Patent Abstract:
Method and apparatus to employ rotating brushes to remove the lint, size, trimer, dirt, etc. from the reed of a weaving machine in an efficient manner without removing the reed from the weaving machine, without disengaging the warp yarn sheet, and without significantly reducing the tension on the warp yarn sheet. The apparatus is particularly effective on air jet weaving machines, on which the apparatus simultaneously cleans the reed and the auxiliary air nozzles. The apparatus has a pair of reed guides and a clamping air cylinder that engage the reed; a plurality of wheels that deflect the warp yarn sheet in a downward direction, exposing the reed and auxiliary air nozzles for cleaning; and a drive motor and a winder drum mechanism that allow the cleaning apparatus to be readily moved across the loom. The apparatus has the desirable features of being efficient, portable, and economical, as one apparatus can be used to clean many weaving machines.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the cleaning of reeds on textile weaving machines. In particular, this invention relates to the simultaneous cleaning of the reeds and auxiliary air nozzles found on air jet weaving machines (or looms) without removing the reed from the loom, without disengaging the warp yarn therefrom, and without reducing the warp yarn tension. 
     The reed, in typical construction, has a C-shaped channel or tunnel that is formed by the shape of the individual dents that comprise the reed. Fill yarn is propelled through this C-shaped tunnel across the loom during operation of the loom. Because of the shape of the tunnel, size, lint, trimer, dirt, loom oils, and the like tend to accumulate in this area. Fiber residue may also be a part of this accumulation, particularly when weaving with spun fibers. When accumulations in the reed tunnel occur, the fill yarn is more easily knocked out of the tunnel, causing filling stops and decreased production efficiency. It is known that periodic cleaning of the tunnel, therefore, results in decreased machine stops and improved productivity. 
     In the case of air jet weaving machines, the fill yarns are propelled through the tunnel and across the loom by air from the main air nozzle and are further propelled by a series of auxiliary air nozzles located directly beneath the yarn sheet. The fill yarn is propelled by a sequenced progression of pressurized air bursts from this series of auxiliary air nozzles spaced across the width of the loom (and along the path of the fill yarn). Each air nozzle has at least one small aperture through which pressurized air flows. These small apertures are easily clogged by size, trimer, and fiber particles as might accumulate in the reed tunnel, thus causing the nozzles to function less efficiently. Because of the size and position of these auxiliary air nozzles in the loom, adequate cleaning of these nozzles has been difficult to achieve and has not, heretofore, been successfully addressed by other cleaning machines. 
     It is necessary for efficient operation of a loom to clean the lint, size, trimer, and the like from on and between the dents of the reed. In the past, cleaning has been accomplished in a number of ways, none of which is completely satisfactory. The most straightforward way to clean the reed is to disengage the warp yarn sheet and remove the reed from the loom for cleaning. This is very time-consuming and inefficient. Alternative methods, including systems for leaving the reed in the loom and blowing or ultrasonically treating the reed in place, have been tried but do not perform the necessary cleaning as quickly or thoroughly as desired. Other methods require the tension on the yarn sheet to be significantly reduced, but it has been found that this makes the individual yarns more likely to break during the cleaning of the reed. In addition, cleaning methods that require the reed to be moved to a remote position or that require the tension of the yarn sheet to be significantly reduced typically result in a defect in the finished woven product. The present invention avoids these shortcomings. 
     Furthermore, existing reed cleaning machines do not address a problem specific to air jet weaving machines, that of cleaning the auxiliary air nozzles described above. Accordingly, the present invention not only solves the problem of cleaning of the reed in a highly efficient manner, but also allows for the simultaneous cleaning of the auxiliary air nozzles, a need largely ignored by the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus that cleans the tunnel of the reed and, at the same time, is capable of cleaning the auxiliary air nozzles that are located beneath the yarn sheet in air jet weaving machines. The apparatus is held in alignment on the reed by the clamping action of a clamping air cylinder, whose directional movement against the face of the reed secures the apparatus to the reed. The apparatus has rotating brushes that simultaneously clean the reed (and, where applicable, auxiliary air nozzles) as the apparatus is pulled across the weaving machine by an on-board drive mechanism that includes a winder drum around which a drive cable is wound. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is powered by pneumatic motors. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method to efficiently clean the reed of a textile weaving machine without the need for removing the reed, disengaging the warp yarns therefrom, or significantly reducing the tension on the warp yarns. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method to efficiently clean the auxiliary air nozzles of an air jet weaving machine, simultaneously with the cleaning of the reed, without the need for removing the reed, disengaging the warp yarns therefrom, or significantly reducing the tension on the warp yarns. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method to clean the reed and the auxiliary air nozzles of an air jet weaving machine with an apparatus that can easily be attached to a machine and that is capable of carrying out such cleaning operations with minimal operator assistance. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide an apparatus with the features of stability and portability, such that it may move across the reed without becoming misaligned and may be moved from one weaving machine to another, as machine cleaning requirements dictate, quickly and without difficulty. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the invention, together with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic rear elevation view of the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic overhead, or plan, view of the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus of the present invention, in which the brushes have been attached in their relative positions; and 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one end of the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus of FIG. 3, as seen along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the preferred form of the invention, the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus is disclosed in conjunction with an air jet weaving machine with the warp yarns located in the weaving position (that is, the warp yarns are threaded through the reed). It is less desirable that the apparatus of the present invention be used to clean reeds off-loom, because cleaning of the auxiliary air nozzles, of which this invention is fully capable, would not be realized in that case. 
     It has been found that the cleaning apparatus of the present invention is also effective in cleaning the reeds of rapier and water jet looms, although those loom styles do not incorporate auxiliary air nozzles. No modifications to the cleaning apparatus are required to accommodate the cleaning of the reeds of rapier or water jet looms. 
     For purposes herein, however, the term “weaving machine” or “loom” shall refer to an air jet weaving machine, on which the benefits of the cleaning apparatus are most apparent. The term “front” shall refer to the operator side of the apparatus. The term “rear” shall refer to the machine side of the apparatus, the rear or machine side being that side of the apparatus that is away from the operator. In operation, the apparatus straddles the reed of the weaving machine, with the front side of the apparatus facing the operator and the rear side of the apparatus facing away from the operator. 
     The apparatus could be operated by electric or hydraulic motors, but pneumatic motors are preferred due to the proximity of the apparatus to an air source (most likely, the weaving machine itself. The appropriate air pressure is determined by the speed at which the apparatus is to move along the reed and the motor torque required to turn the brushes against a selected reed, as based upon various reed constructions. A suitable range of air pressures being supplied to the apparatus is 15 to 150 pounds per square inch (gauge), with a preferred range of 20 to 80 p.s.i.g. 
     The cleaning apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is constructed around a vertically oriented support partition  5  positioned in substantially perpendicular relation between two vertically oriented end plates  7 ,  9 . The apparatus is powered by air from an external air supply (ideally, the loom itself). Air from the external air supply travels through a conventional air supply conduit (shown in phantom at  130  in FIGS. 1,  3 , and  4 ) to a centrally located, “quick-disconnect”-type air nipple  10 . From air nipple  10 , air flows through T-shaped connector  12  that directs the air into two separate streams: a first stream (that flows through on/off lever  14  and elbow joint  16  into air manifold  18 , as shown in FIG. 3) that is further divided into two streams through drive speed adjustment valve  29  and brush speed adjustment valve  30  (shown in FIG.  1 ); and a second stream (that flows through switch supply hose  20  and secondary supply hoses  22 ,  24  to three-way directional switch  26 , as shown in FIG. 2) that supplies air for activating the clamping action of clamping air cylinder  34 . Air from the second stream flows through directional switch  26  (FIG. 1) to clamping air cylinder  34  via hose assemblies  31 ,  32 . When pressurized air is supplied to the apparatus, air flows through directional switch  26 , which, when engaged, supplies air to clamping air cylinder  34 . That is, the clamping action of clamping air cylinder  34  is activated by the flow of air through directional switch  26 , and the flow of air into directional switch  26  is separate from the flow of air into on/off lever  14 . Thus, the clamping action secures the apparatus to reed  120  before lever  14  is pushed to the “on” position to begin cleaning operations. 
     In FIG. 1, connecting plate  1  is attached to a center portion of support partition  5 . Clamping air cylinder  34  is positioned directly below, and is attached to, connecting plate  1 . Clamping air cylinder  34  moves toward the face, or front portion, of reed  120  in order to apply sufficient pressure, via clamping arm  36  and clamping wheels  38 , to hold the cleaning apparatus in position against the face of reed  120 . This directional movement is activated by air flow from directional switch  26 . As mentioned above, clamping air cylinder  34  has hose assemblies  31 ,  32  that connect each of the portals of cylinder  34  with each of the portals of directional switch  26 . 
     Clamping air cylinder  34  includes clamping arm  36 , which is a horizontal member under which two clamping wheels  38  are positioned at either end. Clamping wheels  38  are in contact with the face of reed  120  directly above the tunnel portion of reed  120  and aid in maintaining the position of the apparatus on reed  120  as the apparatus moves across reed  120 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a view of the apparatus from the rear (i.e., from the machine side, rather than the operator, or front, side). Attached to support partition  5  is clamping roller mount  40 . Clamping roller mount  40  is mounted horizontally in a position parallel to the face of reed  120  and includes two rear stepped wheels  42  that are mounted to the underside of clamping roller mount  40 . Clamping roller mount  40  operates in conjunction with clamping air cylinder  34  (specifically, with clamping arm  36  and clamping wheels  38 ) to secure the apparatus to reed  120 ; air flowing through clamping air cylinder  34  forces clamping arm  36  against the face of reed  120 . Because the flow of air actuates a clamping action that continues during the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus remains in proper vertical alignment on reed  120  throughout the cleaning process. Without the cooperative relationship between clamping air cylinder  34  and clamping roller mount  40 , the tension on warp yarn sheet  122  would cause the apparatus to rise off of reed  120  during operation, thereby negatively impacting the efficient cleaning of reed  120  and effectively negating the cleaning of auxiliary air nozzles  124 . 
     Clamping wheels  38  (located on clamping air cylinder  34 ) and stepped wheels  42  (located on clamping roller mount  40 ) are free to rotate along the front and rear sides of reed  120 , respectively, with reed  120  assuming a functional role as a track along which the apparatus traverses. In addition to aiding in the movement of the apparatus, stepped wheels  42  provide a further benefit to the apparatus by aligning themselves with the upper edge of reed  120  and providing an additional stabilizing force for the apparatus. 
     Turning again to FIG. 1, front brush motor  50  is attached to support partition  5  by means of connecting plate  2 . Connecting plate  2  has an opening through which a screw is positioned, the position of the screw determining the tension on front drive chain  54 . (Front drive chain  54  is shown on the right side of the apparatus in FIG. 1.) Front brush motor  50  is connected to front brush shaft  52  by front drive chain  54  and a pair of sprockets (not shown), where a sprocket is located on one end of front brush motor  50  and a corresponding sprocket is located on one end of front brush shaft  52 . The preferred speed range for front brush motor  50  is 300 to 1100 revolutions per minute, with the setting based on the level of debris accumulation in reed  120  and the desired speed of the apparatus in traversing the loom. 
     Front brush shaft  52  is positioned through brush bearings (not shown), respectively positioned in both end plate  7  and end plate  9 . Bearings hold front brush shaft  52  in position within the apparatus, while allowing front brush shaft  52  to rotate and thereby turn corresponding brushes  55 . Front brush shaft  52  and front brushes  55  are shown in FIG.  3 . Corresponding rear brush shaft  82  and rear brushes  85  are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. 
     Brushes  55 ,  85  are attached to brush shafts  52 ,  82  in any conventional manner that will enable brushes  55 ,  85  to remain firmly attached to brush shafts  52 ,  82  and yet will enable brushes  55 ,  85  to rotate freely in order to clean. reed  120  and auxiliary air nozzles  124  (see FIG.  4 ). Brush guards positioned over the area where the brushes  55 ,  85  are connected to brush shafts  52 ,  82  protect brushes  55 ,  85  from incidental contact with reed  120  during operation. 
