EP4001488B1 - Device for the manufacture of non-woven fabrics from continuous filaments - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing nonwovens from continuous filaments, wherein a spinning device for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments are present, wherein a depositing screen belt is also provided on which the filaments can be deposited in a depositing area to form a nonwoven web, wherein the depositing screen belt can be deflected from its transport direction in a deflection area by at least one nose roller and wherein at least one follow-up device for the nonwoven web is present downstream of the depositing screen belt in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web. The invention also relates to a method for transporting and treating a nonwoven web made of continuous filaments. - Continuous filaments differ from staple fibers due to their practically endless length, which have significantly shorter lengths of, for example, 10 mm to 60 mm.

Devices and methods of the type mentioned at the beginning are basically known in different embodiments from practice and from the state of the art. In such devices, the filaments are spun using a spinning device, then cooled in a cooling device and finally deposited on a depositing screen belt to form the nonwoven web. WO 00/46434 A1 describes a device and a method for producing nonwovens, wherein the spun filaments are deposited on a deposit belt to form a nonwoven web, detached from the deposit belt by means of a lifting roller and then consolidated in a calender. US$5,807,795 discloses a device and a method for producing a nonwoven fabric, wherein the filaments are spun in a spinning device and deposited on a deposit belt to form the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web is detached from the deposit belt by means of a roller arrangement.

EP 3 495 543 A1 describes a system and a method for producing a spunbonded nonwoven from continuous filaments, whereby the filaments are deposited on a first depositing belt to form the nonwoven web and are then transferred to a second depositing belt. The nonwoven web is guided by the second depositing belt around a suction drum arranged above the second depositing belt and is thus detached from the depositing belt. US 2007/0271749 A1 relates to a device for producing nonwovens, whereby filaments are spun in a spinning device and deposited on a deposit belt to form a nonwoven web. It is possible for the nonwoven web to be guided over a drum arranged above the deposit belt.

The depositing screen belt of the devices known from practice is usually designed as an endlessly rotating depositing screen belt that is deflected from its transport direction in a deflection area by a nose roller. In this deflection area arranged at the end of the depositing screen belt, the nonwoven web is transferred from the depositing screen belt or from the nose roller to a subsequent device and is detached from the depositing screen belt in the deflection area. However, with the devices and methods known from practice, it has been shown that detaching the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt requires a relatively high level of force and is therefore not always easy or reliable. In addition, a sufficiently good adhesion of the nonwoven web to the depositing screen belt is generally desirable, at least in the depositing area, so that there is a conflict of objectives between good detachment behavior and sufficient adhesion to the depositing screen belt. In addition, the strong deflection of the depositing screen belt can lead to jamming or trapping of the continuous filaments in the depositing screen belt, particularly in the deflection area. As a result, the A great deal of force is required to detach the fleece web from the depositing screen belt, and the fleece web can be damaged by filaments being torn out. In addition, filament residues can remain on the depositing screen belt, which are torn out of the fleece web during the detachment process. - There is a need for improvement in this regard.

The invention is based on the technical problem of specifying a device of the type mentioned at the beginning with which the nonwoven web can be detached from the depositing screen belt in a simple and functionally reliable manner, with which in particular damage to the nonwoven web can be avoided during the detachment process and the amount of force required to detach the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt can be reduced. The invention is also based on the technical problem of specifying a corresponding method for transporting and treating a nonwoven web.

To solve this technical problem, the invention teaches a device for producing nonwovens from continuous filaments, wherein a spinning device for spinning the filaments and a cooling device for cooling the filaments are present, wherein a depositing screen belt is also provided on which the filaments can be deposited in a depositing area to form a nonwoven web, wherein the depositing screen belt can be deflected from its transport direction in a deflection area by at least one nose roller, wherein at least one follow-up device for the nonwoven web is provided downstream of the depositing screen belt in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web, wherein the nonwoven web can be detached from the depositing screen belt before the deflection area and then transferred to the follow-up device, wherein at least one lifting roller is provided for detaching the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt, wherein the lifting roller is arranged or is arranged above the depositing screen belt can be detached from the depositing screen belt by means of the at least one lifting roller in a detachment area which is arranged at a distance A from the nose roller. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is height-adjustable in relation to the depositing screen belt and is preferably movable in the vertical direction for this purpose.

The spinning device according to the invention is designed in particular as a spinnerette within the scope of the invention. In the scope of the invention, the transport direction of the depositing screen belt means in particular the direction in which the depositing screen belt or the endlessly rotating depositing screen belt moves to convey the nonwoven web. In the scope of the invention, the transport direction of the depositing screen belt means in particular the deflection area at the end of the depositing screen belt in which the depositing screen belt is deflected from its transport direction by the nose roller and thus leaves its transport direction. In the scope of the invention, the detachment area or detachment area of the nonwoven web means in particular the area in which the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt. According to a preferred embodiment, the detachment area is a detachment line which extends in particular transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the transport direction of the depositing screen belt. The detachment area or detachment line is preferably arranged in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt in front of the deflection area and/or in front of the nose roller. The distance A is measured in particular between a projection of the axis of rotation of the nose roller onto the depositing screen belt and the detachment area or the detachment line, whereby the projection of the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt in the area of the distance A. Longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt means in the context of the invention the extension in Transport direction. The deposit area refers expediently to the area of the deposit screen belt in which the spun filaments are deposited to form the nonwoven web. Here and below, reference is made in particular to the operating position or operating state of the device, unless otherwise stated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention is a spunbond device, wherein a stretching device is provided for stretching the filaments. Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the device according to the invention is a meltblown device.

