US3613403A - Yarn texturing and knitting apparatus - Google Patents
Yarn texturing and knitting apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US3613403A US3613403A US852170A US3613403DA US3613403A US 3613403 A US3613403 A US 3613403A US 852170 A US852170 A US 852170A US 3613403D A US3613403D A US 3613403DA US 3613403 A US3613403 A US 3613403A
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B35/00—Details of, or auxiliary devices incorporated in, knitting machines, not otherwise provided for
- D04B35/22—Devices for preparatory treatment of threads
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- the yarn texturing apparatus includes a guide means directing one or more yarn ends from a yarn supply and means for twisting the yarn which is thereafter moved through a heater that, in preferred form, is comprised of a chamber filled with small particles through which the twisted yarn moves. The particles are elevated in temperature and uniformly transfer heat to the twisted yarn moving therethrough. After the heat-fixing operation, one or more yarn ends are introduced immediately to a knitting machine which is synchronized in yarn consumption with the texturing apparatus so that textured yarn is fed to the machine continuously as needed during the knitting operation.
- This invention relates to apparatus and methods for texturing heat-settable yarn using false-twist techniques and immediately knitting the heat-fixed yarn on an associated knitting machine. Textured yarn is thereby delivered to the knitting instrumentalities according to yarn consumption needed durnig the knitting operation.
- yarn texturing has heretofore remained as an independent sector of the textile industry with throwsters primarily concerned only with the production and sale of textured yarn to users such as hosiery manufacturers and knitted and woven garment manufacturers.
- throwsters primarily concerned only with the production and sale of textured yarn to users such as hosiery manufacturers and knitted and woven garment manufacturers.
- the highly specialized nature of this industry and the vast amount of technical research associated with it has, for the most part, restricted throwsters from diversified expansion into related industries. Consequently, machines and methods for producing textured yarn involve predominantly large plural units running at extremely high speeds to provide as much yarn yield as possible.
- the present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for combining the yarn texturing operation, and particularly the false twisting of yarn to provide texturing, and the knitting operation whereby a system is created which will continuously false twist and heat tfiX yarn for direct and immediate introduction to a knitting machine under satisfactory tensions.
- the invention is particularly directed to the duo-twist system of false twisting yarn wherein two yarn ends are transformed from an untwisted condition into a twoply twisted yarn and this twisted yarn is then heated and subsequently cooled to set the twist.
- the ends of the heat-fixed yarn are separated and passed through delivery or drive rolls and onward directly to the yarn feeds of an associated knitting machine or through suitable tension regulating devices to ensure that yarn tensions to the knitting machine are kept within restricted limits. While there is described herein as a primary embodiment of the present invention a total texturing and knitting system embodying the duo-twist technique, there is no intent to limit this system to that technique as the method and apparatus herein are also applicable to texturing and knitting with a single end of monofila ment or multifilament yarn.
- the apparatus disclosed herein includes a yarn guiding device directing yarn movement from a yarn supply, a means for twisting the yarn, a heating arrangement that will heat-fix the twisted yarn, and apparatus for untwisting the heat-fixed yarn ends and directing these ends to adjacent knitting instrumentalities which consume the heat-fixed yarn as fabric or garments are being continuously knitted. Additional apparatus may be provided to regulate the various yarn tensions, and a means is disclosed for selectively synchronizing the movement of yarn ends from the texturing apparatus with the yarn consumption of the rotating knitting machine cylinder and needles.
- the system disclosed therefore utilizes a process of twisting at least one yarn end, pulling the yarn end through some heating [means to heat-fix the twist, and knitting the heat-fixed yarn end to form a knitted fabric as the yarn end emerges from the heating device.
- the basic objective of the disclosed invention is to provide apparatus and a method for accomplishing yarn processing and usage to form usable fabrics in one system and, in particular, to combine a false twisting yarn texturing technique with a continuously running knitting machine in one operation.
- Other objectives include, for example, the development of novel heating means for heatfixingthe twist in the yarn ends in a much more efficient and rapid manner.
- a yarn tension and movement equalizing appartaus is disclosed which will effectively regulate yarn tensions of the yarn ends being fed into the associated knitting machine.
- FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the yarn texturing apparatus comprising a portion of the present invention incorporating the plural duo-twist systems for providing S and Z yarn pairs which may subsequently be introduced to an associated knitting machine.
- FIG. 2 is a left, side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 which is directly coupled to an adjacent knitting machine.
- FIG. 3 is a right, side elevational view of the texturing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 coupled directly to the knitting machine.
- FIG. 4(a) through 4(d) is a diagrammatic, sequential portrayal of the bobbin-threading operation for connecting two yarn ends and establishing the requisite turns per inch desired in the texturing operation of the present invention.
- FIGS. 5 and 14 are perspective, end elevational and isolated views of the components of the present disclosure effecting the twisting, tension regulation and heating of two twisted yarn ends to heat fix the twist therein.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective, end elevational and isolated view of the apparatus receiving the twisted yarn ends from the device shown in FIG. 5, subsequentially separating the heat-fixed ends, and equalizing the tension and movement of the separated ends for subsequent delivery to a knitting machine.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective, side elevational and somewhat diminished view of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6.
