Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses a heater provided in a false-twist texturing machine (textile machine) configured to perform false twisting of a running yarn. To be more specific, the heater includes a sheathed heater (heat source), a heating body (heating unit) extending in a predetermined extending direction, and a contact plate (yarn contacted member) which is attached to the heating unit and which is heated by the heat source. The yarn contacted member is provided with a yarn contacted surface curved to be reliably made contact with the yarn. With this arrangement, the yarn running while being in contact with the yarn contacted surface is heated by means of heat conduction.

Further relevant information can also be found in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

The specifications (to be more specific, a suitable curvature of a yarn path formed by the yarn contacted surface) of the above-described heater may vary mainly because of the layout of the textile machine forming the yarn path. Traditionally, a yarn contacted member is processed in advance based on the specifications of a heater so that a yarn path has a suitable curvature. Therefore, production cost is high.

An object of the present invention is to achieve the reduction in production cost of a yarn contacted member applied to a heater.

A heater according to a first aspect of the invention is configured to heat a running yarn, and includes: a heat source; a heating unit which extends in a predetermined extending direction and which is heated by the heat source; a yarn contacted member which has a yarn contacted surface, which extends at least in the extending direction, and which is heated by the heating unit, the yarn making contact with the yarn contacted surface; and an attaching portion which includes the heating unit and to which the yarn contacted member is attached. In this regard, the yarn contacted surface extends at least in the extending direction and is oriented at least to one side in a predetermined height direction orthogonal to the extending direction. This heater further includes an elastic deformation holding unit configured to hold the yarn contacted member attached to the attaching portion while elastically deforming the yarn contacted member viewed in a width direction orthogonal to the extending direction and the height direction. When the yarn contacted member is elastically deformed and held by the elastic deformation holding unit, a cross sectional curve in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction of the yarn contacted member has a predetermined curvature.

According to this aspect, the cross sectional curve of the yarn contacted surface has a predetermined curvature in such a way that the elastic deformation holding unit holds the yarn contacted member which is attached to the attaching portion while being elastically deformed. In other words, even when the yarn contacted member is produced to linearly extend and is attached to the heater, the yarn contacted surface has a desired shape only in such a way that the yarn contacted member is elastically deformed. With this arrangement, the production cost of the yarn contacted member is reduced as compared to a case where the yarn contacted member is processed based on the specifications of the heater. It is therefore possible to achieve the reduction in production cost of the yarn contacted member applied to the heater.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the heater of the first aspect is arranged such that the elastic deformation holding unit is configured to hold the yarn contacted member so that the yarn contacted member is attachable to and detachable from the attaching portion.

Typically, a member with which the running yarn makes contact is cleaned according to need. In this regard, the heater may be provided at a position higher than the stature of an operator who cleans the member. Therefore, when the yarn contacted member cannot be detached from the attaching portion, the cleaning of the member may be difficult depending on the position of the heater. The present invention makes it possible to detach the yarn contacted member from the attaching portion at the time of cleaning. It is therefore possible to improve the work efficiency in cleaning of the yarn contacted member, irrespective of the position of the heater.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the heater of the second aspect is arranged such that an attachment-detachment path through which the yarn contacted member is able to pass in the height direction at the time of attachment and detachment of the yarn contacted member is formed in the attaching portion.

For example, the yarn contacted member may be attached to and detached from the attaching portion by being inserted in and pulled out from the attaching portion in the extending direction. In this case, however, a long space provided for the attachment and detachment of the yarn contacted member is required at a position adjacent to the heater in the extending direction. This puts a large limit on the layout of the heater and its surroundings. According to this aspect, the yarn contacted member is attachable to and detachable from the attaching portion by moving the yarn contacted member in the height direction. In this case, the above-described long space at the position adjacent to the heater in the extending direction is not required. It is therefore possible to suppress the occurrence of disadvantages such as the limit on the layout of the heater and its surroundings.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the heater of any one of the first to third aspects is arranged such that the elastic deformation holding unit includes: a first force portion configured to apply the force toward one side in the height direction to a first part of the yarn contacted member attached to the attaching portion, the first part being at a predetermined position in the extending direction; a second force portion configured to apply the force toward the other side in the height direction to a second part of the yarn contacted member attached to the attaching portion, the second part being provided on one side in the extending direction as compared to the first part; and a third force portion configured to apply the force toward the other side in the height direction to a third part of the yarn contacted member attached to the attaching portion, the third part being provided on the other side in the extending direction as compared to the first part.

According to this aspect, the force toward one side in the height direction is applied to a part of the yarn contacted member in the extending direction. Relative to this part, one part of the yarn contacted member is provided on one side in the extending direction and another part of the yarn contacted member is provided on the other side in the extending direction. The force toward the other side in the height direction is applied to these two parts. With this arrangement, the yarn contacted member is warped. It is therefore possible to elastically deform the yarn contacted member with a simple structure.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the heater of the fourth aspect is arranged such that the first force portion includes a first regulatory portion which is provided on the other side in the height direction as compared to the first part and which is configured to regulate the movement of the first part toward the other side in the height direction, the second force portion includes a second regulatory portion which is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to the second part and which is configured to regulate the movement of the second part toward one side in the height direction, and the third force portion includes a third regulatory portion which is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to the third part and which is configured to regulate the movement of the third part toward one side in the height direction.

According to this aspect, the force toward one side in the height direction is applied to the first part on account of the law of action and reaction in such a way that the first regulatory portion regulates the movement of the first part toward the other side in the height direction. The force toward the other side in the height direction is applied to the second part and the third part on account of the law of action and reaction in such a way that the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion regulate the movement of the second part and third part toward one side in the height direction. It is therefore possible to elastically deform the yarn contacted member with a simple structure.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the heater of the fifth aspect is arranged such that, when each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is viewed in the height direction, the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is movable between a retracted position which does not overlap the yarn contacted member and an overlapping position which overlaps the yarn contacted member.

