Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-07-01)

CLAIMS:
IN THE CLAIMS

Please insert new claims 33-34 and amend the claims as follows:

Claims 1-16 - (Cancelled)215

17\. (Currently amended) A device for feeding a first and a second weft thread in a weft direction to a gripper head of a loom, the device comprising:
a coupling unit configured to move back and forth in a warp direction when the device is installed laterally on the loom;
a first and a second feed unit adjacently arranged in the warp direction on the coupling unit, the first and the second feed units configured to feed the first and the second weft threads, respectively, to the gripper head;
a positioning unit configured to move the coupling unit in a linear axis path in the warp direction in a first position of the coupling unit and in the linear axis path counter to the warp direction in a second position of the coupling unit; and
wherein the first feed unit feeds the first weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the first position and the second feed unit feeds the second weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the second position.

18\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 17, wherein the coupling unit is positionable such that the position of the first feed unit in the first position of the coupling unit and the position of the second feed unit in the second position of the coupling unit match in the warp direction during weft insertion.

19\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 17, wherein each of the first and second feed units comprises slides that are movable in the weft direction.

20\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 19, wherein each of the slides is individually motor-driven in and counter to the weft direction.

21\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 19, wherein each of the slides comprises an actuatable clamp configured to clamp and release the respective weft
thread associated with each of the slides, and further comprising guide elements upstream of each of the clamps in the weft direction that guide the respective weft threads from above, below, and laterally.

22\. (Currently amended) The device of claim 20, wherein each of the slides are individually drivable to different distances away from or into the gripper head.

23\. (Currently amended) The device of claim 17, wherein each of the feed units comprises a strip-conveying unit having two revolving strip conveyors positionable in relation to each other, wherein the respective weft threads are conveyable in the weft direction between the strip conveyors.

24\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 17, further comprising a drive configured with the positioning unit.

25\. (Currently amended) The device of claim 17, wherein the coupling unit is configured on a fixed guide part having first guide structures, the coupling unit comprising guide elements that interact with the first guide structures to move the coupling unit in the linear axis path in or counter to the warp direction.

26\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 25, wherein the first guide structures are configured to prevent one of the first or second feed units from moving in the weft direction as the coupling unit is positioned in and counter to the warp direction, and further comprising second guide structures on the guide part that enable the other of the second or first feed units to move in and counter to the weft direction.

27\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 26, wherein the first and second guide structures are formed by grooves or protrusions in or on the guide part.

28\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 17, further comprising a first weft thread storage unit having a first bobbin, the first weft thread guided from the first weft thread storage unit to the first feed unit, and a second weft thread storage unit having a second bobbin, the second weft thread guided from the second weft thread storage unit to the second feed unit.

29\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 28, wherein the first weft thread storage unit is arranged above the second weft thread storage unit such that the first weft thread and the second weft thread emerge from the first and second weft thread storage units, respectively, extending one above the other.

30\. (Previously presented) The device of claim 28, wherein:
the first and the second weft thread storage units are aligned in the weft direction and the axes of the first and the second bobbins are aligned in the warp direction, or the first and the second weft thread storage units are aligned in the warp direction and the axes of the first and the second bobbins being aligned in the weft direction, and further comprising deflectors located to convey the first and the second weft threads in the weft direction.

31\. (Currently amended) A loom, comprising a gripper head that is movable through an open shed in and counter to a weft direction, and the device according to claim 17 for feeding the first and the second weft thread in the weft direction to the gripper head.

32\. (Currently amended) A method for feeding a first and a second weft thread during production of woven fabric in a loom having a gripper head that draws the first and second weft threads through an open shed along a weft insertion line, the method comprising:
locating the first and second weft threads next to one another in a plane in a warp direction at an edge of the woven fabric;
moving the first and second weft threads in a first direction along a linear axis path in the warp direction to position the first weft thread at the weft insertion line while deflecting the second weft thread clear of the weft insertion line;
feeding the first weft thread along the weft insertion line to the gripper head that draws the first weft thread through the open shed;
moving the first and second weft threads in a second opposite direction along the linear axis path in the warp direction to position the second weft thread at the weft insertion line while deflecting the first weft thread clear of the weft insertion line; and
feeding the second weft thread along the weft insertion line to the gripper head that draws the second weft thread through the open shed.

33\. (New) A device for feeding a first and a second weft thread in a weft direction to a gripper head of a loom, the device comprising:
a coupling unit configured to move back and forth in a warp direction when the device is installed laterally on the loom;
a first and a second feed unit adjacently arranged in the warp direction on the coupling unit, the first and the second feed units configured to feed the first and the second weft threads, respectively, to the gripper head;
a positioning unit configured to position the coupling unit in the warp direction in a first position of the coupling unit and counter to the warp direction in a second position of the coupling unit;
wherein the first feed unit feeds the first weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the first position and the second feed unit feeds the second weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the second position; and
wherein each of the feed units comprises a strip-conveying unit having two revolving strip conveyors positionable in relation to each other, wherein the respective weft threads are conveyable in the weft direction between the strip conveyors.

34\. (New) A device for feeding a first and a second weft thread in a weft direction to a gripper head of a loom, the device comprising:
a coupling unit configured to move back and forth in a warp direction when the device is installed laterally on the loom;
a first and a second feed unit adjacently arranged in the warp direction on the coupling unit, the first and the second feed units configured to feed the first and the second weft threads, respectively, to the gripper head;
a positioning unit configured to position the coupling unit in the warp direction in a first position of the coupling unit and counter to the warp direction in a second position of the coupling unit;
wherein the first feed unit feeds the first weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the first position and the second feed unit feeds the second weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the second position;
wherein the coupling unit is configured on a fixed guide part having first guide structures, the coupling unit comprising guide elements that interact with the first guide structures to move the coupling unit in or counter to the warp direction; and
wherein the first guide structures are configured to prevent one of the first or second feed units from moving in the weft direction as the coupling unit is positioned in and counter to the warp direction, and further comprising second guide structures on the guide part that enable the other of the second or first feed units to move in and counter to the weft direction.

