MXPA98007621A - Method and apparatus for penetrating a fabric of material of h - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for penetrating a fabric of sheet material carried on a fabric. The apparatus includes a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to lift the fabric into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the fabric of the sheet material in contact with a strip cutting member so that the fabric of sheet material is continuously cut into strips continuously along its length by bringing the fabric into the material of the sheet material. sheet under you. In an alternate embodiment, a stream of pressurized air is directed to a bottom part of the sheet material fabric so as to separate the fabric from the fabric. A method for penetrating a fabric of sheet material as it is carried on a fabric includes the steps of bringing the fabric of sheet material over a fabric in a longitudinal direction, applying a flow of air to the fabric as to separate a part of the fabric from the fabric. the fabric, penetrating the fabric as you are separated from the fabric and reapplying the fabric of sheet material to the

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PENETRATING A FABRIC OF LEAF MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for penetrating a web of sheet material, and in particular to a method and apparatus for penetrating a fabric of sheet material, such as by cutting, punching, boring or cutting. in crevices, while the tissue is being carried on a cloth.

It is well known in the field of papermaking, and particularly in the field of the manufacture of tissue products such as facial tissues, toilet tissues and paper towels to provide an apparatus for longitudinally slitting a fabric of material of sheet that runs continuously in two or more strips. Typically, the fabric of sheet material is cut into strips either upon traversing this an "open pull" before being wound into rolls, before it is dried or after it is wound onto the roll. In the first case, the open pull area, where the dried leaf is momentarily unsupported before being rolled, provides an ideal place for cutting strips of the fabric. In particular, the device or slitter, often configured as a rotating saw blade, can be applied to the fabric without concern to cut or otherwise damage an underlying fabric, which otherwise leads the fabric of sheet material through the process trainer Fabrics of this nature can be expensive and difficult to replace.

However, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,591,309, issued January 7, 1997 to Rugo ski et al., And assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, The same assignee of the present application, Open pulls are a frequent source of leaf breaks and associated production delays. As a result of this, the tissue sheets are generally designed to have high strengths in the machine direction in order to remain intact as they are pulled through the open pull. However, resistance in the high machine direction can adversely affect the quality of the fabric or fabric in terms of its desired smoothness. Therefore, as explained in U.S. Patent No. 5,591,309, the removal of open drafts in tissue manufacture can result in a sheet material being made more efficiently at less cost and with more properties. desirable When the open pull is removed, the fabric of sheet material is typically cut into strips using a water jet before the fabric is dried. However, such "wet striping" can result in a degradation of the continuous drying fabric upon exposure to the hot air passing through the slit in the sheet material during the drying phase during the process. In addition, the edges of the slit of the sheet material fabric may not dry evenly due to the stacking of fibers along the slit. Additionally, when the fabric of sheet material is cut into strips prior to drying, the various strips of the sheet material are difficult to control and may inadvertently knit, or overlap, as they are additionally carried to the winding reel. Woven strips can be damaged more easily and can make the winding process particularly difficult. In addition, adjacent rollers having interwoven fabrics can be particularly difficult to separate. Therefore, it is typically required that the strips of the sheet material fabric are spread and separated as to avoid interweaving.

In contrast to the cracking of the fabric before drying, it is known in the art to split the fabric of sheet material as it is wound on the roll, as mentioned above. Slitting devices of this nature typically apply a guide or pressure roller, or a similar device, to the outermost surface of the roll so as to control the penetration of the cutting device into strips. However, facial and bathroom tissues typically have low densities. Therefore, it is usually not desirable, or even possible, to allow such a guide roller to contact the roll when it is constructed so as to control the position of the cutter in strips, and the penetration thereof. In addition, the various strips are necessarily wound on the same roll and must be rewound on separate rolls after cutting into strips in another manufacturing step if desired.