If the device according to the invention is designed as a spunbond device according to a preferred embodiment, spunbond nonwovens or nonwoven webs are produced with the device according to the invention. In this case, monocomponent filaments and/or multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments are produced as continuous filaments. The multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments can be, for example, continuous filaments with a core-shell configuration or continuous filaments with a side-by-side configuration. The multicomponent filaments or bicomponent filaments can have a tendency to curl. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the continuous filaments produced with the device according to the invention or with the method according to the invention consist of at least one thermoplastic material, in particular of at least one polyolefin, preferably of polypropylene and/or polyethylene. According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one thermoplastic material is a polyester or copolyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate and/or a polyethylene terephthalate copolymer.

According to the invention, a cooling device is provided for cooling the filaments. The cooling device preferably has a cooling chamber through which the continuous filaments are guided for cooling. It is preferred that air supply cabins for supplying cooling air are arranged on two opposite sides of the cooling chamber. According to a preferred embodiment, air supply cabins arranged one above the other are present on two opposite sides of the cooling chamber, in particular two air supply cabins arranged one above the other, from which air of different temperatures is preferably introduced into the cooling chamber. It has proven useful to provide a monomer extraction device between the spinning device and the cooling device, with which disruptive gases that occur during the spinning process can be removed from the device or the spunbond device. The disruptive gases can be monomers, oligomers and similar substances.

A stretching device for stretching the filaments is expediently arranged downstream of the cooling device in the direction of filament flow. According to a particularly recommended embodiment of the device according to the invention, the unit comprising the cooling device and the stretching device is designed as a closed unit in which, apart from the supply of cooling air in the cooling device, no further air is supplied to the closed unit.

It is preferred that at least one diffuser is arranged between the stretching device and the deposition screen belt. The continuous filaments emerging from the stretching device are guided through the diffuser and then deposited on the deposition screen belt, in particular deposited in the deposition area of the deposition screen belt. According to one embodiment of the invention Two diffusers connected in series are provided. The depositing sieve belt or the endlessly rotating depositing sieve belt is also expediently designed to be permeable to air, so that process air can be extracted from below through the depositing sieve belt. Expediently, at least in the depositing area of the depositing sieve belt, process air is sucked through the depositing sieve belt by means of at least one extraction device, in particular from below.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is or can be arranged in relation to the nose roller in such a way that the detachment area is located in front of the deflection area in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt. It is recommended that the at least one lifting roller is or can be arranged in front of or behind the nose roller in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt. It is within the scope of the invention that the nonwoven web can be or is guided over the top of the at least one lifting roller. It is recommended that the at least one lifting roller is designed as a non-vacuum-fed lifting roller.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the distance A is smaller than the distance C between the nose roller and a deflection roller. In this context, deflection roller means in particular a roller which is set up in addition to the nose roller for transporting the depositing screen belt and which is arranged in front of the nose roller in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt. The deflection roller is provided in particular between the depositing area and the deflection area. According to one embodiment, the depositing screen belt can be guided along the deflection roller without being deflected from its transport direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the depositing screen belt deflected from its transport direction by the deflection roller, as will be explained in more detail below. It is preferred that the at least one nose roller is arranged behind the depositing area and behind the unit comprising the spinning device and the cooling device in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt or in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web. The at least one deflection roller is expediently arranged behind the depositing area or behind the unit comprising the spinning device and the cooling device in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt or in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web, but in front of the nose roller. Distance C between the nose roller and the deflection roller means in the context of the invention in particular the distance between the axes of rotation of the nose roller and the deflection roller, which is expediently measured between the projections of the axes of rotation onto the depositing screen belt, the projections of the axes of rotation being perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the depositing screen belt in the region of the distance C. Expediently, the region between the deflection roller and the nose roller represents a transfer table, the length of which is defined in particular by the distance C. The transfer table essentially has the function of transferring the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt to the subsequent device.

It is preferred that the distance A is a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 25%, preferably a maximum of 10%, particularly preferably a maximum of 5%, very particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5%, for example 1% of the distance C. According to a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the distance A is at least 25% of the diameter n of the nose roller, preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 100% and very particularly preferably at least 125% of the diameter n of the nose roller. The distance A is further preferably between 10% and 500%, particularly preferably between 25% and 400%, most preferably between 50% and 350% of the diameter n of the nose roller.

According to the invention, the at least one lifting roller is height-adjustable in relation to the depositing screen belt and can preferably be moved in a vertical direction for this purpose. It is recommended that the at least one lifting roller can be moved from a basic position to various lifting positions and back due to its height adjustability or vertical mobility. In the basic position of the at least one lifting roller, for example, cleaning work can be carried out on the device or the nonwoven web can be threaded. The device is then not in its operating state or in its operating position. In the lifting position, the at least one lifting roller is expediently arranged in relation to the nose roller in such a way that the distance A between the detachment area or the detachment line of the nonwoven web and the nose roller results in the operating state of the device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is designed as a rotating lifting roller, in particular as a drivable rotating lifting roller. In principle, it is also within the scope of the invention that the at least one lifting roller is designed as a simple round profile that is not rotating and not drivable. Such a round profile has a longitudinal axis instead of an axis of rotation. Preferably, however, the at least one lifting roller is designed as a rotating lifting roller.

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one lifting roller is arranged at a distance D from the depositing screen belt or can be arranged can, wherein this distance D is expediently greater than 50% of the diameter d of the lifting roller and preferably at least 55%, particularly preferably at least 60% of the diameter d of the lifting roller. In the context of the invention, distance D means in particular the distance of the axis of rotation of the at least one lifting roller to the depositing screen belt, wherein this distance D is expediently measured perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt in the region of the at least one lifting roller or to the imaginary extension of this longitudinal extension.