     Brushes  55 ,  85  can be made to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and should be set to rotate in opposite directions (i.e., counter-rotating). It is found to be especially effective to have front brush shaft  52  rotate in a counterclockwise direction while rear brush shaft  82  rotates in a clockwise direction. Because the bottom portion of the tunnel of reed  120  is generally more susceptible to accumulations of dirt, size, trimer, and the like, it is necessary to adjust the rotational motion of brushes  55 ,  85  to effect adequate penetration of the brush bristles into the tunnel. By setting brushes  55 ,  85  to counter-rotate, increased contact between brushes  55 ,  85  and reed  120  is achieved, and the motion of counter-rotation causes brushes  55 ,  85  to work in cooperation with one another, rather than in opposition to one another. FIG. 4 illustrates these brush settings and the spatial relationship of the apparatus within the loom. 
     Additional brush shafts having additional brushes could also be incorporated into the apparatus. For instance, a third brush shaft could be added, with that shaft being operably connected to front brush motor  50  and being positioned to clean certain portions of reed  120 . A fourth brush shaft, being operably connected to rear brush motor  80 , would include brushes positioned to clean other portions of reed  120 , if necessary. 
     Each yarn deflector bar  60 ,  70  (FIGS. 1,  2 ) is positioned parallel to support partition  5  and is attached to end plate  7  and end plate  9 . A rubber-coated wheel (shown at  62 ,  72 ) is attached to each end of each deflector bar  60 ,  70 , outboard of respective end plates  7 ,  9 . As depicted in FIG. 4, yarn deflector wheels  62 ,  72  push yarn sheet  122  downward in order to expose the reed tunnel and to allow the apparatus to effectively clean reed  120  and auxiliary air nozzles  124  without harm to yarn sheet  122 . The rubber coating on yarn deflector wheels  62 ,  72  prevents the entanglement, snagging, or breaking of the yarn sheet  122  as the apparatus moves along reed  120  and across yarn sheet  122 . Smaller yarn deflector wheels  62  are used on front yarn deflector bar  60 , because of space constraints associated with sleigh bar  126  of the loom. 
     Once pushed downward by wheels  62 ,  72 , yarn sheet  122  is held in a deflected orientation by the edge portions of yarn deflector bars  60 ,  70  which keep yarn sheet  122  from rising and thereby interfering with the operation of the apparatus. FIG. 1 shows that front yarn deflector bar  60  is positioned slightly below the level of front brush shaft  52  and also shows the comparative sizes of front yarn deflector wheels  62  and rear yarn deflector wheels  72 . Rear yarn deflector bar  70  (associated with rear yarn deflector wheels  72 ) is shown in FIG.  2 . 
     It is important to the operation of the apparatus that the tension of yarn sheet  122  not be reduced significantly. The tension of yarn sheet  122  prevents the individual yarns comprising yarn sheet  122  from being pushed out of lateral alignment by yarn deflector wheels  62 ,  72  and being broken or damaged. In the majority of weaving machines on which this apparatus is used effectively, no adjustments to yarn tension are required prior or subsequent to cleaning. It is anticipated, however, that on certain weaving machines having cammed harnesses, it may be necessary to slightly reduce the warp yarn tension in order to securely attach the apparatus to reed  120 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, rear brush motor  80  is located directly above the clamping roller mount  40  and is attached to support partitions by connecting plate  3 . Rear brush motor  80  powers rear brush shaft  82  by a pair of sprockets (not shown) and rear drive chain  84 . The operation of rear brush motor  80  is similar to that of front brush motor  50 , previously described, with the same preferred speed range. 
     Like front brush motor  50 , rear brush motor  80  is a pneumatic motor. Hose assembly  86  connects rear brush motor  80  with brush speed adjustment valve  30  (shown in FIG. 1) on the front of the apparatus. It is contemplated that alternative drive mechanisms could also be employed, such as belts, pulley systems, gears, and the like. 
