Modified worker operation in textile carding

Abstract

A textile machine segment including a first or main roller ( 12 ) adapted to support and convey a travelling fibre web, associated second ( 16 ) and third ( 14 ) rollers co-operable with each other and at respective nips ( 24, 25 ) with the first roller as the three rollers rotate, to open the web and detach a mat of fibre tufts at the nip ( 25 ) between the first and second rollers and to return the tufts to the first roller at the nip ( 24 ) between the first and third rollers, and drive means ( 100 ) for rotating the rollers, wherein the drive means is arranged to rotate the second roller in a rotational direction that is the same as that of the first roller and opposite that of the third roller.

1 . A textile machine segment including a first or main roller adapted to support and convey a travelling fibre web, associated second and third rollers cooperable with each other and at respective nips with the first roller as the three rollers rotate, to open the web and detach a mat of fibre tufts at the nip between the first and second rollers and to return the tufts to the first roller at the nip between the first and third rollers, and drive means for rotating the rollers, wherein the drive means is arranged to rotate the second roller in a rotational direction that is the same as that of the first roller and opposite that of the third roller.  
     
     
         2 . A textile machine segment according to  claim 1  wherein said rollers have wire clothing about their cylindrical surfaces, which clothing includes a multiplicity of projecting pins or teeth inclined at less than 90° to the respective surface.  
     
     
         3 . A textile machine segment according to  claim 2  wherein the respective rollers each have a substantially uniform direction of said inclination.  
     
     
         4 . A textile machine segment according to  claim 2  or  3  wherein in the region of transfer of fibres from said second roller to the third roller, said pins or teeth of the respective rollers are inclined in the same direction.  
     
     
         5 . A textile machine segment according to  claim 2 ,  3  or  4 , wherein the direction of said inclination is in the direction of rotation of the respective rollers.  
     
     
         6 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of the diameters of said second and third rollers is less than 1.5.  
     
     
         7 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of the diameters of said second and third rollers is substantially 1.0 or less.  
     
     
         8 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein said second roller is of a diameter in the range 50 to 150 mm.  
     
     
         9 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein said second roller is of a diameter in the range 75 to 100 mm.  
     
     
         10 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein said third roller is of a diameter in the range 100 to 200 mm.  
     
     
         11 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim wherein said third roller is of a diameter in the range 110 to 150 mm.  
     
     
         12 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim, adapted for treating a wool fibre web, wherein the arc separation about the first roller between the nip of the third roller of a pair of said second and third rollers and the second roller of the next pair is no greater than 150 mm.  
     
     
         13 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim, further including tray and/or duct means to collect waste and/or contaminant material separated from said web during said operation of said rollers.  
     
     
         14 . A textile machine segment according to any preceding claim, in a textile carding machine.  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a travelling fibre web, including supporting and conveying the web on a rotating first roller, and operating respective pairs of second and third rollers cooperable with each other and at respective nips with the first roller whereby to open the web and detach a mat of fibre tufts at the nip between the first and second rollers and to return the tufts to the first roller at the nip between the first and third rollers, wherein said operation of the respective pairs of second and third rollers is effected by rotating the second roller in a rotational direction that is the same as that of the first roller and opposite that of the third roller.