- FIG. 8 is a top elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of the delivery rolls and yarn movement and tension equalizing device illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of venturi tube arrangement suitable for drawing off textured yarn from the delivery rolls.
- FIG. 10 is a rear elevational, fragmentary view of the synchronizing mechanism provided to equalize textured yarn output with yarn consumption of the knitting machine during the knitting operation.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective and isolated view of the yarn movement and tension equalizing device illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
- FIG. 12 is a front elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of a heater for heatfixing the twist in yarn passing therethrough.
- FIG. 13 is a planned view of the heater embodiment shown in FIG. 12.
- FIG. 15 is a front elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of yet another alternative embodiment of a heater for heat-fixing the twist in yarn passing therethrough.
- FIG. 1 there is illustrated a front elevational view of the yarn texturing section of the disclosed invention wherein a frame having a base 22 positioned contiguous a supporting surface 24 carries those operating components of the yarn texturing section which will be hereinafter specifically described.
- Frame 20 has provision for a yarn supply which includes, in the preferred embodiment described, four pirns 26, 28, and 32 of non-textured yarn suitable for processing and positioned on conveniently located supports 34.
- Yarn ends 36, 38, and 42 extend from packages 26, 28, 30 and 32, respectively, generally upwardly to tension mechanisms 44, 46, 48 and 50 which serve to regulate movement of the yarn ends and remove slubs as the ends move through an eyelet 52 located in each of the mechanisms (see FIG. 5). From these eyelets 52, pairs of yarn ends are combined, twisted and moved toward a heating zone.
- yarn ends 36 and 38 are representatively considered in FIG. 5 to illustrate the formation of a two-ply twisted yarn formed by wrapping yarn ends 36 and 38 about each other, the two-ply yarn emerging from a guide 54.
- the number of turns per unit of length to achieve the desired twist is established by a threading operation sequentially illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) through 4(1)).
- yarn end til) 36 is passed through a hollow bobbin 56 and on through Subsequent guide members.
- Yarn end 38 is then tied to a yarn segment 58 which has been wrapped about the bobbin a predetermined number of turns N and secured to yarn end 36 at a location 60 below the bobbin 56.
- the number of turns N established on the bobbin 56 will feed off and appear in the two-ply yarn continuously throughout the operation.
- the twisted yarn is next introduced to a braking device 62 of conventional design which maintains the two-ply yarn at a constant tension between this device and the yarn driving means subsequently to be described.
- the twisted yarn is encircled about the braking device 60 for almost one revolution as shown in FIG. 5 after which it extends to a yarn guide 64 which forms a right angle turn in the yarn which moves downwardly through additional yarn stabilizers and guides 66 and into the heating means 68.
- the braking device is angularly positioned slightly (see FIG. 7) to prevent contiguousness of the twisted yarn strands at the location 70 and the problems resulting therefrom.
- the twisted yarn is then moved downwardly through the heating device shown generally in preferred form as 68 which has a chamber 71 closed at the upper end by an insulating block 74 through which extends tubular eyelets 76 to accommodate yarn passing therethrough.
- a second insulating block 78 covering the lower end of the chamber 71 with similar eyelets 80 is also provided.
- a helical coil-shaped heating element 82 extends the longitudinal distance within the chamber 71 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5.
- Suitable means 72 are provided for retaining the insulated blocks 74 and 78 secure within each end of the chamber.
- Chamber 71 is then substantially filled with a plurality of particles 84 made up of preferably, but not necessarily, glass beads of a very fine granular size.
- An air jet 86 communicates with the interior of chamber 71 so that air which has been preheated can be introduced at the base of the column of small particles 84 and loosely suspend these particles to the extent that only a very minimum resistance is encountered by yarn moving therethrough.
- the twisted yarn such as that formed from yarn ends 36 and 38 is then fed through the chamber 71 in direct contact with the small particles within the chamber and then outwardly therefrom against small guide pulleys 88 as shown in FIG. 5.
- the heating element 82 is electrically connected at either end so that the temperature of the particles within chamber 71 can be maintained at a desired level.
- the heat from the element along with preheated air introduced through jet 86 uniformly elevates the temperature of the particles 84 which surround with uniform consistency the twisted yam passing therethrough.
- a uniform application of heat to the twisted yarn is provided to heat-fix the twist in the yarn. It will be appreciated that this application of heat is quite satisfactory to heat-fix the yarn twist thus resulting in yarn crimp, and is quite efiicient.
- the twisted and now heat-fixed combined yarn ends 36 and 38 move downwardly through an air source shown generally as 90 wherein a tubular two-outlet jet 92 distributes air from a source (not shown) across the twisted and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 to expedite the cooling of the yarn and insure a reliable heat-fixed condition when delivered to the knitting machine.
- a tubular two-outlet jet 92 distributes air from a source (not shown) across the twisted and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 to expedite the cooling of the yarn and insure a reliable heat-fixed condition when delivered to the knitting machine.
- a depending linkage generally indicated as 98 is pivotally retained to the frame by suitable means 180 and supports laterally extending and rotatable yarn guides 102 and 104 which are oppositely positioned each from the other on flanges 105 of linkage 98 receive the pair of separated, heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38.
- Each twisted end continuesabout a subsequent, directionchanging roller 106 and then downwardly through small tubular eyelets 108 that are carried by a base plate 110 of the depending linkage 98.
