Patent GB-1484387-A (GB)
Title: Yarn cop orientation apparatus
IPC: B07C5/08
Filed: 1974-10-30
Abstract: 1484387 Supplying cops to machines SCHWEITER ENG WORKS Ltd 30 Oct 1974 [13 Nov 1973] 46999/74 Heading DIF In the successive delivery of single yarn cops from a storage container to the stations of a spooling or spinning machine in response to the signalled requirements thereof, at a position where the cops are end-for-end oriented and aligned each cop is first checked by measuring or gauging the diameter of the ends of the core thereof and from such measurement a resultant signal representation of the difference of the diameter is generated to control the operation of orientation apparatus. In the measuring operation, Fig. 2, a transport chain 35 moves a wound cop 14 upwardly to a position where the ends are between pairs of jaws 21, 22 and 21', 22' and the body of the cop opens a switch S so that (assuming another switch 49, Fig. 3 is also open due to the presence of a cop there against) the drive to chain 35 is stopped. The jaw pairs are spread apart to different extents according to the differing diameter of the ends of the cop core therebetween and such differential movement, operating through spring-biased parallelogram linkage mechanisms 210, 220 and 210', 220' and levers, 25, 26, 27 and 25', 26', 27', causes deflection of a difference lever 29 to effect rotation of its pivoted end 29' (in one direction or the other according to the sense of the difference) thus providing the control signal (to orientation apparatus) which is transmitted by flexible shaft 31. Spring-return ejectors 37, triggered by the engagement of pins 39' on chain 35, push the measured cop 14 from its supports 36 onto a slide 40 wherein it falls onto rest arms 46, 46' of levers 45, 45' Fig. 3. When the spooling &c. machine requires a new cop, shaft 66 is turned e.g. through a magnetic clutch or step motor, to rotate a cam disc 65 through one revolution during which a zone 68 engages a roller 64 so that a follower lever 63 rotates shaft 59 to cause levers 60, 60', to lift reset links 61, 61', connected to levers 45, 45', one of which is locked by engagement in one notch as the other 53 in a slide 51, the position of which has been set from neutral to one extremity or the other according to the sense of the signal transmitted through shaft 31 and, through pivoted hub 56, shifting a slide-operating, leaf-spring 55. The unlocked lever 45 or 45' then moves to effect spring-aided depression of arm 46 or 46' thereby allowing the cop to tip about the locked arm and fall with the required orientation e.g. large end leading, through, for example, a delivery shute. Fig. 1 (not shown). Continued rotation of cam 65 renders reset zone 69 effective to return links 61, 61' to rest position shown in Fig. 3; jaws close and difference lever 29 is in neutral position. In the operation of electrical orientation apparatus represented in Fig. 4, the difference signal is transmitted by the flexible shaft 31 to tilt a mercury switch 90 in one direction or the other to energise thd respective winding of a bi-stable transfer relay 89 which operates relay contacts 88. The control pulse for relay operation is derived from switch 81, responsive to passage of the cop through measuring jaws 21, 22, and switch 91 which is closed temporarily if the spooling &c. machine requires a cop. Solenoid 86 or 86' is energised to retract cop support 87 or 87' to allow the cop to tilt about the other support in the appropriate orientating direction and fall down slide 40 and through a chute (not shown) to the awaiting machine station. Switch 49 is released to energise a motor to advance another cop (to the jaws) which, by switch 81 sends a setting signal for the new position of relay 89, 88, in dependence on the difference signal transmitted by shaft 31 rotation. Cops are ejected from chain 35 by first deflecting a lever 82 which closes a switch 83 thus energising a solenoid 84 so that lever 82 swings to eject the cop. Electronic relays and solidstate devices (not shown) may be employed.