Alternatively, the fabric of sheet material can be carried on two or more bands aligned side by side, wherein a splitter blade protrudes through the gap between the bands. The fabric of sheet material can be trapped or torn in the gap however, and it is not possible to change the lateral position of the slitter device without reconfiguring the bands, which can be very time-consuming and expensive. In addition, the control of the bands, and the alignment of the same can be difficult to maintain.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention is directed to an apparatus for penetrating a fabric of sheet material, such as by cracking, cutting, puncturing or puncturing, while being carried on a fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a penetrating device placed above the fabric and a flow of air, which is applied to a portion of the fabric of sheet material on one side of the penetrating device so as to separate the fabric from the fabric and therefore bring the fabric into contact with the penetrating device above the fabric.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a box positioned around a slitter member, preferably configured as a rotating saw blade. The box preferably includes a shoe member attached to a bottom of the box and having an opening forming a mouth of the box which opens towards the fabric of sheet material carried on the fabric. The shoe member preferably includes a shaped backward nose portion for stripping the air-limiting layer of the sheet material fabric as it passes under the box. Preferably, a curved plate is mounted on the shoe member in the mouth of the box. The plate has a plurality of openings and a groove formed therein. A vacuum is connected to the box to apply an air flow so that a part of the fabric of sheet material is separated from the fabric in the mouth of the box and thus comes into contact with the scraping member.

In an alternative embodiment, an air hose is provided under the fabric. An air hose applies a stream of pressurized air to a part of the bottom of the weave to lift it from the fabric and bring it into contact with the penetrating device, preferably including a cutter or slitter member. The air hose is used with the permeable fabrics, while the vacuum is used with the waterproof fabrics. Alternatively, the air hose may be used in combination with the vacuum to obtain the desired fabric separation of sheet material when used with an air permeable fabric.

In an aspect of the invention, a sensor is provided below the fabric. The sensor monitors the position of the fabric and signals retraction or detection of the penetrating device if the fabric inadvertently approaches the penetrating device. Preferably, the penetrating device is made adjustable in height so as to allow the distance between the blade and the fabric to be automatically adjusted according to the sensor information.

In yet another aspect, a method for penetrating the fabric of sheet material carried on the fabric is provided. The method includes bringing the fabric of sheet material on a fabric in a longitudinal direction, applying either a vacuum or a stream of pressurized air, or both, to the fabric of sheet material, to separate at least a portion of the fabric of the fabric, penetrating the fabric of sheet material as it is separated from the fabric and reapplying the separated part of the fabric of sheet material to the fabric.

The present invention provides significant advantages over cutting or penetrating devices. Importantly, the apparatus allows the slitting of the fabric of sheet material while it is being carried by a fabric prior to the winding of the fabric on the rolls. In this way, the open pulling of the forming process can be eliminated as to reduce waste and costs, but without having to crack the fabric of sheet material before the drying process, where the problems of fabric degradation, of fiber accumulation can be found at the edges of the slit and loss of blade control, In addition, since the apparatus can be placed relatively close to the winding reel, as opposed to wet stripping, which is typically carried upwards in the process , the problem of the interplay can be greatly reduced.

In addition, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for slitting the fabric of sheet material before wrapping the fabric on the rolls. In this way, the various webs of sheet material can be directed to different winding reels, rather than winding the fabric into a single single roll, where it is then slit and re-wound on separate individual rolls if necessary.

Further, since the fabric is not divided, or otherwise configured to receive the slitter device, the apparatus can easily move laterally to any desired position above the longitudinally moving tissue without having to reconfigure the fabric. In addition, a plurality of cutting devices may be placed on top of the fabric to allow the operator to make multiple strips of the sheet material fabric. In any situation, the desired strip cutting operation can be established quickly, cheaply and with little or no waste.

The present invention, together with the additional objects and advantages, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Many of the features and dimensions depicted in the drawings, and in particular the presentation of the thicknesses of the fabric of sheet material and the like, have been exaggerated for illustration and clarity.

Figure 1 is a side view of a slitter apparatus.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the chopper apparatus.

Figure 3 is a side view of a shoe member.

Figure 4 is a top view of the shoe member.

Figure 5 is an end view of the shoe member.

Figure 6 is a top view of a vacuum plate.

Figure 7 is a side view of the vacuum plate.

Figure 8 is an end view of the vacuum plate.

Figure 9 is a side view of a first mounting bracket for the laser sensor.

Figure 10 is an end view of the first mounting bracket.

Figure 11 is a rear view of a second mounting bracket for the laser sensor.

Figure 12 is a side view of the second mounting bracket.

Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional amplification of the strip cutting device engaging the fabric of sheet material in a recess formed in the mouth of the box.

Figure 14 is an alternate embodiment of the stripping cutter.

