Method of forming transfer tail and apparatus thereof

When forming a transfer tail, a pair of ends extending from a pair of weft packages supported through a supporting member by weft feeding means are moved to a working area of a knotter, and both the ends are knotted together by the knotter while each supporting member or a surface of the weft package holds intermediate portions of both the weft ends. There is provided a transfer tail formation apparatus comprising catching means for picking up the weft end extending from one package and the weft end of the other package, and the knotter for knotting both the weft ends picked up by the catching means together, wherein the catching means is arranged such that an operating portion thereof is positioned on or in the vicinity of a movement locus of the weft end extending from each package when both the weft packages are moved. A suction force of the catching means when forming the transfer tail is set as follows: ______________________________________ (suction force at a time of drawing the weft end) .gtoreq. (suction force at a time of knotting the weft) > (suction force after a time of drawing the weft end and before a time of knotting the weft) ______________________________________

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a transfer 
tail between a pair of mutually adjacent weft packages which are supported 
by weft feeding means disposed in the vicinity of a weaving machine so as 
to feed weft to the weaving machine. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In order to successively feed weft to a weaving machine, one tail end and 
the other leading end are sometimes connected with each other in a pair of 
adjacent weft packages which are movably supported by the weft feeding 
means. The connecting point of these wefts is referred to as transfer 
tail. 
In order to form the transfer tail, each end is led to a working area of a 
knotter through catching means composed of one or a pair of suction pipes. 
The knotter is operated to knot the respective ends together (Japanese 
Patent Public Disclosure (KOKAI) No. 1 317965). Both the ends are held at 
predetermined positions so as to be surely picked up by the catching means 
in the prior art. When picking up, the holding is to be canceled or 
released by picking up. Accordingly, each weft package has a different 
separated position from the weft package of the end at a time when each 
end is drawn into the catching means. In particular, each weft package has 
a different position with respect to an axial direction of the separated 
position of the leading end. That is, the position of the leading end when 
separated from the weft package is indefinite, as it comes sometimes at a 
front end or sometimes at a rear end of the weft package. Due to the 
difference in the separated position, there are caused different paths of 
the end from each weft package to the catching means. Therefore, there are 
also different paths of the end in the working area of the knotter. This 
sometimes results in a defective knotting performed by the knotter. 
In a transfer tail formation apparatus having the catching means and the 
knotter, an operating portion of each catching means is positioned apart 
from a movement locus of each weft package in the weft feeding means, 
i.e., a rotation locus. Further, the operating portion is moved toward 
each end by moving the respective catching means to pick up each end. 
On the other hand, each catching means which has picked up each end is 
operated to move each end toward the knotter so as to locate each end in 
the working area of the knotter. However, if the moving interval of the 
catching means can be reduced, it is considered possible to simplify a 
mechanism for moving the catching means as well as a movement control of 
the catching means. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a 
transfer tail, wherein each weft package has substantially the same 
extending path of a weft end in a working area of a knotter. It is another 
object of the present invention to provide a transfer tail formation 
apparatus which can minimize a moving interval of catching means for 
picking up an end of the weft extending from a package supported by weft 
feeding means. 
According to the present invention, a method of forming a transfer tail 
comprises the steps of moving a leading end and a tail end, which extend 
from a pair of weft packages supported by weft feeding means through a 
supporting member, to a working area of a knotter, and knotting both the 
ends together by the knotter while intermediate portions of the leading 
end and the tail end are respectively held by the support member or a 
surface of the weft package. 
According to the present invention, an intermediate portion of the end held 
by each supporting member or the surface of the weft package can serve as 
substantial separation point of the end from each weft package. Further, 
it is possible to move both the ends to the working area of the knotter. 
Therefore, each weft package can have substantially the same extending 
path of the end in the working area of the knotter when forming the 
transfer tail. As a result, it is possible to avoid a defective knotting 
of the knotter, which is caused when weft packages have different paths. 
The transfer tail formation apparatus of the present invention comprises 
catching means for picking up a tail end of the weft from one package and 
a leading end of the weft from the other package, and a knotter for 
splicing both the ends picked up by the catching means. The catching means 
is arranged such that an operating portion of the catching means is 
positioned on or in the vicinity of a movement locus of the ends of the 
weft from the packages at a time when both the weft packages are moved. 
According to the present invention, since the catching means is arranged 
such that the operating portion of the catching means is positioned on or 
in the vicinity of the movement locus of the weft end from the package at 
a time when both the weft packages are moved, the catching of each end can 
be performed after the weft end comes close to the operating portion of 
the catching means. Therefore, it is unnecessary to move the catching 
means toward the end to pick up the end. As a result, it is possible to 
dispense with a movement control and a movement mechanism or the like of 
the catching means for picking up the weft end. 