- a driving roll shown generally as 112 is formed with two frusto-conical surfaces 114 and 116 that directly support the two separated yarn ends 36 and 38 thereabout. Note that a full revolution about the driving roll 112 is made and that yarn guides 118 and 120 secured to a support member 121 affixed to frame 20 deliver the yarn ends to the surfaces 114 and 116 at the location desired. Thus the separated and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 are controlled in movement i.e., delivery speed, by the equalizing effect of the linkage 98 and its associated components illustrated in 'FIG. 6.
- the rollers 102 and 104 are responsive to differing yarn tensions to the extent that a greater tension in yarn strand 36 after separation, for example, would pivot the linkage 98 (see arrows) and reposition the yarn ends 36 and 38 to different locations on the frusto-conical surfaces of 114 and 116 of drive roll 112 where the differing diameters of the drive roll forming those surfaces would slow movement of one yarn end (when effective diameter is decreased) and increase movement of the other end (when effective diameter is increased). Increasing the movement of one end and decreasing movement of the other thus equalizes yarn end movement once again.
- the twisted and heat-fixed separated yarn ends are moved upwardly through a flared tubular member 122 through which is forced air from a manifold 124 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9. A venturi effect is thus experienced and the yarn end is continuously urged through the tubular member 122 with no collection of surplus from the driving roll 112. The yarn end then engages one or more additional guides such as that designated 126 in FIG. 7 according to particular needs.
- a control device 128 comprising a movable member 130 pivotally secured to the frame 20 and counterbalanced by an adjustable weight 132 which will respond to a sudden movement or tension in the textured yarn extending to the knitting machine by dipping downwardly to relieve that tension.
- This responsiveness avoids only undue tension in the yarn ends due to take-up at the commencement of the knitting operation.
- One or more eyelets such as those shown as 134 and 135 may be used as needed to provide the necessary stability for member 130.
- the textured yarn end is then fed directly to an associated knitting machine of any conventional construction shown generally in FIGS. 2 and 3 as 136.
- the machine will be provided with a rotating needle cylinder 137 having a plurality of needles disposed thereabout which accept from one or more feed fingers the textured yarn ends for incorporation into a knitted fabric.
- the same variable speed drive motor 14(1 associated with the knitting machine 136 is used to operate the texturing apparatus, and a belt 139 drives an associated pulley 142 whose shaft 143 operates a magnetic clutch 144.
- the clutch is used because textured yarn may not be needed during the complete knitting of, for example, a ladies stocking, since portions of that stocking might be made of other, non-textured yarn and there will be no need for the production of textured yarn during the knitting of a portion of the stocking with the other, non-textured yarn.
- the magnetic clutch 144 is very effective in engaging and disengaging the texturing apparatus from the machine when no textured yarn is needed though other mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic elements are quite suitable.
- a pulley and belt arrangement shown generally as 146 drives shaft 148 supporting a frusto-conical roll 150 which is contiguously paired with a substantially similar roll 151 both of which assume the adjustable relationship shown in FIG. 10.
- Roll 151 drives an associated shaft 152 which, through belt 154, turns the drive roll 112 to move the twisted yarn ends through the texturing operation.
- FIGS. 5 and 7 While the heating device illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 is quite efficient in operation, there are a number of alternative embodiments using this same basic concept which are noteworthy.
- a tank 160 which is preferably formed of metal and insulated thereabout with some suitable insulation 162, and each of these chambers are substantially filled with small particles such as the beads previously discussed.
- Each chamber is then adapted to receive two twisted yarn ends for a heat-fixing operation.
- An emersion heater 164 has spaced heating members 166 extending directly into the tank interior 168 which is filled with a volume of liquid such as oil to encourage heat transfer to the particles within the chambers 156 and 158.
- Two air lines 170 and 172 extend from a source (not shown) downwardly through the heated liquid to the base of each chamber so that preheated air may be introduced into the chamber lower area and loosely suspend the small particles therein.
- the top 174 of tank 160 has small screened openings 175 at the upper end of each chamber 156 and 158 to allow air which has been introduced therein by air lines 170 and 172 through ports 159 to escape from within. The same air vent is provided in the preferred heater embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
- FIG. 15 One final proposed embodiment of a heating device is suggested in FIG. 15 wherein electrical connectors 176 and 178 are secured directly to the metallic conductive chambers 180 and 182 and extend therefrom to a power source (see polarity markings).
- a power source see polarity markings.
- the result of the present invention is to provide for conditioning of textured yarn directly at the knitting machine which is used for converting the yarn into fabric to eliminate the preliminary yarn processing operations that have previously been required and to employ the yarn consumption of the knitting machine to move the yarn through the texturing operation as it is supplied for knitting.
- a device for texturing and knitting yarn on associated knitting means which includes a mechanism for utilizing the yarn consumption of the knitting means to draw yarn from a yarn supply, components for twisting the drawn yarn and heating means suitable to heat-fix the twist in the drawn yarn prior to introduction of the yarn to the knitting means.
- the present disclosure has set forth a method of continuously texturing and knitting yarn wherein yarn is twisted, pulled through heating means to heatfix that twist and then introduced to assocated knitting equipment which form a knitted fabric.