Figure 15 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a fabric of sheet material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PREFERRED INCORPORATIONS It should be understood that the term "woven" as used herein is intended to include a sheet material made of one or more layers of material such that a multi-layer sheet material is considered to be a "woven" material of material. sheet, regardless of the number of layers. In addition, the term "longitudinal", as used herein, is intended to indicate the direction in which the tissue traverses through the forming process in the machine direction, and is not intended to be limited to a particular length of the fabric , whether it is cut or otherwise. Similarly, the terms "down", "up", "forward", "backward", "left", and "right" as used herein are intended to indicate the relative direction for the views presented in the Figures, and in particular, from a perspective when the fabric and the fabric are seen as they move out of the dryer towards the cutting apparatus and finally to the winding reel.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show an apparatus 10 having a box 12, a vacuum and a penetrating device 16, shown as a strip cutting member. A front part of the case 12 includes a pair of mounting strips 18 bolted to a pivot bracket 20 with a plurality of bolts 21. The vertically oriented grooves 19 are provided in the mounting flanges 18 to allow the position to be adjusted vertical of the box 12 in relation to the pivot bracket 20. In addition, a pair of adjusting screws 70 extend through a pair of ear members 72 extending forwardly from the flange members 18 and contacting a bottom surface 74 of the pivot bracket 20. When the bolts 21 are released, the adjusting screws 70 can be extended or retracted relative to the ear members 72 so as to locate the mounting flanges 18 in the desired position relative to the pivot bracket 20, where the bolts 21 can be tightened to mount surely the box on the pivot bracket. In this manner, the operator can adjust the exposure of the cutter member in strips within a mouth 94 of the box.

A pair of ear members 22 extend forward from the. pivot bracket 20 in two places and are pivotally attached with a pin 64 to a pair of backwardly extending ear members 26 fastened to a lower portion 28 of a plate member extending upwardly 24. The plate member 24 includes an upper part 30 attached to a first mounting plate 40 with a plurality of bolts 34.

Preferably, the upper portion 30 includes a plurality of slots 32 which are adapted to receive the bolts 34. A pair of ear members 33 extend forwardly from the upper part 30. A pair of adjusting screws 42 are threadedly received. in the ear members 33 and make contact with an upper surface 39 of the first mounting plate 40. In this manner, the bolts 34 can be released so as to allow the adjusting screw 42 to be rotated and therefore be raised or lower the plate member 24 to a desirable height relative to the first mounting plate 40. In this manner, the operator can adjust the position of the cutting member in relation to the fabric 60 and control the distance therebetween. The bolts 34 are then pressed into the slots 32 to mount the plate member 24 on the first mounting plate 40.

As shown in Figure 1, the first mounting plate 40 is attached to a second mounting plate 44 positioned on an opposite side of a laterally extending frame member 46. A plurality of bolts 47 are used to grip the member. of frame 46 between the first and second plate members 40 and 44. As shown in Figure 2, the bolts 47 can be released so that the entire apparatus can move laterally along the length of the frame member 46 to a desired operating position above the longitudinally oriented fabric 60, which is preferably one piece and extends in the direction transverse to the entire machine of the machine. It should be understood by one with skill in the art that the plate member, or the first and / or second mounting plates can also be fixedly fastened directly to the frame member with the fasteners, with welding or the like.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mounting bracket 48 is attached, with fasteners, or by welding and the like, to a rear surface 36 of the upper part 30 of the plate member 24. The bracket 48 includes a pair of rearwardly extending ear members 50. A pneumatic cylinder 54 includes an upper end 56 which is pivotally attached to the ear members, and an axle 62 having a lower end 58 pivotally attached to a pin. pair of the ear members 52 extending rearwardly from the pivot bracket 20. In operation, the pneumatic cylinder 54, preferably configured as a gas spring, may be extended or retracted so as to pivot the pivot bracket 20 about the axis of pin 64. Alternatively, a hydraulic cylinder can be used to drive the pivot clamp. In addition, a pair of horizontally oriented adjustment screws 76 extend through the lower portion 28 of the plate member 24 and engage a front surface 38 of a pivot bracket 20. The adjusting screws 76 act as a stop against the pivot bracket 20 and can extend or retract in relation to the plate member as to limit rotation of the pivot bracket 20, and secure the box 12 and the cutter member in strips 16, relative to the cloth 60. In this In this manner, the raking member is prevented from being rotated to make contact with the fabric, especially in the case of a failure in the pneumatic cylinder 54.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an electric motor 80 is also attached to the pivot bracket 20. A suitable motor is the 1.1K, 50Hz, 2840 RPM AC motor commercially available from ABB Industrie as type M2JA 80L.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontally oriented shaft 82 of the motor extends laterally to the housing 12. Preferably, the cutting member 16 is a rotating saw blade. The strip cutter member 16 is placed in the box 12 and is mounted on the shaft 82 of the motor. A commercially available saw blade suitable for use is the 12 inch outer and 3 quarter inch inner tool steel blade sold by Otter-Kinetic Co. as part number 3074-5A. Preferably, the saw blade rotates from left to right, or in the same direction in which the fabric and web of sheet material travel, and at a higher speed, preferably at about a 2: 1 ratio.