     Pneumatic drive motor  90  is also shown in FIG.  2 . Drive motor  90  is fixedly attached to end plate  9 . Hose assembly  89  connects drive motor  90  with drive speed adjustment valve  29  (shown in FIG. 1) on the front of the apparatus. Drive speed adjustment valve  29  controls the rate at which the apparatus moves across the loom. The drive speed setting is based on levels of debris accumulation within reed  120 , the style of reed  120 , and the style of fabric being produced. A slower drive speed generally results in a more thorough cleaning of reed  120 . The apparatus can be operated as slowly as desired to produce efficient cleaning and includes the capability of pausing the apparatus at any point along reed  120  in order to more thoroughly clean a given area. The maximum practical rate of speed utilized in the cleaning process has been found to be approximately six feet per minute (6 ft/min). 
     The drive mechanism, or motive means, of the apparatus includes drive motor  90  and a winder drum  97  around which a portion of a length of drive cable  98  is wound. Opposite the hose assembly end of drive motor  90  is drive motor gear  91 . Drive motor gear  91  engages meshing gear  93  of a drive assembly. The drive assembly is located along drive assembly axle  92  (FIG. 3) and is comprised of combined meshing gear  93  and locking plate  94 , spring  95 , winder drum  97  having locking pin  96 , a length of drive cable  98  partially wrapped around drum  97 , and axle support plate  99 . Drive assembly axle  92  is connected to axle support plate  99  (FIGS. 2,  3 ) which is perpendicular to support partition  5  (FIGS. 3,  4 ). Axle support plate  99  is connected to end plate  9  by means of connecting plate  4  (FIGS. 3,  4 ) that is parallel to support partition  5 . 
     Meshing gear  93  and locking plate  94  are attached to one another. Meshing gear  93  is engaged by drive motor gear  91  of drive motor  90 . Locking plate  94  to which meshing gear  93  is attached has a circular opening off-center from drive assembly axle  92 , into which locking pin  96  is inserted. The relationship between locking plate  94  and locking pin  96  is characterized as that of a pin-and-groove construction, with locking plate  94  having a groove on the forward side of the aforementioned circular opening; locking pin  96  is initially inserted into the circular opening and is then rotated into a locked position in the groove. 
     Locking pin  96  is positioned on the outer rim portion of winder drum  97 . Winder drum  97  has flanges on either side, which have knurled edges to facilitate handling by an operator. Around winder drum  97  is wound a portion of drive cable  98 , the entire cable typically having a five- to fifteen-foot length, with the width of the loom being the primary consideration in determining the appropriate cable length. Drive cable  98  preferably is aircraft cable having a diameter of {fraction (3/32)} inch to ⅛ inch. Spring  95  is located between locking plate  94  and winder drum  97  along drive assembly axle  92 . Spring  95  holds winder drum  97  (and therefore locking pin  96 ) in a disengaged, or unlocked, position when the apparatus is not in use. Winder drum  97  provides a benefit in terms of safety: by requiring an operator to compress spring  95  and engage locking pin  96  prior to operation, accidental start-up, which might otherwise be caused by incidental contact, is prevented. In the unlocked position, an operator can pull a length of drive cable  98  from winder drum  97  and prepare the apparatus for operation. 
     Drive cable  98  leaves winder drum  97  in a vertical direction, and is turned into the horizontal direction needed for operation by guide pulley  100  positioned along the outer side of end plate  9  (see FIGS. 1,  2 ). Drive cable  98  then passes through end plate  9  and U-shaped reed guide  44  positioned directly along the inner side of end plate  9 . Reed guide  44 , which is mounted directly to support partition  5 , is made of a low-friction material and provides vertical alignment of the apparatus on reed  120 . Reed guide  46  is mounted on support partition  5  adjacent to end plate  7  and has the same physical and functional characteristics. The position of each reed guide  44 ,  46  along respective end plates  9 ,  7  is adjustable to ensure contact between front brushes  55  and the tunnel portion of reed  120 . Drive cable  98  passes through reed guide  46  and end plate  7 . 