- a combined yarn texturing and knitting apparatus for use with an untexturized thermoplastic yarn supply comprising: a frame; yarn guide means directing at least two ens of yarn moving from the yarn supply carried by said frame; means secured to said frame twisting the yarn ends to a selected number of turns per unit length; means heat-fixing the twist; means adjacent said heat-fixing means separating the twisted and heat-fixed yarn; means proximate said frame knitting the separated yarn ends continuously including a rotating cylinder having knitting instrumentalities receiving the separated and heat-fixed yarn ends during the knitting operation; means driving said knitting and said separating means; and means associated with said driving means and positioned between said frame and said knitting means for selectively synchronizing the movement of the yarn ends from said separating means With said cylinder and knitting instrumentalities.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: yarn braking means adjacent said heat-fixing means regulating the tension of the twisted yarn ends between said yarn guide means and said separating means.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: means controlling the take-up of heat fixed yarn ends when said cylinder commences rotation to begin a knitting operation.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: means cooling the twisted and heat-fixed yarn ends.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means continuously equalizing the movement of the separated yarn ends.
- said equalizing means including means responsive to differing yarn tensions, said driving means having at least two frusto-conical surfaces forming a driving roll supporting the heat-fixed yarn, said tension responsive means repositioning the yarn on said frusto-conical surfaces to change the rate of yarn movement and at least two additional frusto-conical surfaces forming retaining means contiguous with said driving roll surfaces operable to retain the yarn thereabout.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means controlling the take-up of heat-fixed yarn strands when said cylinder commences rotation to begin a knitting operation.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means cooling the twisted and heat-fixed strands of yarn adjacent said heat-fixing means.
- said heating means including chamber means having chamber Walls and reeciving at least two twisted yarn ends movable therethrough, a heating element associated with said chamber means, a plurality of particles substantially filling said chamber means, and means suspending said particles to the extent that minimum resistance is encountered from said particles by the yarn ends moving therethrough, said heating element elevates the temperature of said particles, and said particles transfer heat uniformly to heat-fix the ends, said chamber means including a pair of metallic conductive chambers extending therethrough, and said heating element formed by electrically connecting said chamber walls and said metallic conductive chambers.
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Abstract
A SYSTEM FOR TEXTURING YARN USING A FLAST-TWISTING TECHNIQUE IN WHICH ONE OR MORE YARN ENDS ARE PULLED FROM A YARN SUPPLY, TWISTED, HEAT-FIXED AND FED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE HEAT-FIXING MEANS TO A KNITTING MACHINE FOR THE FORMATION OF KNITTED FABRIC. THE YARN TEXTURING PARATUS INCLUDES A GUIDE MEANS DIRECTING ONE OR MORE YARN ENDS FROM A YARN SUPPLY AND MEANS FOR TWISTING THE YARN WHICH IS THEREAFTER MOVED THROUGH A HEATER THAT, IN PREFERRED FORM, IS COMPRISED OF A CHAMBER FILLED WITH SMALL PARTICLES THROUGH WHICH THE TWISTED YARN MOVES. THE PARTICLES ARE ELEVEATED IN TEMPERATURE AND UNIFORMLY TRANSFER HEAT TO THE TWISTED YARN MOVING THERETHROUGH. AFTER THE HEAT-FIXING OPERATION, ONE OR MORE YARN ENDS ARE INTRODUCED IMMEDIATELY TO A KNITTING MACHINE WHICH IS SYNCHRONIZED IN YARN CONSUMPTION WITH THE TEXTURING APPARATUS SO THAT TEXTURED YARN IS FED TO THE MACHINE CONTINUOUSLY AS NEEDED DURING THE KNITTING OPERATION.
Description
Oct. 19, 1971 R. PEEL YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1969 INVENTOR ROBE RT PEEL BY i attorney Oct. 19, 1971 R. PEEL YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 22; 1969- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGLII ROBERT PEEL Oct. 19, 1971 R. PEEL YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 22, 1969 l l l INVENTOR ROBERT PEEL attorney Oct. 19, 1971 PEEL,
YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 22, 1969 INVENTOR ROBERT PEEL Oct. 19, 1971 PEEL YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 22. 1969 FIG.I5
INVENTOR ROBERT P k/"Z attorney United States Patent O i 3,613,403 YARN TEXTURING AND KNITTING APPARATUS Robert Peel, 1502 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC. 27104 Filed Aug. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 852,170 Int. Cl. D04b 15/48 US. Cl. 66-125 A 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A system for texturing yarn using a flast-twisting technique in which one or more yarn ends are pulled from a yarn supply, twisted, heat-fixed and fed immediately from the heat-fixing means to a knitting machine for the formation of knitted fabric. The yarn texturing apparatus includes a guide means directing one or more yarn ends from a yarn supply and means for twisting the yarn which is thereafter moved through a heater that, in preferred form, is comprised of a chamber filled with small particles through which the twisted yarn moves. The particles are elevated in temperature and uniformly transfer heat to the twisted yarn moving therethrough. After the heat-fixing operation, one or more yarn ends are introduced immediately to a knitting machine which is synchronized in yarn consumption with the texturing apparatus so that textured yarn is fed to the machine continuously as needed during the knitting operation.
