TEXTILE WEB CALENDERING APPARATUS
United States Patent 3791288
A plurality of calender rolls in a textile web calendering apparatus extend transversely between first and second spaced apart side frame members and are supported by antifriction bearings disposed in elongate slots in the side frame members. By means of a particular mounting arrangement, the side frame members cooperate in maintaining the antifriction bearings and the rolls in assembled relation and in restraining the rolls against movement transversely of the side frame members.
US Patent References:
HYDRAULIC MEANS FOR ADJUSTING EMBOSSING CYLINDERS IN A ROTARY EMBOSSER
Klemmer - May 1973 - 3731620
/1029391.html
Mills et al. - June 1912 - 1029391
Method and means for regulating the formation of lap rolls
Reynolds - February 1944 - 2342222
Lap roll pressure means for lapping machines
Long - June 1959 - 2890841
Calendar rack
Higginbotham - March 1952 - 2588236
HYDRAULIC MEANS FOR ADJUSTING EMBOSSING CYLINDERS IN A ROTARY EMBOSSER
Klemmer - May 1973 - 3731620
/1029391.html
Mills et al. - June 1912 - 1029391
Method and means for regulating the formation of lap rolls
Reynolds - February 1944 - 2342222
Lap roll pressure means for lapping machines
Long - June 1959 - 2890841
Calendar rack
Higginbotham - March 1952 - 2588236
Application Number:
05/210714
Publication Date:
02/12/1974
Filing Date:
12/22/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Piedmont Machine Shop, Inc. (Gastonia, NC)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
68/248, 38/49, 19/65CR
International Classes:
D06C15/02; D06C15/00; B30B3/04; D01B1/36
Field of Search:
100/155R,172,168 19/155,286,65CR,258 308/178,175 68/269R,269B 80/54 101/218 29/115 38/49,48,44
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Machlin, Leon G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson
Claims:
That which is claimed is
1. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing means comprises a plurality of bearings each having an inner race engaging a corresponding one of said reduced diameter terminal end portions and having an encircling outer race disposed generally in alignment with the corresponding one of said side frame members.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal end portions penetrates through the corresponding one of said elongate slots and extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said side frame members and further wherein said means engaging said one terminal end portion comprises spacer sleeve means encircling that portion of said one terminal end portion which extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said antifriction bearing means.
4. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said terminal end portions of said rolls defines an internally threaded bore therewithin and further wherein said means engaging said terminal end portions comprises a number of threaded fasteners corresponding to the number of said terminal end portions, each threaded fastener penetrating a corresponding one of said internally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding ones of said antifriction bearing means a force directed axially of the corresponding one roll and thereby maintaining the elements in assembled relation.
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of rolls has one terminal end portion thereof penetrating through a corresponding one of said elongate slots and extending outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said side frame members and further comprising drive means interconnected with said plurality of rolls for driving the same in rotation, said drive means including a plurality of intermeshing gear members with each gear member being drivingly connected with a corresponding one of said outwardly extending terminal end portions.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bearing housing means have frame engaging surfaces formed thereon for sliding engagement with the parallel walls of said elongate slots of said side frame members whereby said side frame members retain said bearing housing means against rotation relative thereto while permitting movement thereof longitudinally of said elongage slots, and further wherein said bearing housing means have shoulder surfaces engaging opposing inner faces of said side frame members for thereby restraining said rolls against movement transversely relative to said side frame members.
8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the reduced diameter terminal end portions of each of said plurality of rolls have predetermined outside diameters, said antifriction bearing means have predetermined inside diameters for a slipping fit encircling said terminal end portions, and further wherein said means engaging each of said terminal end portions of each of said plurality of rolls comprises cap means having an outside diameter slightly greater than said inside diameter of said antifriction bearing means, said cap means imposing on said bearing means a retaining force and thereby serving to retain the elements of the apparatus in assembled relation.
1. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing means comprises a plurality of bearings each having an inner race engaging a corresponding one of said reduced diameter terminal end portions and having an encircling outer race disposed generally in alignment with the corresponding one of said side frame members.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal end portions penetrates through the corresponding one of said elongate slots and extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said side frame members and further wherein said means engaging said one terminal end portion comprises spacer sleeve means encircling that portion of said one terminal end portion which extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said antifriction bearing means.
4. A textile web calendering apparatus comprising:
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said terminal end portions of said rolls defines an internally threaded bore therewithin and further wherein said means engaging said terminal end portions comprises a number of threaded fasteners corresponding to the number of said terminal end portions, each threaded fastener penetrating a corresponding one of said internally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding ones of said antifriction bearing means a force directed axially of the corresponding one roll and thereby maintaining the elements in assembled relation.
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of rolls has one terminal end portion thereof penetrating through a corresponding one of said elongate slots and extending outwardly beyond the corresponding one of said side frame members and further comprising drive means interconnected with said plurality of rolls for driving the same in rotation, said drive means including a plurality of intermeshing gear members with each gear member being drivingly connected with a corresponding one of said outwardly extending terminal end portions.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bearing housing means have frame engaging surfaces formed thereon for sliding engagement with the parallel walls of said elongate slots of said side frame members whereby said side frame members retain said bearing housing means against rotation relative thereto while permitting movement thereof longitudinally of said elongage slots, and further wherein said bearing housing means have shoulder surfaces engaging opposing inner faces of said side frame members for thereby restraining said rolls against movement transversely relative to said side frame members.
8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the reduced diameter terminal end portions of each of said plurality of rolls have predetermined outside diameters, said antifriction bearing means have predetermined inside diameters for a slipping fit encircling said terminal end portions, and further wherein said means engaging each of said terminal end portions of each of said plurality of rolls comprises cap means having an outside diameter slightly greater than said inside diameter of said antifriction bearing means, said cap means imposing on said bearing means a retaining force and thereby serving to retain the elements of the apparatus in assembled relation.
Description:
Textile web calendering apparatus has long been employed in certain steps related to the processing of textile fibers. By way of example, a bat of textile fibers processed by a picker is passed through a textile web calendering apparatus before being wound into a lap for subsequent handling. In the calendering apparatus, the bat of textile fiber is compressed into a more coherent form, thereby facilitating handling of the lap.
Heretofore, such calendering apparatus has employed main frame members to receive and rotatably mount a plurality of calender rolls. In order to assure alignment of the calender rolls and proper passage of textile web therethrough, the rolls have been provided with enlarged flanges adjacent the terminal ends thereof so that the flanges of adjacent rolls might overlap and maintain the rolls in alignment. In rotatably mounting such rolls, the outer terminal ends of the rolls have been received within plain bearings, mounted in blocks which were in turn slidably arranged in the main frame. The majority of the bearing area thus provided was spaced outwardly from the frame members. When loading forces were applied by weighting systems in order to aid in compacting the textile web passing through the calendering apparatus, bending forces arose in the rolls due to the misalignment of the force and the bearings. As a result of such arrangements, bearing wear was accelerated and thrust forces directed longitudinally of the rolls came into being through uneven loading and skew effects.
In view of the difficulties and difficiencies heretofore encountered in textile web calendering apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to mount a plurality of calender rolls transversely between first and second spaced apart side frame members in such a way that the calender rolls are restrained against movement transversely of the side frame members while uneven loading, skew and bearing wear are minimized. In realizing this object of the present invention, antifriction bearing means are arranged encircling each terminal end portion of each of a plurality of rolls for rotatably supporting the rolls. The antifriction bearings are, in accordance with the present invention, disposed within the side frame members in order to assure more accurate alignment of the textile web calendering apparatus.
Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of a textile web calendering apparatus embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic, side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal end portion of a calender roll in accordance with this invention and including antifriction bearings and other elements which engage the calender roll;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the calender rolls in a drive arrangement in accordance with this invention, taken generally as indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a calender roll, taken generally along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4.
The textile web calendering apparatus of this invention will be described hereinafter with particular reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, at the outset, that the illustration and the description which follow are to be taken as exemplary only and as illustrating a preferred embodiment for the apparatus of this invention. It is contemplated, however, that the principles of this invention may have application in structures differing in detail from the illustrated and described embodiment and the present invention is accordingly to be interpreted broadly rather than restrictively.