The catching means can be disposed such that the operating portion of the 
catching means is positioned on or in the vicinity of the movement locus 
of the weft end from the package at a time when both the weft packages are 
moved. Further, the catching means can be disposed such that the operating 
portion of the catching means is positioned on or in the vicinity of the 
movement locus of the weft end from each package at a time when the weft 
package is fed to the weft feeding means. Thereby, it is also possible to 
dispense with moving of the catching means toward each end to pick up the 
weft end, or it is possible to minimize the moving interval. 
The catching means may be movable together with both the weft packages and 
may be disposed such that the operating portion of the catching means is 
positioned on or in the vicinity of the movement locus of the weft end 
from each package at a time when the weft package is fed to the weft 
feeding means. 
When the transfer tail is formed between a pair of weft packages supported 
by the weft feeding means, suction force of the catching means is 
preferably controlled as described below. 
That is, the suction force of the catching means for drawing each weft end 
and maintaining the drawing condition of the weft end until the knotting 
is completed by the knotter, is defined as follows: 
______________________________________ 
(suction force at a time of drawing the weft 
end) .gtoreq. 
(suction force at a time of knotting the weft) &gt; 
(suction force after a time of drawing the weft 
end and before a time of knotting the weft) 
______________________________________ 
According to this expression, it is ensured to draw the end into the 
catching means by setting the suction force at a time when drawing the 
weft end from each package to a large value. It is also possible to 
minimize any occurrence of untwisting of the weft end and damage 
accompanied with the untwisting weft end within the catching means by 
setting the suction force while the drawing condition of the weft end is 
maintained to a small value. Further, the weft can be stretched in an 
appropriate tensile force which is neither too strong nor too weak when 
knotting the weft. As a result, it is possible to realize a certain 
operation for knotting the weft, i.e., a certain formation of the transfer 
tail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, weft feeding means 10 is mounted in the 
vicinity of a weaving machine (not shown) installed at a textile factory 
so as to feed weft to the weaving machine. The weft feeding means 10 
depicted comprises a weft stand, and can support three weft packages 12 
including the weft wound around a bobbin 11. 
The weft feeding means 10 has a post 14 and a rotary member 16 which is 
supported by the post 14 and is rotatable about one axis extending in a 
diagonal direction, in particular, counterclockwise in the illustrated 
embodiment. The rotary means 16 includes three concave portions 18 which 
are arranged at each rotation angle of 120 degrees about the one axis. A 
bobbin holder 22 serves as a supporting member for supporting each weft 
package 12 on the rotary member 16 as described below, and is partially 
inserted into the respective concave portions 18. 
These three weft packages 12 are respectively supported at a feeding 
position above the post 14, at a waiting position apart from the feeding 
position about the one axis counterclockwise by 120 degrees, and at a 
released position apart from the feeding position about the one axis 
clockwise by 120 degrees. A new weft package is provided from carrying 
means 34 as described below at the feeding position, and the bobbin 11 
remaining after consumption of the weft is recovered at the feeding 
position. The weft is fed from the weft package 12 to the weaving machine 
at the released position, and a spare weft package 12 is waiting at the 
waiting position. In order to feed the weft successively, and the weft 
ends from a pair of mutually adjacent packages 12 are knotted together to 
form a transfer tail 20. 
Each weft package 12 is supported through the bobbin holder 22 by the weft 
feeding means 10. The bobbin holder 22 includes a plate portion 24, a 
fitting portion 26 and a pair of holding portions 28 and 30. The fitting 
portion 26 extends from the plate portion 24 perpendicular to the plate 
portion, and has a truncated conical surface which is inserted into the 
bobbin 11. The pair of holding portions 28 and 30 can releasably hold the 
weft ends. 
The plate portion 24 of the bobbin holder 22 has a pointed end 24a which is 
fitted into and releasably secured to the concave portion 18 of the rotary 
member 16 of the weft feeding means 10. 
The respective holding portions 28 and 30 of the bobbin holder 22 have 
supporting rods 28a and 30a which are disposed at positions opposite to 
the pointed end 24a of the plate portion, and extend from side portions of 
the plate portion 24 (see FIG. 2) or the fitting portion 26 (see FIG. 4). 
These holding portions 28 and 30 further include a pair of disks 28b, 28c, 
30b and 30c which are oppositely mounted at ends of the supporting rods 
28a and 30a. 
One disks 28b and 30b at the side of the plate portion 24 are respectively 
secured to the supporting rods 28a and 30a. The other disks 28c and 30c 
are respectively supported to be movable in each axial direction of the 
supporting rods 28a and 30a. 