BACKGROUND, SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus and methods for texturing heat-settable yarn using false-twist techniques and immediately knitting the heat-fixed yarn on an associated knitting machine. Textured yarn is thereby delivered to the knitting instrumentalities according to yarn consumption needed durnig the knitting operation.
For the most part, yarn texturing has heretofore remained as an independent sector of the textile industry with throwsters primarily concerned only with the production and sale of textured yarn to users such as hosiery manufacturers and knitted and woven garment manufacturers. The highly specialized nature of this industry and the vast amount of technical research associated with it has, for the most part, restricted throwsters from diversified expansion into related industries. Consequently, machines and methods for producing textured yarn involve predominantly large plural units running at extremely high speeds to provide as much yarn yield as possible.
Yarn users generally purchase their yarn needs from throwsters who specialize in textured yarn production, and while some fabric or garment manufacturers have established their own throwing facilities, the practice has generally been to restrict production to the manufacture of garments and fabrics while relying on others to provide the much demanded textured yarns that are known so well today.
Though there have 'been some previous efforts to com bine in one operation the yarn texturing and knitting operations such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,377,672, relatively little activity has been experienced up to now where efforts were primarily exerted to include the false twisting texturing process in combination with the knitting operation. The tensions of yarns being fed to knitting instrumentalities are so critical in some instances that it has heretofore been impossible to achieve satisfactory uniform yarn tension for the feed fingers of a multifeed circular knitting machine when false twisting to provide the yarn stretch characteristics is used.
The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for combining the yarn texturing operation, and particularly the false twisting of yarn to provide texturing, and the knitting operation whereby a system is created which will continuously false twist and heat tfiX yarn for direct and immediate introduction to a knitting machine under satisfactory tensions.
The invention is particularly directed to the duo-twist system of false twisting yarn wherein two yarn ends are transformed from an untwisted condition into a twoply twisted yarn and this twisted yarn is then heated and subsequently cooled to set the twist. The ends of the heat-fixed yarn are separated and passed through delivery or drive rolls and onward directly to the yarn feeds of an associated knitting machine or through suitable tension regulating devices to ensure that yarn tensions to the knitting machine are kept within restricted limits. While there is described herein as a primary embodiment of the present invention a total texturing and knitting system embodying the duo-twist technique, there is no intent to limit this system to that technique as the method and apparatus herein are also applicable to texturing and knitting with a single end of monofila ment or multifilament yarn.
Generally, the apparatus disclosed herein includes a yarn guiding device directing yarn movement from a yarn supply, a means for twisting the yarn, a heating arrangement that will heat-fix the twisted yarn, and apparatus for untwisting the heat-fixed yarn ends and directing these ends to adjacent knitting instrumentalities which consume the heat-fixed yarn as fabric or garments are being continuously knitted. Additional apparatus may be provided to regulate the various yarn tensions, and a means is disclosed for selectively synchronizing the movement of yarn ends from the texturing apparatus with the yarn consumption of the rotating knitting machine cylinder and needles.
The system disclosed therefore utilizes a process of twisting at least one yarn end, pulling the yarn end through some heating [means to heat-fix the twist, and knitting the heat-fixed yarn end to form a knitted fabric as the yarn end emerges from the heating device.
Several embodiments of a novel heating concept are disclosed, and a very effective yarn movement equalizing device has been devised to maintain equal tensions on the separated yarn ends as they are fed to the adjacent knitting machine.
The basic objective of the disclosed invention is to provide apparatus and a method for accomplishing yarn processing and usage to form usable fabrics in one system and, in particular, to combine a false twisting yarn texturing technique with a continuously running knitting machine in one operation. Other objectives include, for example, the development of novel heating means for heatfixingthe twist in the yarn ends in a much more efficient and rapid manner. Additionally, a yarn tension and movement equalizing appartaus is disclosed which will effectively regulate yarn tensions of the yarn ends being fed into the associated knitting machine.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.
FIGURE DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the yarn texturing apparatus comprising a portion of the present invention incorporating the plural duo-twist systems for providing S and Z yarn pairs which may subsequently be introduced to an associated knitting machine.
FIG. 2 is a left, side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 which is directly coupled to an adjacent knitting machine.
FIG. 3 is a right, side elevational view of the texturing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 coupled directly to the knitting machine.
FIG. 4(a) through 4(d) is a diagrammatic, sequential portrayal of the bobbin-threading operation for connecting two yarn ends and establishing the requisite turns per inch desired in the texturing operation of the present invention.
FIGS. 5 and 14 are perspective, end elevational and isolated views of the components of the present disclosure effecting the twisting, tension regulation and heating of two twisted yarn ends to heat fix the twist therein.
FIG. 6 is a perspective, end elevational and isolated view of the apparatus receiving the twisted yarn ends from the device shown in FIG. 5, subsequentially separating the heat-fixed ends, and equalizing the tension and movement of the separated ends for subsequent delivery to a knitting machine.
FIG. 7 is a perspective, side elevational and somewhat diminished view of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 8 is a top elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of the delivery rolls and yarn movement and tension equalizing device illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of venturi tube arrangement suitable for drawing off textured yarn from the delivery rolls.
FIG. 10 is a rear elevational, fragmentary view of the synchronizing mechanism provided to equalize textured yarn output with yarn consumption of the knitting machine during the knitting operation.