It is recommended that the diameter d of the at least one lifting roller is 10 to 500 mm, preferably 25 to 400 mm, preferably 50 to 300 mm, particularly preferably 100 to 250 mm. The diameter d of the at least one lifting roller is expediently smaller than 8 times the diameter n of the nose roller.

An embodiment which is of particular importance within the scope of the invention is characterized in that at least two, in particular two lifting rollers are provided, wherein a second lifting roller is preferably arranged or can be arranged in front of the nose roller in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt and wherein a first or the first lifting roller is preferably arranged or can be arranged in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt between the second lifting roller and the nose roller or behind the nose roller.

It is preferred that the at least two, in particular the two lifting rollers are designed as rotating lifting rollers. According to one embodiment, the at least two, in particular the two lifting rollers are designed as drivable rotating lifting rollers. It is also within the scope of the invention that the first lifting roller and the second lifting roller have the same diameter d or essentially the same diameter d. However, it is also possible for the first and second lifting rollers to have different diameters d ₁ and d _2. The diameters d ₁ and d ₂ are then expediently between 10 and 500 mm, preferably between 25 and 400 mm, more preferably between 50 and 300 mm, particularly preferably between 100 and 250 mm. The distance between the axes of rotation m of the two lifting rollers is preferably at least 105%, preferably at least 110%, particularly preferably at least 115% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers. If the two lifting rollers have different diameters d ₁ or d ₂ , these details refer to the diameter of the lifting roller with the larger diameter. The rotation axis distance m is expediently measured between the projections of the rotation axes of the lifting rollers onto the depositing screen belt, with the projections of the rotation axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt in the area of the lifting rollers. It is preferred that the rotation axis distance m of the two lifting rollers is less than 300%, preferably less than 250%, particularly preferably less than 200% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers. If the lifting rollers have a different diameter, these details refer to the diameter of the lifting roller with the larger diameter.

It is preferred that the two lifting rollers are or can be arranged at a distance D or D ₁ and D ₂ from the depositing screen belt, and wherein this distance D ₁ and/or D ₂ is preferably greater than 50% of the respective diameter d ₁ or d ₂ of the lifting roller, particularly preferably at least 55% and very particularly preferably at least 60% of the respective diameter d ₁ or d ₂ of the lifting roller.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least two, in particular the two lifting rollers are arranged with the same distance D or essentially with the same distance D in relation to the depositing screen belt. The distance between the respective axis of rotation of the lifting roller and the depositing screen belt is then the same or essentially the same. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the lifting rollers are arranged at a different distance D ₁ and D ₂ from the depositing screen belt, wherein the distance D ₁ of the first lifting roller from the depositing screen belt is then preferably greater than the distance D ₂ of the second lifting roller from the depositing screen belt. With regard to the diameters d ₁ and d ₂ of the two lifting rollers and the distances D ₁ and D ₂ of these lifting rollers, it is within the scope of the invention that these satisfy the equation: D ₁ + d ₁ > D ₂ - d _2. It is therefore preferred that the sum of D ₁ and d ₁ is greater than the difference between D ₂ and d ₂ .

It is within the scope of the invention that the nonwoven web can be guided over the top of the at least one lifting roller. If, according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least two lifting rollers, in particular two lifting rollers, are provided, the nonwoven web can expediently be guided over the underside of the second lifting roller and over the top of the first lifting roller. In this context, it is preferred that the second lifting roller is arranged in front of the first lifting roller in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt. If, according to a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web can be guided over the underside of the second lifting roller and over the top of the first lifting roller, the first lifting roller is responsible in particular for detaching the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt and the second lifting roller is then recommended for holding the nonwoven web down near the depositing screen belt. This The embodiment is based on the knowledge that the second lifting roller, which holds down the nonwoven web, means that the detachment area is or can be arranged close to the second lifting roller and in particular in the area of the second lifting roller. In this way, the distance A from the nose roller can be further limited so that it is in particular a maximum of 25%, preferably a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5%, particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5% of the distance C, very particularly preferably a maximum of 1%, for example 0.1% of the distance C. The use of two lifting rollers, with a first lifting roller being provided for the detachment process and a second lifting roller being provided for holding it down, is also based on the knowledge that the detachment area or the detachment line can be defined very reliably by the second lifting roller. In particular, the distance D ₂ of the second lifting roller from the depositing screen belt has a significant influence on the distance A of the detachment area or the detachment line from the nose roller. In particular, the ratio of the distance D ₁ of the first lifting roller to the depositing screen belt to the distance D ₂ of the second lifting roller to the depositing screen belt (D ₁ /D ₂ ) preferably influences the position of the detachment area or the detachment line in such a way that, with a larger wrap angle of the nonwoven web around the second lifting roller, the detachment area or the detachment line is arranged closer to an intersection point of a straight line running perpendicular to the depositing screen belt and passing through the center of the second lifting roller. It is within the scope of the invention that the detachment area or the detachment line is located in the area of the second lifting roller and in particular below the second lifting roller.

If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two lifting rollers, in particular two lifting rollers, are provided, it is within the scope of the invention that both lifting rollers are arranged in relation to the depositing screen belt are height-adjustable and can preferably be moved in a vertical direction for this purpose. It is possible for both lifting rollers to be able to be moved from a basic position to a lifting position or to various lifting positions and back. In the basic position, it is recommended that the device according to the invention can be cleaned and/or the fleece web can be threaded. When the device is in operation, the lifting rollers are expediently arranged in their lifting positions. In principle, the device can also be operated with the lifting rollers in the basic position if it is not necessary to remove the fleece web using the lifting rollers. It is recommended that the first lifting roller is arranged in its basic position below the depositing screen belt and/or that the second lifting roller is arranged in its basic position above the depositing screen belt. In principle, however, both lifting rollers can also be arranged above or below the depositing screen belt in their basic position.

