US3105283A

US3105283A - Machine for converting tubular fabric into a web of fabric

Info

Publication number: US3105283A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pernick David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-07-24
Filing date: 1961-07-24
Publication date: 1963-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-01
Also published as: NL275903A; FR1312300A; CH382707A; LU41177A1; GB935990A; BE613196A

Description

D. PERNICK Oct. 1, 1963 MACHINE FOR CONVERTING TUBULAR FABRIC INTO A WEB OF FABRIC Filed July 24. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTRl T l- 3 DAV/0 FERN/CK BY I Oct. 1, 1963 D. PERNICK 3,105,283

MACHINE FOR CONVERTING TUBULAR FABRIC INTO A WEB OF FABRIC I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24. 1961 INVENTOR. DAV/0 Pffi/WC/r AT 7 05 Ali 1 5 3,155,283 Patented Get. 1, 1963 3,1GS,283 MAQEWE FOR CGNVER'HNG TUBULAR FABRIC ENTD A WEB 9F FABRIC David Perniclr, 182G Shore Blvd Brooklyn, NY. Filed duty 24, 1961, Ser. No. 126,342 8 Qiairns. (Ci. file-1) The present invention relate to fabric handling apparatus and, more particularly, to a machine for converting a length of tubular fabric into a web of fabric adapted to be rolled up, which machine is an improvement over the machine disclosed in my copending United States patent application Serial No. 99,456, filed March 30, 1961, entitled Fabric Handling Machine, and now abandoned.

In the aforementioned patent application a machine is disclosed for cutting a tubular length of fabric produced on a circular knitting machine, unfolding the fabric into a fiat web, and rolling up the web. While this machine is generally satisfactory for its intended purpose, it has been found that certain operations thereof can be improved to provide a more uniformly spread and minimally tensioned roll of fabric in web form, which thereafter lends itself for better handling in the cutting and sewing of garments to be made therefrom.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine of the foregoing type.

Another object is to provide such a machine wherein improved fabric handling mechanisms are employed to more readily handle fabric that usually is difficult to unfold, spread and roll up.

Another object is to provide such a machine which by reason of the improvements therein can be operated more rapidly and thereby has a higher production rate.

A further object is to provide such a machine in a simple, practical and economical manner.

Other and further objects will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a machine in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine looking upwardly at the machine, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a staggered sectional view taken along the line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the machine which for convenience of illustration was only partially shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating an arrangement for handling a folded-up length of tubular fabric.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a machine is shown which generally comprises means for advancing a length of tubular fabric T folded upon itself in flat condition to provide two folded side edges E, means 11 adjacent and beyond the means 10 for cutting or splitting the fabric lengthwise at one of the folded edges E to provide two free edges F, means 12 for unfolding and spreading the cut fabric into a flat web W, conveyor means 13- for supporting the tubular fabric while being cut and for conveying the folded cut fabric in flat condition from the cutting means to the unfolding and spreading means 12, means 14 for maintaining the web in spread and flat condition and for further spreading the web to its full width uniformly, take-up roll means 15 2 for the web, and drive means 16 for effecting operation of the advancing means 10, the conveyor means 13 and the take-up means 15 in timed relationship.

The advancing means 10 comprises a pair of rotating

rolls

19 and 20 arranged to provide a nip therebetween for receiving the length of tubular fabric T and to move the same onto the conveyor means 13.

The cutting means 11 comprises a circular blade 17 driven by a motor 18. In FIG. 4, the cutting means is located just beyond the rolls 19' and 2t) and in advance of the conveyor means 13; while in FIG. 5, the cutting means is located adjacent the conveyor means 13 and the

rolls

19 and 20 are dispensed with, a roll 19A being provided for cooperating with the conveyor means 13 to advance the tubular fabric from the folded-up pile of fabric P to the cutting means.

The conveyor means 13 comprises an endless belt arrangement 21 mounted on rolls 22 and 23- to provide an upper'strand on which the fabric is supported in flat condition. As shown herein, the belt arrangement includes a plurality of spaced apart belts 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which may on the other hand be constituted by a single belt. Preferably and as shown, the upper strand of the belt arrangement is inclined upwardly from the advancing means 10 to the unfolding means 12, and is adapted to draw up the fabric under control against lateral shifting. It is to be noted that the fabric is under substantially no tension while being carried upwardly by the conveyor 13.

