assembly about a hinge point . The means of actuation is selected from pneumatic cylinder, gas spring, drive at hinge, magnetic means ,torsion spring.
In the manually operated arrangement of the known art when the machine is stopped due to faults, the fixing plate had to removed manually, the thick piecing lug has to pass through the arrangement and again the top bars and fixing plates put to place. This was cumbersome as well as time consuming. Against this backdrop in the present arrangement the top bars are moved to its inoperative position when ever the stop motion is actuated due to reasons like breakage of sliver automatically subsequently to the operative position when the machine is restarted there by the requirement of lifting of the of the top bars is eliminated and the process made less cumbersome yet accurate. Further the arrangement is cost effective since automation is achieved and maintenance become easier and economical.
The fixing plate is attached with the lifting cylinders. . The cylinders are fixed on the feed plate and the piston rod is attached with the fixing plate. When the fixing plate is required to be lifted the piston rod rises from within the cylinder and lifts the same from its original position. On being retracted the piston rod moves slowly into the cylinder in order to the pieced portion crosses the anti-lap licking arrangement so that the fixing plate comes back to the original position and the probability of chocking is thus avoided. The cylinders maybe operated by a solenoid valve The actuation of the said actuating means leads to the rising of the piston rod from the cylinder of the lifting cylinder..

The working of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIGURE-1 : Schematic representation of anti-lap licking arrangement of prior art,
FIGURE-2 : Schematic representation of anti-lap licking arrangement of the present invention showing the top bars in an operative position
FIGURE-3 : Schematic representation of anti-lap licking arrangement of the present invention showing the top bars in an inoperative position.
FIGURE-4 : Schematic representation another embodiment of the anti-lap licking arrangement of the present invention showing the top bars in an operative position
FIGURE-5 : Schematic representation another embodiment of the anti-lap licking arrangement of the present invention showing the top bars in an inoperative position
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIGURE -1 describes the anti-lap licking arrangement of the prior art. On the feed plate (4) the arrangement is placed. The plurality of sliver guide (5) fitted on the feed plate (4) guides the sliver into the anti-lap licking arrangement. When piecing is to be done at the anti lap licking arrangement zone , the fixing plate assembly ( 1 ) along with the three top bars ( 2 ) attached to it is taken out manually . After piecing of slivers the fixing plate ( 1 )along with the three top bars ( 2 ) attached to it is replaced on the guide means (6) fitted on the feed plate (4), and the machine is run. The bottom bars (3) remain in fixed position.
FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3
A plurality of sliver guides (5) are fitted on the material flow side of the feed plate (4).
The fixing plate assembly (1) comprises fixing plate(la) arranged on both left and right hand

side of the machine with a plurality of top bars(2) fitted to it in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the material,. The fixing plate (la) comprises a passage opening for accommodating the piston rod (6a) of the pneumatic cylinder (6) which are arranged on both left and right hand side of the machine The pneumatic cylinder (6) being mounted on the feed plate (4) by any of the known methods. A plurality of bottom bars(3) being fitted to the feed plate (4) in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the material. The fixing plate assembly (la) is positioned such that in the operative position the plurality of the top bars envelop the bottom bars such that the lap travel in the flow direction in between the pre determined gap between the top bars and the bottom bars. In the in operative position the fixing plate assembly (1) assumes a position such that pre determined gap prevail between the top bars and the bottom bars sufficient for the laying of the lap in the anti lap licking zone.
The compressed air supply to the pneumatic cylinder(6) being regulated by the electro pneumatic circuit of the textile machine. When ever the stop motion is actuated due to sliver breakage in the creel and the table area which are present upstream of the anti lap licking device, the machine is stopped and the fixing plate assembly is lifted by the pneumatic cylinder (6)to a pre determined height leaving pre determined gap between the top bars(2) and the bottom bars(3) to facilitate the laying of the lap to the calendar roller zone of the machine through the anti lap licking device. Subsequently the machine is switched on and after the lapse of the pre determined time interval the fixing plate assembly (1) is lowered to its normal working position by the pneumatic cylinder.
In an another embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 the fixing plate assembly (1) may be hinged with respect to the position of the bottom bars .
FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 5
A plurality of bottom bars(3) being fitted to the feed plate (4) in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the material at a pre determined position,. The fixing plate assembly (1) comprises fixing plate(la) arranged on both left and right hand side of the machine with a plurality of top bars(2) fitted to it in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the material. A plurality of support (9) being fitted to the feed plate (4), in the remark example 2 such support being fitted on the left hand side and the right hand side of the feed plate(4).