Alternatively, the penetrating device can be configured as a stationary fixed blade placed inside the box, a water jet, a laser or any other conventional and known cutting devices.

Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to modify the fabric of the movable sheet material as it is carried on the fabric such as by cutting the fabric in a direction transverse to the machine, by perforating or perforating the fabric, or by acting similarly. on the fabric to change its size, shape or constitution. In such embodiments, one skilled in the art should recognize that the apparatus will include a penetrating device capable of making the cuts, perforations or holes, including for example, but not limited to a rotary cutter or drill heads.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vacuum includes a conduit 15 attached to the back of the box. A conventional vacuum is connected to the duct 15 so as to apply a vacuum to the box 12. Depending on the weight of the fabric of sheet material and the permeability of the underlying fabric, the vacuum levels of about 4 inches of water column ( "WC") to about 25 inches of water column can be applied to the box to provide an adequate separation of the sheet from the material fabric without also pulling the fabric towards the box.

As shown in Figures 1-5, the case 12 preferably includes a shoe member 90 having a flange portion 103 fastened to a bottom 66 of the case. The shoe member 90 has a cavity 92 and a mouth 94 that opens downward toward the underlying fabric 60 and the fabric of sheet material 100 passing through it. The shoe member 90 also includes a backward nose portion 96 which is shaped to strip the air-limiting layer of the sheet material fabric 100 so as to allow the fabric to separate more easily from the underlying fabric. Preferably, the shoe member is made of aluminum.

Referring to Figures 6-9, a perforated vacuum plate member 102 is shown. Preferably, the vacuum plate member 102 is curved so as to have a rearwardly concave surface 104 that lies on the fabric of sheet material. 100 and the fabric 60. The concave arcuate surface extends essentially continuously along the longitudinal extent of the plate member. A pair of mounting flanges 106 extend longitudinally along the side portions of the plate member. Each mounting flange 106 includes a plurality of holes 108. A plurality of fasteners are received in the holes and securely fastened to the plate member 102 over the mouth 94 of the shoe member. In addition, an end plate 107 is attached to a front portion 109 of the shoe member. Each of the mounting flanges 106 has a bottom surface 112. Preferably, the vacuum plate member is made of a 14 gauge stainless steel.

The curved portion 114 of the plate member is received within the cavity 92 of the shoe member and forms a downward facing recess 116 that opens toward the fabric of sheet material as shown in Figure 13. A plurality of openings 118 are placed in the curved portion 114 of the plate member. Preferably, the openings 118 are configured as holes, rather than as slots, so that the fabric of sheet material is prevented from being pulled through the plate member and into the box, or full of vacuum.

In addition, the plate member includes a longitudinal elongated slot 120 positioned approximately along the center line of the plate member. The openings 118 are both placed on the sides and back of the slot 120, but not forward of the slot. Preferably, the openings do not extend to the full length of the shoe member 90 so as to allow the raised portion of the fabric of sheet material 100 to settle back onto the fabric 60 as it moves toward the winding spool.

As shown in Figure 13, the shoe member 90 and the vacuum plate member 102 allow the relatively more flexible sheet material fabric 100 to be pulled to the recess 116 and to contact the stripper cutter member 16. , but the relatively inflexible fabric 60, which is stretched taut on the reel drum 174, is prevented from being pulled into the recess upon contact with the bottom of the shoe member and / or the flanges of the plate member. In this manner, the shoe member 90 and the vacuum plate member 102 prevent the stripping cutter member from contacting and thus damaging the cloth 60. In addition, the screw 70 can be adjusted to expose more or less of the cutter member in strips 16 within recess 116.