It is fundamentally within the scope of the invention that the depositing sieve belt or the transfer table is arranged parallel or essentially parallel to the device base or the ground when the device is in operation. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the nose roller can be moved or lowered in the vertical direction. It is recommended that the nose roller can be moved or lowered in the vertical direction in such a way that the depositing sieve belt is oriented towards the device base at least between the deflection roller and the nose roller in the transport direction and preferably has a gradient of greater than 0° to 20°, in particular from 3° to 20°, preferably from 4° to 18°, particularly preferably from 5° to 16°. If the depositing sieve belt has a gradient in the direction of the device base, the depositing sieve belt is expediently moved by the deflection roller from its - previously in particular parallel to the device base - transport direction. The ability of the nose roller to move in the vertical direction means in particular the ability of the nose roller to move in the direction of the device base and back.

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the nose roller can be moved or telescoped in a horizontal direction. In this context, horizontal direction means in particular in a direction parallel to the device base. Due to the horizontal moveability or telescoping of the nose roller, the nose roller can thus be moved closer to the following device, for example. Furthermore, the distance C between the nose roller and the deflection roller is expediently increased when moving or telescoping and reduced when the nose roller is retracted. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the nose roller can be moved or telescoped in a horizontal direction and can be moved or lowered in a vertical direction. This embodiment is based on the knowledge that the nose roller can be set to a wide variety of positions. For example, a deposit screen belt oriented towards the device base can be realized and at the same time the nose roller can be moved close to the following device. If the nose roller has already been moved or lowered in the vertical direction, horizontal movability or telescoping also expediently means the movability or telescoping of the nose roller in the transport direction of the deposit screen belt, i.e. in accordance with the set gradient of the deposit screen belt or the transfer table between the deflection roller and the nose roller.

If, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the nose roller can be moved or telescoped in the horizontal direction and lowered or moved in the vertical direction and, in addition, the lifting roller or the lifting rollers can be moved in the vertical direction, different positions of the nose roller can be set and the lifting rollers can be arranged in their lifting positions in such a way that the above-described distances between the rollers and between the detachment area A and the nose roller are achieved. These distances and positions therefore relate to the operating state of the device.

It is within the scope of the invention that the distance A of the detachment area from the nose roller can be adjusted (also) by the vertical mobility and/or the horizontal mobility or telescoping of the nose roller.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the nose roller can only be moved or telescoped in the horizontal direction and not moved or lowered in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the depositing sieve belt is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the device base or the ground and the nose roller can be moved or telescoped in the horizontal direction. According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the nose roller can neither be moved or lowered in the vertical direction nor moved or telescoped in the horizontal direction, so that there is a rigid depositing sieve belt that is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the device base or the ground. Within the scope of these embodiments described above, it is possible for the device not to have a deflection roller. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance A between the detachment area or the detachment line and the nose roller is smaller than the distance E between the nose roller and the deposit area of the deposit screen belt. The distance E is measured in the context of the invention in particular between a projection of the axis of rotation of the nose roller onto the deposit screen belt and the deposit area, in particular the middle of the deposit area, wherein the projection of the axis of rotation of the nose roller is perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the deposit screen belt in the region of the distance E. It is preferred that the distance A is a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 25%, preferably a maximum of 10%, particularly preferably a maximum of 5%, very particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5%, for example 1% of the distance E. The distance E expediently refers to a state of the device in which the deposit screen belt is arranged parallel or essentially parallel to the device base or to the ground and in particular to an embodiment in which the device does not have a deflection roller and/or in which the nose roller cannot be moved or lowered in the vertical direction and/or cannot be moved or telescoped in the horizontal direction.

An embodiment which is of particular importance within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the downstream device is a consolidation device, in particular a hot-air bonder, for example an oven, and/or a calender and/or that the downstream device is a winder. It is possible for the device to have at least two downstream devices, for example a consolidation device, in particular a calender and a winder. The consolidation device or calender is then expediently arranged first in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web and the winder is provided behind the consolidation device or calender. The consolidation device or calender serves in particular for the consolidation or final consolidation of the Nonwoven web. After the detachment process, the nonwoven web is conveniently transferred to the bonding device or calender in the detachment area.

It is within the scope of the invention that the consolidation device or the calender has at least one calender roller, in particular at least one pair of calender rollers, with at least one calender roller preferably being movable in the vertical direction. The nonwoven web is guided in particular through the gap or nip between the at least two - preferably arranged one above the other - calender rollers of the at least one pair of calender rollers. The nonwoven web can either be guided in such a way that it does not touch any of the calender rollers, since the calender or the at least one pair of calender rollers is open, or it can be guided in such a way that it only touches one of the calender rollers in order to influence the properties of the corresponding side of the nonwoven web, or it can be guided in such a way that it touches both calender rollers, since the calender or the at least one pair of calender rollers is closed. It is also within the scope of the invention that the nonwoven web is consolidated as it passes between the two calender rollers - in particular by thermal bonding. Particularly preferably, at least three calender rolls are provided for the consolidation device or for the calender, whereby preferably at least one calender roll is movable in the vertical direction and whereby the at least three calender rolls are particularly preferably arranged one above the other. This arrangement results in two calender roll pairs each consisting of the uppermost calender roll and the middle calender roll and of the lowermost calender roll and the middle calender roll. The nonwoven web is expediently guided through one of the resulting gaps for consolidation or final consolidation. In this context, it is within the scope of the invention that the position of the nose roll and/or the lifting rolls is dependent on the The operating mode of the calender is adjustable or is set. The consolidation device or the calender is recommended to have at least one consolidation area in which the nonwoven web is consolidated or finally consolidated. In this context, consolidation area means the area in which the nonwoven web is consolidated or finally consolidated or otherwise treated by interaction or contact with at least one calender roller. It is recommended that the consolidation area of the consolidation device or the calender is arranged above the nose roller and/or above the deposit screen belt. The arrangement of the consolidation area relates to the operating position or the operating state of the device.

