Spinning preparatory machine and a housing for a drafting assembly of a spinning preparatory machine

Abstract

The present invention concerns a spinning preparatory machine ( 1 ) with a drafting assembly ( 4 ) encompassing multiple roll pairs ( 5, 6, 7 ) by which a fiber band (FB′) can be drafted. The roll pairs ( 5, 6, 7 ) possess upper rolls ( 5 a , 6 a , 7 a ) and under rolls ( 5 b , 6 b , 7 b ). The roll pairs ( 5, 6, 7 ) are installed in a housing ( 15 ), wherein the roll pairs are protected from ambient atmospheric conditions about the preparatory machine ( 1 ) and from components thereof. A temperature controller ( 20 ) functions with the housing ( 15 ) to bring about internally a desired operational temperature, which is independent of temperature external to the housing ( 15 ).

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A spinning preparatory machine for drafting fiber bands, comprising: 
 a plurality of drafting roll pairs, wherein each said roll pair comprises an upper roll and a lower roll, said machine comprising drive units for said roll pairs;    a housing, said roll pairs disposed within said housing, said housing having a configuration so as to isolates said roll pairs from said drive units; and    at least one temperature controller associated with said housing to supply a conditioning medium to heat or cool an interior space of said housing.    
   
   
       38 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said housing further isolates said roll pairs from ambient air around said machine.  
   
   
       39 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller supplies said medium to maintain a generally constant desired temperature within said interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       40 . The machine as in  claim 39 , wherein said temperature controller is adjustable between different desired temperatures within said interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       41 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller comprises a heat source.  
   
   
       42 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller comprises a cooling source.  
   
   
       43 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller is a remotely located central conditioning unit associated with a plurality of said machines.  
   
   
       44 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller is a dedicated controller for said machine and is disposed on or in said machine.  
   
   
       45 . The machine as in  claim 44 , wherein said temperature controller is disposed within said housing.  
   
   
       46 . The machine as in  claim 37 , further comprising at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening in said housing for supply and removal of said conditioning medium from said temperature controller.  
   
   
       47 . The machine as in  claim 37 , further comprising at least one generally hollow pressure bar within said housing adjacent a main draft zone between said roll pairs, said pressure bar supplied with said conditioning medium and having at least one opening for directing said conditioning medium into said interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       48 . The machine as in  claim 37 , further comprising at least one generally hollow entry bar within said housing adjacent a pre-drafting zone between said roll pairs, said entry bar supplied with said conditioning medium and having at least one opening for directing said conditioning medium into said interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       49 . The machine as in  claim 48 , wherein said opening is oriented so as to direct said conditioning medium directly onto a roll of one of said roll pairs.  
   
   
       50 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said conditioning medium is a cooling air flow directed within said interior of said housing onto said upper rolls of said roll pairs.  
   
   
       51 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said conditioning medium is an air flow directed within said interior of said housing contrary to a conveying direction of the fiber band through said roll pairs.  
   
   
       52 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said conditioning medium is an air flow directed within said interior of said housing along a conveying direction of the fiber band through said roll pairs.  
   
   
       53 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said conditioning medium is an air flow directed within said interior of said housing at locations so as to entrain and remove loose fibers and contaminants from said interior of said housing.  
   
   
       54 . The machine as in  claim 53 , further comprising a suction device in communication with said interior of said housing.  
   
   
       55 . The machine as in  claim 53 , wherein said conditioning medium is a pressurized air flow from said temperature controller.  
   
   
       56 . The machine as in  claim 37 , wherein said temperature controller comprises an electronic regulating system.  
   
   
       57 . The machine as in  claim 37 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed within said interior of said housing and in communication with said temperature controller, said temperature controller supplying said conditioning medium as a function of conditions within said interior of said housing sensed by said sensor.  
   
   
       58 . A housing for a draft system of a spinning preparatory machine having a drafting system that includes a plurality of roll pairs, said housing a configuration so as to encapsulate and isolate the roll pairs from ambient air and drive components of the spinning preparatory machine, said housing comprising at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for a fiber band drafted by the roll pairs, and at least one inlet opening for supply of a conditioning medium into an interior space of said housing and one outlet opening for removal of the conditioning medium.  
   
   
       59 . The housing as in  claim 58 , wherein said conditioning medium inlet and outlet openings are disposed such that flow of the conditioning medium through said housing is contrary to a conveying direction of a fiber band through said housing.  
   
   
       60 . The housing as in  claim 58 , wherein at least a portion of said housing is generally transparent.  
   
   
       61 . The housing as in  claim 58 , wherein said housing comprises a bottom part and a top part movable relative to said bottom part to provide access into an interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       62 . The housing as in  claim 61 , wherein said top part is pivotal relative to said bottom part.  
   
   
       63 . The housing as in  claim 58 , wherein said housing comprises a top part and a bottom part, said top part attached to a structural arm, said structural arm supporting top rolls of the drafting system roll pairs.  
   
   
       64 . The housing as in  claim 63 , wherein said top part further comprises a pivotal flap to provide access into an interior space of said housing.  
   
   
       65 . The housing as in  claim 58 , wherein said housing comprises at least one additional opening for communication with a suction source.  
   
   
       66 . A pressure bar use in a drafting system of a spinning preparatory machine having a plurality of roll pairs wherein said pressure bar is placed in a draft zone between roll pairs, said pressure bar comprising a generally hollow interior configured for communication with a source of conditioning air flow, and at least one opening for directing the conditioning medium out from said hollow interior and towards a roll pair of the drafting system.