FIG. 11 is a perspective and isolated view of the yarn movement and tension equalizing device illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 12 is a front elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of a heater for heatfixing the twist in yarn passing therethrough.
FIG. 13 is a planned view of the heater embodiment shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a front elevational, sectional and fragmentary view of yet another alternative embodiment of a heater for heat-fixing the twist in yarn passing therethrough.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a front elevational view of the yarn texturing section of the disclosed invention wherein a frame having a base 22 positioned contiguous a supporting surface 24 carries those operating components of the yarn texturing section which will be hereinafter specifically described. Frame 20 has provision for a yarn supply which includes, in the preferred embodiment described, four pirns 26, 28, and 32 of non-textured yarn suitable for processing and positioned on conveniently located supports 34.
Yarn ends 36, 38, and 42 extend from packages 26, 28, 30 and 32, respectively, generally upwardly to tension mechanisms 44, 46, 48 and 50 which serve to regulate movement of the yarn ends and remove slubs as the ends move through an eyelet 52 located in each of the mechanisms (see FIG. 5). From these eyelets 52, pairs of yarn ends are combined, twisted and moved toward a heating zone.
To describe the pairing and twisting procedure, yarn ends 36 and 38 are representatively considered in FIG. 5 to illustrate the formation of a two-ply twisted yarn formed by wrapping yarn ends 36 and 38 about each other, the two-ply yarn emerging from a guide 54. The number of turns per unit of length to achieve the desired twist is established by a threading operation sequentially illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) through 4(1)). First, yarn end til) 36 is passed through a hollow bobbin 56 and on through Subsequent guide members. Yarn end 38 is then tied to a yarn segment 58 which has been wrapped about the bobbin a predetermined number of turns N and secured to yarn end 36 at a location 60 below the bobbin 56. When the apparatus is started and the yarn ends 36 and 38 are pulled downwardly, the number of turns N established on the bobbin 56 will feed off and appear in the two-ply yarn continuously throughout the operation.
The twisted yarn is next introduced to a braking device 62 of conventional design which maintains the two-ply yarn at a constant tension between this device and the yarn driving means subsequently to be described. The twisted yarn is encircled about the braking device 60 for almost one revolution as shown in FIG. 5 after which it extends to a yarn guide 64 which forms a right angle turn in the yarn which moves downwardly through additional yarn stabilizers and guides 66 and into the heating means 68. The braking device is angularly positioned slightly (see FIG. 7) to prevent contiguousness of the twisted yarn strands at the location 70 and the problems resulting therefrom.
The twisted yarn is then moved downwardly through the heating device shown generally in preferred form as 68 which has a chamber 71 closed at the upper end by an insulating block 74 through which extends tubular eyelets 76 to accommodate yarn passing therethrough. A second insulating block 78 covering the lower end of the chamber 71 with similar eyelets 80 is also provided. In the primary embodiment, a helical coil-shaped heating element 82 extends the longitudinal distance within the chamber 71 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. Suitable means 72 are provided for retaining the insulated blocks 74 and 78 secure within each end of the chamber.
The heating element 82 is electrically connected at either end so that the temperature of the particles within chamber 71 can be maintained at a desired level. The heat from the element along with preheated air introduced through jet 86 uniformly elevates the temperature of the particles 84 which surround with uniform consistency the twisted yam passing therethrough. Thus a uniform application of heat to the twisted yarn is provided to heat-fix the twist in the yarn. It will be appreciated that this application of heat is quite satisfactory to heat-fix the yarn twist thus resulting in yarn crimp, and is quite efiicient.
From the chamber 71, the twisted and now heat-fixed combined yarn ends 36 and 38 move downwardly through an air source shown generally as 90 wherein a tubular two-outlet jet 92 distributes air from a source (not shown) across the twisted and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 to expedite the cooling of the yarn and insure a reliable heat-fixed condition when delivered to the knitting machine.
From the tubular member 92, combined and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 engage a ball bearing roller 94 which guides the ends to a separating tube 96 as shown in FIG. 6. A depending linkage generally indicated as 98 is pivotally retained to the frame by suitable means 180 and supports laterally extending and rotatable yarn guides 102 and 104 which are oppositely positioned each from the other on flanges 105 of linkage 98 receive the pair of separated, heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38. Each twisted end continuesabout a subsequent, directionchanging roller 106 and then downwardly through small tubular eyelets 108 that are carried by a base plate 110 of the depending linkage 98.
A driving roll shown generally as 112 is formed with two frusto- conical surfaces 114 and 116 that directly support the two separated yarn ends 36 and 38 thereabout. Note that a full revolution about the driving roll 112 is made and that yarn guides 118 and 120 secured to a support member 121 affixed to frame 20 deliver the yarn ends to the surfaces 114 and 116 at the location desired. Thus the separated and heat-fixed yarn ends 36 and 38 are controlled in movement i.e., delivery speed, by the equalizing effect of the linkage 98 and its associated components illustrated in 'FIG. 6. The rollers 102 and 104 are responsive to differing yarn tensions to the extent that a greater tension in yarn strand 36 after separation, for example, would pivot the linkage 98 (see arrows) and reposition the yarn ends 36 and 38 to different locations on the frusto-conical surfaces of 114 and 116 of drive roll 112 where the differing diameters of the drive roll forming those surfaces would slow movement of one yarn end (when effective diameter is decreased) and increase movement of the other end (when effective diameter is increased). Increasing the movement of one end and decreasing movement of the other thus equalizes yarn end movement once again.