It is within the scope of the invention that the calender is a consolidation calender and/or a coating calender and/or a calibration calender and/or a laminating calender and/or an activation calender.

It is recommended that the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt after a pre-consolidation of the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web is therefore recommended to be pre-consolidated before it is detached from the depositing screen belt. For this purpose, the device expediently has a pre-consolidation device, which is preferably arranged in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt in front of the detachment area. It is possible that the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt before the nonwoven web is finally consolidated. In principle, however, it is also possible for the device to be set up in such a way that the nonwoven web is finally consolidated before the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt. Such an embodiment, in which the nonwoven web is finally consolidated before the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt, is particularly preferred if the nonwoven web is immediately subjected to a coating calender and/or a calibration calender and/or a laminating calender and/or an activation calender and/or a hot air bonder, for example an oven.

It is further within the scope of the invention that the at least one lifting roller and/or the second lifting roller has a distance U from the nose roller that is at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller. The distance U is expediently measured between the projections of the axes of rotation of the lifting roller and the nose roller onto the depositing screen belt, wherein the projections of the axes of rotation are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt or to the imaginary extension of this longitudinal extension in the region of the distance U. If, according to a preferred embodiment, at least two, in particular two lifting rollers are provided, both lifting rollers preferably have a distance U ₁ and U ₂ from the nose roller that is at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller.

To solve the technical problem, the invention further teaches a method for transporting and treating a nonwoven web made of continuous filaments, in particular with a device described above, wherein the nonwoven web is guided over a depositing screen belt that can be deflected from its transport direction in a deflection area by a nose roller, wherein the nonwoven web is transferred to a downstream device, wherein the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt before the deflection area. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the nonwoven web is guided over at least one lifting roller for detachment from the depositing screen belt, which is arranged above the depositing screen belt, wherein the at least one lifting roller is height-adjustable in relation to the depositing screen belt and is preferably movable in the vertical direction for this purpose, wherein the nonwoven web is detached from the depositing screen belt by means of the at least one lifting roller in a detachment region which is arranged at a distance A from the nose roller and wherein the nonwoven web is subsequently fed to the subsequent device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is subsequently wound and/or coated and/or calibrated and/or activated and/or consolidated in the subsequent device(s).

The invention is based on the finding that the device according to the invention enables the nonwoven web to be detached from the depositing screen belt in a functionally reliable and simple manner and that, in particular, the amount of force required to detach the nonwoven web can be reduced compared to known measures. This is achieved by detaching the nonwoven web by means of at least one lifting roller in a detachment area that is arranged in the transport direction of the depositing screen belt in front of the deflection area. The nonwoven web can be detached by the measures according to the invention in particular without damaging the nonwoven web, for example by tearing out filaments, so that no unwanted filament residues remain on the depositing screen belt. It should also be emphasized that the measures according to the invention can be implemented relatively easily and without any significant effort or cost. If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two, in particular two lifting rollers are provided, the detachment area or the detachment line and thus the distance A from the nose roller can be set very precisely. Due to the preferred vertical mobility of the lifting roller(s) and/or the horizontal mobility or telescopicity of the nose roller and/or the vertical mobility of the nose roller, different operating states of the device can be set and in particular the distance of the nose roller to a subsequent device, for example to a calender, can be adjusted and/or a gradient of the depositing screen belt can be realized, whereby the lifting roller or the lifting rollers can nevertheless be arranged in relation to the depositing screen belt such that the detachment of the nonwoven web takes place or can take place in a detachment area or on a detachment line in front of the deflection area. The device or the method according to the invention can therefore be used very flexibly, whereby in the various operating positions a simple and functionally reliable detachment of the nonwoven web from the depositing screen belt is possible, for which a relatively small amount of force is required and which can take place in particular without damaging the nonwoven web.

Fig. 1

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit zwei Abhebewalzen in ihrem Grundzustand,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einem ersten Betriebszustand bzw. in einer ersten Betriebsposition,

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einem zweiten Betriebszustand bzw. in einer zweiten Betriebsposition,

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Nasenwalze und der Abhebewalzen der Vorrichtung im Zustand gemäß Fig. 2.

The invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment. It shows in a schematic representation:

Fig.1

a vertical section through a device according to the invention with two lifting rollers in its basic state,

Fig.2

the device according to Fig.1 in a first operating state or in a first operating position,

Fig.3

the device according to Fig.1 in a second operating state or in a second operating position,

Fig.4

an enlarged view of the nose roller and the lifting rollers of the device in the state according to Fig. 2 .