As typical by shown in FIG. 5, a spring bearing 29 is secured to the end of 
each supporting rod, and a coil spring 31 in a compressed state is 
arranged between the movable disk 28c and the spring bearing 29. The weft 
end from the package 12 is passed and held between both disks 28b and 28c. 
When the weft package disposed at the released position is switched over 
to the weft package disposed at the waiting position as a feeding package 
of the weft, spring force of the coil spring 31 is appropriately set so as 
to release the formed transfer tail from a holding condition of both disks 
28b and 28c, and so as to derive the transfer tail from both disks when 
the end, i.e., the formed transfer tail is pulled toward the weaving 
machine through a yarn guide 44 which will be later described. Therefore, 
in order to form the transfer tail, the intermediate portions of both ends 
i.e., a leading end 12a and a tail end 12b are respectively held by the 
holding portions 28 and 30 while the leading end 12a and the tail end 12b 
are moved to the working area of a knotter 38 as described below which is 
an apparatus used for knotting the leading end and the tail end together, 
and while the knotter 38 is operated to knot the leading end 12a and the 
tail end 12b together. That is, the leading end 12a and the tail end 12b 
are respectively held between both disks 28b and 28c and between 30b and 
30c in the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to position 
the weft end from each package at a position where the end is held by the 
holding portion 28, even if separation points 33, 35 (see FIG. 2) of the 
leading end 12a and the tail end 12b separated from the weft package 12 
are arranged at any position with respect to the weft package. As a 
result, each weft package can have substantially the same extending path 
of the weft end in the working area of the knotter 38. Further, it is 
possible to avoid a defective knotting of the knotter 38 caused in case 
paths are different. 
The working area of the knotter 38 refers to a working area of the knotter 
38 in a firmly mounted position in case the knotter 38 is firmly mounted 
as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the working area of the knotter 38 
refers to a working area in an advanced position in case the knotter 
advances from the waiting position when the knotter is operated. 
The leading end 12a and the tail end 12b are moved to the working area of 
the knotter 38 by, for example, a suction pipe as described below. The 
weft end is first sucked and drawn in the suction pipe, and the suction 
pipe is then moved to a predetermined position while sending out a part of 
the weft end. Instead of the suction pipe, a movable grasping member may 
be employed. The grasping member flexibly grasps the weft end in the 
vicinity of the holding portions 28 and 30. Further, the grasping member 
is moved to the predetermined position while appropriate tensile force is 
applied to the weft end and a part of the weft end is escaped from each 
grasping member. Otherwise, the grasping member grasps a free end of the 
weft end and is moved to the predetermined position while grasping the 
free end. 
As typically shown in FIG. 6, in another embodiment of each holding 
portion, one holding portion 28 may comprise a supporting rod 28a and a 
tape piece 28d which is mounted on the end of the supporting rod 28a, and 
is crowded with many hooks 37 made of flexible plastic material. 
The intermediate portion of the weft end can be hung on the hook 37 to hold 
the weft end by the holding portion 28. In addition, when drawing out the 
transfer tail formed by the weft end, the hook 37 is elastically deformed 
to release the weft end. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the holding portion 28 may also comprise the supporting 
rod 28a, a plate-like U-shaped member 28e mounted at the end of the 
supporting rod 28a, and a rod-like elastic member 28f, which is secured to 
the U-shaped member 28e and can be elastically deformed so as to 
releasably close an opening end of the U-shaped member. The weft end is 
passed through a space defined between the U-shaped member 28e and the 
elastic member 28f, and the intermediate portion of the weft end is held 
by these members. The U-shaped member 28f is provided such that the 
intermediate portion of the weft end is bent on the U-shaped member 28e 
when the end is moved by the suction pipe. Therefore, each weft package 
can have substantially the same path of the weft end. When the weft is 
released from the weft package by a weft inserting operation, tensile 
force acts on the weft end. At the time, the weft end passing through the 
space contacts the elastic member 28f to deform the elastic member 28f 
elastically, and leaves the space. The elastic member 28f may be omitted. 
In this case, the U-shaped member 28e is mounted on the supporting rod 28a 
with its opening end facing upwardly at the feeding position such that the 
intermediate portion of the weft end is bent on the U-shaped member 28e 
when the weft end is moved by the suction pipe, and such that the transfer 
tail leaves the opening end of the U-shaped member 28e because of own 
weight when the rotary member 16 of the weft feeding means 10 is rotated 
after the formation of the transfer tail. 
The weft package 12 is mounted on the bobbin holder, and is suspended from 
a rail 32 mounted on the ceiling of the textile factory. Further, the weft 
package 12 is carried from a preparation room (not shown) in the textile 
factory to the weft feeding means 10 through carrying means 34, which is 
referred to as doffer and can travel along the rail 32. 
