Yarn threading apparatus for tube-type textile yarn creels

Abstract: Apparatus for threading yarns through yarn transport tubes (14) in a tube-type textile yarn creel (12) provides a plurality of valve assemblies (24) operatively communicated to a common source of pressurized air (26), each valve assembly (24) being mounted to the creel (12) at the entrance end of a respective yarn transport tube (14) for selectively discharging pressurized air into and through the tube when desired to thread a yarn through the tube (14).

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding yarns in a textile yarn creel comprising apparatus for threading a respective yarn through a yarn transport tube according to the introductory portion of claim 1. Over recent years, it has become an increasingly widespread practice in the textile industry throughout the world to utilize tubular conduits to transport textile yarns from one location to another. This practice enables a large number of yarns to be transported together in a relatively compact area while still maintaining the yarns separate from one another. Further, the use of such yarn transporting tubes shields the yarns to prevent accumulation of lint thereon as well as to prevent the release of fibrous lint from the yarns into the ambient atmosphere. For example, a common situation in which yarn transport tubes of this type have been widely used is the feeding of plural yarns from a creel supporting a plurality of yarn packages to a textile machine utilizing the yarns, e.g., a circular knitting machine, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,540,138 for a Textile Yarn Creel. Typically, conventional small-diameter plastic tubing is utilized for such yarn transport tubes. As will be understood, in initially setting up a creel of the above-described type, it is necessary to thread the individual yarns from the yarn packages supported on the creel through the respective tubes. Likewise, when yarn breakages occur during the ongoing operation of the creel, it is often necessary to rethread the broken yarn through its associated tube. Conventionally, the threading of yarn transport tubes is accomplished by either blowing or sucking a yarn through its associated tube utilizing a conventional hand-held air nozzle connected to a source of pressurized air or to a vacuum source. Specifically, the creel operator initially inserts the leading end of yarn into the end of its associated tube disposed at the creel. When utilizing a pressurized air nozzle, the operator then manually places the nozzle at the same end of the tube and actuates the nozzle to blow the yarn through the tube. When using a suction nozzle, the operator proceeds to the opposite end of the tube at the associated textile machine whereat the operator places the suction nozzle to the opposite end of the tube and actuates the nozzle to suction the yarn through the tube. While such conventional yarn threading techniques adequately serve the intended purpose, several disadvantages exist. First, the initial set-up of such a tube-type creel is made relatively time consuming by the necessity for the operator to manually thread each tube utilizing a single hand-held air nozzle. Moreover, the hose which necessarily extends from the nozzle to a point of connection with the compressed air or suction source makes it at least somewhat inconvenient and difficult for the operator to manipulate the nozzle and hose assembly in and about the creel and the associated textile machine without disturbing its operating components, this being particulary problematic when threading a broken yarn. An apparatus for feeding yarns in a textile yarn creel having a plurality of yarn package support locations and a respective plurality of yarns transport tubes comprising apparatus for threading a respective yarn through each yarn transport tube according to the introductory portion of claim 1 is known by US-Patent 3,151,021. The entrance of each tube is provided with an aspirator. The hoses of all aspirators are connected through a valving device with a master supply hose so that air can be supplied selectively to one or more of the aspirators. There is no detailed disclosure of the design of the valving device which is located away from the aspirators. Such a valving device will be complex and expensive and will create a problem for any operator and it will be difficult to corelate the operation of the valving device with one of the aspirators. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for threading yarns through transport tube in a textile yarn creel. This object is achieved by claim 1. As, according to the invention, each tube is provided with ist own valve. An operator will not encounter any problem in corelating the valve to the respective tube in case this tube requires a threading operation. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view schematically illustrating the yarn threading apparatus of the present invention as preferably embodied in a textile yarn creel which supplies multiple yarns to an associated textile circular knitting machine through a corresponding plurality of yarn transport tubes; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the valve assemblies of the yarn threading apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of Figure 2, taken along line 3-3 thereof; and Figure 4 is another vertical cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of Figure 2, taken along line 4-4 thereof. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the accompanying drawings and initially to Fig. 1, the yarn threading apparatus of the present invention is broadly indicated at 10 as preferably incorporated in a textile yarn creel, shown generally at 12, of the type equipped with a plurality of yarn transport tubes, individually and collectively indicated herein by 14, for feeding a corresponding plurality of individual yarns Y from yarn packages P supported on the creel 12 to an associated textile machine, e.g., a circular knitting machine, indicated generally at 16. Creels of this type may be of varying particular constructions and configurations, the creel 12 being shown only schematically to be representative of substantially any conventional tube-type creel. Basically, the creel 12 includes a plurality of upright yarn package-supporting frame members 18 (only one of which is shown for simplicity), each package-supporting frame member 18 having a plurality of outwardly-extending pins or other suitable