The figures show a device for producing nonwovens from continuous filaments, with a spinning device 1 designed as a spinneret for spinning the filaments and a cooling device 2 for cooling the filaments. A depositing screen belt 3 is also provided, on which the filaments can be deposited in a depositing area 4 to form the nonwoven web 5. Expediently and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the device is a spunbond device, with a stretching device 17 being provided for stretching the filaments. The continuous filaments can expediently be monocomponent filaments made of at least one thermoplastic. The cooling device 2 has, as recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, a cooling chamber 18 through which the continuous filaments are guided for cooling. Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, two air supply cabins 19, 20 arranged one above the other are arranged on two opposite sides of the cooling chamber 18, from which air of different temperatures is preferably introduced into the cooling chamber 18. Furthermore, and in the exemplary embodiment, a monomer extraction device 21 is provided between the spinning device 1 and the cooling device 2, with which interfering gases that occur during the spinning process can be removed from the device or the spunbond device. The interfering gases can be monomers, oligomers and similar substances.

Appropriately and in the exemplary embodiment, the stretching device 17 for stretching the filaments is arranged downstream of the cooling device 2 in the filament flow direction FS. According to a highly recommended embodiment and in the exemplary embodiment, the unit comprising the cooling device 2 and the stretching device 17 is designed as a closed unit in which, apart from the supply of cooling air in the cooling device 2, no further air is supplied to the closed unit.

Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, a diffuser 23 through which the continuous filaments are guided is arranged between the stretching device 17 and the depositing screen belt 3. According to a recommended embodiment and in the exemplary embodiment, secondary air inlet gaps 24 for the introduction of secondary air into the diffuser 23 are provided between the stretching device 17 and the diffuser 23. After passing through the diffuser 23, the continuous filaments are deposited on the depositing screen belt 3 in the depositing area 4 to form the nonwoven web 5 and are then expediently transported away with the depositing screen belt 3 in the transport direction T of the depositing screen belt 3. Recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, a suction device 22 is provided under the depositing screen belt 3 for sucking air or process air through the depositing screen belt 3.

According to the invention, the depositing screen belt 3 can be deflected from its transport direction T in a deflection area 6 by at least one nose roller 7. The fleece web 5 is in the operating state of the device ( Figures 2 to 4 ) can be detached from the depositing screen belt 3 before the deflection area 6 and then transferred to at least one subsequent device 8. In the exemplary embodiment, two subsequent devices 8, a calender 16 and a winder 26 are provided.

To separate the fleece web 5 from the depositing screen belt 3, two lifting rollers 9, 14 are preferably provided in the embodiment according to the figures. It is recommended and in the embodiment the lifting rollers 9, 14 are designed to be height-adjustable in relation to the depositing screen belt 3 and preferably and in the embodiment they are movable in the vertical direction. This is particularly the case in the Fig.1 The lifting rollers 9, 14 can be conveniently adjusted in height or moved vertically from a basic position to various lifting positions and back. In a basic position of the lifting rollers 9, 14, which are in the Fig.1 As shown, cleaning of the device according to the invention and/or threading of the fleece web is possible, so that the device is not yet in its operating state. Two different lifting positions of the lifting rollers 9, 14 are shown in the Figures 2 and 3 These figures show the device in the operating state. In the operating state or in the lifting position of the lifting rollers 9, 14, the lifting rollers 9, 14 are expediently arranged above the depositing screen belt 3 and the fleece web 5 can be detached from the depositing screen belt 3 by means of the lifting rollers 9, 14 in a detachment area 10 or on a detachment line, which is arranged at a distance A from the nose roller 7 and is arranged in particular in front of the nose roller 7 in the transport direction T. Distance A between the nose roller 7 and the detachment area 10 or the detachment line means in particular the distance between the axis of rotation of the nose roller 7 and the detachment area or the detachment line 10. The distance A is expediently measured between a projection of the axis of rotation of the nose roller 7 onto the depositing screen belt 3 and the detachment area 10 or the detachment line, whereby the projection of the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt 3 in the area of the distance A ( Figures 2 to 4 ).

It is recommended and in the embodiment according to the figures that in the operating state of the device the first lifting roller 9 is arranged in the transport direction T of the depositing screen belt 3 behind the nose roller 7 ( Fig.2 ) or arranged in front of the nose roller 7 ( Fig.3 ). The second lifting roller 14 is preferably arranged in front of the nose roller 7 in the transport direction T of the depositing screen belt 3.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the distance A is smaller than the distance C between the nose roller 7 and a deflection roller 15. The deflection roller 15 is expediently a roller set up in addition to the nose roller 7 for transporting the depositing screen belt 3, which is arranged in front of the nose roller 7 in the transport direction T of the depositing screen belt 3. The deflection roller 15 is recommended and in the exemplary embodiment provided between the depositing area 4 and the deflection area 6. The depositing screen belt 3 can be guided along the deflection roller 15 either without deflection from its transport direction ( Fig.1 ) or be deflected from its transport direction by the deflection roller 15 ( Figures 2 and 3 ), as explained in more detail below.

Distance C between the nose roller 7 and the deflection roller 15 means in the context of the invention in particular the distance between the axes of rotation of the nose roller 7 and the deflection roller 15, which is expediently measured between the projections of the axes of rotation onto the depositing screen belt 3, whereby the projections of the axes of rotation are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt 3 in the area of the distance C. It is recommended that the distance A is a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 20% of the distance C. In the embodiment according to the Fig.2 the distance A may be about 5% of the distance C. In the embodiment according to the Fig.3 the distance A may be about 15% of the distance C.

It is recommended and in the exemplary embodiment that the lifting rollers 9, 14 are designed as rotating lifting rollers. The diameter d of the lifting rollers 9, 14 is preferably 25 to 400 mm, particularly preferably 100 to 250 mm. Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the first lifting roller 9 and the second lifting roller 14 have the same diameter d or essentially the same diameter d. Particularly preferred and in the embodiment (in particular Fig.4 ), the rotational axis distance m of the two lifting rollers 9, 14 in the operating state of the device is at least 115% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers 9, 14. In the embodiment according to the figures, the rotational axis distance m of the two lifting rollers 9, 14 may be approximately 130% of the diameter d of the lifting rollers 9, 14. Rotational axis distance m in this context means in particular the distance between the rotational axes of the two lifting rollers 9, 14, wherein this rotational axis distance m is expediently measured between the projections of the rotational axes of the lifting rollers 9, 14 onto the depositing screen belt 3, wherein the projections of the rotational axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the depositing screen belt 3 or to the imaginary extension of this longitudinal extent.