The unfolding means 12 as shown herein (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) accomplish three functions. One function is to guide and position the cut folded fabric for symmetrical unfolding thereof; a second function is to effect such symmetrical unfolding and also symmetrically spread the fabric; and a third function is to cooperate with the means 14 for completing the spreading of the fabric and maintaining it in spread and flat condition, as about to be described. 7

In order to accomplish these functions, the means 12 generally comprise a guide '25 (FIG. 1) and the structure 26 beneath the guide 25 positioned above the means 14.

The guide 25 extends crosswise with respect to the direction in which the folded cut fabric is moving while being delivered by the conveyor means 13 and has an elongated slot 27 facing downwardly through which the fabric passes with the uncut folded edge E at the left end of the slot and the cut free edges F nearer the right end of the slot, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The structure 26 is generally of a symmetrically triangular formation (FIGS. 1 and 3) and has an apex or blunt pointed port-ion 28 just below the left end of the slot 27, as viewed in FIG. 1. The structure further has a V- shaped apex portion on ridge 29 (FIG. 3) extending horizontally from the portion 28 beneath the slot 27 for substantially the length of the slot to direct the folds of the fabric having passed through the slot in opposite directions, and has diverging side portions or rails 30 which are inclined downwardly from the left end of the slot towards the take-up means (FIG. 2) with the altitude line of the triangular formation being in vertical alignment with the slot 27 (FIG. 1). Thus, as the cut folded fabric passes downwardly through the slot 27 with the pointed portion 28 fitting into the interior of the folded edge of the fabric, the gravitational pull on the fabric by its weight causes the ridge 29 to open the fabric and the rails 36 not only direct the cut free edges of the fabric in opposite directions '(over and then under the rails) to unfold thefabric into the web with the free edges now constituting the side edgesof the web (FIG. 1) but also uniformly distribute the weight of the fabric in such manner that the fabric movement along the rails 3% is substantially free, relaxed and without tension. Thus, the combination 3 of gravity and downwardly inclined rails 30 provide smooth movement to the opened fabric and, since the longitudinal tension is minimal, the correct fabric width is maintained and not reduced.

The means 14 comprise a downwardly inclined, flat plate 31, below and closely adjacent the structure 26 for supporting and, like the rails 30, similarly distributing the weight of the web of the fabric as it is formed in drawing the free edges under the rails 30 (FIG. 1). The Web slides down along this plate, with minimal tension, as it moves towards the take-up means. The means 14 further comprise a rod 32 at the lower edge of the plate 31 (FIG. 2) and adjacent the take-up means 15 under which the web passes. The rod 32 is stationary and extends crosswise with respect to the web. The rod has surface formations 33 along its length for frictional engagement with the web to spread and maintain the web at its full width as it is delivered to the take-up means to thereby provide a smooth and even roll of fabric. The formations 33, as shown herein, are herringbone-like ribs which from the middle of the rod extend in opposite directions to thereby laterally urge half of the width of the web towards the right and the other half towards the left (F1641).

The take-up means 15 comprise a roll 34 for the web of fabric provided with an axle 35 having outwardly extending ends each mounted in a slot or guideway 36 of a bracket member 37 at each end of the roll 34, and a driven roll 38 journalled for rotation between the bracket members 37 below the roll 34, so that the roll 34 rests on the roll 38 with the web between these rolls and rotation of the roll 38 effects rotation of the roll 34 to take up the web. This arrangement enables the roll 38 to pull the web at a constant lineal speed and to effect rotation of the roll 34 at the required radial speed to wind up the web of fabric under uniform tension without resorting to variable speed drive mechanism to compensate for the increase in diameter of the roll of fabric. a

The fabric advancing means :10, the conveyor means 13 and the take-up means 15 are driven in synchronism by the drive means 16, so that the fabric is fed into the machine at exactly the same rate it is taken up on the roll 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive means 16 comprise a source of power (not shown) connected to one end of output shaft 39 having at its other end a variable pitch pulley 40 connected through a 'belt 41 to a pulley 42, which in turn is connected through a bearing 43 to gears 44 and 45 and thence to the roll 38. Shaft 39 drives roll 20, as seen in FIG. 4, and adjacent its other end it is also provided with a sprocket 46 for driving sprocket 47 through chain 48 to drive the conveyor roll 22. While not shown, the

rolls

19 and 20 are connected by gearing or the like, so that the roll 20 effects rotation of the roll 19.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the roll 22 is driven like the roll 20 in FIG. 4 and is connected by gearing to the roll 19A to drive the same. The lower end of the conveyor means serves as the roll 20 to provide the nip for the fabric being advanced.

