Title of Invention

A TEXTILE CARDING MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carding machine and ,in particular, to a textile carding machine adapted with radially adjustable under casing tongue arrangement which would enable altering the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue which play an important role for transfer of web from cylinder to doffer. Importantly, the carding machine of the invention would favour simple and user friendly completion of carding process with smooth and effective transfer of web from the cylinder to the doffer which is very essential in proper carding operation.

Full Text

A TEXTILE CARDING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a carding machine and ,in particular, to a textile carding machine adapted with radially adjustable under casing tongue arrangement which would enable altering the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue which play an important role for transfer of web from cylinder to doffer. Importantly, the carding machine of the invention would favour simple and user friendly completion of carding process with smooth and effective transfer of web from the cylinder to the doffer which is very essential in proper carding operation. BACKGROUND ART It is well-known that when a fiber carding machine is in operation, the carded fiber on the spikes of the clothing of the main card cylinder are conveyed to the doffer and transferred to it in the form of a fine card web. The doffer is basically also a cylindrical element like the main cylinder which has spiked clothing on its surface. Such spikes on the components can be in the form of teeth of wires. Usually, for the transfer of web from cylinder to doffer, the setting of the doffer relating to the main cylinder is normally fixedly preset in the manufacturer's works. However, there are ranges of circumstances in the practical operation of the card when it becomes essential to provide for selective clearance between the spikes of the clothing and the main cylinder for the purpose of achieving ideal carding and for smooth and effective transfer of carded fiber to LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD the doffer. Thus, adjustable means have been introduced in the art whereby the starting operation of the card can be kept under control and temperature depended variations would be compensated and adjustment to the staple length would be effected. Importantly, however such adjustment are required to be carried out with precision and free of any jerks / frictions or any oscillation of the support of the object. Moreover, since the doffer is a relatively big and heavy structure the adjustment of the same necessarily accompanies some jerks / friction conditions which tend to affect the proper position and stable performance of the system. It is also known that the distance between the main frame and under casing tongue of a carding machine as well as the distance defined by the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue play an important role in the transfer of web from the cylinder to the doffer. Presently, such distance between the main frame and the under casing tongue as well as the distance consisting of the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue are controlled by changing the profile of the under casing tongue with different sizes to suit desired end use / application. It would apparent from the above, that while the transfer of the web from the cylinder to doffer is important the same is essentially further dependant upon the distance between the main frame and the under casing tongue as well as the distance of the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue. The presently followed manner of controlling / varying such relevant distance involving the change in the profile of the tongue is cumbersome, cost and Labour extensive , time consuming and necessarily followed with stalling of operations for some time required to replace the profile of desired specifications. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a textile carding machine involving simple and user friendly means for altering the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue without the need for changing the aluminum profile with different sizes. Another object of the present invention is directed to a textile carding machine which would have provision for simple and user friendly means for step less alteration of the radial gap between the cylinder and under casing tongue by way of very simple on the spot selective relocation of the tongue with respect to the cylinder without involving the complex and time consuming replacement of the aluminum profile presently followed in the art. Yet another object of the present invention is directed to a textile carding machine with tongue arrangement adapted for ready and simple variance of the radial distance there between the cylinder and the said under casing tongue which would make the use and application of such carding machines simpler and cost effective and yet with precision carding operation, especially, by way of smooth and effective transfer of the web from the cylinder to the doffer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a textile carding machine comprising: a carding cylinder having a circumferential surface portion of pre determined diameter and constructed corresponding to the working width of the carding machine and rotatable with respect to its axis and which is covered with protruding elements for contacting the textile fibers being carded; a doffer rotatable with respect to its axis disposed at the proximity of the said cylinder having a circumferential surface portion covered with protruding elements on its surface for receiving the textile fibers from the protruding elements arranged on the said carding cylinder, the said doffer being of pre determined diameter and constructed corresponding to the working width of the carding machine, and an undercasing tongue arrangement located at the bottom portion of the cylinder in the vicinity between the cylinder and the doffer of the carding machine for desired transfer of web from the said cylinder to the said doffer, the said undercasing tongue comprising means for variable selective disposition with respect to said carding cylinder for selective radial gap between the said carding cylinder and said undercasing tongue. In the above disclosed textile carding machine the said undercasing tongue arrangement adapted for selective disposition preferably comprises: two matching tongue profiles comprising a fixed tongue profile and a hinged tongue profile hinged with respect to said fixed tongue profile and adapted for orientation of said hinged tongue profile with respect to said hinge to variably adjust the radial distance there between the