Machine for ordering textile tubes for a continuous spinning machine
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved machine for performing a process of ordering textile tubes used in a continuous spinning machine and feeding them to the motorized mechanism of the continuous spinning machine, which has a variety of important advantages over the currently available machines of this type. 
     Bumping mechanisms that regulate removal of textile tubes, applicable to ordering machines of the tubes, such as those described in Spanish Utility Patent No. 294,962, and textile-tube classifying and cleaning machines properly speaking, such as described in Spanish Patents 520,036 and 539,741, are known. All of these differ substantially from the machine according to the invention for ordering textile tubes for a continuous spinning machine that is described hereinbelow. 
     According to the present invention, the machine for ordering comprises automatic ordering means for ordering textile tubes automatically and without manual labor to form an ordered sequence of the textile tubes, which is adjustable for textile tubes of different dimensions, and means for delivery of the ordered sequence of textile tubes to a distributor of the continuous spinning machine. 
     The machine according to the invention advantageously comprises a hopper for the textile tubes; two identical parallel and vertical conveyor belts located at a rear wall of the hopper, electric drive means for driving each of the conveyor belts independently of each other, each of the conveyor belts being provided with a plurality of textile tube holders spaced at equal distances along the belts, so that when the conveyor belts are operated a single textile tube is taken from the hopper by each of the tube holders and carried to an end thereof remote from the hopper; bottom discharge means for discharge of the textile tubes to the distributor of the continuous spinning machine, and lateral guides for guiding the textile tubes raised by the conveyor belt to the bottom discharge means. 
     The machine according to the present invention for ordering textile tubes has been designed to produce a considerable savings in labor, with consequent reduced manufacturing costs for textiles, its operations being effected automatically in accordance with the current state of the art. 
     The machine according to the present invention is sturdy, not susceptible to damage, and is simple and reliable in its electromechanical operation. The special position of the elements that constitute the machine make it possible to perform the entire sequence of operations, from receipt of the tubes which are to be ordered to sequential delivery of the tubes, now ordered, permitting separate feed, and as desired, from both sides of the continuous spinning machine. 
     Similarly, by adequate adjustment means, the machine according to the invention can be used to order tubes of different length, according to the work to be performed by the continuous spinning machine. 
     The improved features in the ordering machine of the present invention provide advantages over the presently known devices performing the same function. The machine according to the present invention has an elevating loading mechanism or, alternatively, a conveyor belt distributing device, which provides greater maneuverability to the machine. The machine is also useful with continuous spinning machines equipped with an automatic doffer. 
     The machine according to the invention rapidly and automatically delivers textile tubes to both sides of the continuous spinning machine, and is a novel machine greatly superior, in all aspects, to those now known. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of an ordering machine according to the invention, mounted on the front of a continuous spinning machine provided with an automatic doffer; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the ordering machine of FIG. 1 showing a number of structural elements of the machine in detail; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ordering machine of FIG. 1 showing the position of the guides for conveying the tubes; 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view through a portion of a conveyor belt having tube holding means for the textile tubes in the ordering machine of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 4 having an angular vulcanized tube holder, a vulcanized tube holder with a triangular cross-section and a vulcanized tube holder with a trapezoidal cross-section, respectively; 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed cutaway front plan view of a conveyor belt used in the ordering machine according to the invention having a single central aperture for ejection springs for surplus tubes, or those tubes that have residual yarn wound on them, on the tube holder; 
     FIG. 9 is a detailed cutaway front plan view of another embodiment of a conveyor belt used in the ordering machine according to the invention having a series of two equal central apertures; 
     FIG. 10 is a detailed partially cross-sectional, partially side view of a portion of the mechanism of the ordering machine according to the invention including the conveyor belt and ejector spring; 
     FIG. 11 is a detailed side cutaway cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine according to the invention for bottom discharge of the textile tubes; 
     FIG. 12 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a detailed side view of another embodiment of an ordering machine according to the invention showing the loading elevator and continuous feed belt; 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of the ordering machine shown in FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 15 is a detailed side view of another embodiment showing the rear control cover and tube guide attached in a different manner than in the previous embodiments. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the drawing a first embodiment of an order machine M according to the invention is installed at the front of a continuous spinning machine C, and is provided with mechanisms designed to perform the ordering of tubes for automatic delivery to the distributor of the continuous machine. 
     The ordering machine comprises a hopper 1, two continuous identical and parallel vertical conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; moving along a rear wall of the ordering machine M adjacent the front wall of the continuous spinning machine C. These conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; are driven by individual drive means 3 and 3&#39; comprising reduction gears coupled to an electric motor. These conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; have textile tube holders 4 attached to them which hold textile tubes 5 which are piled in the interior of the hopper 1 and engage on them. 
     The tubes 5 are taken and elevated unitarily, i.e. one on each tube holder 4. In the event that more than one textile tube is taken by one of the textile tube holders 4, the additional tubes are ejected by ejector spring 6 and thrown back into the hopper 1, as shown clearly in FIG. 10. Also if a textile tube has residual yarn already wound on it so that it has a larger effective diameter, it may be ejected by the ejector spring 6. Thus only textile tubes which are sufficiently empty are conveyed to the spinning machine C. 