, Although not shown herein, it will be understood that the advancing means 10, the unfolding and spreading means 12, 14, the conveyor means 13, the take-up means '15 and the drive means 15 are supported and structurally interconnected by suitable framework.

In operation, the essential fabric handling steps comprise moving the tubular fabric in a generally horizontal path, cutting the tube to provide the folded web, changing the direction of movement of the folded web to a generally vertical downward path, and then moving the fabric again in a generally horizontal path at right angles to its first path while unfolding, spreading and taking up the web.

Since the fabric must move downwardly between the conveyor means 13 and the slot 27, the conveyor means move the fabric upwardly and the structure 26 guides the fabric downwardly, so that the input and the output of the machine are at about the same level and a compact arrangement is provided.

While the machine has been described as being particularly adapted for converting knit tubular fabric into a web of such fabric, by way of example, it will be apparent that the machine is likewise adapted to convert other types of flexible tubular material into a web of such material.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved machine for con vertingtubular fabric into a web of fabric wherein the forces acting on the fabric are so symmetrically and uniformly applied throughout as to assure the formation of a roll of fabric having its correct, true width maintained throughout.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matters are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. For example, the elevation of the conveyor roll 23 (see FIG. 4) may be reduced to just above the apex 29 and thereby eliminate need of the guide 25.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for advancing a length of fabric folded upon itself in flat condition and provided with a folded edge and a cut edge having two free edges, means beneath said advancing means having a point for engaging an inner side of the fabric at the folded edge and having downwardly diverging side portions for unfolding the fabric into a flat web, and means beneath said preceding means for supporting said fabric, whereby said fabric is uniformly moved along said supporting means with minimal tension applied to the fabric, said fabric being free from longitudinal and lateral stresses while being formed into said flat Web so as to insure that true fabric width is maintained.

2. A machine according to claim 1, including conveyor means for supporting the folded cut fabric in fiat condition.

3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein said conveyor means has a surface for effecting frictional engagement of the fabric.

4.. A machine according to claim 1, including take-up means for drawing the fiat web of fabric onto a roll.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combina tion of means for advancing a length of fabric folded upon itself in flat condition and provided with a folded edge and a cut edge having two free edges, means hav ing a slot extending crosswise with respect to the path in which the folded cut fabric is advanced for guiding the fabric downwardly, means beneath said last mentioned means having a point for engaging an inner side of the fabric at the folded edge and having downwardly diverging side portions for unfolding the fabric into a flat web, means beneath said preceding means for supporting said fabric, whereby said fabric is uniformly moved along said supporting means with minimal tension applied to the fabric, said fabric thus being free from longitudinal and lateral stresses while being formed into said flat web so as to insure that true fabric width is maintained, and take-up means for drawing the web in a direction at substantially right angles to the advancing means to form a roll of said web.

- 6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of feed rolls for advancing a length of tubular fabric folded upon itself in flat condition to provide two folded edges, means beyond said feed rolls for cutting the fabric lengthwise at one of the folded edges to provide two free edges, parallel spaced apart members providing a slot extending crosswise with respect to the path in which the cut fabric is advanced for guiding the fabric downwardly, an endless belt conveyor between said slot and said cutting means for frictionally engaging and supporting the folded cut fabric in fiat condition while conveying it from said cutting means to said slot,

generally triangular structure beneath said slot having a blunt apex portion under one end of said slot for engaging an inner side of the fabric at the uncut folded edge thereof and having downwardly diverging side portions for unfolding the fabric into a fiat web, a plate beneath said triangular structure for slidably supporting the unfolded fabric and the resulting web, whereby said fabric is uniformly moved along said plate with minimal tension applied to the fabric, take-up means for drawing the web of fabric onto a roll, and a rod between said take-up means and said plate and in frictional contact with the web, said rod having surface formations along its length for laterally outwardly urging half of the width of the web in one direction and the other half in the opposite direction.

7. A machine according to claim 6, wherein said conveyor is inclined upwardly from said feed rolls, said slot is adjacent and below the delivery end of said conveyor, said structure and said plate are parallel and adjacent to each other and are inclined downwardly towards said take-up means in a direction perpendicular to which said conveyor extends lengthwise.

8. A machine according to claim 6, including a common drive for said feed rolls, said conveyor and said take-up means to control the tension of said fabric as it is converted from a tube to a web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,877 Weinberger Apr. 9, 1918 1,531,313 Shapera Mar. 31, 1925 1,801,757 Shippling Apr. 21, 1931 2,108,127 Kasanof Feb. 15, 1938 2,467,281 Walter et a1. Apr. 12, 1949