The textile web calendering apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1, where the apparatus is arranged to receive a web W of textile fibers being advanced from a picker apparatus generally indicated at 11. The picker apparatus is constructed in a conventional and known manner, to deliver the web from a pair of take off rolls 12, 14 which remove the textile fiber from condensor screens 15, 16. It is contemplated that the calendering apparatus 10 may be useful in other arrangements and circumstances.
The calendering apparatus includes first and second spaced apart side frame members 18, 19 (FIGS. 1 and 5), each defining an elongate slot therein. The elongate slots 20, 21 extend generally vertically (FIG. 1) and define a generally vertical path of movement for a plurality of calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Each of the slots is defined by opposed parallel walls which are of substantially the same length and each slot is open at the upper end thereof for sliding engagement of bearing housing means with the parallel walls thereof, as pointed out more fully hereinafter.
The plurality of calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 extend transversely between the side frame members 18, 19 and each have opposing reduced diameter terminal end portions penetrating the elongate slots 20, 21. As arranged in a vertical stack, the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 receive the web W in a serpentine path therebetween (FIG. 2) and deliver the web to be wound into a lap L about a lap pin 29. In order to assure proper compaction of the web W on passage between the calender rolls, weighting means on the side frame members 18, 19 impose on the plurality of calender rolls forces which are directed along the elongate slots 20, 21, or vertically downwardly in FIG. 1. One such weighting means 30, mounted on the side frame member 18, is illustrated in FIG. 1. A similar weighting means (not shown) is mounted on the other side frame 19.
The weighting means 30 preferably includes an expansible chamber pressure cylinder 31 acting through a piston rod 32 on a lever arm 33. The lever arm, being mounted for movement about a pivotal axis 35, acts downwardly to impose a loading force urging the calender rolls together, as pointed out more fully hereinafter.
Encircling each of the terminal end portions of each of the plurality of rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 are antifriction bearing means for rotatably supporting the rolls. While the antifriction bearing means are specifically illustrated in connection with the uppermost roll 27 (FIGS. 3 and 5), it is to be understood that similar antifriction bearing means are provided for each of the plurality of rolls. As illustrated in conjunction with the uppermost roll 27, the antifriction bearing means comprise a plurality of bearings 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, each having an inner race 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d engaging a corresponding one of the reduced diameter terminal end portions. The outer races 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d of the bearings are disposed generally in alignment with the corresponding one of the side frame members 18, 19, so that the antifriction bearings means are disposed within the elongate slot 20, 21.
The antifriction bearing means are retained in assembled relation encircling the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 by means which engage each of the terminal end portions. Such means, incorporating a plurality of elements to be described hereinafter, further engages the side frame members 18, 19 and restrains the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 against movement transversely of the side frame members while accommodating rotation thereof relative to the side frame members. This multiple function means includes bearing housings 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48, each encircling corresponding ones of the antifriction bearings. While the following discussion will proceed with particular reference to the bearing housings 41, 42, used in conjunction with the uppermost calender roll 27, it is to be understood that the construction and assembly of the remaining bearing housings parallels the construction and assembly of these particular bearing housings 41, 42.
Each of the bearing housings 41, 42 has a generally cylindrical configuration and is formed with a stepped bore therethrough for encircling the antifriction bearings which are received within the respective housings. The inside diameter of the greater portion of the bore through the housings 41, 42 is such as to slippingly fit over the outer races of the encircled bearing means. The minor portion of the length of the bore through the bearing housing means has an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the terminal end portion of the calender roll, for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter. The reduced diameter terminal end of portion of the roll preferably has a stepped configuration (FIGS. 3 and 5) to provide a first stepped portion 50 which enters into the associated bearing housing, a second stepped portion 51 which provides an abutment for the inner race of the antifriction bearing means, and a bearing receiving stepped portion 52 having a predetermined outside diameter such that the bearings will slippingly fit thereon.
