Fiber-twist-spinning
An open-end spinning system characterized by laying straightened fibers next to each other onto an endless member and moving these deposited fibers in a generally perpendicular direction to the fiber orientation into a twisting zone where they are twisted and compacted into a yarn.
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for high-speed spinning of staple fibers into a yarn. More particularly, it is spinning yarn according to what is commonly known as an “open-end” spinning method.
BACKGROUNDHigh-speed spinning methods, also called “open-end” spinning methods have been known for many years. In general, they assemble a yarn from staple fibers without rotating the take-up package as is the case with the long established ring spinning. A major obstacles preventing full acceptance of these open-end spinning systems are the lack of even fiber alignment in the yarn, not being able to process a broad range of materials, fiber length and yarn size. An additional technological problem with rotor spinning is the limitation of production speed, caused by the centrifugal force of the rotating yarn end in the rotor.
The invention disclosed in this application applies to a new method of “open-end” spinning which presents well oriented fibers to the twisting location and assembles them under selectable tension onto the yarn end with minimal energy requirements. Its production speed is not affected by the strength and/or length of the individual fiber and there is no excess stress applied to the formed yarn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, it is a principal purpose of the present invention to provide a quality yarn at high-speed by aligning the individual fibers before twisting them in stretched form onto the yarn end.
It is another object of the invention to produce a yarn at extremely high speed by twisting the yarn end around its axis and rotate the fibers around the same axis before being attached to the yarn end whereby the radius of rotation is very small.
It is another object of the invention to be able to select a desired withdraw tension of the yarn out of the twisting zone in order to further align the fibers and to stretch them in uniform manner which results in even load sharing of all fibers when the yarn is under stress.
It is a further target of the invention to hook fibers onto hook wires and have this hooked portion of the fiber trailing in the spinning process in order to pull out these hooks when the twisted yarn is pulled out of the twisting zone.
It is an object of this invention to first separate individual fibers from a fiber bundle. Next, to align these fibers parallel to each other. Then to move the individual fibers perpendicular to their alignment to the twisting zone. To rotate these fibers around the axis of a yarn end and bring their leading end in contact with the none-rotating yarn end thus adding length to the yarn end and withdrawing the yarn simultaneously.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the parallel laying of stretched fibers is accomplished by pulling individual fibers from a fiber bundle by a combing roll. These individual fibers are then caught on hooks of an endless cross belt which runs in close proximity and perpendicularly to the tangential motion of the combing roll.
Another preferred embodiment uses a cross drum in place of a cross belt. This cross drum is equipped on it's periphery with hooks to capture the individual fibers. The axis of the cross drum is in general perpendicular direction to the axis of the combing roll.
It is also an object of the invention to remove the individual fibers from the cross belt or the cross drum, to capture them between a twist-belt and another stationary or moving member and feed them individually to the twisting zone. The high friction of the twist-belt overcomes possible drag of the other holding member.
It is an object of the invention to twist the yarn end and the individual fibers with the assistance of a needle which determines the precise twist in the yarn.
Another object of the invention is to be very flexible in the capability to spin fibers of various staple lengths at the same time or to be able to switch from short to long fibers without major machinery changes and visa versa.
Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a spinning system is broadly illustrated in
Referring now to
The described mechanical parts can be seen in the exploded view in
Referring to
The diagram in
A modification of the spinning system is shown in
In the partial perspective view in
In
In
- cross-belt 1
- right belt-pulley 2
- left belt-pulley 3
- belt guide 4
- combing roll 5
- feed roll 6
- pressure shoe 7
- twist-belt 8
- twist-belt pulley 9
- stripping blades 10
- twisting roll 11
- twisting needle 12
- bottom takeoff roller 13
- top takeoff roller 14
- yarn 15
- fiber bundle 16
- hooked wire 17
- straight wire 18
- cross-drum 19
- fiber 20
- twisting zone 21
- air porosity 22
- stripper groove 23
- belt cover 24
- cover rib 25
- nose pin 26
- needle bearing 27
- needle pulley 28
- core-yarn hole 29
- core-yarn 30
- fiber hook 31
- fiber tail 32
Claims
1. Apparatus for twisting staple fibers into a yarn comprising:
- (a) a mechanism to separate individual fibers;
- (b) a mechanism to pull said individual fibers straight;
- (c) a continuous surface onto which said individual fibers are deposited parallel to each other;
- (d) moving said continuous surface with the deposited fibers in a direction which is generally at a right angle to the fiber orientation;
- (e) a twisting position where the row of parallel fibers are rolled up around an axis which is substantially parallel to the fiber orientation;
- (f) a yarn withdrawal means to continuously pulling rolled up fibers in axial direction.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereby the rolling together of the parallel fibers is accomplished by means of a rotating needle.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereby the rolling together of the parallel fibers is accomplished by means of counter rotating surfaces.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereby the rolling together of the parallel fibers is assisted by means of counter rotating surfaces around a rotating twisting needle.
5. Apparatus according to claims 2 and 3 whereby the surfaces of the rolling members are pressed together with a selectable force.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereby the parallel fibers are caught by rows of wire hooks mounted on said continuous surface.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising stripping blades located between the rows of wire hooks to assist in releasing the parallel fibers from the wire hooks.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereas said continuous surface is air permeable to allow air flow through said continuous surface to assist in the control of the parallel fibers.
9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said rotating needle is hollow in order to place a core yarn into the center of the spun yarn.
10. A method of twisting staple fibers together into a yarn comprising the steps of:
- (a) arranging individual staple fibers parallel to each other;
- (b) moving these fibers in a direction which is generally at a right angle to the fiber orientation;
- (c) twisting these fibers around an axis which is substantially parallel to the fiber orientation;
- (d) continuously pulling rolled up fibers in axial direction.
11. A method of spinning staple fibers into a yarn according to claim 10 comprising the step of catching the tail of hooked fibers first in order to pull out trailing fiber hooks.
12. A method of spinning staple fibers into a yarn according to claim 10 comprising the step of applying pressure to the rolling-up means in order to control the withdrawal tension while being pulled out of the twisting zone.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 9, 2010
Inventor: Kurt W. Niederer (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 12/455,786
International Classification: D01H 4/00 (20060101); D01H 4/30 (20060101); D01H 4/50 (20060101); D01H 4/08 (20060101);