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the carrying means 34 is provided with two 
pairs of arms 36 which can separately grasp and vertically move two of the 
weft packages 12. The respective pairs of arms 36 are rockable about 
horizontal axes in parallel with each other. The respective pairs of arms 
36 are provided with hooked pointed ends (see FIG. 4). When these hooked 
pointed ends are respectively rocked toward mutually opposite arms, i.e., 
in the closing direction, these hooked pointed ends can engage a small 
diameter end of the bobbin 11 of the weft package 12 and a hole 39 
provided in the plate portion 24 of the bobbin holder 22 coaxially with a 
large diameter end of the bobbin 11 to grasp the weft package 12. On the 
other hand, when the respective pairs of arms 36 are rocked in the opening 
direction, the grasped weft package 12 can be released. 
The carrying means 34 is stopped such that one pair of arms 36 grasping the 
weft package 12 is disposed directly above the rotary member 16 of the 
weft feeding means 10. 
When one pair of arms 36 are lowered in this condition (see FIG. 1), the 
pointed end portion 24a of the plate portion 24 of the bobbin holder 22 is 
inserted into one of the concave portions 18 of the rotary member 16 (see 
FIG. 3). 
Thus, the weft package 12 grasped by one pair of arms 36 can be provided 
for the weft feeding means 10 at the feeding position. 
Prior to feeding of the weft package 12, the other pair of empty arms 36 
are lowered toward the bobbin 11 disposed at the feeding position to grasp 
and recover the bobbin 11 and the bobbin holder 22. 
The knotter 38, a suction pipe 40 and a suction pipe 42 as the catching 
means in the illustrated embodiment are disposed in the vicinity of the 
weft feeding means 10. The knotter 38 serves for knotting a pair of ends 
extending from a pair of mutually adjacent weft packages 12 held by the 
weft feeding means 10, that is, the leading end 12a of weft from one 
package and the tail end 12b of weft from the other package together. The 
catching means picks up both weft ends, respectively, and can move the 
picked ends to the working area of the knotter 38, i.e., an area where the 
knotter 38 is operated to knot both weft ends together. 
In another embodiment, the catching means may employ a combination of a 
movable weft grasping apparatus or an immovable static suction pipe and 
the yarn guide which can move the weft end picked up by the suction pipe 
to the working area of the knotter. 
The knotter 38 and the suction pipes 40 and 42 are provided as a part of a 
transfer tail formation apparatus. The knotter 38 and the suction pipes 40 
and 42 in the illustrated embodiment are mounted on the weaving machine. 
The suction pipe may be also mounted on the rotary portion of the weft 
feeding means 10 as described below. 
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIGS. 8 to 18, the opening end 
serving as an operating portion of the one suction pipe 42 is positioned 
on or in the vicinity of a vertical movement locus which is described by 
the leading end 12a held between the holding portion 28 of the bobbin 
holder when the weft package 12 is provided for the weft feeding means 10 
by the carrying means 34. Accordingly, the suction pipe 42 can finish 
sucking the leading end 12a of the weft in the weft package 12 suspended 
from the pointed end of the holding portion 28 of the bobbin holder to 
draw into the suction pipe 42 by the time when the weft package 12 is 
lowered to be held by the weft feeding means 10. 
The opening end of the other suction pipe 40 is disposed on or in the 
vicinity of a rotation locus of the tail end 12b held by the holding 
portion 30 of the bobbin holder which is rotated and moved together with 
the weft package 12 counterclockwise from the feeding position to the 
waiting position. Therefore, the suction pipe 40 can suck the tail end 12b 
of the weft in the weft package suspended from the holding portion 30 to 
draw into the suction pipe 40 while the weft package 12 is rotated and 
moved. 
When the weft package is held by the bobbin holder without the holding 
portions 28, 30, the opening ends of the suction pipes 40 and 42 are 
positioned on or in the vicinity of a movement locus of the weft end 
suspended from the weft package. In this case, preferably, the weft end is 
partially secured to a certain portion of the weft package in advance so 
that the weft end from each package can describe the same movement locus. 
For example, the end may be held by a surface of the weft package simply 
by using a fluff, or the weft end may be pasted on the surface of the weft 
package to hold in a successful operation range for the weft inserting. 
Referring now to FIG. 8, three weft packages 12 are held by the rotary 
member 16 of the weft feeding means. Further, the transfer tails 20 are 
respectively formed between the weft package 12 at the feeding position 
and that at the waiting position, and between the other weft package 12 at 
the waiting position and that at the released position. The weft 12c is 
fed from the weft package 12 at the released position to the weaving 
machine through a yarn guide 44. 
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the weft of the weft package 12 disposed 
at the released position is consumed, the weft is fed successively from 
the spare weft package 12 at the waiting position through the transfer 
tail 20 formed between the released position and the waiting position. 