The fixing plate assembly (1) being hinged to the support (9) positioned at the material delivery end of the anti lap licking device by suitable hinge means (10) , which may be for example a hinge pin. The actuating means(7) provided for swinging the fixing plate assembly(l) may be for example pneumatic cylinder, gas spring, drive at hinge, magnetic means ,torsion spring at the hinge - and the same can be arranged at both left hand and right hand side of the machine and connected by any one of the known methods. By lifting the non hinged end of the fixing plate assembly(l) for a pre determined distance the required gap for piecing can be obtained.
When piecing of slivers is to be done through the Anti lap licking arrangement the machine is switched 'off' or the machine is stopped due to stop-motion in table and creel area, the fixing plate assembly comprising the top bars reaches its inoperative position . leaving pre determined space between the top bars(2) and the bottom bars(3) to facilitate the piecing. Subsequently after piecing , the machine is switched 'on' and the fixing plate assembly comprising the top bars reaches its operative position maintaining the pre determined spacing between the top bars and the bottom bars.
The arrangement of the present invention has the following advantages:
Automated system, thus avoiding manual intervention.
Eliminates the probability of running the machine without positioning the top bars after
manually taking them out for piecing.
Saves time and hence the machine efficiency is improved.
Assembly and disassembly is easy and hence easier maintenance and cost effective.
Avoids chocking during piecing and re-starting the machine.












WE CLAIM:
1. An anti-lap licking arrangement provided on the feed plate of a textile
machine , said anti-lap licking arrangement comprising:
fixing plate assembly provided with a plurality of top bars ; a plurality of bottom bars fitted to the feed plate; the fixing plate assembly being operatively connected to an actuating means and capable of being held at a pre determined position automatically so as to maintain pre determined spacing between the top bars and the bottom bars both in an operative position and in an inoperative position of the anti-lap licking arrangement.
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top bars are arranged parallel to
the bottom bars.
3. The arrangement as claimed in any of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the means for
holding the fixing plate assembly with respect to the bottom bars in an operative
position and an inoperative position is pneumatic cylinder.
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuating means is capable of
automatically lifting the fixing plate assembly to facilitate piecing on stoppage of
machine and lowering plate assembly in response to restarting of the machine.
5. The arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for moving the top bars between the operative and inoperative position by means of swinging the fixing plate assembly about a hinge point.
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means is selected from
pneumatic cylinder, gas spring, drive at hinge, magnetic means ,torsion spring at the
point.
7. The anti-lap licking arrangement as substantially described herein with reference to


Documents:

2068-CHE-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 23-02-2011.pdf

2068-CHE-2007 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 23-02-2011.pdf

2068-CHE-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 23-02-2011.pdf

2068-CHE-2007 FORM-18.pdf

2068-che-2007-abstract.pdf

2068-che-2007-claims.pdf

2068-che-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

2068-che-2007-description(complete).pdf

2068-che-2007-drawings.pdf

2068-che-2007-form 1.pdf

2068-che-2007-form 26.pdf

2068-che-2007-form 3.pdf

abs-2068-che-2007.jpg


Patent Number 249262
Indian Patent Application Number 2068/CHE/2007
PG Journal Number 42/2011
Publication Date 21-Oct-2011
Grant Date 13-Oct-2011
Date of Filing 14-Sep-2007
Name of Patentee LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD.
Applicant Address PERIANAICKEN PALAYAM, COIMBATORE-641 020, TAMILNADU, INDIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 NARAYANASWAMY KRISHNAKUMAR LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD, COIMBATORE.
2 SRINIVASAN RAJASEKARAN LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD, COIMBATORE.
3 VENKATESHAN NARENDRA LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD, COIMBATORE.
4 RAJU KANAGARAJ KANNAN LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD, COIMBATORE.
PCT International Classification Number D01H5/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA