YARN REMOVER

Abstract: A yarn remover device (10) for removing unused yarn (18) from a yarn holder (17), in which the device comprises a frame (11), first and second upright supports (12 and 13) mounted on the frame, a guide (16) adapted to receive and to guide downward movement of the ends of a stack of yarn holders, a power operated device (19) cooperable with the first upright support (12) and having an actuator head (20) which is linearly reciprocable between a retracted position and a advanced position for engagement with a lowermost holder of a stack of holders in the guide, an opening (22) formed in the second upright (13) which allows passage therethrough of a stripped yarn holder, and a yarn stripper device (24) arranged adjacent to the opening (22) in order to strip the unused yarn (18) from each holder when the holder is driven towards the second upright (13) by the actuator head (20).

Description: YARN REMOVER This invention relates to a yarn remover device for removing unused yarn from a yarn holder of the type used to 5 supply yarn to a weaving loom. Yarn holders have yarn wound thereon and are known as "cheeses" and "tubes", and yarns are unwound from the holders in order to meet the demand of a weaving loom. When a piece has been woven, it is often the case that at 0 least some of the holders still retain a substantial portion of unused yarn wound thereon. However, it is not generally economic to use the holders again with such residual yarn thereon, and therefore the partly spent holders are often transferred to specialist firms who 5 recover the yarn from the holders and then sell the waste yarn in bulk to customers for re-processing. At present, the recovery of the waste yarn is an unsophisticated process, which involves cutting the yarn in order to release it from the tube, rather than by unwinding 0 the yarn. The tubes are often made from rigid plastics material, such as PVC, and frequently the surface of the tube becomes so damaged during removal of the waste yarn by cutting with a knife that the tubes are not normally _ considered to be suitable for re-use. 5 This problem arises with yarns in general, but particularly in relation to carpet-making yarns where there is a considerable market, particularly an export market, for the supply of recovered unused yarns. There has therefore developed a need to provide a yarn 0 recovery device which can remove unused yarn from a yarn holder more readily than hitherto, and in a manner which renders the holder re-usable to have yarn wound thereon again in order to form a further package. According to the invention there is provided a yarn 5 remover device for removing unused yarn from a yarn holder. the device comprising: a frame; first and second upright supports mounted on the frame and spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the length of the yarn holder; a guide adapted to receive and to guide downward movement of the ends of a stack of yarn holders; a power operated device cooperable with the first upright support and having an actuator head which is linearly reciprocable between a -retracted position and an advanced position, the actuator head being engageable with an adjacent end of a lowermost holder of a stack of holders in the guide when in the retracted position; an opening formed in the second upright and generally in alignment with the actuator head, the opening being of such a size as to allow the adjacent end of the holder to pass therethrough when the opposite end of the holder is engaged and is driven linearly by the actuator head towards the second upright; and, a yarn stripper device adjacent to said opening which is operable to strip the unused yarn from each holder and to permit the stripped holder to pass through said opening when the holder is driven towards the second upright by the actuator head. A yarn remover device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in removing unused yarn from cylindrical yarn holders of rigid plastics material, in which case the yarn stripper device conveniently may be formed by the edge region which defines the periphery of the entrance to the opening through which the holder is driven. Conveniently, the guide is formed by a pair of aligned guide tracks formed one in each of the upright supports, and each adapted to receive and to guide a respective set of yarn holder ends. The power operated device preferably comprises a fluid pressure operated device, and conveniently is formed by a pneumatic ram having a piston rod with said actuator head on a projecting end of the rod. The actuator head may be shaped so as to be engageable partly within the interior of the adjacent end of the cylindrical yarn holder and partly against the radially extending annular end face of the holder. Therefore, in use, a stack of partly used yarn holders may be stacked in the guide tracks, and then they descend automatically under gravity as, in turn, the lowermost holder in the stack is engaged by the actuator head and is driven towards the stripper device which removes the yarn and allows the stripped holder to pass out of the device for subsequent re-use. The stripped-off yarn then falls under gravity into a suitable collection device, and then can be sold in bulk form to customers. However, while a yarn remover device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in stripping unused yarn from cylindrical yarn holders, the device may also be used to strip yarn from generally conical yarn holders of the type which are frequently used with weaving looms. In such event, the device may be arranged so that the radially narrower end of each conical holder is engageable by the actuator head, whereas the radially larger end of each conical holder is located adjacent to said opening in the second upright. In such event, the yarn stripper device may comprise a spring biased stripper device which is biased radially inwardly of the outer surface of the conical holder, so as to apply a radially inwardly acting stripping force on the outside surface of the conical holder as the latter is displaced axially through the opening. This then enables the stripper device to remove the yarn from the conical holder despite the radially narrowing profile presented by the holder as it moves axially through the opening. According to a particularly preferred modification of the invention, the yarn stripper device takes the form of a power-operated set of jaws which are movable towards and 5 away from a stripping position adjacent to the opening in the second upright. The jaws are preferably carried on the ends of levers which are pivotally mounted on the second upright, and which are power operated by any suitable means, such as pneumatic rams. 0 Each jaw may be mounted for generally horizontal guided movement towards and away from the stripping position, and therefore define a larger stripping opening (upstream of"the opening in the second upright), and thereby hold back the yarn on the holder while the latter 5 is pushed through the opening in the second upright. The jaws are robustly constructed so as to withstand the yarn stripping forces applied thereon. Preferably, a travelling cradle is mounted on the device, so as to co-operate with the second upright, in 0 order to withdraw a tube after yarn has been stripped from the tube by the power-operated set of jaws. Thus, the power-operated device, in the form of a piston driven actuated head, is movable towards the jaws in order to _ drive the tube between the jaws while the latter grip the 5 outer periphery thereof in order to strip yarn therefrom, but the movement of the actuator head only takes place at least partly up to the jaws, and the travelling cradle - therefore is able to carry out final withdrawal movement of the tube. 0 The travelling cradle is preferably pneumatically operated for movement generally along the axis of the tube, the cradle being operated automatically in timed sequence with the operation of the actuator head. To further facilitate stripping of yarn from the tube, 5 it is preferred that an arrangement of one or more jets is provided in the region of the jaws, such jets directing compressed air towards the surface of the tube in order to facilitate stripping of yarn therefrom. Pneumatic air jets are the preferred arrangement, in that there will normally 5 be readily available a suitable supply of compressed air in order to operate the various pneumatically powered components of the machine. To protect an operative during operation of the actuator head, it is preferred that a robust guard 0 arrangement be provided which extends over and at least partly around the tube and the path of travel of the actuator head. The purpose of this is that, in the event of improper engagement taking place between the actuator head and the tube end, which might be liable to cause the 5 tube to be driven upwardly, the guard is able to hold the tube captive within its confines, and therefore not to cause any personal injury to the operative. Embodiments of yarn remover device according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of 0 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a yarn remover device for removing unused yarn from generally cylindrical yarn _ holders; 5 Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a yarn holder from which yarn is being stripped by one arrangement of yarn stripper device; Figure 2a is a detail view taken in the direction of the arrow X in figure 2; 0 Figure 3 is an illustration, similar to Figure 2, of a further yarn stripper device mounted on an upright support of the yarn remover device; Figure 3a is a detail view taken in the direction of the arrow Y in Figure 3; 5 Figure 4 is a side view of a travelling cradle type withdrawal device for use with the yarn remover device; and. Figure 5 is an end view of the travelling cradle device of Figure 4. 5 Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a yarn remover device which is designated generally by reference 10 and which is intended to remove unused yarn from a yarn holder of the type used to supply yarn to a weaving loom. The device 10 comprises a frame 11, first 0 and second uprights 12 and 13 which are mounted on the frame 11, and which are spaced apart from each other by a distance 15 which corresponds generally with the-length of the yarn holder which is to undergo yarn stripping. A pair of aligned guide tracks 16 are formed one in 5 each of the upright supports 12 and 13, and are adapted to receive and to guide downward movement of the ends of a stack of yarn holders. In Figure 1, there is only shown a lowermost yarn holder 17 at a stripping station at a lower end of a guide ;track 16, but it should be understood that a 0 stack of similar yarn holders 17 may be arranged above the illustrated yarn holder with the ends of the holders received by the guide tracks 16. The yarn holder 17 shown in Figure 1 is a generally _ cylindrical tube made of rigid plastics material such as 5 rigid PVC tube, and has a partly .used package of yarn 18 wound therearound. In Figure 1, the yarn holder 17 is shown at an intermediate position during a yarn stripping operation. A power operated device 19 cooperates with the first 0 upright support 12 and has an actuator head 20 which is linearly reciprocable between a retracted position and an advanced position with respect to a lower end of the guide track 16 in the first support 12. The actuator head 20 is shown at an intermediate position between the fully 5 retracted position and the fully advanced position, and is shaped so as to be engageable partly within the adjacent end 21 of the tube 17, and partly against the radially extending annular end face of the tube end 21. When the actuator head 20 is in the retracted position, it will be 5 withdrawn within the confines of the first upright support 12, so as to allow the lowermost tube 17 of a stack of tubes to descend to a stripping station in horizontal alignment with the retracted actuator head 20. An opening 22 is formed in the second upright support 0 13 at a lower end of the guide track in the second support, and generally in horizontal alignment with the actuator head 20. The opening 22 is of such a size as to allow the adjacent end 23 of the holder 17 to pass therethrough when the end 21 is engaged and is driven linearly by the 5 actuator head 20 towards the second upright 13. A yarn stripper device 24 is provided adjacent to the entrance to the opening 22 and is operable to strip the unused yarn package 18 from each holder 17 and to permit the stripped holder 17 to pass through the opening 22 when the holder is 0 driven towards the second upright 13 by the actuator head 20. The power operated device, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a fluid pressure operated device in s the form of a pneumatic ram having a piston rod 25 with the 5 actuator head 20 provided on the projecting end thereof. In use of the yarn remover device shown in Figure 1, a stack of partly used yarn holders 17 may be stacked in the guide tracks 16, and then they descend automatically under gravity as, in turn, the lowermost holder in the stack is 0 engaged by the actuator head 20, moving from the retracted position, and is driven towards the stripper device 24 which removes the yarn and allows the stripped holder to pass out of the device for subsequent re-use. The stripped-off yarn then falls under gravity into a suitable 5 collection device (not shown), and may then be sold in bulk form to customers. Although not shown, the device 10 shown in Figure 1 may be modified so as to be capable of removing unused yarn from generally conical yarn holders of the type used with weaving looms. In such event, the opening 22 in the second upright 13 will be of such a diameter as to allow the largest diameter end of the conical holder to pass therethrough, whereas the radially narrower end of the conical holder will be engageable by the actuator head 20. In view of the progressively diminishing diameter of the holder, as it passes axially through the holder 22, it is necessary for the yarn stripper device to be modified in order to take this diminishing diameter into account. Therefore, though not shown in detail, conveniently a yarn stripper device is provided which is radially spring- pressed towards the outer periphery of the conical holder, so as to maintain a radially inward stripping action on the outer surface of the holder as the latter moves axially i.e. ^ to the right in Figure 1, during yarn stripping. Accordingly, having regard to the above description of preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that there is provided a semi-automatic yarn removal device which is able to function efficiently so as to achieve recovery of unused yarn, and without any necessity to cut or otherwise damage the yarn. In addition, no damage will be done to the outer surface of the yarn holder, and therefore the yarn holders also can be re-used, so as to have further yarn packages wound thereon. Referring now to Figure 2, this shows the yarn stripper device 24 in more detail, which cooperates with the opening 22 in the second upright 13, the device 24 taking the form of a power-operated set of jaws 26 which are movable towards and away from a stripping position adjacent to the opening 22 in the second upright 13. The jaws 26 are shown in Figure 2 in the stripping position, in which unused yarn 18 on yarn holder 17 can be stripped from the yarn holder as the latter is pushed through the opening (not shown) defined between the jaws 26, and the opening 22 in the second upright 13. 5 The jaws 26 are carried on the ends of bell-crank levers 27 (only one of which is shown) which are pivotally mounted on the second upright 13, and which are power- operated by pneumatic rams 28. Each jaw 26 is mounted for horizontal guided sliding movement towards and away from 10 the stripping position, and thereby define a larger stripping opening, upstream of the opening 22 in the second upright 13, in order to hold back the yarn 18 while the holder 17 is pushed through the opening defined between the jaws 26, and also through the opening 22 in the second 15 upright 13. The jaws 26 are robustly constructed so as to withstand the yarn stripping forces applied thereon, and are guided for generally horizontal movement by guide means (not shown) secured to the upright 13. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative 20 arrangement of yarn stripper device on the upright 13, in the form of a pair of vertically movable stripper plates 29. This arrangement may be suitable for a different guide for supplying yarn holders to the yarn stripping station, s such. as an inclined magazine projecting laterally to one 25 side and allowing yarn holders to be fed one by one into the path of reciprocation of the actuator head 20. A catch (not shown) may be provided to operate in sequence with the reciprocation of the actuator head 20 in order to release the lowermost holder of a stack held in the magazine 30 whenever a stripped yarn holder is ejected from the machine. Figure 3a shows the vertically movable stripper plates 29, and any suitable power operated device e.g. ram- operated levers may effect separation and closing movement 35 of the stripper plates in sequence with the reciprocation of the actuator head 20. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a travelling cradle device which is designated generally by reference 40, and which serves to withdraw a stripped yarn holder or tube from the second upright 13 of the device which is provided with the power-operated yarn stripping jaws, as shown in Figures 2 or 3. In Figure 4, there is shown a yarn holder or tube 41 which is being driven through stripping opening 42 in the upright 13 by pneumatically operated actuator head 43. Although not shown in detail, suitable power-operated jaws will be provided at the stripping opening 42, which may be linearly movable towards and away from each other in the horizontal plane, or the vertical plane, or any other plane, as desired. The jaws are pneumatically driven, in suitable timed sequence, so as to grip the outer periphery of the tube 41, and thereby effect a stripping action on unused yarn remaining on the tube 41 as the latter is driven to the right as shown in Figure 4 by the actuator head 43. The withdrawal device of Figures 4 and 5 includes an upstanding fixed bracket 44 which defines a trough-shaped holder 45, along which the tube 41 is driven by the actuator head 43, thereby to provide support and guidance therefor. The device 40 also includes a travelling cradle 46 which is generally of inverted channel-shape and which carries a pair of diametrically opposed pneumatically operated gripping heads 47 which are capable of being driven inwardly to make gripping contact with the outer periphery of the leading end of the tube 41. The operation of the gripping heads 47 is in timed sequence with the operation of the actuator head 43,- and they are moved inwardly to make gripping engagement with the tube 41 when the actuator head 43 has reached the limit of its forward travel. An air cylinder 48 is then operated to impart horizontal linear movement to the travelling cradle 46 in a direction to the right as seen in Figure 4, in order to complete the withdrawal of the tube 41. This continues until such time as the now stripped tube 41 can fall under gravity to a suitable receiving receptacle, and the travelling cradle then reverts to its initial position alongside the upright 13, as shown in Figure 4, while at the same time the actuator head 43 reverts to its initial position. A further tube with unused yarn is then fed automatically by a magazine feed (not shown) so as to lie in the path of reciprocation of the actuator head 43 for a further cycle of operation. Although not shown in detail in Figures 4 to 5, an arrangement of air jets, preferably four in number equi-angularly spaced from each other, is provided around the stripping opening 42, and a pneumatic supply is delivered to these jets while the tube 41 is being driven by the actuator head 43, the direction of the jets being such as to lift-off the yarn as it is stripped from the tube.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A yarn remover device (10) for removing unused yarn (18) from a yarn holder (17), the device comprising: 5 a f ame (11) ; first and second upright supports (12, 13) mounted on the frame (11) and spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the length of the yarn holder (17) ; 0 a guide (16) adapted to receive and to guide downward movement of the ends of a stack of yarn holders; a power operated device (19) cooperable with a first upright support (12) and having an actuator head (20) which is linearly reciprocable between a retracted position and 5 an advanced position, the actuator head being engageable with an adjacent end of a lowermost holder of a stack of holders in the guide when in the retracted position; an opening (22) formed in the second upright (13) and generally in alignment with the actuator head (20), the 0 opening being of such a size as to allow the adjacent end (23) of the holder to pass therethrough when the opposite end (21) of the holder is engaged and is driven linearly by the actuator head (20) towards the second upright (13); s an ,- 5 a yarn stripper device (24, 26, 29) adjacent to said opening (22) which is operable to strip the unused yarn (18) from each holder (17) and to permit the stripped holder to pass through said opening (22) when the holder is driven towards the second upright (13) by the actuator head 0 (20). 2. A yarn remover device according to Claim 1, in which the guide is formed by a pair of aligned guide tracks (16) formed one in each of the upr ight supports (12, 13) , and each adapted to receive and to guide a respective set 5 of yarn holder ends. 3. A yarn remover device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the power operated device comprises a fluid pressure operated device having a piston rod (25) provided with said actuator head (20) on a projecting end thereof, 5 the actuator head being shaped to be engageable partly within the interior of the adjacent end of the yarn holder (17) and partly against the radially extending annular end face of the holder. 4. A yarn remover device according to any one of the 0 preceding claims, in which the yarn stripper device comprises a spring biased stripper device biased radially inwardly of the outer surface of the holder, to apply a radially inwardly acting stripping force on the outside surface of the holder as the latter is displaced axially 5 through the opening in the second upright. 5. A yarn remover device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the yarn stripper device takes the form of a power-operated set of jaws (26, 29) which are movable towards and away from a stripping position adjacent 0 to the opening (22) in the second upright (13) . 6. A yarn remover device according to Claim 5, in which each jaw (26) is mounted for generally horizontal guided movement towards and away from the stripping • position. 5 7. A yarn remover device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a transversely extending magazine extending laterally and upwardly of the first and second upright supports (12, 13), for supplying a stack of yarn holders one by one to lie in the path of reciprocation 0 of the actuator head. 8. A yarn remover device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a travelling cradle (46) mounted on the device- (10) so as to cooperate with the second upright (13), in order to withdraw a yarn holder 5 tube (17) after yarn (18) has been stripped therefrom. 14 9. A yarn remover device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a guard arrangement is provided which extends over and at least partly around the yarn holder and the path of travel of the actuator head.

Inventors: PATCHETT ERNEST, PATCHETT, ERNEST
Applicants: PATCHETT ERNEST, PATCHETT, ERNEST
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65H73
IPC codes: B65H73