Also, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 9-12, a sensor. laser displacement 130 is mounted on the frame member 132 below the fabric 60. In particular, a transverse member 134 is adjustably mounted to a bracket 136 attached to the vertical frame member 132. The transverse member 134 includes a flange member 138 a around the midpoint of the transverse member. The laser sensor 130 is mounted on a bracket member 140 which includes a flange member 141 attached to the flange member 138. In operation, the transverse member 134 can move laterally beneath the fabric 60 by sliding the transverse member between the legs. support brackets 136 mounted on opposite sides of the machine as the apparatus 10 moves laterally above the fabric 60 so that the laser sensor 130 is directed to the fabric immediately below the strip cutting member, preferably at an approximate centerline of The rotating saw blade at its lowest point on one side of the fabric. A locking bolt 137 is mounted on each bracket 136 and engages the transverse member 134 to releasably lock the transverse member in a desired position. Alternatively, the laser can slide to the operator side of the machine to allow angular adjustment or maintenance of the sensor. The sensor 130 monitors the position of the fabric 60 and automatically signals the operator or adjusts the cutter apparatus in strips and the fabric is lifted up or towards the cutter member in strips. In a preferred embodiment, the signal from the sensor 130 triggers an upward retraction of the cutter member in strips or a vacuum stop to ensure that the fabric is not damaged by the cutter. In particular, a pneumatic cylinder is operated so as to pivot the cutter apparatus upwardly around the pin 64 and away from the fabric. A commercially available sensor 130 is the Nippon Automated LAS-8010 laser sensor from Adsens Tech. Inc.

Also shown in Figures 1 and 2, a support tube 142 or a bar is attached to the bracket 144 and supports a bottom surface 146 of the fabric immediately behind the box 12. Preferably, the support tube is rotatably mounted under the fabric so as not to wear the fabric. The support tube glued lightly on the fabric so that the fabric is wrapped around the tube and therefore also helps to prevent the fabric being pulled to the cutting device. An adjusting screw 147 threadably engages a flange extending rearwardly from the bracket 136 and engages a bottom surface of the bracket 144. The screw 147 can be rotated to adjust the vertical position of the support tube, and the relative impact on the against the fabric.

Referring to Figure 15, a schematic diagram is shown to form a fabric of sheet material without an open pull. The apparatus and method for making such a fabric is set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,593,545, issued January 14, 1997 and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,309, issued January 7. of 1997, both of which are incorporated by reference. However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with other paper forming processes which use fabrics and / or webs to carry the sheet material without an open pull, and can be used to cut into strips other types of sheet materials other than paper products.

As explained in U.S. Patent No. 5,593,545 and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,309, and as shown in Figure 15, a representative continuous drying process is shown for making non-creped continuous drying tissues. The head box 148 is shown to deposit an aqueous suspension of fibers for making paper on an interior forming fabric 150 as it passes through the forming roller 152. The outer forming fabric 154 serves to contain the fabric as it passes over the forming roller and discard some of the water. The wet fabric 156 is then transferred from the inner forming fabric to a wet end transfer fabric 158 with the aid of a vacuum transfer shoe 160. This transfer is preferably carried out with the transfer fabric moving at a higher speed. slower than that of the forming fabric (rapid transfer) to impart stretch in the fabric of final sheet material. The wet fabric is then transferred to the continuous drying fabric 162 with the aid of a vacuum transfer roller 164. The continuous drying fabric carries the fabric on the dryer in a continuous fashion 166, blows hot air through the fabric to dry it while the volume is preserved. There may be more than one continuous dryer in series (not shown) depending on the speed and capacity of the dryer. The dried tissue sheet is transferred to a first dry end transfer fabric 168 with the aid of a vacuum transfer roller 170. The fabric of sheet material shortly after transfer is placed in sandwich form between the first fabric of dry end transfer and the second dry end transfer cloth 60 to positively control the path of the sheet. Fabrics suitable for use as the first dry end fabric include, without limitation, a wide variety of fabrics such as Asten 934, Asten 939, Albany 59M, Albany Duotex DD207, Lindsay 543 and the like. After the fabric of sheet material is compressed between the first dry end transfer fabric and the second wet end transfer fabric 60, which in one embodiment, has an air permeability greater than that of the first fabric of dry end transfer, the fabric is wrapped around the spool drum 174. The second suitable dry end transfer fabrics include, without limitation, Asten 960 (air permeability of about 300-400), Appleton Mills style Q53F (permeability) to the air of around 400), Appleton Mills style Q53KY (air permeability of around 200).