It is useful, though not necessary, to provide additional retaining devices such as biased plural rollers 120 having frusto-conical surfaces to remain contiguous with the drive surfaces 114 and 116 of drive roll 112 so that yarn wrapped about the drive roll can be positively retained thereon.
From the drive roll 112, the twisted and heat-fixed separated yarn ends are moved upwardly through a flared tubular member 122 through which is forced air from a manifold 124 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9. A venturi effect is thus experienced and the yarn end is continuously urged through the tubular member 122 with no collection of surplus from the driving roll 112. The yarn end then engages one or more additional guides such as that designated 126 in FIG. 7 according to particular needs.
Because of the possibility that a tension surge might be experienced during the initiation of the knitting machine associated herewith due to immediate take-up of the textured yarn extending from the texturing apparatus to the knitting machine, it is helpful, though not necessary, to include a control device 128 comprising a movable member 130 pivotally secured to the frame 20 and counterbalanced by an adjustable weight 132 which will respond to a sudden movement or tension in the textured yarn extending to the knitting machine by dipping downwardly to relieve that tension. This responsiveness avoids only undue tension in the yarn ends due to take-up at the commencement of the knitting operation. One or more eyelets such as those shown as 134 and 135 may be used as needed to provide the necessary stability for member 130.
The textured yarn end is then fed directly to an associated knitting machine of any conventional construction shown generally in FIGS. 2 and 3 as 136. The machine will be provided with a rotating needle cylinder 137 having a plurality of needles disposed thereabout which accept from one or more feed fingers the textured yarn ends for incorporation into a knitted fabric.
It will be apparent that it is necessary to coordinate the operation of the knitting instrumentalities of the knitting machine with the production capabilities of the yarn texturing machine by synchronizing the rate of producing textured yarn with the consumption of textured yarn by the knitting machine during the knitting operation. This is particularly true when different models and makes of knitting machines will be interchanged to produce differing garment styles. To this end, there is provided a synchronizing device shown generally as 138 interconnecting the yarn texturing process with the knitting operation. The same variable speed drive motor 14(1 associated with the knitting machine 136 is used to operate the texturing apparatus, and a belt 139 drives an associated pulley 142 whose shaft 143 operates a magnetic clutch 144. The clutch is used because textured yarn may not be needed during the complete knitting of, for example, a ladies stocking, since portions of that stocking might be made of other, non-textured yarn and there will be no need for the production of textured yarn during the knitting of a portion of the stocking with the other, non-textured yarn. The magnetic clutch 144 is very effective in engaging and disengaging the texturing apparatus from the machine when no textured yarn is needed though other mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic elements are quite suitable.
A pulley and belt arrangement shown generally as 146 drives shaft 148 supporting a frusto-conical roll 150 which is contiguously paired with a substantially similar roll 151 both of which assume the adjustable relationship shown in FIG. 10. Roll 151 drives an associated shaft 152 which, through belt 154, turns the drive roll 112 to move the twisted yarn ends through the texturing operation. To increase or decrease the speed of the texturing operation and respond a similar increase or decrease in the speed of the knitting operation by the knitting machine, it is necessary only to reposition rolls 150 and 151 with respect to each other to take advantage of the varying diameters of these rolls to influence the operational speed of the texturing apparatus.
While the heating device illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 is quite efficient in operation, there are a number of alternative embodiments using this same basic concept which are noteworthy. In FIG. 12, for example, two individual chambers 156 and 158 are enclosed by a tank 160 which is preferably formed of metal and insulated thereabout with some suitable insulation 162, and each of these chambers are substantially filled with small particles such as the beads previously discussed. Each chamber is then adapted to receive two twisted yarn ends for a heat-fixing operation. Obviously any number of such chambers may be provided in a single tank. An emersion heater 164 has spaced heating members 166 extending directly into the tank interior 168 which is filled with a volume of liquid such as oil to encourage heat transfer to the particles within the chambers 156 and 158. Two air lines 170 and 172 extend from a source (not shown) downwardly through the heated liquid to the base of each chamber so that preheated air may be introduced into the chamber lower area and loosely suspend the small particles therein. The top 174 of tank 160 has small screened openings 175 at the upper end of each chamber 156 and 158 to allow air which has been introduced therein by air lines 170 and 172 through ports 159 to escape from within. The same air vent is provided in the preferred heater embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
One final proposed embodiment of a heating device is suggested in FIG. 15 wherein electrical connectors 176 and 178 are secured directly to the metallic conductive chambers 180 and 182 and extend therefrom to a power source (see polarity markings). Rather than include an emersion heater such as shown at 164 in FIG. 12, it is possible to apply a voltage to conductors 176 and 178 and, by the selection of a suitable metal for the chambers 180 and 182, provide a heater by creating an electric circuit using the chamber walls (which have been electrically connected by conductor 184) as resistance circuit components. It is possible and quite satisfactory to utilize this arrangement and maintain the temperature of the particles about the twisted yarn for heat-fixing between 330 to 360 F.