OFFICE ACTION:
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given in an interview with Stephen Bondura on 5/12/25.
The application has been amended as follows:
Claim 17 Line 8 before “a linear axis” add -–only—
Claim 17 Line 9 before “the linear axis add –only—
Claim 32 Line 7 delete “along “and substitute –consisting of—
Claim 32 Line 12 delete “along” and substitute –consisting of--
Claim(s) 17-34 is/are allowed over the art of record.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding Claim 17-- none of the prior art of record discloses a device for feeding first/second wefts with a positioning unit configured to move a coupling unit only in a linear axis path in the warp direction, in conjunction with the other structural limitations, as set forth in the independent claim.  The use of devices for feeding first/second wefts having a positioning unit to move a coupling unit is known in the art of weaving, but the specific limited movement of only being in a linear axis path as claimed by the applicant is novel.  Specifically, prior art Laukamp et al (USPN 8550123), herein Laukamp, discloses a device for feeding first/second wefts with a positioning unit configured to move a coupling unit in the warp direction as recited in the application.  Prior art Laukamp also discloses that the movement is both rotational and linear.  However, none of the prior art discloses, teaches, or suggests that the movement would be only linear.  To modify Laukam’s movement merely to be as recited in the current application would be impermissible hindsight reconstruction of the applicant’s invention without any disclosure, teaching, or suggestion from the prior art of record, as is presently the case.
Regarding Claim 31—Claim 31 is allowable for including the allowable subject matter of Claim 17.
Regarding Claim 32—Claim 32 is allowable for reasons similarly indicated for Claim 17.
Regarding Claim 33—Claim 33 is allowable for rewriting the allowable subject matter of Claim 23 in independent form, with reasons for allowable subject matter indicated starting page 11 of the office action 1/30/25.
Regarding Claim 34—Claim 34 is allowable for rewriting the allowable subject matter of Claim 26 in independent form, with reasons for allowable subject matter indicated starting page 12 of the office action 1/30/25.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSClaims 17-32 are pending.The claims have been amended to address the objection to claim 31 and Section 112 rejection of claim 22.A. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 23, 26, and 27 are objected to for being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but are otherwise allowable.New claim 33 corresponds to claim 23 in independent form and is thus allowable.New claim 34 corresponds to claim 26 in independent form and is thus allowable.B. Section 102 and Section 103 rejections Claims 17, 18, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, and 32 are rejected under Section 102(a)(1) as anticipated by Laukamp '123 (US 8,550,123).Claims 19-22 are rejected under Section 103 as obvious over Laukamp '123 in view of Park '409 (KR 100822409).Applicant submits that all pending claims patentably distinguish over Laukamp '123 alone or in combination with any other reference or record.Laukamp '123 corresponds to WO 2011/015173 discussed in the Background section of the present application and is the type of device the present invention is intended to improve upon. As acknowledged in the present specification, Laukamp '123 discloses two feed units arranged one above the other, with each feed unit having a clamping device for clamping a free end of a respective weft thread. The clamping devices are movable in the weft direction between at least two different operating positions. In addition, each clamping device is movable in an arc by means of a swivel unit which is driven by a drive, preferably a servomotor. The swivel unit includes two parallel swivel arms which are connected by a coupling element, wherein the clamping devices are arranged on the coupling element.The device of Laukamp '123, however, has drawbacks. The device is relatively complex and costly, and also requires a relatively large amount of space. Also, due to the swivel kinematics during the movement of the clamping device in the weft direction, an undesired movement of the weft thread upward also takes place, i.e., in the vertical direction with respect to the plane in which the weft insertion line is also situated. This negatively affects the accuracy of presenting the weft thread to the gripper head and also the cutting position of the weft thread once it is inserted into the shed.Claim 17 calls for a device for feeding a first and a second weft thread in a weft direction to a gripper head of a loom. The device includes a coupling unit that moves move back and forth in a warp direction when the device is installed laterally on the loom. A first and a second feed unit are adjacently arranged in the warp direction on the coupling unit, the first and the second feed units configured to feed the first and the second weft threads, respectively, to the gripper head. A positioning unit is configured to move the coupling unit in a linear axis path in the warp direction in a first position of the coupling unit and in the linear axis path counter to the warp direction in a second position of the coupling unit. The first feed unit feeds the first weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the first position and the second feed unit feeds the second weft thread to the gripper head when the coupling unit is in the second position.Fig. 5 of Laukamp '123 is provided below:5 33 8 I//12 4 1 2' Fig. 5 The rejection labels components 3, 3' as a coupling unit and the components 9, 9' as first and second feed units. The components 8, 8' are identified as a positioning unit.Applicant does not necessarily acquiese to these component assertions. However, it is readily apparent from the figure (and associated desciption) that the components 3/3' and 9/9' move in an arc path. It cannot reasonably be asserted the the positioning unit 8/8' moves the components 3/3' in a linear axis path in the warp direction in a first position of the coupling unit and in the linear axis path counter to the warp direction in a second position of the coupling unit. In Laukamp '123, the components move in an arc path.Accordingly, Applicant submits that claim 17 patentably distinguishes over Laukamp '123 and is allowable. Claims 18 - 31 only further define claim 17 and are thus also allowable.Independent claim 32 has been amended to reflect essentially the same distinguishing features as claim 17 and is thus also allowable.With this Amendment, Applicant submits that all pending claims are allowable and that the application is in condition for allowance.The Examiner is encouraged to contact the undersigned at his convenience should any additional information be required.Respectfully submitted, DORITY & MANNING, P.A.By: /stephen e. bondura/ Stephen E. Bondura Registration No.: 35,070 P.O. Box 1449 Greenville, SC 29602-1449 (864) 271-1592 fax (864) 233-7342 I hereby certify that this paper and all attachments and any fee are being transmitted via the internet to the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office via Patent Center on:DATE: April 28, 2025 NAME: Jackie Leonard SIGNATURE: /Jackie Leonard/