     At the end of drive cable  98  is locking block  102  that is secured with ferrule  103 . Locking block  102  is fastened, via securing means such as a screw, to the end of reed  120  opposite the point from which the apparatus will begin to clean. Drive motor  90  turns drive and meshing gears  91 ,  93 , which in turn cause winder drum  97  to rotate. The rotation of winder drum  97  causes drive cable  98  to be taken up and the apparatus to be pulled across the width of reed  120 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of the reed and auxiliary air nozzle cleaning apparatus, as seen along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . FIG. 4 shows the position of the apparatus in relation to reed  120  and auxiliary air nozzle  124  of an air jet weaving machine. Reed  120  is cleaned by front brushes  55  and rear brushes  85  that contact the front and rear surfaces of reed  120 . Front brushes  55  are also in contact with auxiliary air nozzle  124 . Auxiliary air nozzles  124  are spaced across the width of the loom, and, therefore, are subject to the cleaning effect of front brushes  55  as the apparatus moves across the loom. 
     Operation 
     The weaving machine should be stopped prior to the commencement of cleaning. The harnesses of the weaving machine are arranged, most preferably, in an all-down position, or, alternatively, in an all-level position, to create space for the cleaning apparatus. 
     Each weaving machine has a cycle of motions that are associated with one revolution of the weaving machine motor; cycles are designated by degree markings with a complete cycle consisting of 360 degrees. For efficient operation of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, it is desirable to align reed  120  in the range of about 280° to 295° in relation to the operating cycle at the weaving machine. Most preferably, reed  120  should be aligned at about 290°. 
     The cleaning apparatus is rocked gently into position on one end of reed  120 , and an air supply conduit (shown in phantom at  130  in FIG. 1) is attached to the cleaning apparatus. Air flows into the apparatus and through directional switch  26 , which, when engaged, activates the clamping motion of clamping air cylinder  34  and secures the apparatus in position on reed  120 . Reed guides  44 ,  46  are checked to assure that they are in contact with the top portion of reed  120 . 
     Locking pin  96  is removed from the groove in locking plate  94 , causing winder drum  97  to be released from its locked position. A length of drive cable  98  is pulled from winder drum  97 . Locking block  102  is affixed to the opposite end of reed  120 , creating a length of drive cable  98  that is taken up as the apparatus moves across reed  120 . Winder drum  97  is then returned to the locked position by compressing spring  95  and inserting locking pin  96  into locking plate  94 . 
     A cleaning solution is applied manually to reed  120 . An alternative to applying the solution by hand is to incorporate into the apparatus one or more spray nozzles that automatically dispense such solution onto reed  120 . Any conventional cleaning solution capable of loosening the accumulations in the reed and lubricating the yarns to prevent breakage is acceptable for use. 
     On/off lever  14  is turned to the “on” position, thereby initiating the flow of air into pneumatic motors  50 ,  80 ,  90 . Drive motor  90  turns winder drum  97 , winder drum  97  takes up the slack length of drive cable  98 , and the apparatus is pulled across the width of reed  120 . As the apparatus moves across the weaving machine, brush motors  50 ,  80  cause brushes  55 ,  85  to counter-rotate, and thereby clean reed  120  and, where applicable, auxiliary air nozzles  124 . 
     When cleaning has been completed (i.e., the apparatus reaches the opposite end of reed  120 ), on/off lever  14  is turned to an “off” position, thus stopping air flow into pneumatic motors  50 ,  80 , and  90 . Directional switch  26  is returned to a disengaged position, thereby causing the clamping action of clamping air cylinder  34  and clamping roller mount  40  to be released. Locking block  102  is then detached from reed  120 . A rocking motion is used to remove the apparatus from reed  120 . 
     The fact that accumulations of dirt, size, lint, and the like have been brushed from the reed (and, in air jet weaving machines, from the auxiliary air nozzles) and deposited on the fabric is not problematic, because the fabric will be washed at a later point in the production process. With some fabric styles, it may be necessary to attach a nozzle to air supply conduit  130  and blow the dislodged debris away from reed  120  to prevent its reaccumulation in reed  120 . 
     Once the cleaning has been completed and the apparatus removed, reed  120  and the harnesses of the weaving machine are returned to their running configuration. The loom is restarted and its operating efficiency is restored.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3