cylinder and the said hinged tongue profile. In particular, in the above disclosed textile carding machine the said undercasing tongue arrangement adapted for selective disposition comprises two matching tongue profiles comprises a fixed tongue profile and a hinged tongue profile hinged with respect to said fixed tongue profile secured to the undercasing bend provided at both sides of the carding machine. the orientation of the hinged tongue profile with respect to the fixed bottom tongue profile adapted to be locked by means of stud and spring biased nut means to maintain the hinged tongue profile in a pre selected spring biased orientation for said selective radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue. Preferably, a floating washer is provided to selectively lock the hinged tongue profile against the stud means. Also, said stud and spring means are fixed to the undercasing bend portion at both sides of the carding machine with washer and nut. To facilitate the adjustment of the radial distance there between the cylinder and the hinged tongue profile, the nut means is adapted to be loosened or tightened to alter the radial gap there between the cylinder and the hinged tongue profile of the said under casing tongue. It would be thus apparent form the above disclosed carding machine of the invention that the same would enable sensitive, friction and jerk free adjustment of the under casing tongue with respect to the cylinder without the need for replacement or changing of the aluminum profile with different sizes in order to adopt different radial distance between the cylinder and the under casing tongue. Importantly the tongue profile proposed by way of the present invention involving the combination of a fixed profile and a hinged profile would favour ready and fast adjustment of the radial distance between the cylinder and the under casing tongue which was not possible in the system presently available and use. The provision of the special stud, spring and nut with special washer further ensures to keep the profile at a pre-determined force whereby the radial gap can be varied and selectively provided based on the required effective transfer of web from the cylinder to the doffer. The arrangement proposed by way of invention provides for selective locking of the hinged profile at variable disposition / radial gap with respect to the cylinder thereby favouring maintaining the required sensitive, friction and jerk free adjustment for convenient transfer of the web from the cylinder to the doffer. The simplicity in the system of the invention resides in that to alter the said radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue the same can be achieved by simple loosening and setting of the nut used to lock the hinged profile with respect to the fixed tongue profile. This avoids the need for changing of the aluminum profile for varying the radial distance between the cylinder and the under casing tongue and thereby make the carding process more simple and under total control. The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in greater details in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustration as per the following accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURE Figure 1: is the side view illustrating the disposition of the cylinder and the under casing tongue with respect to the main frame of a presently available textile carding machine; and Figure 2: is the side view illustrating the provision of the adjustable tongue arrangement with respect to the cylinder in the carding system of the present invention. Reference is first invited to accompanying figure 1 which illustrate a known arrangement of the under casing tongue disposition with respect to the cylinder as usually available in conventional textile carding machine. As shown in the said figure, such conventional machines usually involve the provision of a cylinder and an operatively disposed doffer means such that the web from the cylinder is transferred to the doffer for subsequent processing / application. Importantly, as would be apparent from the said figure in such known conventional carding machine the transfer of web from cylinder to doffer is dependent on the disposition of the under casing tongue (1) with respect to the cylinder (2) and the main frame (3). As shown in the figure, the distance X between the main frame (3) and the under casing tongue (1) and the distance Y defining the radial gap between the cylinder (2) and under casing tongue (1) play an important role for transfer of web from cylinder to the doffer. The distance X and Y are required to be altered according to the properties (Length) of the fibre being processed. In the presently available carding machines the required alteration in the distance X and Y is usually achieved by changing the aluminum profile with different sizes. Thus in the presently available carding machines it is important that for changing the distance X or Y it was always essential to change the aluminum profile with different sizes depending upon properties (the length) of the fiber. Such process of required altering the distances X or Y, which were frequently encountered during the working of the machine depending upon the fiber characteristic, is found to be complex, cost extensive and time consuming with possible affecting of the productivity. The variable tongue arrangement proposed in the carding system of the invention is directed to take care of some of the above limitations of the conventional carding machine and, in particular, the complexity and cost in the required change of the aluminum profile of different sizes for changing the distance Y i.e. the radial gap between the cylinder (2) and the under casing tongue (1) under the conventional art. Reference is now invited to accompanying figure 2 which shows the carding system of the invention incorporating the variably adjustable tongue profile arrangement adapted to facilitate the required alteration of the radial gap between the cylinder (2) and the under casing tongue (1) based on the properties (length) of the fiber. As shown in figure 2, instead of a fixed tongue profile requiring its replacement by a different profile depending upon the properties (length) of the fiber to be processed, the arrangement of the carding machines of the invention includes an adjustable tongue profile arrangement which is comprised of two matching tongue profiles which have a hinged point there between. In particular, the two matching tongue profiles provided in the system of the invention comprise a fixed tongue profile (5) and a hinged tongue profile (6). The fixed tongue profile (5) and a hinged tongue profile (6) are constructed corresponding to the working with of the carding machine and made of light weight material for example , aluminum and provided with longitudinal reinforcement ribs. The working area of the tongue profiles ie the surface which establish contact with the fibre web are well polished and may be provided with anti stick coating such as Teflon. Importantly, the said fixed tongue profile (5) is fixed to the under casing bend (4) while the other hinged tongue profile (6) is hinged with respect to fixed tongue profile (5). As clearly illustrated in the said figure the hinged tongue profile (6) is hinged with a bottom fixed tongue profile (5) and the orientation of the hinged tongue profile (6) is locked by means of special stud (7), spring (8) and nut with special washer (9). The spring (8) ensures to keep the profile at a pre-determined force while the special washer (9) is used to lock the profile against the special stud (7). The special stud (7) and the spring (8) are in turn fixed to the under casing bend (4) with the help of the washer and nut (10). The advantages residing in the above arrangement of the variably adjustable under casing tongue in the carding machine of the invention comprises the provision of a very simple and ready means for carrying out the desired alteration in the distance Y that is the radial gap between the cylinder (2) and the under casing tongue (6). Importantly, as readily apparent from the said figure 2, to alter the radial gap between the cylinder (2) and the under casing tongue (6) i.e. the radial distance Y, it is simply required to loosen and set the nut at a selective disposition of the hinged tongue profile (6) with respect to the cylinder instead of the required changing of the aluminum profile required under the conventional art. The height X however needs to be changed as and when required only by changing the aluminum profile. It is thus possible by way of the above invention to provide for a textile carding machine involving simple and user friendly means for altering the radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue without the need for changing the aluminum profile with different sizes. The system would provide a very simple on the spot selective relocation of the tongue with respect to the cylinder without involving the complex and time consuming replacement of the aluminum profile followed under the conventional art. With this arrangement it is possible to adopt any desired radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue , wherein in the art the same is limited to the pre determined value depending upon the number of under casing tongues supplied along with the carding machine. The invention would thus enable provision of carding machines simpler and cost effective and yet with precision carding operation, especially, by way of smooth and effective transfer of the web from the cylinder to the doffer. LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD WE CLAIM: 1. A textile carding machine comprising: a carding cylinder having a circumferential surface portion of pre determined diameter and constructed corresponding to the working width of the carding machine and rotatable with respect to its axis and is covered with protruding elements for contacting the textile fibers being carded; a doffer rotatable with respect to its axis disposed at the proximity of the said cylinder having a circumferential surface portion covered with protruding elements on its surface for receiving the textile fibers from the protruding elements arranged on the said carding cylinder, the said doffer being of pre determined diameter and constructed corresponding to the working width of the carding machine, and an undercasing tongue arrangement located at the bottom portion of the cylinder in the vicinity between the cylinder and the doffer of the carding machine for desired transfer of web from the said cylinder to the said doffer, the said undercasing tongue comprising means for variable selective disposition with respect to said carding cylinder for selective radial gap between the said carding cylinder and said undercasing tongue. 2. A textile carding machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercasing tongue arrangement adapted for selective disposition comprises: two matching tongue profiles comprising a fixed tongue profile and a hinged tongue profile hinged with respect to said fixed tongue profile and adapted for orientation of said hinged tongue profile with respect to said hinge to variably adjust the radial distance there between the cylinder and the said hinged tongue profile. LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD 3. A textile carding machine as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said undercasing tongue arrangement adapted for selective disposition comprises two matching tongue profiles comprising a fixed tongue profile and a hinged tongue profile hinged with respect to said fixed tongue profile secured to the undercasing bend provided at the sides of the carding machine, the orientation of the hinged tongue profile with respect to the fixed bottom tongue profile adapted to be locked by means of cooperative stud and spring biased nut with cooperative washer means to maintain the hinged tongue profile in a pre selected spring biased orientation for said selective radial gap between the cylinder and the under casing tongue. 4. A textile carding machine as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein a floating washer is provided to selectively lock the hinged tongue profile against the stud means. 5. A textile carding machine as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein said stud and spring means are fixed to the undercasing bend portion with washer and nut. 6. A textile carding machine as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein said nut means is adapted to be loosened or tightened to alter the radial gap there between the cylinder and the hinged tongue profile of the said under casing tongue. 7. A textile carding machine as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least the surface of the tongue profiles which establish contact with the fibre web is coated with Teflon. LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD 8. A textile carding machine having selectively disposable tongue arrangement with respect to the cylinder substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

Documents:

107-CHE-2006 FORM-13 10-02-2009.pdf

107-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS.pdf

107-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE PO.pdf

107-CHE-2006 FORM 18.pdf

107-che-2006-abstract.pdf

107-che-2006-claims.pdf

107-che-2006-correspondnece-others.pdf

107-che-2006-description(complete).pdf

107-che-2006-drawings.pdf

107-che-2006-form 1.pdf

107-che-2006-form 26.pdf

107-che-2006-form 5.pdf

EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY.PDF