In order to retain the bearing housings 41, 42 against rotation relative to the side frame members 18, 19 and restrain transverse movement of the rolls relative to the side frame members, each of the bearing housings 41, 42 is provided with flatted exterior surface portions 54, 55, 56, 57. The flatted surfaces define parallel spaced apart planar areas which enter into the elongate slots 20, 21 and slidingly engage the opposed walls of the slots to preclude rotation of the bearing housings relative thereto while permitting movement vertically in the slots under the impetus provided by the weighting means 30. Further, shoulder surfaces are defined which engage opposing inner faces of the side frame members 18, 19 (FIG. 5) and thereby restrain the rolls against movement transversely (from left to right or vice versa in FIG. 5) relative to the side frame members. It is by this means that the necessity of flanges as heretofore used is avoided.
In retaining the bearings and bearing housings in assembled relation, each of the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 defines an internally threaded bore therewithin. A number of threaded fasteners 60 corresponding to the number of the terminal end portions of the rolls are provided, with each threaded fastener penetrating a corresponding one of the internally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding ones of the antifriction bearings a force directed axially of the corresponding one roll to thereby maintain the elements in assembled relation. In certain instances, where the terminal end portion of a roll does not penetrate beyond the side frame member (as at the right hand end of the roll 27 in FIG. 5) such a mounting arrangement is completed by the provision of a cap 61 bearing against the inner race of the antifriction bearings. In other instances, where the terminal end portion of the roll extends beyond the side frame member (as at the left end of the roll 27 in FIG. 5), the fastener 60 and cap 61 act through a interposed spacer means 62 and drive arrangement elements such as a gear 64.
The textile web calendering apparatus 10 of this invention comprises drive means operatively interconnected with the plurality of rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 for driving them in rotation. In the form illustrated, the drive means includes the plurality of intermeshing gear members 64, 65, 66, 67 with each gear member being drivingly connected with the corresponding one of the plurality of rolls. In particular, each roll has at least one terminal end portion which penetrates through a corresponding one of the elongate slots 18, 19 and extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of the side frame members. In the instance of the lower rolls 24, 25, auxiliary drive arrangements may be accommodated by the provision of other spockets and gears 70, 71. In each instance, the mounting of the component of drive arrangement is as described hereinabove with reference to the gear 67 drivingly connected with the uppermost calender roll 27.
From the description to this point, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the arts relating to textile web processing that the imposition of loading forces on the bearing housing means 41, 42 of the uppermost roll 27 will assure a more uniform distribution of loading forces through the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Further, such more equal distribution of loading forces contributes to satisfactory compaction of the textile web W in passage thereof through rolls of a more nearly uniform diameter than has heretofore been possible. By accomodating this use of more uniform diameter calender rolls, the apparatus of this invention further contributes to ease of original manufacture and maintenance in that manufacture and stocking of a range of roll sizes is avoided. Further, the slip fit assembly described hereinabove particularly facilitates quick assembly or dismantling of the calendering apparatus of this invention in the event that maintenance is required and is further believed to aid extension of the operating life of the antifriction bearings used.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Heretofore, such calendering apparatus has employed main frame members to receive and rotatably mount a plurality of calender rolls. In order to assure alignment of the calender rolls and proper passage of textile web therethrough, the rolls have been provided with enlarged flanges adjacent the terminal ends thereof so that the flanges of adjacent rolls might overlap and maintain the rolls in alignment. In rotatably mounting such rolls, the outer terminal ends of the rolls have been received within plain bearings, mounted in blocks which were in turn slidably arranged in the main frame. The majority of the bearing area thus provided was spaced outwardly from the frame members. When loading forces were applied by weighting systems in order to aid in compacting the textile web passing through the calendering apparatus, bending forces arose in the rolls due to the misalignment of the force and the bearings. As a result of such arrangements, bearing wear was accelerated and thrust forces directed longitudinally of the rolls came into being through uneven loading and skew effects.