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rotary member 16 is counterclockwise 
rotated by 120 degrees while feeding the weft from the weft package 12 at 
the waiting position. In addition, the bobbin holder 22 and the empty 
bobbin 11 (which is simplified for the sake of drawings) which are 
disposed at the released position are moved to the feeding position. The 
rotary member 16 is started to rotate, and simultaneously, the suction 
pipe 40 is started to suck. At the time, the suction pipe 42 is in the 
inoperative condition. 
During the rotation, the tail end 12b of the weft package 12 disposed at 
the feeding position is sucked into the suction pipe 40 while the end is 
rotated as shown in FIG. 11. 
Thereafter, the carrying means is operated to recover the bobbin holder 22 
and the bobbin 11 as shown in FIG. 13, and a new weft package 12 is 
provided for the rotary member 16 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When the 
carrying means is moved to a predetermined position above the weft feeding 
means or when the weft package 12 is started to lower by one pair of arms 
36, the suction pipe 42 is started to suck. Consequently, the leading end 
12a of the weft package 12 is drawn into the suction pipe 42 while the 
weft package 12 is lowered to be provided for the weft package 12. 
After feeding the weft package 12, as shown in FIG. 16, the suction pipes 
40 and 42 are respectively moved so as to move the leading end 12a and the 
tail end 12b held by the suction pipes to the working area of the knotter 
38 such that both the ends intersect. At the time, the leading end 12a and 
the tail end 12b are moved with the intermediate portions thereof held by 
the holding portions 28 and 30. Further, the leading end 12a and the tail 
end 12b are guided while being partially led from the suction pipes with 
the movement of the suction pipes 40 and 42. 
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17, the knotter 38 is operated to splice the 
leading end 12a and the tail end 12b together to form the transfer tail 
20. After forming the transfer tail 20, as shown in FIG. 18, both suction 
pipes 40 and 42 are returned to original positions, i.e., the same 
positions as shown in FIG. 8, and the suction operation is stopped. 
The suction forces of the suction pipes 40 and 42 are preferably set as 
follows. That is, large values are set for the suction force of the 
suction pipe 42 to the leading end 12a and the suction force of the 
suction pipe 40 to the tail end 12b. With strong suction forces, it is 
ensured to draw the leading end 12a and the tail end 12b into the suction 
pipes 42 and 40, respectively. 
A period for providing the suction pipe 40 with the strong suction force 
can be set to be, for example, a time when the rotary member 16 is started 
to rotate from the condition as shown in FIG. 10. Further, a period for 
providing the suction pipe 42 with the strong suction force can be set to 
be, for example, a time preceding the condition as shown in FIG. 14, i.e., 
a time when a new weft package is started to lower. 
After a sensor (not shown) or the like mounted inside the suction pipe 40 
detects that the end is drawn into the suction pipe 40, the suction force 
of the suction pipe 40 is reduced to a sufficient suction force of 0 or 
more values for holding the weft end, i.e., the tail end 12b in the 
suction pipe 40 after the lapse of a predetermined time required for 
drawing or after the completion of the rotary operation of the rotary 
member 16. Also, in the case of the suction pipe 40, after detecting by a 
sensor (not shown) or the like mounted inside the suction pipe 42 that the 
weft end is drawn into the suction pipe 42, the suction force of the 
suction pipe 42 is reduced to a sufficient suction force for holding the 
end, i.e., the leading end 12a in the suction pipe 42 after the lapse of a 
predetermined time required for drawing or after the weft package 12 is 
held by the rotary member 16 (see FIG. 15). 
Thus, the ends in the suction pipes 40 and 42 are released from any 
influences caused by the strong suction force, i.e., a twist in the ends. 
Accordingly, damage to the end can be avoided. 
During the operation of the knotter 38, appropriate tensile force should be 
provided for the respective leading end 12a and the tail end 12b. 
Therefore, the suction forces of the suction pipes 42 and 40 are set to 
values less than or equal to the value at a time when drawing the end, and 
more values than at a time when holding the end. 
After forming the transfer tail 20 (see FIG. 17), the suction forces of the 
respective suction pipes 40, 42 are set to 0. 
In the above embodiment, a pair of suction pipes 40 and 42 are provided to 
pick up the respective leading end 12a and the tail end 12b of the weft 
package. However, either one of the suction pipes may be omitted to employ 
a single suction pipe. For example, the suction pipe 42 may be omitted 
since the opening end of the suction pipe 40 is disposed not only in the 
vicinity of the rotation locus of the tail end 12b, but also in the 
vicinity of the movement locus of the leading end 12a. 
