Piecing method for a spinning machine

On a piecing method of a spinning machine which, after cutting a sliver between normally rotating draft rollers and stationary draft rollers, inserts a leading yarn into the spindle of a twist device and carries out piecing by the restarting of the draft rollers, restarting of the twist device and running of the leading yarn, approximately all the fibers comprising the tapered tip of the cut sliver form the joint part by being entangled in the leading yarn. As almost all of the fibers comprising the tapered tip of the cut sliver contribute to the joint part, the success rate of piecing is increased and a stronger joint part may be formed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a piecing method of a spinning machine for 
joining cut yarn. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A piecing method is known whereby the winding side yarn end is guided into 
a twist device of a spinning machine and thereafter, the end of the sliver 
is guided into the twist device and the yarn end of the yarn of the 
winding side (being the yarn drawn from the yarn package and hereafter, 
known simply as "leading yarn") guided into the twist device are joined by 
a spinning process due to the restarting of spinning. 
Using FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 being side views including a partial section of one 
example of a spinning machine having a twist device, FIG. 6A being a plan 
view showing the tapered cut tip of the sliver, FIG. 6B being a plan view 
showing the state where that tip is drawn and FIG. 7 being a plan view of 
a conventional yarn piecing part of a leading yarn and the sliver tip in 
the drawn state, the problem which the present invention attempts to 
resolve will be described. 
Reference D is a draft device showing a four line type draft device as an 
example. The draft device D comprises the four lines including back 
rollers 1, third rollers 2, middle rollers 3 attached with an apron belt 
and front rollers 4. Reference 5 is a condenser positioned between the 
third rollers 2 and middle rollers 3. The sliver supplied to the draft 
device D produces yarn Y by being supplied to the twist device (described 
later) after being drawn by the draft device D. 
A twist device T comprises mainly an air spinning nozzle 6 which produces a 
spinning air current, nozzle block 7 which supports the spinning nozzle, 
spindle (yarn guide tube) 8 having an insertion hole 8b and of which the 
tip 8a is positioned in the inner part 6a of the air spinning nozzle 6, 
and a spindle support member 9 that supports that. The inner part 6a of 
the air spinning nozzle 6 is the piecing area where joining of the fibers 
comprising the sliver S supplied to the inner part 6a of the air spinning 
nozzle 6 and the leading yarn Y' inserted into the insertion hole 8b of 
the spindle 8 and guided into the inner part 6a of the air spinning nozzle 
6 is carried out. 
A plurality of air blowing holes 6b for generating a rotating air current 
are arranged in the air spinning nozzle 6. Reference 10 is an air chamber 
formed between the nozzle block 7 and spindle support member 9. The air 
chamber 10 is connected to an air suction source (not shown in the 
drawings) that sucks air at a low suction pressure via the suction hole 11 
and during spinning, acts as an escape hole for the air blown from the air 
blowing holes 6b of the air spinning nozzle 6 as well as removing fly 
fiber waste, and the like, generated inside the air chamber 10 during 
spinning. 
Reference 12 is a slit formed in the side wall of the nozzle block 7 side 
spindle support member 9. Reference 13 is a slit formed in the side wall 
of the spindle support member 9 side nozzle block 7 opposite the slit 12 
of the spindle support member 9. As described later, when the nozzle block 
7 and spindle support member 9 are coupled together, the leading yarn Y' 
inserted in the insertion hole 8b of the spindle 8 exits the tip 8a and, 
enters the slits 12, 13 and the arrangement is such that it is not trapped 
by the side wall of nozzle block 7 and the side wall of the spindle 
support member 9. 
Reference 14 is a cylinder. A lower frame 16 of the spindle support member 
9 is mounted on the tip of a piston rod 15 of the cylinder 14. 
Accordingly, the cylinder 14 is moved and the spindle support member 9 is 
able to couple with, or separate from, the nozzle block 7 by the left and 
right movements of the lower frame 16. 
Reference 18 is a nip roller being freely connectable/separable to the 
delivery roller 19 which is normally always driven and is so arranged that 
the spun yarn Y is delivered in the direction of the winding machine (not 
shown in the drawings) by connecting the nip roller 18 with the delivery 
roller 19. 
When the spinning machine is spinning yarn Y, the sliver S supplied to the 
draft device D is twisted by the twist device T after being drawn by the 
draft device D and forms yarn Y. In short, the fibers comprising the 
sliver S supplied to the air spinning nozzle 6 of the twist device T enter 
the insertion hole 8b of the spindle 8 from the tip 8a while being rotated 
by a rotating air current blown from the air blowing holes 6b and yarn Y 
is produced. 
When a yarn breakage occurs, a detection signal is generated by a detection 
sensor (not shown in the drawings) and in association with that, supply of 
the sliver S is stopped by stoppage of the driving of the back rollers 1 
and third rollers 2 via a clutch (not shown in the drawings) connected to 
the back rollers 1. The twist device T continues operations as before. The 
tip of the sliver Sa is then immediately pulled into a tapered shape 
between the stationary third rollers 2 and still driving middle rollers 3 
as shown in FIG. 6A. Furthermore, after a predetermined time period has 
elapsed, the blowing of air from the air blowing holes 6b is stopped and 
the operation of the twist device T stopped. Further, the nip rollers 18 
are separated from the delivery rollers 19. 