In view of the difficulties and difficiencies heretofore encountered in textile web calendering apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to mount a plurality of calender rolls transversely between first and second spaced apart side frame members in such a way that the calender rolls are restrained against movement transversely of the side frame members while uneven loading, skew and bearing wear are minimized. In realizing this object of the present invention, antifriction bearing means are arranged encircling each terminal end portion of each of a plurality of rolls for rotatably supporting the rolls. The antifriction bearings are, in accordance with the present invention, disposed within the side frame members in order to assure more accurate alignment of the textile web calendering apparatus.
Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of a textile web calendering apparatus embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic, side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal end portion of a calender roll in accordance with this invention and including antifriction bearings and other elements which engage the calender roll;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the calender rolls in a drive arrangement in accordance with this invention, taken generally as indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a calender roll, taken generally along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4.
The textile web calendering apparatus of this invention will be described hereinafter with particular reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, at the outset, that the illustration and the description which follow are to be taken as exemplary only and as illustrating a preferred embodiment for the apparatus of this invention. It is contemplated, however, that the principles of this invention may have application in structures differing in detail from the illustrated and described embodiment and the present invention is accordingly to be interpreted broadly rather than restrictively.
The textile web calendering apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1, where the apparatus is arranged to receive a web W of textile fibers being advanced from a picker apparatus generally indicated at 11. The picker apparatus is constructed in a conventional and known manner, to deliver the web from a pair of take off rolls 12, 14 which remove the textile fiber from condensor screens 15, 16. It is contemplated that the calendering apparatus 10 may be useful in other arrangements and circumstances.
The calendering apparatus includes first and second spaced apart side frame members 18, 19 (FIGS. 1 and 5), each defining an elongate slot therein. The elongate slots 20, 21 extend generally vertically (FIG. 1) and define a generally vertical path of movement for a plurality of calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Each of the slots is defined by opposed parallel walls which are of substantially the same length and each slot is open at the upper end thereof for sliding engagement of bearing housing means with the parallel walls thereof, as pointed out more fully hereinafter.
The plurality of calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 extend transversely between the side frame members 18, 19 and each have opposing reduced diameter terminal end portions penetrating the elongate slots 20, 21. As arranged in a vertical stack, the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 receive the web W in a serpentine path therebetween (FIG. 2) and deliver the web to be wound into a lap L about a lap pin 29. In order to assure proper compaction of the web W on passage between the calender rolls, weighting means on the side frame members 18, 19 impose on the plurality of calender rolls forces which are directed along the elongate slots 20, 21, or vertically downwardly in FIG. 1. One such weighting means 30, mounted on the side frame member 18, is illustrated in FIG. 1. A similar weighting means (not shown) is mounted on the other side frame 19.
The weighting means 30 preferably includes an expansible chamber pressure cylinder 31 acting through a piston rod 32 on a lever arm 33. The lever arm, being mounted for movement about a pivotal axis 35, acts downwardly to impose a loading force urging the calender rolls together, as pointed out more fully hereinafter.
Encircling each of the terminal end portions of each of the plurality of rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 are antifriction bearing means for rotatably supporting the rolls. While the antifriction bearing means are specifically illustrated in connection with the uppermost roll 27 (FIGS. 3 and 5), it is to be understood that similar antifriction bearing means are provided for each of the plurality of rolls. As illustrated in conjunction with the uppermost roll 27, the antifriction bearing means comprise a plurality of bearings 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, each having an inner race 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d engaging a corresponding one of the reduced diameter terminal end portions. The outer races 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d of the bearings are disposed generally in alignment with the corresponding one of the side frame members 18, 19, so that the antifriction bearings means are disposed within the elongate slot 20, 21.
The antifriction bearing means are retained in assembled relation encircling the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 by means which engage each of the terminal end portions. Such means, incorporating a plurality of elements to be described hereinafter, further engages the side frame members 18, 19 and restrains the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 against movement transversely of the side frame members while accommodating rotation thereof relative to the side frame members. This multiple function means includes bearing housings 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48, each encircling corresponding ones of the antifriction bearings. While the following discussion will proceed with particular reference to the bearing housings 41, 42, used in conjunction with the uppermost calender roll 27, it is to be understood that the construction and assembly of the remaining bearing housings parallels the construction and assembly of these particular bearing housings 41, 42.