A single suction pipe may be provided to pick up the leading end 12a and 
the tail end 12b movably between a predetermined position in the vicinity 
of the movement locus of the leading end 12a and a predetermined position 
in the vicinity of the rotation locus of the tail end 12b. In the 
embodiment, the tail end 12b can be picked up at the predetermined 
position in the vicinity of the rotation locus of the tail end 12b while 
the rotary member is operated to rotate. Subsequently, the suction pipe 
can be moved to the predetermined position in the vicinity of the movement 
locus of the leading end 12a to pick up the leading end 12a while 
providing the weft package 12. In a modification of the embodiment, the 
suction pipe has an amount of movement more than that of the suction pipe 
in another embodiment since the suction pipe is moved between two 
positions. The amount of movement, however, is less than that of the 
conventional suction pipe for picking up the end. Further, since the 
predetermined position can be set on or in the vicinity of the movement 
locus of the weft end, it is possible to set a large selective range for 
the position and to further reduce the amount of movement. 
Referring now to FIGS. 19 to 29, one embodiment is illustrated which 
employs a single suction pipe 46 serving as the catching means for picking 
up the weft end (tail end) 12b from a package 12A disposed at the waiting 
position and the end (leading end) 12a of a weft package 12B disposed at 
the feeding position. 
The suction pipe 46 is mounted on the weaving machine and arranged such 
that an opening end of the suction pipe 46 is positioned on or in the 
vicinity of the rotation locus of the weft ends 12a, 12b from both 
packages when the weft packages are rotated about the one axis. 
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, when the weft of the weft package 12 at the 
released position is consumed, the weft is fed from the spare weft package 
12A disposed at the waiting position on the left-hand side of the released 
position through the transfer tail 20. As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the 
rotary member 16 is rotated counterclockwise by 120 degrees while feeding 
the weft from the weft package 12A at the waiting position. Further, the 
bobbin holder 22 and the bobbin 11 disposed at the released position are 
moved to the feeding position. When the rotary member 16 is started to 
rotate, the suction pipe 46 is started to suck. 
During the operation, as shown in FIG. 22, the tail end 12b of the weft 
from the package 12A disposed at the waiting position is sucked in, i.e., 
picked by the suction pipe 46 during the rotation. Continuously, as shown 
in FIG. 24, the leading end 12a of the weft from the package 12B disposed 
at the feeding position is sucked in the same suction pipe 46 during the 
rotation. 
Subsequently, the suction pipe 46 holding both weft ends 12a and 12b is 
moved to the working area of the knotter 38. Accordingly, the respective 
weft ends 12a and 12b can be paralleled in the working area of the knotter 
38 (see FIG. 25). The knotter 38 is operated to splice both weft ends 12a 
and 12b (see FIG. 26). After forming the transfer tail 20, the suction 
pipe 46 is returned to an original position, i.e., the same position as 
shown in FIG. 19 to stop the suction operation. 
Thereafter, the carrying means is operated to recover the bobbin holder 22 
and the bobbin 11 (see FIG. 28), and a new weft package 12 is provided for 
the rotary member 16 (see FIG. 29). 
In the above embodiment, the intermediate portions of the weft ends 12a and 
12b of the weft package are respectively held by the holding portions 28 
and 30. The single suction pipe is employed since each rotation locus is 
identical. However, the suction pipe should be provided for the respective 
ends 12a and 12b when each rotation locus is different from the other. 
Alternatively, the single suction pipe may be provided movably between the 
position in the vicinity of the rotation locus of the end 12a and the 
position in the vicinity of the rotation locus of the end 12b. Further, 
the single suction pipe may be moved between the two positions to pick up 
the ends 12a and 12b while the rotary member 16 is rotated 
counterclockwise by 120 degrees. 
Referring now to FIGS. 30 to 40, a further embodiment is illustrated which 
employs three suction pipes 48 rotatable about the one axis together with 
the weft packages held by the rotary member 16. Three suction pipes 48 are 
respectively arranged between the mutually adjacent positions, i.e., 
between the feeding and waiting positions, between the waiting and 
released positions, and between the released and feeding positions. A yarn 
guide 50 mounted on the weaving machine can be moved toward the working 
area of the knotter 38. 
Among the three suction pipes 48, two suction pipes disposed at the upper 
positions should pick up the weft end (tail end) 12b and the other weft 
end (leading end) 12a of the weft from the package 12B which is provided 
for the rotary member 16, respectively (see FIG. 37). Therefore, the 
suction pipes 48 are arranged such that opening ends of the suction pipes 
48 are positioned on or in the vicinity of the movement loci of the weft 
ends 12a and 12b from the package 12B when the weft package is provided 
for the rotary member 16 by the carrying means. 
As shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, when the weft of the weft package 12 disposed 
at the released position is consumed, the weft can be fed from the spare 
weft package 12 which is disposed at the waiting position on the left-hand 
side of the released position through the transfer tail 20. Prior to 
feeding of the weft from the spare weft package 12, the weft package 12A 
is provided for the rotary member 16. When the weft package 12A is lowered 
and provided, the tail end 12b of the weft from the package 12A has been 
completely sucked in the suction pipe 48 between the feeding position and 
the released position. In addition, the leading end of the weft from the 
package 12A has the transfer tail which is formed by the weft package 12 
disposed at the waiting position by a method as described below. 
As shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, the rotary member 16 is rotated 
counterclockwise by 120 degrees while feeding the weft from the weft 
package 12 disposed at the waiting position. Accordingly, the bobbin 
holder 22 and the bobbin 11 disposed at the released position are moved to 
the feeding position. At the time, the suction pipe 48 sucking and holding 
the tail end 12b of the weft from the package 12A is rotated together with 
the rotary member 16 counterclockwise by 120 degrees to guide the tail end 
12b ahead of the yarn guide 50. Concurrently, the suction pipe 48 is 
positioned in the vicinity of the movement locus of the leading end 12a of 
the weft from the package 12B which will be provided by the carrying means 
later (see FIGS. 36 and 37). 
The other suction pipes 48 are similarly rotated to be positioned in the 
vicinity of the movement locus of the tail end 12b of the weft from the 
package 12B which will be provided later. 
Thereafter, the carrying means is operated to recover the bobbin holder 22 
and the bobbin 11, and a new weft package 12B is provided for the rotary 
member 16. When the weft package 12B is lowered and provided, the leading 
end 12a of the weft from the package 12B is drawn into the suction pipe 48 
into which the tail end 12b of the weft from the package 12A is drawn. 
Further, the tail end 12b of the weft package 12B is drawn into another 
suction pipe 48. 
Next, both weft ends 12a and 12b held by the suction pipe 48 which are 
moved to the working area of the knotter 38 by the yarn guide 50 (see FIG. 
38). The knotter 38 is operated to splice both weft ends 12a and 12b while 
both weft ends are disposed at the working area (see FIG. 39). After 
forming the transfer tail 20, the yarn guide 50 is returned to an original 
position, i.e., the same position as shown in FIG. 30 (see FIG. 40). 
In the above embodiment, the suction pipes 48 are respectively arranged and 
mounted on the rotary member 16 between the mutually adjacent positions, 
i.e., between the feeding and the waiting positions, between the waiting 
and the released positions, and between the released and the feeding 
positions. However, the present invention should not be limited to such a 
construction in the embodiment. For example, two suction pipes may be 
arranged at a predetermined position between the feeding position and the 
waiting position, and at a predetermined position between the feeding 
position and the released position, respectively. Additionally, two 
suction pipes may be mounted movably in the mutually opposite directions 
between two predetermined positions independent of the rotary member 16 of 
the weft stand. Two predetermined positions as noted herein correspond to 
a position of the suction pipe disposed between the feeding position and 
the waiting position and a position of the suction pipe disposed between 
the feeding position and the released position, i.e., positions of these 
two suction pipes disposed at the upper positions. 
In the transfer tail formation apparatus employing these suction pipes, 
when the weft of the weft package disposed at the released position is 
used, the tail end of the weft from the package disposed at the feeding 
position is sucked and held by one suction pipe disposed at the 
predetermined position between the feeding position and the released 
position. At the time, the other suction pipe is disposed at the 
predetermined position between the feeding position and the waiting 
position. In addition, no end is picked by the other suction pipe since 
the picked leading end and the tail end have been knotted together to form 
the transfer tail. 
When the weft of the weft package at the released position is completely 
consumed, the weft is fed from the spare weft package through the transfer 
tail. Thereafter, the rotary member is rotated counterclockwise by 120 
degrees. During the rotation, the one suction pipe is moved to the 
predetermined position where the other suction pipe has been positioned, 
while holding the tail end of the weft from the package. 
Concurrently, the other pipe is moved to the predetermined position where 
the one suction pipe has been positioned. That is, both suction pipes 
exchange their positions. 
The bobbin holder and the bobbin are recovered by the carrying means and a 
new weft package is provided for the rotary member. While the new weft 
package is lowered, the leading end of the weft from the new package is 
drawn into one suction pipe. Further, a tail end of the weft from the new 
package is drawn into the other suction pipe. Subsequently, both ends held 
by the one suction pipe are moved to the working area of the knotter by 
the yarn guide, and are knotted together by the operation of the knotter. 
Referring now to FIGS. 41 to 50, a still further embodiment will be 
described hereinafter. 