holders 22 spaced along its length for mounting of the yarn packages P. As will be understood, the plural yarn package-supporting members 18 are laterally spaced from one another in a linear, arcuate, circular or other suitable arrangement. The creel 12 further includes a plurality of tube-supporting frame members 20 corresponding in number to the package-supporting members 18, the tube-supporting members 20 being laterally spaced with respect to one another in substantially the same arrangement as the package-supporting members 18 with each tube-supporting member 20 being disposed in spaced facing relation to its associated package-supporting member 18. In a conventional tube-type creel, an entrance end of an individual yarn transport tube 14 is affixed, e.g., by a suitable bracket or the like, directly horizontally adjacent each package holder 22 to receive yarn Y from the package P supported thereon for feeding through the tube to the associated textile machine. Conventionally, each yarn would be threaded through its respective yarn transport tube utilizing a hand-held air nozzle as above-described. In contrast, under the present invention, the yarn threading apparatus 10 provides an individual valve assembly, indicated generally at 24, mounted to the tube-supporting member 20 directly horizontally adjacent each package holder 22. As more fully described below, the entrance end of each yarn transport tube 14 is attached to a respective one of the valve assemblies 24 to receive yarn from the adjacent package P on the package supporting member 18 for delivery to the textile knitting machine 16 in normal fashion. Further, each valve assembly 24 is operatively communicated with a source of pressurized air, e.g., such as conventionally provided in a typical textile mill, as representatively indicated at 26, for selectively directing pressurized air into the associated yarn transport tube 14 when necessary for threading yarn through the tube. One of the valve assemblies 24 of the present invention is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2-4. The valve assembly 24 includes a valve body 28 having an enlarged mounting portion 30 at its upper end for affixation of the valve assembly 24 at any selected location along the associated tube-supporting member 20. Substantially any suitable means may be utilized for attachment of the mounting portion 30 to the tube-supporting member 20, e.g., by mounting screws 32 as illustrated or by an appropriate mounting bracket or otherwise. A main air supply passageway 34 is formed through the entire vertical length of the valve body 28, with a pair of tubular nipple fittings 36 being threadedly supported in the valve body 28 in alignment with the passageway 34 at its upper and lower ends for communication therewith. As shown in Fig. 1, the main air supply passageways 34 of each valve body 20 mounted on a common tube-supporting member 20 are connected in series with one another by means of plastic tubes 38 extending between the upper and lower nipples of successively arranged valve assemblies 24, the upper nipple 36 of the uppermost valve assembly 24 on each tube-supporting member 20 being communicated directly to the pressurized air source 26 while the lowermost valve assembly 24 on each tube-supporting member 20 having the lower end of its main air supply passageway 34 closed. The valve body 28 of each valve assembly 24 also includes a valve support portion 40 at its lower end opposite the mounting portion 30. The valve support portion 40 extends horizontally outwardly from the associated tube-supporting member 20 and has a valve bore 42 formed horizontally therethrough intersecting the main air supply passageway 34. The valve bore 42 has a rearward portion 44 of a relatively enlarged cross-sectional diameter which tapers to an intermediate section 46 of relatively smaller cross-sectional diameter forming a valve seat 48 therebetween, the intermediate portion 46 tapering further to a forward portion 50 of more reduced cross-sectional diameter. A set screw 52 is threadedly engaged in the rearward face of the valve body to close the rearward portion 44 of the bore 42. A valve ball 54 is movably disposed within the rearward bore portion 44 along with a biasing spring 56 extending between the set screw 52 and the valve ball 54 for urging the ball 54 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 48. A needle-type valve stem actuator 58 extends slidably through the intermediate and forward sections 46,50 of the valve bore 42 for sliding movement toward and away from the ball 54 to selectively displace the ball 54 out of sealing engagement with the valve seat 48 against the biasing force of the spring 56. The forward end of the valve stem 58 projects outwardly from the valve bore 42 and has an enlarged head 60 affixed thereto to permit manual actuation of valve opening and closing movement of the actuator stem 58. A discharge bore 62 extends through the valve support portion 40 of the valve body 28 angularly upwardly from the intermediate portion 46 to a discharge opening 64 at the upwardly facing side of the valve support portion 40. A recessed yarn slot 66 is formed in the upwardly facing surface of the valve support portion 40 laterally thereacross to intersect the discharge bore 62, whereby the discharge opening 64 opens into the yarn slot 66. The upwardly facing surface of the valve support portion 40 further includes an elevated shoulder 68 rearwardly of the yarn support slot 66. An enlarged bore 70 is formed vertically through the mounting portion 30 of the valve body 28 at a partial lateral offset from the valve support portion 40 of the valve body 28. A tubular yarn guide fitting 72, preferably formed of a rigid metallic material with a ceramic yarn guide eyelet 74 mounted at the lower end of the fitting 72, extends downwardly through the bore 70 in the valve body mounting portion 30 with the eyelet 74 resting at one edge on the shoulder 68. The guide fitting 72 is rigidly retained in such disposition by a set screw 76 extending through the mounting portion 30 into engagement with the fitting 72. In such disposition, the central opening defined by the eyelet 74 is disposed slightly above and at a lateral offset from the discharge opening 64 in substantial alignment with the angular discharge bore 62. One end of a conventional plastic yarn transport tube 14 is fitted slidably about the upper end of the yarn guide fitting 72, from which the yarn transport tube 14 extends in conventional