According to this aspect, when the yarn contacted member is to be attached to the attaching portion, the yarn contacted member is attached to the attaching portion in such a simple way that (i) the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is temporarily moved to the retracted position and then (ii) the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is moved back to the overlapping position while the yarn contacted member is warped. When the yarn contacted member is attachable to and detachable from the attaching portion, the yarn contacted member is detached from the attaching portion in such a simple way that the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is temporarily moved to the retracted position.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the heater of the sixth aspect further includes a biasing portion configured to bias the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion from the retracted position to the overlapping position.

This suppresses the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion from being unintentionally moved from the overlapping position to the retracted position.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the heater of the sixth or seventh aspect further includes a swing axis configured to swingably support the each of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion.

The second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion may be movable in a parallel manner. In this case, however, a large space is required for the movement of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion. According to this aspect, for example, when the yarn contacted member is to be attached to the attaching portion in the production of the heater (or when the yarn contacted member which is attachable to and detachable from the attaching portion is to be detached from the attaching portion), a space required for the movement of the second regulatory portion and the third regulatory portion is downsized.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the heater of any one of the fifth to eighth aspects is arranged such that the position of at least one of the first regulatory portion, the second regulatory portion, and the third regulatory portion is changeable with respect to the attaching portion in at least one of the extending direction and the height direction.

According to this aspect, the curvature of the cross sectional curve of the yarn contacted surface is adjustable according to need even after the heater is set.

The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the sheet of <FIG> will be referred to as a base longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the left-right direction of the sheet of <FIG> will be referred to as a base width direction. Hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction and the base width direction will be referred to as an up-down direction (vertical direction) in which the gravity acts.

The following will describe the overall structure of a false-twist texturing machine <NUM> including a first heater <NUM> (heater of the present invention: details thereof will be described later) of the present embodiment, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a profile of the false-twist texturing machine <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the false-twist texturing machine <NUM>, expanded along paths of yarns Y (yarn paths).

The false-twist texturing machine <NUM> is able to perform false twisting of yarns Y (to false-twist yarns Y) made of synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester). Each yarn Y is, e.g., a multi-filament yarn formed of filaments. Alternatively, each yarn Y may be formed of a single filament. The false-twist texturing machine <NUM> includes a yarn supplying unit <NUM>, a processing unit <NUM>, and a winding unit <NUM>. The yarn supplying unit <NUM> is able to supply yarns Y. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to pull out the yarns Y from the yarn supplying unit <NUM>, and to false-twist the yarns Y. The winding unit <NUM> is configured to wind the yarns Y processed by the processing unit <NUM> onto winding bobbins Bw. Components of the yarn supplying unit <NUM>, the processing unit <NUM>, and the winding unit <NUM> are aligned to form plural lines (see <FIG>) in the base longitudinal direction. The base longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to a running plane (plane of <FIG>) of the yarns Y. The running plane of the yarns Y is formed of the yarn paths extending from the yarn supplying unit <NUM> to the winding unit <NUM> through the processing unit <NUM>.

The yarn supplying unit <NUM> includes a creel stand <NUM> retaining yarn supply packages Ps, and is configured to supply the yarns Y to the processing unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to pull out the yarns Y from the yarn supplying unit <NUM>, and to process the yarns Y. In the processing unit <NUM>, the following members are provided in this order from the upstream side in a yarn running direction: each first feed roller <NUM>; each twist-stopping guide <NUM>; each first heater <NUM>; each cooler <NUM>; each false-twisting device <NUM>; each second feed roller <NUM>; each interlacing device <NUM>; each third feed roller <NUM>; a second heater <NUM>; and each fourth feed roller <NUM>. The winding unit <NUM> includes winding devices <NUM>. Each winding device <NUM> is configured to wind a yarn Y for which the false twisting has been performed by the processing unit <NUM> onto a winding bobbin Bw, and to form a wound package Pw.

The false-twist texturing machine <NUM> includes a main frame <NUM> and a winding base <NUM> which are spaced apart from each other in the base width direction. The main frame <NUM> and the winding base <NUM> are substantially identical in length in the base longitudinal direction. The main frame <NUM> and the winding base <NUM> oppose each other in the base width direction. The false-twist texturing machine <NUM> includes units termed spans each of which includes a pair of the main frame <NUM> and the winding base <NUM>. In one span, each device is placed so that the false twisting is simultaneously performable for the yarns Y running while being aligned in the base longitudinal direction. In the false-twist texturing machine <NUM>, the spans are placed in a left-right symmetrical manner to the sheet, with a center line C of the base width direction of the main frame <NUM> as a symmetry axis. (That is, the main frame <NUM> is shared between the left span and the right span. ) The spans are aligned in the base longitudinal direction.

The following will describe the structure of the processing unit <NUM> with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Each first feed roller <NUM> is configured to unwind a yarn Y from one yarn supply package Ps attached to the yarn supplying unit <NUM>, and to send the yarn Y to one first heater <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each first feed roller <NUM> is configured to send, e.g., a single yarn Y to the first heater <NUM>. Alternatively, each first feed roller <NUM> may be able to send plural adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. Each twist-stopping guide <NUM> prevents twisting, which is applied to a yarn Y by one later-described false-twisting device <NUM>, from being propagated to the upstream of each twist-stopping guide <NUM> in the yarn running direction.

Each first heater <NUM> is configured to increase the temperature of yarns Y sent from some first feed rollers <NUM> to a predetermined processing temperature. As shown in <FIG>, each first heater <NUM> is able to heat, e.g., two yarns Y. Below the first heater <NUM>, there is a working space S (see <FIG>) provided for an operator to perform yarn threading, etc. Each first heater <NUM> will be detailed later.

Each cooler <NUM> is configured to cool a yarn Y heated by one first heater <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each cooler <NUM> is configured to cool, e.g., a single yarn Y. Alternatively, the cooler <NUM> may be able to simultaneously cool plural yarns Y. Each false-twisting device <NUM> is provided downstream of one cooler <NUM> in the yarn running direction, and configured to twist a yarn Y. Each false-twisting device <NUM> is, e.g., a so-called disc-friction false-twisting device. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. Each second feed roller <NUM> is configured to send a yarn Y processed by one false-twisting device <NUM> to one interlacing device <NUM>. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each second feed roller <NUM> is higher than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each first feed roller <NUM>. Because of this, the yarn Y is therefore drawn and false-twisted between each first feed roller <NUM> and each second feed roller <NUM>.

Each interlacing device <NUM> is configured to interlace a yarn Y. Each interlacing device <NUM> has, e.g., a known interlace nozzle configured to interlace the yarn Y by means of an airflow.

Each third feed roller <NUM> is configured to send, to the second heater <NUM>, a yarn Y running on the downstream side of one interlacing device <NUM> in the yarn running direction. As shown in <FIG>, each third feed roller <NUM> is configured to send, e.g., a single yarn Y to the second heater <NUM>. Alternatively, each third feed roller <NUM> may be able to send plural adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each third feed roller <NUM> is lower than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each second feed roller <NUM>. The yarn Y is therefore relaxed between each second feed roller <NUM> and each third feed roller <NUM>. The second heater <NUM> is configured to heat yarns Y sent from some third feed rollers <NUM>. The second heater <NUM> extends along the vertical direction, and is provided for each of the spans. Each fourth feed roller <NUM> is configured to send a yarn Y heated by the second heater <NUM> to one winding device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each fourth feed roller <NUM> is able to send, e.g., a single yarn Y to the winding device <NUM>. Alternatively, each fourth feed roller <NUM> may be able to send plural adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each fourth feed roller <NUM> is lower than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each third feed roller <NUM>. The yarn Y is therefore relaxed between each third feed roller <NUM> and each fourth feed roller <NUM>.

In the processing unit <NUM> arranged as described above, each yarn Y drawn between the first feed roller <NUM> and the second feed roller <NUM> is twisted by the false-twisting device <NUM>. The twist formed by the false-twisting device <NUM> propagates to the twist-stopping guide <NUM>, but does not propagate to the upstream side of the twist-stopping guide <NUM> in the yarn running direction. The yarn Y which is twisted and drawn is heated by the first heater <NUM> and thermally set. After that, the yarn Y is cooled by the cooler <NUM>. The yarn Y is untwisted on the downstream side of the false-twisting device <NUM> in the yarn running direction. However, the yarn Y is maintained to be wavy in shape on account of the thermal setting described above (i.e., crimp contraction of the yarn Y is maintained).

After being false-twisted, the yarn Y is interlaced by the interlacing device <NUM> while being relaxed between the second feed roller <NUM> and the third feed roller <NUM>. The yarn Y is then guided to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. Furthermore, the yarn Y is thermally set by the second heater <NUM> while being relaxed between the third feed roller <NUM> and the fourth feed roller <NUM>. Finally, the yarn Y which is sent from the fourth feed roller <NUM> is wound by the winding device <NUM>.

The following will describe the structure of the winding unit <NUM> with reference to <FIG>. The winding unit <NUM> includes plural winding devices <NUM>. Each winding device <NUM> is able to wind one yarn Y onto one winding bobbin Bw. The winding device <NUM> includes a fulcrum guide <NUM>, a traverse unit <NUM>, and a cradle <NUM>. The fulcrum guide <NUM> is a guide functioning as a fulcrum when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse unit <NUM> is able to traverse the yarn Y by means of a traverse guide <NUM>. The cradle <NUM> is configured to rotatably support the winding bobbin Bw. A contact roller <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the cradle <NUM>. The contact roller <NUM> is configured to make contact with a surface of one wound package Pw so as to apply a contact pressure to the surface of the wound package Pw. In the winding unit <NUM> arranged as above, the yarn Y sent from the above-described fourth feed roller <NUM> is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw by the winding device <NUM> so that the wound package Pw is formed.

The following will detail each first heater <NUM> with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows one first heater <NUM> viewed in the base longitudinal direction. <FIG> illustrates the first heater <NUM> extending along the left-right direction of the sheet of <FIG> is a cross section of the first heater <NUM>, which is taken along a direction orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction. <FIG> illustrates a yarn contacted surface <NUM> (described later) of a yarn contacted member <NUM> (described later). <FIG> is an enlarged view of a left end part of <FIG> is an enlarged view of one end of the yarn contacted member <NUM> of the first heater <NUM> in an extending direction. <FIG> is a cross section taken along a line III(e)-III(e) in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> viewed along an arrow IV(a) in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross section taken along a line IV(b)-IV(b) in <FIG>.

For the sake of convenience, hereinafter, the left-right direction of the sheet of each of <FIG> will be referred to as the extending direction in which the first heater <NUM> extends. In this regard, the extending direction is orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction. The left side of the sheet of each of <FIG> is defined as one side in the extending direction, and the right side of the sheet of each of <FIG> is defined as the other side in the extending direction. Hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction and the extending direction will be referred to as a height direction. The lower side of the sheet of each of <FIG> and <FIG> is defined as one side in the height direction, and the upper side of the sheet of each of <FIG> and <FIG> is defined as the other side in the height direction. Although not illustrated, these descriptions and definitions of the directions are also applied to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> described later. In the first heater <NUM>, specifically, one side in the height direction is close to the working space S (see <FIG>) as compared to the other side in the height direction. Hereinafter, one side in the height direction may be referred to as the "working space S side". Furthermore, the other side in the height direction may be referred to as the "opposite side from the working space S". Hereinafter, the base longitudinal direction may be referred to as a width direction (see <FIG>, <FIG>). The width direction is orthogonal to the extending direction and the height direction.

The first heater <NUM> is configured to heat at least one running yarn Y. In the present embodiment, the first heater <NUM> is able to heat, e.g., two yarns Y (yarns YA and YB: see <FIG>). The first heater <NUM> includes two heating units <NUM> (heating units 41A and 41B: an attaching portion of the present invention), a heat source <NUM>, and two yarn contacted members <NUM> (yarn contacted members 43A and 43B). The first heater <NUM> is structured so that (i) the heat source <NUM> heats the yarn contacted members 43A and 43B attached to the respective heating units 41A and 41B and (ii) the running yarns YA and YB are allowed to make contact with the respective yarn contacted members 43A and 43B. With this arrangement, the yarns YA and YB are heated.

Each heating unit <NUM> (attaching portion of the present invention) is heated by the heat source <NUM>. Each heating unit <NUM> is configured to transfer heat, which is generated by the heat source <NUM>, to a corresponding yarn contacted member <NUM> mainly by means of heat conduction. Each heating unit <NUM> linearly extends along the extending direction. The length of each heating unit <NUM> in a predetermined direction is, e.g., <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. When viewed in the extending direction as shown in <FIG>, the heating units 41A and 41B are provided to sandwich the heat source <NUM> in a symmetrical manner. Although not illustrated, when viewed in the extending direction, a heat insulation member (not illustrated) is provided to surround each heating unit <NUM>. Each heating unit <NUM> (heating unit 41A, 41B) includes, e.g., a first heating member <NUM> (first heating member 54A, 54B) and a second heating member <NUM> (second heating member 55A, 55B). Each first heating member <NUM> and each second heating member <NUM> may be made of the same material (e.g., brass). Alternatively, each first heating member <NUM> and each second heating member <NUM> may be made of different materials.

Each first heating member <NUM> is, e.g., substantially rectangular in shape (see <FIG>) in a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction. In this cross section, for example, each first heating member <NUM> is long in the height direction. Each first heating member <NUM> is in contact with the heat source <NUM>. A contact surface between each first heating member <NUM> and the heat source <NUM> is in accordance with the outer shape of the heat source <NUM>. The first heating members 54A and 54B are provided to be adjacent to each other in the width direction. The first heating members 54A and 54B are provided to surround the heat source <NUM>.

Each second heating member <NUM> is, e.g., substantially L-shaped (see <FIG>) in a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction. In this cross section, for example, each second heating member <NUM> is relatively long in the height direction. In this cross section, a part of each second heating member <NUM> on the other side in the height direction protrudes in the width direction toward a corresponding first heating member <NUM> belonging to the same heating unit <NUM>. Each second heating member <NUM> is provided to be adjacent to a corresponding first heating member <NUM> belonging to the same heating unit <NUM> in the width direction. In each second heating member <NUM>, the above-described part protruding in the width direction is in contact with a corresponding first heating member <NUM>. In the width direction, a housing space <NUM> (housing space 56A, 56B) is formed between each first heating member <NUM> and each second heating member <NUM>. Each housing space <NUM> is open on one side (the working space S side) in the height direction. In a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction, for example, each housing space <NUM> is long in the height direction and substantially rectangular in shape. Each housing space <NUM> (attachment-detachment path of the present invention) is provided for housing a corresponding yarn contacted member <NUM>. For example, each housing space <NUM> may be provided with an unillustrated lid which is openable and closeable and which is provided on the working space S side in the height direction of the heating unit <NUM>.

Each first heating member <NUM> and each second heating member <NUM> may be shaped differently from above. Alternatively, each heating unit <NUM> may not include a corresponding first heating member <NUM> and a corresponding second heating member <NUM> but may include a single heating member (not illustrated). For example, this heating member may be formed in such a way that a solid rod member is cut to be shaped as a combination of the shape of the first heating member <NUM> and that of the second heating member <NUM>.

In the extending direction, cover members <NUM> are provided at both ends of each heating unit <NUM> and its surroundings so as to surround a part of each heating unit <NUM>. Each cover member <NUM> is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the extending direction. Each cover member <NUM> is open on one side (the working space S side) in the height direction.

The heat source <NUM> is configured to heat each yarn contacted member <NUM> through each heating unit <NUM>. The heat source <NUM> is, e.g., a known sheathed heater (electric heater). The sheathed heater includes a heating wire (such as a coil) and a pipe surrounding the heating wire. The sheathed heater is configured to generate Joule heat when an electrical current flows in the heating wire. The heat source <NUM> extends along the extending direction (see <FIG>). The heat source <NUM> is provided to be surrounded by the heating units <NUM>.

Each yarn contacted member <NUM> (yarn contacted member 43A, 43B) is attached to a corresponding heating unit <NUM>. Each yarn contacted member <NUM> is heated by a corresponding heating unit <NUM> (a first heating member <NUM> and a second heating member <NUM>). Each yarn contacted member <NUM> is formed in such a way that, e.g., a stainless steel (SUS) member is cut and processed. Each yarn contacted member <NUM> extends at least in the extending direction. The yarn contacted members 43A and 43B are housed in the respective housing spaces 56A and 56B. Each yarn contacted member <NUM> is provided to be in contact with a corresponding heating unit <NUM>. An inner part of each yarn contacted member <NUM> in the width direction is provided with a yarn contacted surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) which is oriented at least to one side (the working space S side) in the height direction and with which a yarn Y makes contact. For example, each yarn contacted surface <NUM> is curved so that (i) its both end portions in the extending direction are provided on the other side in the height direction as compared to the remaining parts of each yarn contacted surface <NUM> and (ii) its center portion is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to the remaining parts of each yarn contacted surface <NUM>. With this arrangement, a curve <NUM> (see <FIG>) in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction of each yarn contacted surface <NUM> (hereinafter, this curve will be referred to as the cross sectional curve <NUM>) has a predetermined curvature. A pair of regulatory walls <NUM> configured to regulate the movement of a yarn Y in the width direction are provided outside the both end portions of each yarn contacted surface <NUM> in the width direction. In each yarn contacted member <NUM>, a yarn path for the yarn Y to run is formed by the yarn contacted surface <NUM> and the regulatory walls <NUM>.