The result of the present invention is to provide for conditioning of textured yarn directly at the knitting machine which is used for converting the yarn into fabric to eliminate the preliminary yarn processing operations that have previously been required and to employ the yarn consumption of the knitting machine to move the yarn through the texturing operation as it is supplied for knitting. In the broadest sense, there is disclosed a device for texturing and knitting yarn on associated knitting means which includes a mechanism for utilizing the yarn consumption of the knitting means to draw yarn from a yarn supply, components for twisting the drawn yarn and heating means suitable to heat-fix the twist in the drawn yarn prior to introduction of the yarn to the knitting means. Similarly, the present disclosure has set forth a method of continuously texturing and knitting yarn wherein yarn is twisted, pulled through heating means to heatfix that twist and then introduced to assocated knitting equipment which form a knitted fabric.
While there has been described an arrangement for permitting the texturing and knitting of yarn obtained from the texturing operation on the same apparatus, it will be understood that the embodiment disclosed is representative only. Various modifications and structural changes may be made in the embodiment disclosed herein including the heating mechanism, the driving means and the synchronizing means as well as other phases of the concept disclosed without departing in any way from the spirit and purpose of the present invention. Such modifications and changes are contemplated and it is intended that the invention manifested herein be restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.
I claim:
1. A combined yarn texturing and knitting apparatus for use with an untexturized thermoplastic yarn supply comprising: a frame; yarn guide means directing at least two ens of yarn moving from the yarn supply carried by said frame; means secured to said frame twisting the yarn ends to a selected number of turns per unit length; means heat-fixing the twist; means adjacent said heat-fixing means separating the twisted and heat-fixed yarn; means proximate said frame knitting the separated yarn ends continuously including a rotating cylinder having knitting instrumentalities receiving the separated and heat-fixed yarn ends during the knitting operation; means driving said knitting and said separating means; and means associated with said driving means and positioned between said frame and said knitting means for selectively synchronizing the movement of the yarn ends from said separating means With said cylinder and knitting instrumentalities.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: yarn braking means adjacent said heat-fixing means regulating the tension of the twisted yarn ends between said yarn guide means and said separating means.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: means controlling the take-up of heat fixed yarn ends when said cylinder commences rotation to begin a knitting operation.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further compris ing: means cooling the twisted and heat-fixed yarn ends.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means continuously equalizing the movement of the separated yarn ends.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said equalizing means including means responsive to differing yarn tensions, said driving means having at least two frusto-conical surfaces forming a driving roll supporting the heat-fixed yarn, said tension responsive means repositioning the yarn on said frusto-conical surfaces to change the rate of yarn movement and at least two additional frusto-conical surfaces forming retaining means contiguous with said driving roll surfaces operable to retain the yarn thereabout.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means controlling the take-up of heat-fixed yarn strands when said cylinder commences rotation to begin a knitting operation.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means cooling the twisted and heat-fixed strands of yarn adjacent said heat-fixing means.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said heating means including chamber means having chamber Walls and reeciving at least two twisted yarn ends movable therethrough, a heating element associated with said chamber means, a plurality of particles substantially filling said chamber means, and means suspending said particles to the extent that minimum resistance is encountered from said particles by the yarn ends moving therethrough, said heating element elevates the temperature of said particles, and said particles transfer heat uniformly to heat-fix the ends, said chamber means including a pair of metallic conductive chambers extending therethrough, and said heating element formed by electrically connecting said chamber walls and said metallic conductive chambers.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,091,908 6/1963 Carruthers 57-34 HS 3,148,520 9/1964 Biggers 66125 A 3,237,391 3/1966 Carruthers 5734 HS X 3,327,462 6/1967 Wyatt 5734 HS 3,355,872 12/1967 Gilchrist et a1. 5734 HS X 3,377,672 4/1968 Spurgeon 66125 A UX 3,422,613 1/1969 Berger, Jr. et a1. 57-34 HS 3,482,384 12/1969 Berger, Jr 66-125 A UX 3,488,936 1/1970 Wyatt 66-125 A X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,294,997 4/1962 France 5734 HS 1,060,286 3/1967 Great Britain 66l25 A ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5734 HS
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US85217069A | 1969-08-22 | 1969-08-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3613403A true US3613403A (en) | 1971-10-19 |
Family
ID=25312641
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US852170A Expired - Lifetime US3613403A (en) | 1969-08-22 | 1969-08-22 | Yarn texturing and knitting apparatus |
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US (1) | US3613403A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3759024A (en) * | 1971-06-01 | 1973-09-18 | L Colton | Method of and apparatus for imparting twist to yarns |
US3802037A (en) * | 1971-10-28 | 1974-04-09 | Todoroki Ind | Method of manufacturing bulky yarns |
US4553382A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1985-11-19 | Retech Ag | Device for producing twist-crimped threads |
-
1969
- 1969-08-22 US US852170A patent/US3613403A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3759024A (en) * | 1971-06-01 | 1973-09-18 | L Colton | Method of and apparatus for imparting twist to yarns |
US3802037A (en) * | 1971-10-28 | 1974-04-09 | Todoroki Ind | Method of manufacturing bulky yarns |
US4553382A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1985-11-19 | Retech Ag | Device for producing twist-crimped threads |
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