Next, the piston rod 15 is advanced by movement of the cylinder 14, the 
spindle support member 9 is separated from the nozzle block 7 and the tip 
of the leading yarn Y' wound onto the winding package is pulled from the 
winding package by a publicly known suction mouth or, alternatively the 
leading yarn Y' is wound off from another package and inserted in the 
insertion hole 8b of the spindle 8 and pulled through tip 8a. 
Next, the piston rod 15 is retracted by operation of the cylinder 14 and 
the spindle support member 9 and nozzle block 7 are coupled. Even if the 
spindle support member 9 and nozzle block 7 couple, the leading yarn Y' is 
not trapped by the walls of the spindle support member 9 and nozzle block 
7 as it enters the slits 12, 13. A predetermined length of leading yarn Y' 
inserted in the slits 12, 13 is held by suction by being inserted in the 
suction member 17. 
Afterwards, the rotation of the stationary back rollers 1 and third rollers 
2 is restarted and the sliver S gripped in the back rollers 1 and third 
rollers 2 and of which the tip Sa is positioned between the third rollers 
2 and middle rollers 3 moves. Immediately after the restarting of the back 
rollers 1 and third rollers 2, the leading yarn Y' is ran by the nip 
rollers 18 contacting the delivery rollers 19 and the twist device T 
operated, in short, air is blown from the air blowing holes 6b. Thus, the 
fibers comprising the sliver S delivered from the front rollers 4 are 
guided into the guide entrance 6c of the air spinning nozzle 6 and is 
pieced by entangling with the leading yarn Y' which has started running in 
the vicinity of the tip 8a of the spindle 8. 
However, when the stationary back rollers 1 and third rollers 2 are 
restarted, the tip Sa of the tapered sliver S as shown in FIG. 6A pulled 
out between the third rollers 2 and middle rollers 3 moves in the 
direction of the middle rollers 3, and is drawn by the middle rollers 3 
and front rollers 4 and becomes the long thin needle shaped part Sb as 
shown in FIG. 6B. For example, if the draft ratio of the third rollers 2 
and middle rollers 3 is 40-50 times and the length of the tip Sa of the 
tapered sliver S pulled out between the third rollers 2 and middle rollers 
3 is 10 mm, the length of the long thin needle shaped part Sb drawn by the 
middle rollers 3 and front rollers 4 will become 400-500 mm. 
Furthermore, as the length of the leading yarn Y' inserted in the insertion 
hole 8b of the spindle 8 and held in the suction member 17 from the tip 8a 
of the spindle 8 is normally approximately 200 mm, the state of the yarn 
pieced part is, as shown in FIG. 7, with only the tip part Sb' of the long 
thin needle shaped part Sb wrapped around the leading yarn Y'. 
Accordingly, the tip part Sb' of the long thin needle shaped part Sb 
wrapped around the leading yarn Y' becomes slipped out from the leading 
yarn Y', yarn breakage is caused once again or yarn breakage re-occurs in 
weak places of the long thin needle shaped part Sb which is not wrapped 
around the leading yarn Y'. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In order to solve the problems present in a conventional piecing method of 
a spinning machine, it is an aim of the present invention to propose a 
piecing method of a spinning machine capable of forming a joint with good 
thickness and shape. 
In order to achieve the above mentioned aim, on a piecing method of a 
spinning machine which, after cutting a sliver between normally rotating 
draft rollers and stationary draft rollers, inserts a leading yarn into 
the spindle of a twist device and carries out piecing by the restarting of 
the draft rollers, restarting of the twist device and running of the 
leading yarn, a first aspect of the present invention is where 
approximately all the fibers comprising the tapered tip of the cut sliver 
forms the joint part by being entangled in the leading yarn. 
A second aspect is where, while the leading yarn is stationary, the fibers 
comprising the tapered tip of the cut sliver is contacted with the leading 
yarn and then running of the leading yarn is started. 
A third aspect of the present invention is where the fibers comprising the 
tapered tip of the cut sliver are contacted with the running leading yarn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Below, using FIGS. 1-3 being plan views of the joint part formed by the 
method of the present invention, a first embodiment of the present 
invention will be described. 
As explained above, when piecing is carried out, the leading yarn Y' is 
inserted in the insertion hole 8b of the spindle 8, pulled out from that 
tip 8a and suction held by being inserted in the suction member 17 via the 
slits 12, 13 of the coupled spindle support member 9 and nozzle block 7. 
Thereafter, the driving of the stationary back rollers 1 and third rollers 
2 is restarted and immediately after that, the leading yarn Y' is run by 
the contacting of the nip roller 18 with the delivery roller 19, the 
fibers comprising the sliver S supplied to the internal part 6a of the air 
spinning nozzle 6 are entangled with the leading yarn Y' by the operation 
of the twist device T and piecing is carried out. 
Incidentally, when a yarn breakage occurs, the back rollers 1 and third 
rollers 2 stop and the tip Sa of the sliver S is pulled out into a tapered 
shape as shown in FIG. 6A between the stationary third rollers 2 and still 
rotating middle rollers 3. However, the length of this tapered tip Sa will 
have an approximately uniform length if the operating conditions of the 
used sliver and spinning machine are the same. Furthermore, this tip Sa is 
drawn by the middle rollers 3 and front rollers 4 and forms a long thin 
needle shaped part Sb as shown in FIG. 6B but this length (Lb) is the 
product of multiplying the length (La) of the aforementioned tapered tip 
Sa with the draft ratio (R) between the middle rollers 3 and front roller 
4, i.e. Lb=La.times.R. 