Conveniently and in the exemplary embodiment, the lifting rollers 9, 14 are arranged at a distance D in relation to the depositing screen belt 3. Distance D in this context means in particular the distance of the axis of rotation of the respective lifting roller 9, 14 to the depositing screen belt 3. The distance D to the depositing screen belt 3 is thereby conveniently measured or determined perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt 3 in the area of the lifting rollers 9, 14 or to the imaginary extension of this longitudinal extension. In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures (in particular Fig.3 ), the distance of the first lifting roller 9 from the depositing screen belt 3 is marked with D ₁ and the distance of the second lifting roller 14 from the depositing screen belt 3 is marked with D _2. Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the distance D or the distances D ₁ and D ₂ are greater than 50% of the diameter d of the respective lifting roller 9, 14.

Furthermore preferred and in the embodiment (in particular Fig.3 ), the distance D ₁ of the first lifting roller 9 from the depositing screen belt 3 is greater than the distance D ₂ of the second lifting roller 14 from the depositing screen belt 3. The fleece web 5 can be guided expediently and in the embodiment in the operating state of the device over the underside of the second lifting roller 14 and over the top of the first lifting roller 9. This is particularly the case in the Figures 2 to 4 The first lifting roller 9 is preferably responsible for detaching the nonwoven web 5 from the depositing screen belt 3. The second lifting roller 14 is recommended for holding down the nonwoven web 5 close to the depositing screen belt 3. As a result, the detachment area 10 or the detachment line is expediently and in the exemplary embodiment close to the second lifting roller 14 and in particular below the second lifting roller 14.

According to a very preferred embodiment and in the exemplary embodiment, the nose roller 7 can be moved or lowered in the vertical direction in such a way that the depositing screen belt 3 between the deflection roller 15 and the nose roller 7 is oriented in the transport direction T towards the device base 11. Expediently and in the exemplary embodiment, the depositing screen belt has a gradient of 3° to 20° in this area. In the exemplary embodiment according to the Fig.2 The sieve belt 3 may have a gradient of about 7° and in the embodiment according to the Fig.3 have a gradient of about 15°. The deflection roller 15 thus deflects the depositing screen belt 3 from its transport direction T, which previously ran parallel to the device base 11 ( Figures 2 and 3 ). In this context, the ability of the nose roller 7 to move in the vertical direction means in particular the ability to move in the direction of the device base 11 and back. Furthermore, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the nose roller 7 is movable or telescopic in the horizontal direction. Horizontal direction means in this context in particular in the direction parallel to the device base 11. Due to the horizontal mobility or telescoping of the nose roller 7, this nose roller 7 can, for example, be moved closer to the following device 8 or the calender 16. Particularly preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the nose roller 7 can be moved or telescopic in the horizontal direction and can be moved or lowered in the vertical direction, so that a wide variety of positions of the nose roller can be set. If, according to the preferred embodiment and in the exemplary embodiment, the nose roller 7 can be moved or telescopic in the horizontal direction and can be lowered in the vertical direction and in addition the lifting rollers 9, 14 can be moved in the vertical direction, different positions of the nose roller 7 can be set and the lifting rollers 9, 14 can be arranged in their lifting positions in such a way that in particular the distance A of the detachment area 10 from the nose roller 7 can be realized in the operating state of the device.

Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, a follow-up device 8 is designed as a calender 16. In the exemplary embodiment according to the Fig.1 it can be seen that a further follow-up device 8 in the form of a winder 26 can be provided, with the calender 16 and then the winder 26 being arranged in the conveying direction of the nonwoven web 5. In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the calender 16 has three calender rollers 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3, which can be moved in the vertical direction. The nonwoven web 5 is guided in particular through the gap or nip between two of the calender rollers 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. The three calender rollers 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 are expediently arranged one above the other in the exemplary embodiment. This creates two pairs of calender rollers each consisting of the uppermost calender roller 12.1 and the middle calender roller 12.2 and of the lowermost calender roller 12.3 and the middle calender roller 12.2. The nonwoven web 5 is solidified or final consolidation is expediently and in the exemplary embodiment through a gap or nip that is formed between the calender rolls 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. In a consolidation area 13 of the calender 16, the nonwoven web 5 can then be consolidated or finally consolidated. Consolidation area 13 in this context means the area in which the nonwoven web 5 can be consolidated or finally consolidated by the action of at least one calender roll 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment according to the Figures 2 to 4 In the operating state of the device, the consolidation region 13 of the calender 16 is arranged above the nose roller 7 and above the deposition screen belt 3.

Further preferably and in the embodiment according to the figures, the detachment of the nonwoven web 5 from the depositing screen belt 3 takes place after a pre-consolidation of the nonwoven web 5. The nonwoven web is thus recommended and in the embodiment before detachment from the depositing screen belt 3 pre-consolidated by means of a pre-consolidation device 25. This is particularly the case in the Fig.1 to recognize.