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US8550123: Claims:
The invention claimed is: 1. A device (1) for transferring a preferably band-shaped weft material (6) from a feed unit to an insertion element (4) of a weaving machine with a clamping device (5) for clamping a free end (E) of the weft material (6), wherein the clamping device (5) is conveyable essentially in a direction of motion of the insertion element (4) between at least two different operating positions, and the device (1) includes a drive (8) for conveying the clamping device (5), wherein the clamping device (5) is conveyable by a swivel unit (2), which includes at least one swivel arm (3) and which is drivable by the drive (8), characterized in that the swivel unit (2) includes two parallel swivel arms (3), which are connected by a coupling element (9), wherein the clamping device (5) is arranged on the coupling element (9). 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable between a transfer position in a line of motion of the insertion element (4) and a parked position outside of the line of motion of the insertion element (4). 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4) into a feed position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that a location of the feed position is freely adjustable. 5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position or the feed position into a cutting position in the line of motion of the insertion element (6). 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a location of the cutting position is freely adjustable. 7. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, for feeding a second weft material (6′), the device (1) further includes a second swivel unit (2′) with a second clamping device (5′), and the clamping devices (5, 5′) are selectively conveyable between respective individual parked positions thereof and a shared common transfer position. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4) into a feed position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4). 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (8) comprises an independent electric motor drive. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that in order to apply a tension force to the weft material (6), the swivel unit (2) with the clamping device (5) is reversibly drivable. 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is pneumatically actuatable. 12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) comprises a parallel gripper with two movable clamping jaws (14). 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the movable clamping jaws (14), in an area of clamping surfaces (15) thereof, comprise a cross-section that is curved in a direction of a width of the weft material. 14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a shape of the clamping device (5) is adapted to a shape of the insertion element (4). 15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device further includes a sensor (13) arranged and adapted to detect a presence of the weft material (6) and/or a position of the free end (E) of the weft material (6). 16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) further includes guide elements, preferably guide bolts (11), for the weft material (6). 17. A weaving machine including said device for feeding a preferably band-shaped weft material (6) according to claim 1. 18. The weaving machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the weaving machine further includes a rotating shear, which is conveyable in a warp direction, as a cutting device (12) for the weft material (6). 19. The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the cutting device (12) comprises a stationary counter-blade or anvil-blade. 20. The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the rotating shear is conveyable in the warp direction by a main drive of the weaving machine via a cam disk transmission. 21. The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the rotating shear is conveyable by an independent electric motor drive. 22. A method of transferring a band-shaped weft material from a feed unit to an insertion element of a weaving machine, comprising the steps: a) clamping the weft material adjacent to a free end thereof in a clamping device that is connected to and drivable by a drive so that the clamping device is movable essentially in a direction of motion of the insertion element; b) engaging the free end of the weft material with the insertion element; c) opening the clamping device to release the weft material; d) inserting the weft material into a loom shed by moving the insertion element in the direction of motion of the insertion element; e) after the step d), closing the clamping device to clamp the inserted weft material at a new clamping location on the weft material; and f) after the step e), activating the drive to move the clamping device so as to apply a tension force onto the inserted weft material. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the clamping in the step a) is carried out with the clamping device in a transfer position, and wherein between the steps a) and b) the method further comprises activating the drive to move the clamping device from the transfer position to a feed position at which the steps b) and c) are carried out. 24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step e), bringing the inserted weft material into contact with a fabric binding point, during which the tension force is applied onto the inserted weft material in the step f). 25. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during or after the inserting of the weft material in the step d) activating the drive to move the clamping device into a cutting position, and after the step d) cutting off the inserted weft material. 26. The method according to claim 25, comprising performing the cutting after the closing of the clamping device in the step e) and during the applying of the tension force in the step f). 27. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step f) while maintaining the tension force, cutting off the inserted weft material adjacent to the new clamping location. 28. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step f), activating the drive to move the clamping device in a direction laterally away from the direction of motion of the insertion element to a first parked position displaced laterally away from a line of motion of the insertion element. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the abovementioned clamping device is a first clamping device and the abovementioned drive is a first drive, and further comprising: after the step f) while maintaining the tension force, cutting off the inserted weft material adjacent to the new clamping location, and thereafter performing the moving of the first clamping device to the first parked position; clamping a next weft material adjacent to a free end thereof in a second clamping device that is connected to and drivable by a second drive; activating the second drive to move the second clamping device from a second parked position thereof, which is displaced laterally away from the line of motion of the insertion element, to a shared common transfer position, which lies on the line of motion of the insertion element and which had been taken up by the first clamping device in the steps b) and c); engaging the free end of the next weft material with the insertion element; and opening the second clamping device to release the next weft material. 30. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during the step d), running the weft material essentially freely without obstruction between the feed unit and the insertion element. 31. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during the steps a) and b), holding the weft material in the clamping device in such a manner or configuration so as to stiffen the free end of the weft material. 32. The method according to claim 22, further comprising, using a sensor, sensing at least one of a presence of the weft material and a position of the free end of the weft material. 33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising closing the clamping device to initiate the step a) when the sensor senses that the free end of the weft material has reached a predefined position.