Further, when piecing is to be carried out, the leading yarn Y' is run by 
contacting the nip roller 18 with the delivery roller 19 and almost 
simultaneous with this the twist device T is re-operated. A predetermined 
time period before the start of running of the leading yarn Y' by the nip 
rollers 18 and delivery rollers 19, the rotation of the stationary back 
rollers 1 and third rollers 2 is restarted. This predetermined time period 
is the time (t) until the fibers which have been cut and which comprise 
the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S positioned between the third roller 2 
and middle roller 3 are drawn by the middle roller 3 and front roller 4 
and reach the tip 8a of the spindle 8. 
Accordingly, the length (Ly) from the tip 8a of the spindle 8 where the 
entangling of the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S 
with the leading yarn Y' to the tip of the leading yarn Y', which is 
suction held in the suction member 17, is approximately the same length as 
the product of multiplying the length (La) of the above tapered tip Sa 
with the draft ratio of the middle rollers 3 and front rollers 4, in short 
is approximately the same as length Lb=La.times.R of the long thin needle 
shaped part Sb. 
Furthermore, the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S 
positioned between the third rollers 2 and middle rollers 3 are drawn by 
the middle rollers 3 and front rollers 4 for time (t) until they reach the 
tip 8a of the spindle 8 and, if the start of rotation of the back rollers 
1 and third rollers 2 precedes the start of running of the leading yarn Y' 
due to the nip roller 18 and delivery roller 19, approximately the entire 
length of the long thin needle shaped part Sb drawn by the middle rollers 
3 and front rollers 4 is wrapped around the leading yarn and there is no 
formation of thin weak parts in the spun yarn as shown in FIG. 7. 
In the aforementioned embodiment, the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa 
of the sliver S are positioned in the tip 8a of the spindle 8 at the point 
where the running of the leading yarn Y' starts due to contact between the 
nip roller 18 and delivery roller 19 and reaches the leading yarn Y' which 
is attempting to run. In short, the leading yarn Y' starts running at the 
point when the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S reach 
the tip 8a of the spindle 8. 
In order to more reliably entangle the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa 
of the sliver S on the leading yarn Y' coming out of the tip 8a of the 
spindle 8, it is preferable for the running of the leading yarn Y' to be 
stopped for a predetermined time period at the point where the fibers 
comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S reach the tip 8a of the 
spindle 8. Also, after the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the 
sliver S have been entangled in the stationary leading yarn Y', the 
running of the leading yarn Y' is started by contact between the nip 
rollers 18 and delivery rollers 19. As the leading yarn Y' is stationary 
at the point when the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S 
have reached the tip 8a of the spindle 8, the first part of the fibers 
comprising the aforementioned tip Sa collides with the leading yarn Y' and 
forms a knotted shaped part s. This knotted part s entangles with the 
leading yarn Y', as shown in FIG. 2, and forms a wrapping point of the 
subsequent fibers comprising the sliver S on the leading yarn Y' and 
piecing may be more reliably performed. 
In the present embodiment, as the leading yarn Y' is stationary for a 
predetermined period of time, the length of this portion from the tip 8a 
of the spindle 8 to the tip of the leading yarn Y' held in the suction 
member 17 may be shortened less than the previously described length 
(La.times.R). 
As described above, as the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the 
sliver S are in contact with the stationary leading yarn Y', the fibers 
comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S are able to more reliably 
entangle with the leading yarn Y' rather than contacting with the running 
leading yarn Y'. This embodiment is effective for when the used sliver S 
has little fuzziness or when the surface is slippery. 
Furthermore, the leading yarn Y' may already be running at the point when 
the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S are positioned at 
the tip 8a of the spindle 8. In this case, as the leading yarn Y' is 
already running, the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the sliver S 
slip along the surface of the leading yarn Y' and do not entangle easily 
and the first part of the fibers comprising the tapered tip Sa of the 
sliver S are formed into a yarn shape by the rotating air current produced 
by the blown air from the air blowing holes 6b of the air spinning nozzle 
6. Then, piecing is carried out by this yarn shaped part being wrapped 
around the running leading yarn Y', as shown in FIG. 3. 
In the present embodiment, as the running of the leading yarn Y' has 
already started, the length from the tip 8a of the spindle 8 to the tip of 
the leading yarn Y' held in the suction member 17 is preferably longer 
than the aforementioned length Lb=La.times.R. 
As a result of the structure as described above, the first embodiment of 
the present invention demonstrates the following advantages. 
As almost all of the fibers comprising the tapered tip of the cut sliver 
contribute to the joint part, the success rate of the piecing increases 
and a stronger joint may be formed. 
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using 
FIGS. 8 to 17. 
In order to achieve the abovementioned aim, a first aspect of the present 
embodiment is piecing where, after cutting a sliver between normally 
rotating draft rollers and stationary draft rollers, a leading yarn is 
inserted into the spindle of a twist device, subsequently the stationary 
draft rollers are stopped after being rotated for a predetermined time 
period and thereafter, piecing is carried out by the restarting of the 
stationary draft rollers, restarting of the twist device and running of 
the leading yarn. 
A second aspect is where, while the tip part of the leading yarn is 
inserted in the spindle of the twist device, the twist device is opened. 
A third aspect of the present invention is the construction of a joint 
where, between the parts where fibers comprising the sliver are entangled, 
there exists parts where fibers are not entangled. 