Due to the air flow through the lower fabric caused by the roller, the sheet is transferred to the second dry end transfer fabric. This is retained on the upper surface of the second dry end transfer fabric by means of air pressure generated by the presence of an air sheet on the underside of the fabric. The fabric of sheet material is then brought to the winding pressure point formed between the spool drum 174 and the spool 178 and wound onto a roller 180.

In an alternative embodiment, the permeability of the second transfer fabric 60 is much lower than that of the corresponding fabric used for the method dibed above. By lowering the permeability of the second dry end transfer fabric, the need for an air sheet is eliminated because with the lower permeability of the second fabric the sheet tends to adhere naturally to that fabric. At the separation point the sheet follows the lowest permeability fabric due to a vacuum action. Air is not pumped through the fabric by the various rollers and leaves are not required. Low air permeability fabrics suitable for this modality include, without limitation, Asten 960 dryer fabric (air permeability of about 50-100), Mononap NP50 COFPA dryer felt (air permeability of about 50) and felt of Appleton Mills dryer style H53FH (air permeability of about 75).

As shown in Figure 15, the apparatus 10 is placed on the second dry end transfer cloth 60 between the first dry end transfer fabric 168 and the reel drum 174. Preferably the apparatus of Figures 1-2 is used in conjunction with the second dry end transfer fabric of the second embodiment dibed above, which has a low permeability.

In operation, a vacuum is applied continuously through the openings 118 in the plate member 102 so as to apply a negative pressure to a portion of the fabric of sheet material and thereby adjust the fabric from the fabric 60 and then pull it to the recess 116 and to make contact with the concave surface 104 of the plate member. The strip cutter member 16 or the saw blade extends through the slot 120 'in the plate member and to the recess 116 formed by the plate member. Preferably, the strip cutter member 16 does not extend below the bottom surface 98, 112 of the shoe member or vacuum plate member. Therefore, as the sheet material is carried through the fabric, a part of the fabric is lifted off the fabric 60 and carried past the cutter member into strips which makes a cut in the fabric of sheet material 100, forming by both separate strips of the sheet material fabric. By traversing the strips of the sheet material fabric past the cutter member 16 and beyond the openings 118 applying the vacuum, the raised portions of the strips settle back onto the fabric 60 or are reapplied thereto, and then they are transferred to the winding reel 178 and wound onto the rolls 180.

It should be understood by those with a skill in the art that a fixed blade, a water jet, a laser cutting member or the like can be placed in the box. Alternatively, the vacuum can be applied to the fabric of sheet material without a box. In addition, other penetrating devices, capable of cutting, perforating and / or piercing the fabric can also be placed on one side of the fabric and the fabric and act on the fabric as it is separated from the fabric without contacting or otherwise damaging the fabric. cloth.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 14, the stripping cutter apparatus includes a flexible air line 182 and a nozzle 184 positioned below the second dry end transfer fabric 60 of the first embodiment dibed above, for example, a fabric having a relatively high permeability, and below the mouth 194 of the box and the cutting member 16. In this embodiment, the nozzle 184 continuously emits a stream of pressurized air which passes through the relatively permeable fabric and provides a positive pressure which lifts a part of the fabric of sheet material of the fabric and puts it in contact with the cutting member in strips. As with the first embodiment, the raised portions of the sheet material fabric strips settle back or are reapplied to the fabric after they have been cut into strips.

It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the vacuum and pressurized air can be used either separately, or in conjunction, depending on the thickness of the fabric of sheet material being cut into strips and the permeability of the fabric. which wears the material of sheet material. For example, when using only a vacuum applied to a relatively impermeable fabric having a basis weight of about 800 to 1,100 g / square meter, a vacuum of 4 inches WC to 25 inches WC is sufficient to lift a part of the fabric material of sheet having a basis weight of from about 18.6 g / square meter to about 32.0 g / square meter outside the fabric and to contact the cutter member in strips but without pulling the fabric to make contact with the cutter member .

The stripping cutter and the stripping method provide significant advantages. First, the invention provides cutting into strips of the fabric, or a similar modification such as by cutting into strips or perforating, while being held on a cloth, which allows the manufacturer to get rid of the open pulls. Therefore, leaf breaks and the like are reduced, which simultaneously allows the manufacture of a more desirable and softer sheet material product. In particular, the shoe member and the vacuum plate, in conjunction with the sensor, and the adjustment screws ensure that the fabric is prevented from being pulled into the cutting device. Furthermore, the invention eliminates the need to cut into wet strips which helps to conserve the continuous drying fabric, improves control of the sheet fabric and provides a more uniform fabric. In addition, the lateral position of the strip cutter can be adjusted and changed easily.

In addition, the stripping cutter can be used with a one-piece fabric which extends laterally through essentially the full transverse machine extension of the machine. This avoids the problems of the tissue being gripped between the adjacent multiple bands or fabrics and the problems associated with keeping such bands properly aligned. In addition, the strip cutting operation can move laterally along the transverse direction of the fabric without having to reconfigure the underlying webs or fabrics.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be seen as illustrative rather than limiting and that they are the attached clauses, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims (39)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An apparatus for penetrating a fabric of sheet material carried on a fabric, said apparatus comprises: a penetrating device adapted to be positioned on one side of said fabric in a spaced apart relationship therewith and to penetrate said fabric of sheet material by bringing said fabric of sheet material past the penetrating device; a flow of air adapted to separate a portion of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring said part of the fabric of sheet material into contact with the penetrating device as the fabric moves past the penetrating device in a spaced and separated relationship with it; Y whereby said penetrating device is adapted to penetrate said fabric of sheet material being carried on said fabric and while said penetrating device remains spaced and separated from the fabric as to avoid contact therewith.

2. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said penetrating device comprises a stripping cutter member adapted to continuously strip said web material of sheet material longitudinally along its length as the fabric carries the material of blade beyond the cutter member in strips.

3. The apparatus as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that the strip cutting member comprises a rotating saw blade.

4. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said air flow comprises a vacuum, and where a box is placed around the penetrating device, said box has a mouth adapted to open towards said fabric, and wherein said vacuum it is applied to said box, whereby said vacuum is adapted to separate said part of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric in said mouth of said box.

5. The apparatus as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that it comprises a plate covering said mouth, said plate having a plurality of openings and a slot, wherein said penetrating device comprises a blade extending through said slot in said license plate.

6. The apparatus as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said plate has a concave surface facing downwardly forming a recess, said blade extends through said slot in said plate inside said recess.

7. The apparatus as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said groove extends forward from said plurality of openings in said plate.

8. The apparatus as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said box further comprises a shoe member mounted on a bottom of said box and forming said mouth of said box, said shoe member comprises a nose portion extending towards back adapted to be placed close to the fabric of sheet material and the fabric.

9. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said air flow comprises a stream of pressurized air, and where an air hose emits said pressurized air stream, said air hose is adapted to be placed on one side of the air. the fabric and for separating said portion of said fabric of sheet material from the fabric on one side of the penetrating device so as to bring the fabric of sheet material into contact with the penetrating device as the fabric moves past the cutter device into strips penetrator in a spaced and separated relationship.

10. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 further characterized in that it comprises a sensor adapted to monitor the position of the fabric on one side of the penetrating device.

11. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the penetrating device is pivotally and movably secured to a frame member.

12. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said penetrating device and said air flow are adapted to move in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the fabric of sheet material.

13. A set for cutting into strips a fabric of sheet material carried on a fabric, said assembly comprising: said fabric adapted to carry said fabric of sheet material; a strip cutter device positioned on one side of said fabric in a spaced apart relationship therewith and adapted to continuously strip said fabric of sheet material longitudinally along its length as said sheet carries said fabric of material sheet beyond the cutter device in strips; an air flow adapted to continuously separate a portion of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric adjacent the cutter device into strips such as to bring said portion of said fabric of sheet material into contact with the cutter device in strips as said fabric moves; beyond the cutter device in strips; Y whereby said stripping cutter is adapted to continuously strip said web material sheet lengthwise along its length while said fabric of sheet material is being carried by said web and while the strip cutter device it remains spaced and separated from the fabric as to avoid contact with it.

14. The assembly as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said strip cutting device comprises a blade.

15. The assembly as claimed in clause 14 characterized in that said blade comprises a rotating saw blade.

16. The assembly as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said air flow comprises a vacuum, and in which a box is placed around the strip cutting device, said box has a mouth that opens towards the fabric and a surface of background spaced apart from said fabric, and wherein said vacuum is applied to said box, whereby said part of said fabric of sheet material is separated from said fabric in said mouth of said box.

17. The assembly as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that it comprises a plate covering said mouth, said plate has a plurality of openings and a groove, and wherein said strip cutting device comprises a blade extending through said plate. slot in said plate.

18. The assembly as claimed in clause 17 characterized in that said plate has a curved surface forming a recess opening towards said fabric, said blade extends through said groove in said plate and up to said recess, said blade placed on top of said plate. said bottom surface of said box.

19. The assembly as claimed in clause 17 characterized in that said groove extends forward from said plurality of openings in said plate.

20. The assembly as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that said box further comprises a shoe member mounted to a bottom of said box and forming said mouth of said box, said shoe member comprises a nose part that extends backward placed on said fabric.

21. The assembly as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said air flow comprises a stream of pressurized air, and where an air hose is placed on one side of the fabric, said air hose emits said pressurized air stream as to separate said part of said fabric from sheet material of the fabric such as to bring said portion of said fabric of sheet material to contact said cutting device above the fabric as said fabric moves beyond the cutting device.

22. The assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that it comprises a sensor adapted to monitor the position of the fabric on one side of the cutting device.

23. The assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the cutting device is pivotable and can move together with a frame member.

24. The assembly as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said stripping cutter can be moved laterally in relation to the longitudinally moving fabric.

25. The assembly as claimed in clause 24 further characterized in that it comprises a sensor adapted to monitor the position of the fabric on one side of the cutter device in strips and wherein said sensor can move laterally.

26. A set for modifying a fabric of sheet material carried on a fabric, said assembly comprising: said fabric adapted to carry said fabric of sheet material; a box placed near the fabric in a spaced apart relationship, said box having a recess opening towards said fabric; an air flow adapted to separate a part of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric and to direct said part of said fabric of sheet material into said recess.

27. The assembly as claimed in clause 26 characterized in that said box comprises a shoe member having a curved plate member forming said recess.

28. The assembly as claimed in clause 27 characterized in that said curved plate member has a plurality of openings, wherein said air flow is directed through said openings such as to be adapted to pull said fabric of sheet material in. of said recess.

29. A method for penetrating a fabric of sheet material comprising: bringing said fabric of sheet material onto a fabric in a longitudinal direction; applying an air flow to said fabric of sheet material as to separate a part of said fabric from the fabric; and penetrating the fabric of sheet material with a penetrating device placed on one side of the fabric in a spaced apart relationship thereto as said fabric part of sheet material is separated from the fabric and thus bringing it into contact with the fabric. the penetrating device.

30. The method as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that it comprises reapplying the separated part of the fabric of sheet material to the fabric.

31. The method as claimed in clause 29 characterized in that the step of applying said air flow comprises applying a vacuum to a surface of said fabric of sheet material facing said penetrating device.

32. The method as claimed in clause 31 characterized in that it comprises providing a box having a mouth opening towards said fabric of sheet material, wherein said vacuum is applied to said fabric in said mouth of said box.

33. The method as claimed in clause 29 characterized in that said penetrating device comprises a strip cutting member.

34. The method as claimed in clause 33 characterized in that said stripping cutter member is placed in a box.

35. The method as claimed in clause 29 characterized in that it comprises stripping a limiting layer of a surface of said fabric of sheet material as it is carried beyond the penetrating device.

36. The method as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that it comprises providing a box having a nose part that extends backwards to undress said limiting layer.

37. The method as claimed in clause 32 characterized by said box further comprises a plate covering said mouth, said plate having a curved surface forming a recess, a plurality of openings and a slot, wherein said step of cutting in continuously strips said fabric further comprises extending said penetrating device through said slot to said recess.

38. The method as claimed in clause 29 further characterized in that it comprises the step of monitoring the position of the fabric on one side of the penetrating device with a sensor.

39. The method as claimed in clause 29 characterized in that said step of applying said air flow comprises applying a stream of pressurized air to a surface of said fabric of sheet material. SUMMARY An apparatus for penetrating a fabric of sheet material carried on a fabric. The apparatus includes a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the fabric of sheet material from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring the fabric into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the fabric of the sheet material in contact with a strip cutting member so that it continuously cuts into strips the web material lengthwise along its length by bringing the fabric to the material of sheet below it. In an alternate embodiment, a stream of pressurized air is directed to a bottom part of the sheet material fabric so as to separate the fabric from the fabric. A method for penetrating a fabric of sheet material as it is carried on a fabric includes the steps of bringing the fabric of sheet material over a fabric in a longitudinal direction, applying a flow of air to the fabric as to separate a part of the fabric. of the fabric, penetrating the fabric as it is separated from the fabric and reapplying the fabric of sheet material to the fabric.