fashion upwardly to the top of the creel 12 and therefrom overhead to the associated knitting machine 16. The operation of the present yarn threading apparatus 10 may thus be understood. When it is necessary to thread any yarn Y from one of the packages P through its associated yarn transport tube 14, the leading end of the yarn Y from the package P is placed in the yarn slot 66 of the associated valve assembly 24, whereby the yarn end overlies the discharge opening 64 in the valve support portion 40 of the valve body 28. In the normal disposition of the valve ball 54 resting in sealing engagement with the valve seat 48 under the biasing force of the spring 56, pressurized air from the pressurized air source 26 is prevented from entering the intermediate and forward portions 46,50 of the valve bore 42. However, upon depression of the head portion 60 of the valve actuator stem 58, the valve ball 54 is displaced out of sealing engagement with the valve seat 48 against the biasing force of the spring 56, thereby permitting a stream of the pressurized air to flow into and through the intermediate and forward portions 46,50 of the valve bore 42 and therefrom into and through the discharge bore 62. The pressurized air exits the discharge bore 62 through its discharge opening 64 at an upward angle through the yarn support slot 66 into the central opening of the eyelet 74 and therefrom into and through the yarn guide fitting 72 and the associated yarn transport tube 14. The stream of pressurized air thereby carries with it the leading end of yarn Y previously placed in the yarn support slot 66 and entrains the yarn Y in the air stream as it flows through the yarn guide fitting 72 and the yarn transport tube 14 to convey the yarn Y through the entire length of the tube 14. When the operator recognizes visually that the yarn Y has exited the opposite end of the yarn transport tube 14, the operator releases the head portion 60 of the valve actuator stem 58 to permit the valve ball 54 to return to sealing engagement with the valve seat 48, thereby terminating the flow of pressurized air. The yarn end may then be threaded as necessary through the operating components of the knitting machine 16. When initially setting up the creel 12, this operation may be quickly and easily accomplished for each yarn package P mounted on the creel 12, thereby considerably simplifying and shortening the set-up process in comparison to the conventional use of a hand-held air nozzle. Likewise, such operation considerably facilitates and improves the convenience of re-threading any individual yarn Y following a yarn breakage during the ongoing operation of the creel 12. Advantageously, therefore, the yarn threading apparatus reduces the time and operator involvement required for threading yarns through yarn transport tubes and, in turn, improves the operating efficiency of the associated textile machine which is supplied with the yarns.

Claims: Apparatus for feeding yarns (Y) in a textile yarn creel (12) having a plurality of yarn package support locations (22) and a respective plurality of yarn transport tubes (14), each tube extending from an entrance end (74) disposed in association with a respective one of said package support locations to an exit end disposed at a remote yarn delivery location (16), comprising apparatus (10) for threading a respective yarn (Y) through each yarn transport tube, said yarn threading apparatus including means (26) for generating a moving gaseous stream, and openable and closeable fluid-transmitting valve means (24) operatively associated with said tubes for fluid communication interiorly therewith in the open condition of the valve means and said valve means being operatively communicated with said generating means for selectively directing a gaseous stream to flow through the respectively associated tube in the open condition of the valve means for entraining a yarn at the entrance end of the tube to thread the yarn through the tube, characterized in that one valve means (24) being operatively associated with a respective one of said tubes (14) and in that the plurality of valve means (24) being arranged in groups each group comprising a sub-plurality of said valve means, the individual valve means (24) of said sub-plurality being operatively communicated in series with said means (26) for generating a moving gaseous stream. Apparatus according claim 1 and further characterized in that the valve means (24) commonly mounted to one tube supporting means (20) comprise one group of valve means. Apparatus according claim 1 or 2 and further characterized in that each valve means (24) being arranged in a distance and laterally offset from the center of the entrance end (74) of the associated tube (14) and having a gas discharge opening (62) directed from the outside under an angle towards said entrance end (74). Apparatus according claim 3 and characterized further in that each valve means (24) comprises means (30) for retaining the entrance end (74) of the respectively associated tube (14). Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 and further characterized in that each valve means (24) comprises a yarn-receiving slot (66) for supporting a leading end portion of a yarn (Y) to be threaded through the respectively associated tube (14), said discharge opening (62) terminating at said slot for directing the gaseous stream into entraining contact with the yarn. Apparatus according to one of the claims 3 to 5 and characterized further in that each valve means (24) comprises a surface (68) for supporting the entrance end (74) of the respectively associated tube (14) in a predetermined position relative to said discharge opening (62). Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 6 and characterized further in that said creel comprises a plurality of upright package-supporting frame members (18) each having a plurality of package holder elements (22) spaced therealong and a plurality of upright tube-supporting members (20) laterally spaced from said package-supporting frame members in facing relation thereto, each said valve means (24) and the entrance end (74) of its respectively associated tube (14) being mounted to a respective one of said tube supporting members (20) and in laterally adjacent facing relation to a respective one of said holder elements (22).

Inventors: GUTSCHMIT ALAN, GUTSCHMIT, ALAN
Applicants: ALANDALE IND INC, ALANDALE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65H49
IPC codes: B65H51