Hereafter a second embodiment of the present invention will be described 
using FIGS. 8-16 but, provided the aims of the present invention are not 
surpassed, the present invention is not limited to that described. 
Firstly, the spinning machine to which the piecing method of the present 
embodiment is applied will be described using FIG. 8. 
Reference D is a draft device showing a four line type draft device as an 
example. The draft device D comprises the four lines including back 
rollers 101, third rollers 102, middle rollers 103 attached with an apron 
belt and front rollers 104. Reference 105 is a condenser positioned 
between the third rollers 102 and middle rollers 103. The sliver S 
supplied to draft device D produces yarn Y by being supplied to the twist 
device T (described later) after being drawn by the draft device D. 
The twist device T comprises mainly an air spinning nozzle 106 which 
produces a spinning air current from compressed air, nozzle block 107 
which supports that, spindle (yarn guide tube) 108 having an insertion 
hole 108b and of which the tip 108a is positioned in the inner part 106a 
of the air spinning nozzle 106, and a spindle support member 109 that 
supports that. The inner part 106a of the air spinning nozzle 106 is the 
piecing area where joining of the fibers comprising the sliver S supplied 
to the inner part 106a of the air spinning nozzle 106 and the leading yarn 
Y' inserted into the insertion hole 108b of the spindle 108 and guided 
into the inner part 106a of the air spinning nozzle 106 is carried out. 
A plurality of air blowing holes 106b for generating a rotating air current 
are arranged in the air spinning nozzle 106. Reference 110 is an air 
chamber formed between the nozzle block 107 and spindle support member 
109. The air chamber 110 is connected to an air suction source (not shown 
in the drawings) that sucks air at a low suction pressure via the suction 
hole 111 and during spinning, acts as an escape hole for the air blown 
from the air blowing holes 106b of the air spinning nozzle 106, as well as 
removing fly fiber waste, and the like, generated inside the air chamber 
110 during spinning. 
Reference 112 is a slit formed in the side wall of the nozzle block 107 
side spindle support member 109. Reference 113 is a slit formed in the 
side wall of the spindle support member 109 side nozzle block 107 opposite 
the slit 112 of the spindle support member 109. As described later, when 
the nozzle block 107 and spindle support member 109 are coupled together, 
the leading yarn Y' inserted in the insertion hole 108b the spindle 108 
and of which exits the tip 108a exits, enters the slits 112, 113 and the 
arrangement is such that it is not trapped by the side wall of nozzle 
block 107 and the side wall of the spindle support member 109. 
Reference 114 is a cylinder. A lower frame 116 of the spindle support 
member 109 is mounted on the tip of a piston rod 115 of the cylinder 114. 
Accordingly, the cylinder 114 is moved and the spindle support member 109 
is able to couple with, or separate from, the nozzle block 107 by the left 
and right movements of the lower frame 116. 
Reference 118 is a nip roller being freely connectable/separable to a 
delivery roller 119 which is normally always driven and is so arranged 
that the spun yarn Y is delivered in the direction of the winding machine 
(not shown in the drawings) by connecting the nip roller 118 with the 
delivery roller 119. 
When the spinning machine is spinning yarn Y, the sliver S supplied to the 
draft device D is twisted by the twist device T after being drawn by the 
draft device D and forms a yarn Y. In short, the fibers comprising the 
sliver S supplied to the air spinning nozzle 106 of the twist device T 
enter the insertion hole 108b of the spindle 108 from the tip 108a while 
being rotated by a rotating air current blown from air blowing holes 106b 
and a yarn Y is produced. The produced yarn Y is delivered by the normally 
rotating delivery roller 119 with the nip roller 118 in contact with that 
delivery roller 119, and wound on a winding package (not shown in 
drawings). 
When a yarn breakage occurs, a detection signal is generated by a detection 
sensor (not shown in the drawings) and in association with that, supply of 
the sliver S is stopped by stoppage of the driving of the back rollers 101 
and third rollers 102 via a clutch (not shown in the drawings) connected 
to the back rollers 101. The twist device T continues operations as 
before. The tip of the sliver Sa is then immediately pulled into a tapered 
shape between the stationary third rollers 102 and still driving middle 
rollers 103 as shown in FIG. 6A. 
Furthermore, after a predetermined time period has elapsed, the blowing of 
air from the air blowing holes 106b is stopped and the operation of the 
twist device T stopped. Further, the nip rollers 18 are separated from the 
delivery rollers 19. 
Next, the piston rod 115 is advanced by movement of the cylinder 114, the 
spindle support member 109 separated from the nozzle block 107 and the 
head A' of transfer arm member A which grips by a pair of drive rollers 
a1, a2 the tip of the leading yarn Y' wound onto the winding package and 
pulled from the winding package by a publicly known suction mouth or the 
leading yarn Y' pulled from a package prepared for other uses, is 
positioned in the vicinity of the yarn exit hole 108c of the spindle 108. 
Conversely, a head part V' of an air sucker member V is positioned between 
the spindle support member 109 and nozzle block 107 such that it is in the 
vicinity of the tip 108a of the spindle 108. Thereafter, the leading yarn 
Y' is inserted in the insertion hole 108b of the spindle 108 by a suction 
operation of the head part V' and the drive rollers a1, a2 of the transfer 
arm member A and if neccessary, an opening operation of the leading yarn 
Y' by the head part V' as described later is performed (Refer to FIGS. 9 
and 10). 
Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the air sucker member V, which holds the leading 
yarn Y', is lowered, the piston rod 115 is retracted by operation of the 
cylinder 114 and the spindle support member 109 and nozzle block 107 are 
coupled. Even if the spindle support member 109 and nozzle block 107 
couple, the leading yarn Y' is not trapped by the walls of the spindle 
support member 109 and nozzle block 107 as it enters the slits 112, 113. 
After the insertion operation of the leading yarn Y' into the insertion 
hole 108b of the spindle 108 and before the start of the running of the 
leading yarn Y' by the nip roller 118 and delivery roller 119 and the 
start of the re-operation of the twist device T, the cut part s1 of the 
sliver S is cut and a cut tapered part s3 is formed between the normally 
rotating middle rollers 103 and once again stationary third rollers 102 by 
stoppage of the stationary back rollers 101 and third rollers 102 after 
they have been driven for a predetermined time period. As shown in FIG. 
11, the driving time of rerotated back rollers 101 and third rollers 102 
is adjusted so that the cut tapered part s3 is gripped by the middle 
roller 103 and/or front rollers 104. If the driving time of re-rotated 
back rollers 101 and third rollers 102 is long, trouble may occur where 
the cut tapered part s3 may reach the guide entrance 106c of the air 
spinning nozzle 106, become clogged in that guide entrance 106c and 
piecing may became impossible. 
Thereafter, the rotation of the re-stopped back rollers 101 and third 
rollers 102 is restarted, and the cut tapered part s3 and the sliver S of 
which the short tapered cut part s2 is positioned between the third 
rollers 102 and middle rollers 103 are moved. 
Furthermore, immediately after the driving of the back rollers 101 and 
third rollers 102, the nip roller 118 is contacted with the delivery 
roller 119 and the leading yarn Y' is run by clamping by the nip roller 
118 and delivery roller 119. The twist device T is reoperated, in short, 
air is blown from the air blowing holes 106b. 
Thus, firstly, the cut tapered part s3 is guided to the guide entrance 106c 
of the air spinning nozzle 106 and the fibers comprising the cut tapered 
part s3 are entangled with the leading yarn Y' which has started running 
in the vicinity of the tip 108a of the spindle 108. After the fibers 
comprising the cut tapered part s3 are entangled with the leading yarn Y', 
which has started running, as there are no fibers entangled in the leading 
yarn Y' until the fibers comprising the sliver S having the short tapered 
cut part s2 (described later) entangle with the leading yarn Y', there is 
only the leading yarm Y' and thereafter piecing is carried out by the 
fibers comprising the sliver S having the short tapered cut part s2 
entangling with the leading yarn Y'. 
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16A, a joint is formed where a piecing part 
p1 formed by the fibers comprising the sliver S having a short tapered cut 
part s2 entangled in the leading yarn Y', a part p2 of only the leading 
yarn Y', and a part p3 formed by the entangling of the fibers comprising 
the cut tapered part s3 entangled in the leading yarn Y' and separated 
from the piecing part p1 exist. As the part p3 separated from the 
aforementioned piecing part p1 is only wrapped around the leading yarn Y', 
it may be blown off and removed before being wound on the winding package 
or may be removed from the leading yarn Y' as a result of the blown air. 
Naturally, it is also possible for it to be left attached to the leading 
yarn Y'. 
Incidentally, when piecing is performed, in order to more reliably attach 
the fibers comprising the sliver S to the running leading yarn Y' gripped 
by the nip roller 118 and delivery roller 119, it is preferable to cause 
hairiness by opening the leading yarn Y' inserted in the spindle 108. In 
particular, the separated part p3 is made to be easily removed without 
opening of leading yarn Y' positioned at the part p3 separated from the 
aforementioned piecing part p1 and furthermore, the fibers comprising the 
sliver S having the short tapered cut part s2 are entwined with the fuzzy 
fibers of the leading yarn Y' by making the leading yarn Y', positioned in 
the piecing part p1 fuzzy. Thus piecing may be carried out more reliably 
and a stronger joint may be formed. Accordingly, it is preferable for the 
tip of the leading yarn Y' inserted in the spindle 108 to be opened for a 
predetermined length. 
Next, the air sucker member V that carries out suction and opening of the 
leading yarn Y' will be described using FIGS. 12 and 13. 
Reference v1 is a frame of the head part V' of the air sucker member V. A 
hollow cylinder v2 is mounted on the frame v1. O-rings v6, v7, v8 are 
respectively inserted in circular grooves v3, v4, v5 arranged in the outer 
periphery of the cylinder v2. Reference v9 is a cylindrical cover of the 
cylinder v2. A hole v10 are arranged in the cylindrical cover v9. An 
0-ring v13 is inserted between the groove v11 arranged in the inner 
periphery of the cylinder v2 and the small diameter part v12 arranged in 
the outer periphery of the cylindrical cover v9. Reference v14 is a slide 
nozzle positioned inside the hollow cylinder v2 and holes v16 are arranged 
in the cylindrical side wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14. 
Reference v17 and v18 are ring members projecting from the cylindrical side 
wall v15 at right angles to the cylindrical side wall v15 and is 
positioned in the vicinity of the inner wall of the cylinder v2. A member 
having a suitable friction coefficient (not shown in the drawings) is 
inserted in the space between the ring members v17, v18 and the cylinder 
v2. The slide nozzle v14 is comprised so that it does not easily move by 
the tilting etc. of the air sucker member V. 