Each of the bearing housings 41, 42 has a generally cylindrical configuration and is formed with a stepped bore therethrough for encircling the antifriction bearings which are received within the respective housings. The inside diameter of the greater portion of the bore through the housings 41, 42 is such as to slippingly fit over the outer races of the encircled bearing means. The minor portion of the length of the bore through the bearing housing means has an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the terminal end portion of the calender roll, for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter. The reduced diameter terminal end of portion of the roll preferably has a stepped configuration (FIGS. 3 and 5) to provide a first stepped portion 50 which enters into the associated bearing housing, a second stepped portion 51 which provides an abutment for the inner race of the antifriction bearing means, and a bearing receiving stepped portion 52 having a predetermined outside diameter such that the bearings will slippingly fit thereon.
In order to retain the bearing housings 41, 42 against rotation relative to the side frame members 18, 19 and restrain transverse movement of the rolls relative to the side frame members, each of the bearing housings 41, 42 is provided with flatted exterior surface portions 54, 55, 56, 57. The flatted surfaces define parallel spaced apart planar areas which enter into the elongate slots 20, 21 and slidingly engage the opposed walls of the slots to preclude rotation of the bearing housings relative thereto while permitting movement vertically in the slots under the impetus provided by the weighting means 30. Further, shoulder surfaces are defined which engage opposing inner faces of the side frame members 18, 19 (FIG. 5) and thereby restrain the rolls against movement transversely (from left to right or vice versa in FIG. 5) relative to the side frame members. It is by this means that the necessity of flanges as heretofore used is avoided.
In retaining the bearings and bearing housings in assembled relation, each of the terminal end portions of the rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 defines an internally threaded bore therewithin. A number of threaded fasteners 60 corresponding to the number of the terminal end portions of the rolls are provided, with each threaded fastener penetrating a corresponding one of the internally threaded bores for imposing on corresponding ones of the antifriction bearings a force directed axially of the corresponding one roll to thereby maintain the elements in assembled relation. In certain instances, where the terminal end portion of a roll does not penetrate beyond the side frame member (as at the right hand end of the roll 27 in FIG. 5) such a mounting arrangement is completed by the provision of a cap 61 bearing against the inner race of the antifriction bearings. In other instances, where the terminal end portion of the roll extends beyond the side frame member (as at the left end of the roll 27 in FIG. 5), the fastener 60 and cap 61 act through a interposed spacer means 62 and drive arrangement elements such as a gear 64.
The textile web calendering apparatus 10 of this invention comprises drive means operatively interconnected with the plurality of rolls 24, 25, 26, 27 for driving them in rotation. In the form illustrated, the drive means includes the plurality of intermeshing gear members 64, 65, 66, 67 with each gear member being drivingly connected with the corresponding one of the plurality of rolls. In particular, each roll has at least one terminal end portion which penetrates through a corresponding one of the elongate slots 18, 19 and extends outwardly beyond the corresponding one of the side frame members. In the instance of the lower rolls 24, 25, auxiliary drive arrangements may be accommodated by the provision of other spockets and gears 70, 71. In each instance, the mounting of the component of drive arrangement is as described hereinabove with reference to the gear 67 drivingly connected with the uppermost calender roll 27.
From the description to this point, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the arts relating to textile web processing that the imposition of loading forces on the bearing housing means 41, 42 of the uppermost roll 27 will assure a more uniform distribution of loading forces through the calender rolls 24, 25, 26, 27. Further, such more equal distribution of loading forces contributes to satisfactory compaction of the textile web W in passage thereof through rolls of a more nearly uniform diameter than has heretofore been possible. By accomodating this use of more uniform diameter calender rolls, the apparatus of this invention further contributes to ease of original manufacture and maintenance in that manufacture and stocking of a range of roll sizes is avoided. Further, the slip fit assembly described hereinabove particularly facilitates quick assembly or dismantling of the calendering apparatus of this invention in the event that maintenance is required and is further believed to aid extension of the operating life of the antifriction bearings used.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.