In the false-twist texturing machine <NUM>, (i) the positional relationship between the first heater <NUM> and the twist-stopping guide <NUM> and (ii) the positional relationship between the first heater <NUM> and the cooler <NUM> are appropriately arranged so that running yarns Y reliably make contact with the respective yarn contacted surfaces <NUM>. In this regard, a predetermined tension is applied to each yarn Y. With this arrangement, force is applied to each yarn Y so as to move each yarn Y toward a corresponding yarn contacted surface <NUM> in the height direction. It is therefore possible to prevent each yarn Y from moving away from a corresponding yarn contacted surface <NUM>.

In the first heater <NUM> arranged as described above, the heat generated by the heat source <NUM> is transferred to each yarn contacted member <NUM> through each heating unit <NUM> (a first heating member <NUM> and a second heating member <NUM>). With this arrangement, each yarn contacted member <NUM> is heated so that a yarn Y in contact with the yarn contacted surface <NUM> of each yarn contacted member <NUM> is heated (in a contact manner).

The specifications (to be more specific, a suitable curvature of a yarn contacted surface) of the first heater <NUM> may vary mainly because of the layout of the false-twist texturing machine <NUM> forming each yarn path. In a traditional heater (not illustrated), a yarn contacted member (not illustrated) is processed in advance based on the specifications of the heater so that each yarn path has a suitable curvature. Therefore, production cost of the yarn contacted member (not illustrated) is high. In order to achieve the reduction in production cost of each yarn contacted member <NUM>, the first heater <NUM> of the present embodiment is structured as described below.

The following will describe the specific structure of each first heater <NUM> with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of later-described warping units <NUM> (a first force portion and a first regulatory portion of the present invention). Each of <FIG> shows a later-described hook unit <NUM> viewed from one side in the extending direction. Each of <FIG> shows a later-described hook unit <NUM> viewed from the other side in the extending direction. The up-down direction of the sheet of each of <FIG> is in parallel to the height direction. The left-right direction of the sheet of each of <FIG> is in parallel to the width direction. Each of <FIG> shows the hook units <NUM> and <NUM> viewed in the width direction (base longitudinal direction). In the following explanation, a reference position is set at a position where a later-described warping unit 61C (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is provided in the extending direction. In <FIG>, for example, the left side of the warping unit 61C in the sheet is defined as one side in the extending direction, and the right side of the warping unit 61C in the sheet is defined as the other side in the extending direction.

The following describes only a structure (to be more specific, a structure shown in a right part of the sheet of <FIG>) provided for heating one of two yarns Y in the first heater <NUM>. This structure provided for heating one of two yarns Y is the same as a structure provided for heating the other of two yarns Y. Therefore, the explanation of the structure provided for heating the other of two yarns Y is omitted.

To begin with, a yarn contacted member <NUM> of the present embodiment is structured as described below. As a matter of course, before the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to a heating unit <NUM>, no external force is applied to the yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM>. At this time, the yarn contacted member <NUM> extends to be substantially linear (e.g., see two-dot chain lines of <FIG>). In this regard, a yarn contacted surface <NUM> also extends to be substantially linear in a direction in which the yarn contacted member <NUM> extends. The yarn contacted member <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the heating unit <NUM> as described later.

As shown in <FIG>, the first heater <NUM> further includes an elastic deformation holding unit <NUM> configured to hold the yarn contacted member <NUM> so that the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the heating unit <NUM>. The elastic deformation holding unit <NUM> is configured to hold the yarn contacted member <NUM>, which is attached to the heating unit <NUM>, while elastically deforming the yarn contacted member <NUM> (as described later). The elastic deformation holding unit <NUM> includes, e.g., the warping units <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), the hook unit <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), and the hook unit <NUM> (see <FIG>, and <FIG>). The warping units <NUM>, the hook unit <NUM>, and the hook unit <NUM> are attached to the heating unit <NUM>. The warping units <NUM>, the hook unit <NUM>, and the hook unit <NUM> are configured to elastically deform the yarn contacted member <NUM> and to keep the yarn contacted member <NUM> elastically deformed.

The warping units <NUM> are in contact with some parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction, and configured to regulate the movement of the yarn contacted member <NUM> toward the other side (opposite side from the working space S) in the height direction. The warping units <NUM> are provided on the other side (opposite side from the working space S) in the height direction as compared to the yarn contacted member <NUM>. Each warping unit <NUM> is a bolt-shaped member extending in the width direction as shown in, e.g., <FIG>. Each warping unit <NUM> may be, e.g., a known full-dog point set bolt. For the sake of convenience, a direction in which each warping unit <NUM> extends will be referred to as a bolt axial direction. Each warping unit <NUM> has, e.g., a head <NUM>, a male screw portion <NUM>, and a leading end portion <NUM>. The head <NUM> is provided on the most base end side in the bolt axial direction of each warping unit <NUM>. The male screw portion <NUM> is a part of each warping unit <NUM>, which is provided immediately on the leading end side of the head <NUM> in the bolt axial direction and at which a male screw is formed. The male screw portion <NUM> is screwed to, e.g., a female screw portion formed at a second heating member <NUM>. With this arrangement, each warping unit <NUM> is fixed to the second heating member <NUM> of the heating unit <NUM>. The leading end portion <NUM> is a part of each warping unit <NUM>, which is provided immediately on the leading end side of the male screw portion <NUM> in the bolt axial direction and at which no screw is formed. The leading end portion <NUM> is provided to overlap, e.g., a housing space <NUM> in the width direction. With this arrangement, the leading end portion <NUM> is able to make contact with a part of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction. For example, the warping unit 61C (see <FIG> and <FIG>) provided substantially at the center of the first heater <NUM> in the extending direction is in contact with a first part 43f (see <FIG>; indicated by broken lines in <FIG>) of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. The first part 43f of the yarn contacted member <NUM> is provided at the center (predetermined position of the present invention) of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction. With this arrangement, the warping units <NUM> regulate the movement of some parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> which include the first part 43f toward the other side in the height direction (i.e., some parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction: hereinafter, these parts will be simply referred to as inner parts for the sake of convenience).

In the present embodiment, each warping unit <NUM> is fixed to the second heating member <NUM> as described above. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. Each warping unit <NUM> may be fixed to, e.g., a first heating member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, for example, the warping units <NUM> are spaced apart from one another in the extending direction. The positions of each two adjacent warping units <NUM> are slightly different in the height direction so that the cross sectional curve <NUM> of a yarn contacted surface <NUM> has a predetermined curvature. In the present embodiment, each warping unit <NUM> is immovable with respect to the heating unit <NUM>.

The hook unit <NUM> is configured to regulate the movement of a second part <NUM> (see the hatched part in <FIG>) of the yarn contacted member <NUM> toward one side (the working space S side) in the height direction. The second part <NUM> of the yarn contacted member <NUM> is provided on one side in the extending direction as compared to the first part 43f of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. The second part <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on one side in the extending direction. This end portion of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on one side in the extending direction indicates, e.g., a part of (or all of) an area ranging from an end face of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on one side in the extending direction to a part which is distant from the end face by <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The hook unit <NUM> is configured to hold the yarn contacted member <NUM> so that the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the heating unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the hook unit <NUM> includes a swing member <NUM>, a swing axis <NUM> extending along the extending direction, and a torsion coil spring <NUM>. As the swing member <NUM> swings about the swing axis <NUM>, the movement of the second part <NUM> toward one side in the height direction is regulated or allowed.

The swing member <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) is swingably attached to the heating unit <NUM> through the swing axis <NUM>. The swing member <NUM> is formed by, e.g., processing a sheet metal. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the swing member <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM>, a stopper <NUM>, and a handle <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> is a plate provided with an insertion hole (not illustrated) into which the swing axis <NUM> is inserted.

The stopper <NUM> is a plate extending at least radially outward of the swing axis <NUM> from the base portion <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> has a claw-shaped contact portion 85b (a second force portion and a second regulatory portion of the present invention) provided with a contact surface 85a which is able to make contact with one end portion of the second part <NUM> of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the height direction. In the height direction, this end portion of the second part <NUM> is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to its the other end. To be more specific, the contact surface 85a is able to make contact with one end of one regulatory wall <NUM> in the height direction. In the height direction, this end of the regulatory wall <NUM> is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to its the other end. The contact portion 85b is movable between an overlapping position (see <FIG>) which overlaps the yarn contacted member <NUM> when viewed in the height direction and a retracted position (see <FIG>) which does not overlap the yarn contacted member <NUM> when viewed in the height direction. Strictly speaking, the contact portion 85b (the hatched part in <FIG>) extends from the contact surface 85a toward one side in the height direction when the contact portion 85b is at the overlapping position (i.e., when the contact surface 85a is in contact with the second part <NUM>). As moving from the retracted position to the overlapping position, the stopper <NUM> makes contact with a part of one end face of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the width direction so that swinging of the stopper <NUM> is regulated by the yarn contacted member <NUM>. When the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to, e.g., the heating unit <NUM>, the contact surface 85a is provided on the other side in the height direction as compared to an end of the first part 43f on one side in the height direction.

At one end portion of the contact portion 85b in the height direction, an inclined surface 85c (see <FIG>) oriented at least toward one side in the height direction is provided. In the height direction, this end portion of the contact portion 85b is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to the other end portion of the contact portion 85b. The inclined surface 85c overlaps a part of the housing space <NUM> in the width direction. When viewed in the extending direction, the inclined surface 85c is inclined, e.g., toward the center of the housing space <NUM> in the width direction and toward the other side in the height direction.

The handle <NUM> extends from, e.g., the stopper <NUM> toward one side in the extending direction. An operator can pinch and use the handle <NUM> by hand. The handle <NUM> is provided with, e.g., a fitting hole 86a to which a first arm 83a (described later) of the torsion coil spring <NUM> is fitted.

The swing axis <NUM> is fixed to an end portion of the heating unit <NUM> on one side in the extending direction. The swing axis <NUM> is, e.g., provided on the other side (opposite side from the working space S) in the height direction as compared to the housing space <NUM>. The swing axis <NUM> is configured to swingably support the swing member <NUM>. The axial direction of the swing axis <NUM> is substantially in parallel to, e.g., the extending direction. To the swing axis <NUM>, the torsion coil spring <NUM> is attached.

The torsion coil spring <NUM> is configured to bias the swing member <NUM> (including the contact portion 85b) so that the swing member <NUM> moves from the retracted position to the overlapping position. The torsion coil spring <NUM> is attached to the swing axis <NUM>. At one end portion of the torsion coil spring <NUM>, the first arm 83a is formed. At the other end portion of the torsion coil spring <NUM>, a second arm 83b is formed. The first arm 83a is fitted to, e.g., the fitting hole 86a of the handle <NUM> and swingable with the swing member <NUM>. The second arm 83b is fixed to, e.g., the cover member <NUM> not to be swingable about the swing axis <NUM>. The torsion coil spring <NUM> is included in a biasing portion of the present invention.

The hook unit <NUM> is configured to regulate the movement of a third part 43t (see the hatched part in <FIG>) of the yarn contacted member <NUM> toward one side (the working space S side) in the height direction. The third part 43t is provided on the other side in the extending direction as compared to the first part 43f of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. The third part 43t is provided at an end portion of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on the other side in the extending direction. The end portion of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on the other side in the extending direction indicates, e.g., a part of (or all of) an area ranging from an end face of the yarn contacted member <NUM> on the other side in the extending direction to a part which is distant from the end face by <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The hook unit <NUM> is configured to hold the yarn contacted member <NUM> so that the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the heating unit <NUM>. Simply put, the hook units <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in a symmetrical manner when viewed in the width direction. Therefore, the hook unit <NUM> is not detailed. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook unit <NUM> includes a swing member <NUM>, a swing axis <NUM> extending along, e.g., the extending direction, and a torsion coil spring <NUM>.

The swing member <NUM> corresponds to the swing member <NUM>. The swing member <NUM> is swingably attached to the heating unit <NUM> through the swing axis <NUM>. For example, the swing member <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM>, a stopper <NUM>, and a handle <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> has a claw-shaped contact portion 95b (a third force portion and a third regulatory portion of the present invention) provided with a contact surface 95a which is able to make contact with one end portion of the third part 43t of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the height direction. In the height direction, this end portion of the third part 43t is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to its the other end portion. The contact portion 95b is movable between an overlapping position (see <FIG>) which overlaps the yarn contacted member <NUM> when viewed in the height direction and a retracted position (see <FIG>) which does not overlap the yarn contacted member <NUM> when viewed in the height direction. Strictly speaking, the contact portion 95b (the hatched part in <FIG>) extends from the contact surface 95a toward one side in the height direction when the contact portion 95b is at the overlapping position (i.e., when the contact surface 95a is in contact with the third part 43t). When the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to, e.g., the heating unit <NUM>, the contact surface 95a is provided on the other side in the height direction as compared to the end of the first part 43f on one side in the height direction.

In the stopper <NUM>, an inclined surface 95c (see <FIG>) oriented at least toward one side in the height direction is provided on one side in the height direction as compared to the contact surface 95a. The inclined surface 95c overlaps a part of the housing space <NUM> in the width direction. When viewed in the extending direction, the inclined surface 95c is inclined, e.g., toward the center of the housing space <NUM> in the width direction and toward the other side in the height direction. The handle <NUM> is provided with, e.g., a fitting hole 96a to which a first arm 93a (described later) of the torsion coil spring <NUM> is fitted.

The swing axis <NUM> is fixed to an end portion of the heating unit <NUM> on the other side in the extending direction. The swing axis <NUM> is, e.g., provided on the other side (opposite side from the working space S) in the height direction as compared to the housing space <NUM>. The axial direction of the swing axis <NUM> is substantially in parallel to, e.g., the extending direction. The torsion coil spring <NUM> is configured to bias the swing member <NUM> (including the contact portion 95b) so that the swing member <NUM> moves from the retracted position to the overlapping position. The torsion coil spring <NUM> is attached to the swing axis <NUM>. At one end portion of the torsion coil spring <NUM>, the first arm 93a is formed. At the other end portion of the torsion coil spring <NUM>, a second arm 93b is formed. The first arm 93a is fitted to, e.g., the fitting hole 96a of the handle <NUM> and swingable with the swing member <NUM>. The second arm 93b is fixed to, e.g., the cover member <NUM>. The torsion coil spring <NUM> is included in the biasing portion of the present invention, as the torsion coil spring <NUM> is.

The following will describe the state of the yarn contacted member <NUM> attached to the heating unit <NUM> in the first heater <NUM> (the state of the above-described structure provided for heating one of two yarns Y). When the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating unit <NUM> and held by the elastic deformation holding unit <NUM>, each of the contact portion 85b of the above-described swing member <NUM> and the contact portion 95b of the above-described swing member <NUM> is at the overlapping position (see <FIG>). Furthermore, the torsion coil spring <NUM> biases the swing member <NUM> toward the overlapping position (toward the left side of the sheet of <FIG>), and the torsion coil spring <NUM> biases the swing member <NUM> toward the overlapping position (toward the right side of the sheet of <FIG>). Because of this, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is prevented from dropping from the heating unit <NUM>.

When viewed in the width direction, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating unit <NUM> while being elastically deformed as indicated by solid lines in <FIG> on account of the above-described arrangements of the warping units <NUM> and hook units <NUM> and <NUM>. To be more specific, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is warped so that the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction are on the other side (opposite side from the working space S) in the height direction as compared to the remaining parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. In the yarn contacted member <NUM> of this case, the center of the first heater <NUM> in the extending direction and its surrounding portions are provided on one side (the working space S side) in the height direction of the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. In this regard, the above-described inner parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction are about to be moved toward the other side in the height direction on account of elastic restoring force. However, in the yarn contacted member <NUM>, the movement of some parts in contact with the respective warping units <NUM> (i.e., the inner parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction which include the first part 43f) toward the other side in the height direction is regulated by the warping units <NUM>. With this arrangement, the warping units <NUM> apply a force toward one side in the height direction (as indicated by arrows directed to the lower side of the sheet of <FIG>) to these inner parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction on account of the law of action and reaction. The second part <NUM> and third part 43t of the yarn contacted member <NUM> are about to be moved toward one side in the height direction on account of the elastic restoring force. However, the movement of the second part <NUM> toward one side in the height direction is regulated by the contact portion 85b of the hook unit <NUM>, and the movement of the third part 43t toward one side in the height direction is regulated by the contact portion 95b of the hook unit <NUM>. With this arrangement, the hook units <NUM> and <NUM> apply a force toward the other side in the height direction (as indicated by arrows directed to the upper side of the sheet of <FIG>) to the second part <NUM> and the third part 43t on account of the law of action and reaction. As such, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating unit <NUM> while being elastically deformed. With this arrangement, the cross sectional curve <NUM> (see <FIG>) in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction of a yarn contacted surface <NUM> has a predetermined curvature. The curvature radius of the cross sectional curve <NUM> is within a range of, e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> meters at any part of the cross sectional curve <NUM>. In the extending direction, the curvature radius of the cross sectional curve <NUM> may be constant at any part of the cross sectional curve <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to this.