     When the tubes are moved by the conveyor belt 2 or 2&#39; to an end of the belt remote from the textile tubes 5 piled in the hopper 1, the tubes 5 so conveyed are conducted by guides 7 to bottom discharge means 8 of the ordering machine M from where they are fed to the continuous spinning machine C. The guides 7 are positioned adjacent and laterally to the conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39;. 
     The vertical conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; raising the textile tubes 5 are movable independently because the respective electric drive means 3 and 3&#39; operate independently of each other so that each side of the continuous spinning machine C can be fed separately and, as desired, in accordance with the operative process of delivery and positioning of the tubes at either side of the continuous spinning machine C. 
     Various embodiments of the tube holders 4 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 shows a tube holder 4 made of an angular metal strip, preferably of aluminum, screwed onto the conveyor belt 2 via a screw-and-nut assembly 9 and 10. FIG. 5 shows a tube holder 4 1  made of a strip, preferably of rubber, vulcanized onto the belt 2, this strip being angular in cross-section. 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment to the tube holder 4 2  made of a strip of triangular cross-section vulcanized onto the belt 2, the cross-section of the tube 5 that is being held being also shown. 
     FIG. 7 is an additional embodiment of the tube holder 4 3  formed by a vulcanized strip of trapezoidal cross-section. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vertical conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; have one 11 or two apertures 11&#39;, according to choice, between tube holders. The purpose of these apertures is to permit the action, respectively of one or two ejector springs 6 on the tubes, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 10. These ejector springs 6, upon emerging through the apertures, eject any tube they contact which then drops toward the hopper 1 of surplus tubes. Only one tube 5 remains on each tube holder 4, since at the moment at which it passes in front of the ejector spring 6, it is held on the belt 2, since there is no suitably positioned aperture through which spring 6 can reach it or, alternatively, since the apertures 11 or 11&#39; are not large enough. 
     Bottom discharge means 8 are provided at the end of the conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39;, as is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, through which the tubes 5, now in order, are delivered to the continuous spinning machine C. These discharge means 8 are adjustable in their dimensions, in width as well as in length, and therefore, after dimensional adjustment, the ordering machine is able to perform its work with textile tubes of a different size. 
     For the same reasons, the position of the guides behind the conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; is also adjustable. 
     Two detectors 12, 13 beside each belt are likewise located in the vicinity of the bottom discharge means 8. The upper detector 12 controls operation of the machine according to the invention. In the event that tube feed is interrupted for any reason, the upper detector 12 places the ordering machine in an emergency stop, instantaneously actuating light and acoustic signals for signalling this stop, so that immediate corrective action is possible after examination of the machine. 
     The lower detector 13 monitors tubes dropping from the ordering machine, and whenever there is an absence of these from any of the bottom discharge means 8, the conveyor belts 2 and 2&#39; start up immediately, according to the needs of each discharge means 8, and halt when the discharge means 8 are full. 
     Rear covers 14 and 14&#39; are located behind the ordering machine. The function of these rear covers 14 and 14&#39; is control and guidance of the textile tubes 5 through the rear zone of the ordering machine M to the discharge means 8. In the event of an obstruction caused by pile-up or incorrect positioning of any tube, they halt the machine M and the problem can be eliminated. 
     The special operation of these rear covers 14 and 14&#39; at the rear of the ordering machine is effected by means of upper pivot fasteners 15, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 13, which permit free opening by lifting or pivoting of their lower portion, where an end-of-travel control 16 is located. The end-of-travel control 16 signals separation of the cover 15 from the rear of the machine M by action of the tube or tubes 5 which have been blocked or piled up. These piled or jammed up tubes 5 cause a separation of the cover from the machine and, consequently, a preventive stop of the ordering machine. 
     Initial feed of the machine according to the invention for ordering textile tubes, i.e. the filling of the hopper 1, is effected, as seen in FIG. 13, by a loading elevator 19, which raises a car 20 containing the tubes 5. This car 20 arrives with the tubes 5 to be ordered and an operator raises and tips the car 20 emptying it into the hopper 1, as shown in FIG. 14. 
     Another embodiment of the feed means for the hopper can include storage silos which are not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The conveyor belt 21 transports the tubes 5 from the unshown storage silos to the top of the hopper 1, where they drop and are diverted by the deflector 22. 
     A control and signalling panel 23, visible and accessible to the operators who monitor correct operation of the ordering machine, is situated at the side of the ordering machine. This control and signalling panel contains means for halting the machine M and starting and stopping the drive means 3 and 3&#39; and is connected to the detectors 12 and 13 to receive signals from them for appropriate action as described above. 
     In conclusion, it should be indicated that the essential features and advantages of the ordering machine, are not altered by the embodiments changes in dimensions, exterior shape, materials and so on. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and embodied in an improved machine for ordering of textile tubes for a continuous spinning machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
     What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.