It should be noted that this space may be arranged according to necessity 
in the cylinder cover v9 as well and a member having a suitable friction 
coefficient may be inserted as shown by v19. The outer wall of the slide 
nozzle v14 is comprised of a conical outer wall v20 continuous with the 
cylindrical wall v15 and a cylindrical wall v21 smaller in diameter than 
the cylindrical wall v15. The small diameter cylindrical wall v21 is 
inserted in the hole v10 so that it does not touch the inner wall of the 
hole v10 of the cylindrical cover v9. 
Reference v22 is a cone shaped inner nozzle arranged with yarn passage hole 
v23 positioned in the slide nozzle v14. An appropriate number of fins v24 
parallel with the axial line of the inner nozzle v22 are arranged in the 
outer wall of the inner nozzle v22. Reference v25 is a cylindrical cover 
mounted on the slide nozzle v14. A hole v25' are arranged in the 
cylindrical cover v25. An 0-ring v27 is inserted between the groove v26 
arranged between the inner periphery of the slide nozzle v14 and the small 
diameter part v25" arranged in the outer periphery of the cylindrical 
cover v25. 
Reference v28 and v29 are air supply pipes mounted on the frame v1 opposite 
two holes v30, v31 arranged at a predetermined spacing in the cylinder v2. 
The air supply pipe v28 and hole v30 arranged in the cylinder v2 are 
arranged opposite the space v33 formed by the ring member v18 and edge v32 
of the cylinder v2. 
Reference v34 is an opening pipe positioned on a frame v35 connected to the 
frame v1. Holes v36 are arranged in the opening pipe v34 at an angle. 
Reference v37 is a hollow cylinder fitted between the opening pipe v34 and 
the frame v35 and having holes v37" in the outer periphery connectable to 
the holes v36 arranged in a concave part v37' and opening pipe v34. 
Reference v38 is an air supply pipe. 
It should be noted that an arrangement is preferable whereby holes v37" 
connectable to the holes v36 arranged in opening pipe v34 are arranged in 
another place separated by 90 degrees and by the rotation of the opening 
pipe v34 by 90 degrees, the rotation direction of the rotating air current 
generated inside the opening pipe v34 is switched. 
The slide nozzle v14 of the head V' having the above described structure is 
stored completely inside the cylinder v2 but when it is positioned near 
the tip 108a of the spindle 108 positioned on the spindle support member 
109 where the slide nozzle v14 of the head V' is separated from the nozzle 
block 107, if compressed air is supplied to the air supply pipe v29, 
compressed air is delivered into the space between the slide nozzle v14 
and cylinder v2, compressed air pressurizes the ring member v17 projecting 
from the cylindrical wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14 and, as the slide 
nozzle v14 moves to the left as seen from FIG. 12, the cylinder cover v25 
mounted on the slide nozzle v14 projects from the cylinder v2 and the tip 
108a of the spindle 108 fits with the hole v25' of the cylindrical cover 
v25. 
After insertion of the leading yarn Y' in the insertion hole 108b of the 
spindle 108, in order to store the cylindrical cover v25 projecting from 
the cylinder v2 inside the cylinder v2 once again, compressed air is 
supplied to the air supply pipe v28 after the supply of compressed air to 
the air supply pipe v29 has been stopped. Thus, the compressed air enters 
the space formed by the ring member v18 projecting from the cylindrical 
wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14 and the edge v32 of the cylinder v2, the 
slide nozzle v14, on which the cylindrical cover v25 is mounted, is moved 
to the right, as seen from FIG. 12, and the cylindrical cover v25 
projecting from the cylinder v2 is stored inside the cylinder v2 once 
again. 
The compressed air supplied from the air supply pipe v29 makes the 
cylindrical cover v25 project from the cylinder v2 and enters the space 
formed by the slide nozzle v14 and the inner nozzle v22 from the holes v16 
arranged in the cylindrical wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14. In order to 
expel it from the hole v10 arranged in the cylindrical cover v9, a suction 
air current is generated in the yarn passage hole v23 of the inner nozzle 
v22. 
It should be noted that the fins v24 arranged on the outer periphery of the 
inner nozzle v22 are to prevent the air flowing in the space formed by the 
slide nozzle v14 and inner nozzle v22 from becoming a rotating air 
current. 
Reference v39 is a suction pipe positioned near the ejection hole v34' of 
the opening pipe v34 and suction pipe v39 is mounted on the frame v1 of 
the head V'. The suction pipe v39 is connected to the air suction source 
(not shown in the drawings) and is for holding the leading yarn Y' 
inserted into the opening pipe v34 and of which the tip has been opened. 
Next, a cutter member H positioned in the hole v10 arranged in the 
cylindrical cover v9 positioned in the suction air ejection side of the 
head V' will be described. 
Reference is a roughly cylindrical fixed blade receiving member inserted in 
the hole v10 arranged in the cylindrical cover s9. A compressed spring h2 
which applies a force in a direction pushing the fixed blade receiving 
member h1 from the cylindrical cover v9 is positioned between a flange h1' 
of the fixed blade receiving member h1 and a step part v9' arranged on the 
inner wall of the cylindrical cover v9. Reference h3 is a donut shaped 
fixed blade mounted on the concave part h1" arranged on the flange h1' of 
the fixed blade receiving member h1 and a blade is formed on the edge h3" 
of the hole h3' arranged in the center of the fixed blade h3. 