A device (1) for transferring a preferably band-shaped weft material (6) from a feed unit to an insertion element (4) of a weaving machine with a clamping device (5) for clamping a free end (E) of the weft material (6), wherein the clamping device (5) is conveyable essentially in a direction of motion of the insertion element (4) between at least two different operating positions, and the device (1) includes a drive (8) for conveying the clamping device (5), wherein the clamping device (5) is conveyable by a swivel unit (2), which includes at least one swivel arm (3) and which is drivable by the drive (8), characterized in that the swivel unit (2) includes two parallel swivel arms (3), which are connected by a coupling element (9), wherein the clamping device (5) is arranged on the coupling element (9).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable between a transfer position in a line of motion of the insertion element (4) and a parked position outside of the line of motion of the insertion element (4).
The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4) into a feed position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4).
The device according to claim 3, characterized in that a location of the feed position is freely adjustable.
The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position or the feed position into a cutting position in the line of motion of the insertion element (6).
The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a location of the cutting position is freely adjustable.
The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, for feeding a second weft material (6′), the device (1) further includes a second swivel unit (2′) with a second clamping device (5′), and the clamping devices (5, 5′) are selectively conveyable between respective individual parked positions thereof and a shared common transfer position.
The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is conveyable from the transfer position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4) into a feed position in the line of motion of the insertion element (4).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (8) comprises an independent electric motor drive.
The device according to claim 9, characterized in that in order to apply a tension force to the weft material (6), the swivel unit (2) with the clamping device (5) is reversibly drivable.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) is pneumatically actuatable.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (5) comprises a parallel gripper with two movable clamping jaws (14).
The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the movable clamping jaws (14), in an area of clamping surfaces (15) thereof, comprise a cross-section that is curved in a direction of a width of the weft material.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a shape of the clamping device (5) is adapted to a shape of the insertion element (4).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device further includes a sensor (13) arranged and adapted to detect a presence of the weft material (6) and/or a position of the free end (E) of the weft material (6).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) further includes guide elements, preferably guide bolts (11), for the weft material (6).
A weaving machine including said device for feeding a preferably band-shaped weft material (6) according to claim 1.
The weaving machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the weaving machine further includes a rotating shear, which is conveyable in a warp direction, as a cutting device (12) for the weft material (6).
The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the cutting device (12) comprises a stationary counter-blade or anvil-blade.
The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the rotating shear is conveyable in the warp direction by a main drive of the weaving machine via a cam disk transmission.
The weaving machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the rotating shear is conveyable by an independent electric motor drive.
A method of transferring a band-shaped weft material from a feed unit to an insertion element of a weaving machine, comprising the steps: a) clamping the weft material adjacent to a free end thereof in a clamping device that is connected to and drivable by a drive so that the clamping device is movable essentially in a direction of motion of the insertion element; b) engaging the free end of the weft material with the insertion element; c) opening the clamping device to release the weft material; d) inserting the weft material into a loom shed by moving the insertion element in the direction of motion of the insertion element; e) after the step d), closing the clamping device to clamp the inserted weft material at a new clamping location on the weft material; and f) after the step e), activating the drive to move the clamping device so as to apply a tension force onto the inserted weft material.
The method according to claim 22, wherein the clamping in the step a) is carried out with the clamping device in a transfer position, and wherein between the steps a) and b) the method further comprises activating the drive to move the clamping device from the transfer position to a feed position at which the steps b) and c) are carried out.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step e), bringing the inserted weft material into contact with a fabric binding point, during which the tension force is applied onto the inserted weft material in the step f).
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during or after the inserting of the weft material in the step d) activating the drive to move the clamping device into a cutting position, and after the step d) cutting off the inserted weft material.
The method according to claim 25, comprising performing the cutting after the closing of the clamping device in the step e) and during the applying of the tension force in the step f).
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step f) while maintaining the tension force, cutting off the inserted weft material adjacent to the new clamping location.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, after the step f), activating the drive to move the clamping device in a direction laterally away from the direction of motion of the insertion element to a first parked position displaced laterally away from a line of motion of the insertion element.
The method according to claim 28, wherein the abovementioned clamping device is a first clamping device and the abovementioned drive is a first drive, and further comprising: after the step f) while maintaining the tension force, cutting off the inserted weft material adjacent to the new clamping location, and thereafter performing the moving of the first clamping device to the first parked position; clamping a next weft material adjacent to a free end thereof in a second clamping device that is connected to and drivable by a second drive; activating the second drive to move the second clamping device from a second parked position thereof, which is displaced laterally away from the line of motion of the insertion element, to a shared common transfer position, which lies on the line of motion of the insertion element and which had been taken up by the first clamping device in the steps b) and c); engaging the free end of the next weft material with the insertion element; and opening the second clamping device to release the next weft material.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during the step d), running the weft material essentially freely without obstruction between the feed unit and the insertion element.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, during the steps a) and b), holding the weft material in the clamping device in such a manner or configuration so as to stiffen the free end of the weft material.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising, using a sensor, sensing at least one of a presence of the weft material and a position of the free end of the weft material.
The method according to claim 32, further comprising closing the clamping device to initiate the step a) when the sensor senses that the free end of the weft material has reached a predefined position.