It is further within the scope of the invention that the first lifting roller 9 and/or the second lifting roller 14 has a distance U from the nose roller 7 which is at least 50% of the diameter of the respective lifting roller 9, 14. Distance U in this context means in particular the distance of the axis of rotation of the at least one lifting roller 9, 14 from the axis of rotation of the nose roller 7, wherein the distance U is expediently measured between the projections of the axes of rotation of the lifting roller 9, 14 and the nose roller 7 onto the depositing screen belt 3, wherein the projections of the axes of rotation are perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the depositing screen belt 3 or to the imaginary extension of this longitudinal extension in the region of the distance U. In the embodiment according to the figures, both lifting rollers 9, 14 each have a center distance U ₁ and U ₂ from the nose roller 7, which is at least 50% of the diameter d of the respective lifting roller 9, 14 ( Fig.4 ).

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for making nonwoven from continuous filaments, the apparatus comprising a spinner (1) for spinning the filaments, a cooler (2) for cooling the filaments, a deposition mesh belt (3) on which the filaments can be deposited in a deposition area (4) to form a nonwoven web (5), at least one nose roller (7) over which the deposition mesh belt (3) is deflected in a deflection zone (6) from its travel direction, and at least one downstream treatment device (8) for the nonwoven web (5) downstream of the deposition mesh belt (3) in the travel direction of the nonwoven web (5), the nonwoven web (5) being separable from the deposition mesh belt (3) upstream of the deflection zone (6) and then transferable to the downstream treatment device (8), wherein at least one lift roller (9) is provided for separating the nonwoven web (5) from the deposition mesh belt (3), wherein the lift roller (9) is set or positionable above the deposition mesh belt (3), wherein the nonwoven web (5) is separable from the deposition mesh belt (3) with the at least one lift roller (9) at a separation location (10) at a spacing A from the nose roller (7), characterized in, that
   the at least one lift roller (9) is adjustable with respect to height relative to the deposition mesh belt (3) and, for this purpose, preferably is vertically movable.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lift roller (9) is set or positionable relative to the nose roller (7) such that the separation location (10) is spaced or orientable in the travel direction of the deposition mesh belt (3) upstream of the deflection zone (6), the at least one lift roller (9) preferably being upstream or downstream of the nose roller (7) in the travel direction of the deposition mesh belt (3).
3. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the spacing A is smaller than the spacing C between the nose roller (7) and a deflection roller (15) and in particular is a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 25%, preferably a maximum of 10%, especially preferably a maximum of 5%, very particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5%, for example 1% of the spacing C.
4. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one lift roller (9) is rotatable and in particular driven.
5. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one lift roller (9) is set or positionable at a spacing D from the deposition mesh belt (3) and this spacing D is greater than 50% of the diameter d of the lift roller (9) and preferably at least 55%, particularly preferably at least 60% of the diameter d of the lift roller (9) .
6. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the diameter d of the at least one lift roller (9) is 10 to 500 mm, preferably 25 to 400 mm, preferably 50 to 300 mm, and especially preferably 100 to 250 mm.
7. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least two, in particular two, lift rollers (9, 14) are provided of which a second lift roller (14) is preferably set or positionable in the travel direction of the deposition mesh belt (3) upstream of the nose roller (7) and a first lift roller (9) is preferably set or positionable in the travel direction of the deposition mesh belt (3) between the second lift roller (14) and the nose roller (7) or downstream of the nose roller (7).
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first lift roller (9) and the second lift roller (14) have the same or substantially the same diameter d and preferably the spacing m between the axes of rotation of the two lift rollers (9, 14) is at least 105%, preferably at least 110%, especially preferably at least 115% of the diameter d of the lift rollers (9, 14).
9. The apparatus according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the nonwoven web (5) can be guided under the second lift roller (14) and over the first lift roller (9).
10. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the nose roller (7) can be moved or lowered vertically to angle the deposition mesh belt (3) at least between the deflection roller (15) and the nose roller (7) in the travel direction toward the device base (11) and preferably at a downward slope from 3° to 20°, preferably from 4° to 18°, particularly preferably from 5° to 16°.
11. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the nose roller (7) can be moved or telescopically moved horizontally.
12. The apparatus according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the spacing A of the separation location (10) from the nose roller (7) is adjusted by the vertical movability and/or the horizontal movability or telescoping of the nose roller (7).
13. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the downstream treatment device (8) is a consolidator, in particular a hot-air bonder, for example an oven, and/or a calender (16), and/or the downstream treatment device (8) is a winder.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the consolidator or the calender (16) has at least one calender roll (12), in particular at least one pair of calender rolls, and at least one calender roll (12) preferably is movable vertically.
15. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein separation of the nonwoven web (5) from the deposition mesh belt takes place (3) after preconsolidation of the nonwoven web (5).
16. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one lift roller (9) and/or the second lift roller (14) has a spacing U from the nose roller (7) that is at least 50% of the diameter d of the respective lift roller (9, 14).
17. A method of transporting and treating a nonwoven web made of continuous filaments with an apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the nonwoven web (5) is guided over a deposition mesh belt (3) deflectable in a deflection zone (6) from its travel direction by a nose roller (7), the nonwoven web (5) passing to a downstream treatment device (8), the nonwoven web (5) being separated from the deposition mesh belt (3) upstream of the deflection zone (6), characterized in, that
    at least one lift roller (9) is arranged above the deposition mesh belt (3) and over which the nonwoven web (5) is guided for separation of the nonwoven web (5) from the deposition mesh belt (3), the at least one lift roller (9) is adjustable with respect to height relative to the deposition mesh belt (3) and, for this purpose, preferably is vertically movable, the lift roller (9) separating the nonwoven web (5) in a separation location (10) from the deposition mesh belt (3), the separation location (10) being at a spacing A from the nose roller (7) and the nonwoven web (5) is then fed to the downstream treatment device (8).

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