Reference A is a movable blade receiving member of which one side is 
attached to the support column h5 projecting from the frame v1 of the head 
V'. A movable blade h6 is mounted on the concave part h4' arranged on the 
movable blade receiving member h4 so that it contacts with the fixed blade 
h3. Similar to the aforementioned fixed blade h3, holes h6' positioned 
concentric with the holes h3' of the fixed blade h3 are arranged in the 
movable blade h6 and a blade is formed by the edge h6" of the holes h6' 
arranged on the movable blade h6. Reference h7 is a support column 
standing from the frame v35 and the tip of the column h7 fits with 
half-moon shaped guide holes h4" arranged in the movable blade receiving 
member h4. Furthermore, a piston rod h9 of a cylinder h8 suitable 
positioned on the frame v35 via a frame v35' is attached to the free end 
of the movable blade receiving member h4. 
Accordingly, the leading yarn Y' inserted through the hole h3' of the fixed 
blade h3 and the hole h6' arranged in the movable blade h6 may be cut by 
the movement of the cylinder h8 and the rotation around the column h5 of 
the movable blade receiving member h4 due to the piston rod h9 being 
freely retractable. Depending on the aforementioned cutter member H, the 
leading yarn Y' may be cut while being sucked, in short, while having the 
effects of the suction air current exerted upon it. Thus the leading yarn 
Y' may be reliably cut without becoming free as a result of this scissor 
type cutter and, moreover, cutting of a uniform length is possible. 
Next, the actual actions of the air sucker member V during piecing 
operation will be described using FIGS. 9 to 13. 
As described above, when a yarn breakage occurs, the spindle support member 
109 is separated from the nozzle block 107 by the operation of the 
cylinder 114. The transfer arm A which grips the tip of the leading yarn 
Y' by the pair of drive rollers a1, a2 is positioned near the yarn exit 
hole 108c of the spindle 108. The air sucker member V is positioned 
between the spindle support member 109 and nozzle block 107 such that the 
hole v25' of the cylindrical cover v25 stored in the cylinder v2 is 
positioned near the tip 108a of the spindle 108, as shown in FIG. 9. 
Next, when compressed air is supplied to the air supply pipe v29, 
compressed air is drawn into the space formed between the slide nozzle v14 
and cylinder v2, the compressed air pressurizes the ring member v17 
projecting from the cylindrical outer wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14 
and, as the slide nozzle v14 is moved to the left as seen from FIG. 12, 
the cylindrical cover v25 mounted on the slide nozzle v14 projects from 
the cylinder v2 and the tip 108a of the spindle 108 fits in the hole v25' 
of the cylindrical cover v25. 
Furthermore, when compressed air is supplied to the air supply pipe v29, as 
a suction air current is generated in the yarn passage hole v23 of the 
internal nozzle v22, the leading yarn Y' gripped in the drive rollers a1, 
a2 is delivered by rotation of the drive rollers a1, a2 of the transfer 
arm member A. Accordingly, the leading yarn Y' is inserted in the 
insertion hole 108b of the spindle 108 by the suction air current 
generated in the yarn passage hole v23 of the internal nozzle v22. After 
insertion of the leading yarn Y' in the insertion hole 108b of the spindle 
108, delivery of the leading yarn Y' is stopped by the stoppage of the 
rotation of the drive rollers a1, a2 of the transfer arm member A. 
Next, the cylinder h8 is operated and the movable blade receiving member h4 
rotated by advancement of the piston rod h9 and the leading yarn Y' flying 
from the yarn passage hole v23 is cut by the fixed blade h3 and movable 
blade h6. 
Next, after stoppage of the supply of compressed air to the air supply pipe 
v29, compressed air is supplied to the air supply pipe v28. Thus 
compressed air enters the space formed by the ring member v18 projecting 
from the cylindrical wall v15 of the slide nozzle v14 and the edge v32 of 
the cylinder v2. The slide nozzle v14 on which is mounted the cylindrical 
cover v25 is moved to the right as seen from FIG. 12 and the cylindrical 
cover v25 projecting from the hollow cylinder v2 is once again stored in 
the cylinder v2. 
Furthermore, the air sucker member V is lowered until the opening pipe v34 
of the head V' of the air sucker member V is positioned below the spindle 
108 as shown in FIG. 10. The tip of the leading yarn Y' is sucked into the 
opening pipe v34 and the tip of the leading yarn Y' is opened by the 
generation of a rotating air current in the direction of the nozzle block 
107 being opposite the twist direction of the leading yarn Y'. Thus fluff 
is generated on the leading yarn Y'. 
The supply of air from the air supply pipe v38 to the opening pipe v34 is 
stopped at the point when the opening operation of the tip of the leading 
yarn Y' has finished and the opening operation by the opening pipe v34 
stops. 
Next, a predetermined length of leading yarn Y' forming the joint is 
delivered by the starting of delivery of the leading yarn Y' by the 
restarting of the rotation of the drive rollers a1, a2 of the transfer arm 
member A. The delivered leading yarn Y' is sucked into the suction pipe 
v39 positioned near the leading yarn Y' ejection hole v34' of the opening 
pipe v34. 
At the point when the predetermined length of leading yarn Y' which will 
form the joint is sucked into the suction pipe v39, the delivery of the 
leading yarn Y' is stopped by stoppage of rotation of the drive rollers 
a1, a2 of the transfer arm member A and the transfer arm member A is 
returned to the predetermined standby position. 