First suction pipes 52A, 52B and 52C are mounted on the rotary member 16 of 
the weft stand and are rotatable together with the weft package about the 
one axis. A second suction pipe 56 is mounted on the weaving machine and 
is movable toward the working area of the knotter 38. 
The first suction pipes are respectively arranged between the mutually 
adjacent positions, i.e., between the feeding and the waiting positions, 
between the waiting and the released positions and between the feeding and 
the released positions. The knotter 38 is also movable toward the working 
area. 
The first suction pipe is provided for drawing the tail end 12b of a weft 
from a new package when the new weft package is lowered to the feeding 
position to be provided for the weft stand. Specifically, the first 
suction pipe 52A is disposed between the feeding and waiting positions to 
pick up the weft end (tail end 12b) from the package 12A which is disposed 
at the waiting position as shown in FIG. 41. This is resulted from the 
fact that the tail end 12b is sucked by the first suction pipe 52A opened 
on or in the vicinity of the movement locus of the tail end 12b while the 
weft package 12A is lowered to the feeding position to be provided for the 
weft stand. At the time, the first suction pipe 52A corresponding to the 
tail end 12b of the weft from the package 12A is positioned between the 
feeding position and the released position. 
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 41, the first suction pipe 52B is positioned 
between the feeding position and the released position to pick up the end 
(tail end) 12b of the weft from the package 12B disposed at the feeding 
position. An opening end of the first suction pipe 52B is positioned on or 
in the vicinity of the movement locus of one end 12b of the weft from the 
package when providing the weft package 12B for the rotary member 16. 
On the other hand, the second suction pipe 56 is provided for picking the 
other end (leading end) 12a of the weft from the package 12B which is 
rotated together with the rotary member 16 to the waiting position. The 
second suction pipe 56 is arranged such that an opening end of the second 
suction pipe 56 is positioned on or in the vicinity of the rotation locus 
of the leading end 12a of the weft from the package 12B when the weft 
package 12B is rotated about the one axis. 
As shown in FIGS. 41 to 43, when the weft of the weft package 12 disposed 
at the released position is consumed, the weft is fed through the transfer 
tail 20 from the spare weft package 12A which is disposed at the waiting 
position on the left-hand side of the released position. 
As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the rotary member 16 is rotated 
counterclockwise by 120 degrees while feeding the weft from the weft 
package 12A disposed at the waiting position. Further, the bobbin holder 
22 and the bobbin 11 disposed at the released position are moved to the 
feeding position. During the operation, the leading end 12a of the weft 
from the package 12B moved to the waiting position is sucked by the 
waiting second suction pipe 56. Moreover, when the weft package 12A is 
moved to the released position, the tail end 12b held by the first suction 
pipe 52A is partially positioned in the working area of the knotter 38 
(see FIG. 45). 
Thereafter, the second suction pipe 56 is moved to the working area of the 
knotter 38. The leading end 12a held by the second suction pipe 56 
intersects the tail end 12b held by the first suction pipe in the working 
area (see FIG. 46). 
Subsequently, the knotter 38 is moved to the working area so that the 
knotter 38 can be operated to knot both ends 12a and 12b held by both 
suction pipes 52A and 56 together (see FIG. 47). After forming the 
transfer tail 20, the second suction pipe 56 and the knotter 38 are 
returned to original positions, i.e., the same positions as shown in FIG. 
41 (FIG. 48). 
Thereafter, the carrying means is operated to recover a tray 22 and the 
bobbin 11 disposed at the feeding position (see FIG. 49), and a new weft 
package 12 is provided for the rotary member 16 at the feeding position 
after the recovery (FIG. 50). 
In either of the embodiments, the weft package is rotated by the weft stand 
about one axis. However, another type of weft feeding means may be 
employed to move the weft package directly. 
For example, the weft feeding means may comprise a belt conveyor 
horizontally disposed. The released position, the waiting position and the 
feeding position may be sequentially determined on an endless belt, and 
three weft packages may be adjacently mounted on these three positions. 
Alternatively, the suction pipe serving as the catching means may be 
replaced with a grasping member comprising a pair of grasping bodies. The 
grasping member has an operating portion between the pair of grasping 
bodies at a time when the grasping member is opened. When the grasping 
member is employed as the catching means, the grasping member is arranged 
such that the operating portion thereof is positioned on the movement 
locus of the weft end. In the above embodiment, when the suction pipe and 
the end are relatively separated after the suction pipe has sucked the 
weft end therein, the end is partially drawn from the inside of the 
suction pipe. When the grasping member is employed as the catching means, 
the grasping member grasps the intermediate portion of the weft end. At 
the time, the intermediate portion may be flexibly grasped so as to 
separate the grasping member from the weft end relatively, and so as to 
release the weft end disposed between the pair of grasping bodies with the 
weft end positioned therebetween.