It should be noted that as the structure of the transfer arm member A has 
been disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Hei 4-90242, the details 
have been ommitted here. If the system is such that the leading yarn Y' 
may be gripped and run, any system is suitable. 
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the air sucker member V, which holds the 
leading yarn Y' by the suction pipe v39 and of which the tip has been 
opened, is lowered, the piston rod 115 retracted by operation of the 
cylinder 114 and the spindle support member 109 and nozzle block 107 
coupled. 
Next, due to driving of the stationary back roller 101 and third roller 102 
for a predetermined time period and then stoppage, the cut part s1 of the 
sliver S is cut between the normally rotating middle roller 103 and 
re-stopped third rollers 102 and a cut tapered part s3 formed. As shown in 
FIG. 11, the driving time of the re-rotated back rollers 101 and third 
rollers 102 is adjusted so that the cut tapered part s3 is held in the 
middle rollers 103 and/or front rollers 104. 
Thereafter, the rotation of the re-stopped back rollers 101 and third 
rollers 102 is restarted and the cut tapered part s3 and sliver S, of 
which the short tapered cut part s2 is positioned between the third 
rollers 102 and middle rollers 103, are moved together. Further, 
immediately after the driving of the back rollers 101 and third rollers 
102, the nip roller 118 is connected with the delivery roller 119 and the 
leading yarn Y' run by being gripped by the nip roller 118 and delivery 
roller 119 and piecing is carried out by re-operation of the twist device 
T. 
The piecing operation firstly involves the cut tapered part s3 being guided 
into the guide entrance 106c of the air spinning nozzle 106 and the fibers 
comprising the cut tapered part s3 being entangled in a screw shape with 
the opened leading yarn Y' which has started running near the tip 108a of 
the spindle 108. After entangling the fibers comprising the cut tapered 
part s3 with the leading yarn Y' which has started running, as there are 
no fibers entangled in the leading yarn Y' until the fibers comprising the 
sliver S having a continuous short tapered cut part s2 are spirally 
entangled in the opened leading yarn Y', there is only the leading yarn Y' 
and thereafter, piecing is carried out by spirally entangling the fibers 
comprising the sliver S having a continuous short tapered cut part s2 in 
the leading yarn Y'. 
In this way, the tip of the leading yarn Y' which forms the piecing part 
and where entangling of the fibers comprising the sliver S having a 
continuous short tapered cut part s2 and the leading yarn Y', are 
entangled, are opened in a fuzzy state thus the fibers comprising the 
sliver S and the fibers of the fuzzy leading yarn Y' is entwined and 
piecing may be more reliably carried out. Furthermore, a stronger joint is 
formed. 
The joint formed using the leading yarn Y' where the tip has been opened is 
shown in FIG. 16B. A joint is formed in the leading yarn Y' from the 
piecing part p1 formed by the the fibers comprising the sliver S having a 
continuous short tapered cut part s2 entangling with the opened leading 
yarn Y', the part p2 of only the leading yarn Y' and, the part p3 
separated from the aforementioned piecing part p1 and formed by the fibers 
comprising the cut tapered part s3 entangling with the leading yarn Y' 
which has not been opened. The leading yarn Y' of the part p2 which is 
only the leading yarn Y' may be either opened or not opened. 
As the joint formed by the present embodiment is formed from the piecing 
part p1 formed by the fibers comprising the sliver S having a continuous 
short tapered cut part s2 entangling with the opened leading yarn Y', the 
part p2 of only the leading yarn Y' and, the part p3 separated from the 
aforementioned piecing part p1 and formed by the fibers comprising the cut 
tapered part s3 entangling with the leading yarn Y' which has not been 
opened, the removal of the part p3 formed by the fibers entangling with 
the leading yarn Y' which has not been opened may be easily achieved. 
Further, as the piecing part p1 is comprised of the short tapered cut part 
s2 having a high fiber density, there is no deformation of a bad joint by 
thinning or decreases in joint strength. 
As the present embodiment has the above described structure, it 
demonstrated the following advantages: 
As piecing may be carried out without the removal of the cut tapered part, 
the piecing time may be shortened and a more simplified device may be 
realised. 
As the tip of the leading yarn is opened, the piecing success rate is 
increased and the strength of the joint may be increased. 
As the part where the fibers comprising the cut tapered part are entangled 
is separated from the piecing part, the removal of the part where the 
fibers comprising the cut tapered part are entangled from the joint is 
easily achieved. 
It should be noted that reliable piecing may be carried out by the 
entangling of the fuzzy fibers of the surface of the leading yarn Y' where 
the leading yarn Y', has been made fuzzy by opening the leading yarn Y' as 
shown in FIG. 17, by the aforementioned opening tube v34 along the entire 
length of the leading yarn Y' from the tip where entangling of the fibers 
comprising the tapered tip of the sliver S entangle with the leading yarn 
Y' to the tip of the leading yarn Y' held in the suction tube v39 via the 
opening tube v34 of the air sucker member V, and the fibers comprising the 
tapered tip of the sliver S. Furthermore, by the entangling of the fuzzy 
fibers of the surface of the leading yarn Y' with the fibers comprising 
the sliver S, as a joint may be formed that looks like a single yarn, a 
joint with superior shape may be formed. 
By opening approximately the whole leading yarn which will form the joint, 
a more stable, more reliable piecing may be performed. 
By cutting the leading yarn inserted in the spindle of the twist device, 
the opened part of the leading yarn may be optionally controlled by 
specifying the position of the leading yarn.