The following will describe a method of attaching and detaching the yarn contacted member <NUM> to and from the heating unit <NUM>. To begin with, the following describes a method of detaching the yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM>. The movement of the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction toward one side in the height direction is allowed in such a way that the operator operates the swing members <NUM> and <NUM> of the elastic deformation holding unit <NUM> to move (swing) each of the contact portions 85b and 95b from the overlapping position to the retracted position. This allows the operator to detach the yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM> by manually moving the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the housing space <NUM> toward one side in the height direction (causing the yarn contacted member <NUM> to pass through the housing space <NUM>). With this arrangement, the cleaning of the yarn contacted member <NUM> is facilitated. The operator may instantly detach the entire yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM> by moving each of the contact portions 85b and 95b from the overlapping position to the retracted position substantially at the same time. Alternatively, the operator may detach the entire yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM> after moving one of the contact portions 85b and 95b to the retracted position, detaching a part of the yarn contacted member <NUM> from the heating unit <NUM>, and moving the other of the contact portions 85b and 95b to the retracted position. As detached from the heating unit <NUM>, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is restored in shape (to be substantially linear: as indicated by two-dot chain lines in <FIG>) on account of the elastic restoring force.

The following describes a method of attaching the yarn contacted member <NUM> to the heating unit <NUM>. The operator inserts the yarn contacted member <NUM> into the housing space <NUM> by hand. Subsequently, the operator moves the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction toward the other side in the height direction while pressing the above-described inner parts of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction onto the warping units <NUM>. This starts the elastic deformation of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. The operator then further moves the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction toward the other side in the height direction while pressing the yarn contacted member <NUM> onto the inclined surfaces 85c and 95c. Because of this, as a force against the biasing force of the torsion coil springs <NUM> and <NUM>, a force is applied to the swing members <NUM> and <NUM> to move each of the contact portions 85b and 95b to the retracted position. When the second part <NUM> and third part 43t of the yarn contacted member <NUM> are moved toward the other side in the height direction as compared to the contact surfaces 85a and 95a, each of the contact portions 85b and 95b is moved back to the overlapping position from the retracted position on account of the biasing force of the torsion coil springs <NUM> and <NUM>. As a result, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating unit <NUM> while being elastically deformed.

As described above, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is elastically deformed by the elastic deformation holding unit <NUM> and attached to the heating unit <NUM> so that the cross sectional curve <NUM> of the yarn contacted surface <NUM> has a predetermined curvature. In other words, even when the yarn contacted member <NUM> is produced to linearly extend and is attached to the first heater <NUM>, the yarn contacted surface <NUM> has a desired shape only in such a way that the yarn contacted member <NUM> is elastically deformed. As a result, the production cost of the yarn contacted member <NUM> is reduced as compared to a case where a yarn contacted member (not illustrated) is processed in advance based on the specifications of the first heater <NUM>. It is therefore possible to achieve the reduction in production cost of the yarn contacted member <NUM> applied to the first heater <NUM>.

The yarn contacted member <NUM> is detachable from the heating unit <NUM> at the time of cleaning. It is therefore possible to improve the work efficiency in cleaning of the yarn contacted member <NUM>, irrespective of the position of the first heater <NUM>.

The yarn contacted member <NUM> may be attached to and detached from the heating unit <NUM> by, e.g., being inserted into and pulled out from the heating unit <NUM> in the extending direction. In this case, however, a long space provided for the attachment and detachment of the yarn contacted member <NUM> is required at a position adjacent to the first heater <NUM> in the extending direction. This puts a large limit on the layout of the first heater <NUM> and its surroundings. Assume that such a long space at the position adjacent to the first heater <NUM> in the extending direction is secured. In this case, however, when a regulatory member such as the twist-stopping guide <NUM> (see <FIG>) configured to define a yarn path is provided in this space, the following problems may occur. That is, before the yarn contacted member <NUM> is inserted in or pulled out from the heating unit <NUM> in the extending direction, a member such as the twist-stopping guide <NUM> provided around the first heater <NUM> needs to be temporarily removed. This increases the burden on the operator. Furthermore, the yarn path defined by the twist-stopping guide <NUM>, etc. may unintentionally change before and after the attachment and detachment of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the heating unit <NUM> by moving the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the height direction. With this arrangement, differently from the case where the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to and detached from the heating unit <NUM> by being inserted in and pulled out from the heating unit <NUM>, the above-described long space at the position adjacent to the first heater <NUM> in the extending direction is not required. Furthermore, a member provided around the first heater <NUM> does not need to be removed at the time of attachment and detachment of the yarn contacted member <NUM>. It is therefore possible to suppress the occurrence of disadvantages such as the limit on the layout of the first heater <NUM> and its surroundings.

In the present embodiment, a force toward one side in the height direction is applied to a part of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction, and a force toward the other side in the height direction is applied to the both end portions of the yarn contacted member <NUM> in the extending direction. With this arrangement, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is warped. It is therefore possible to elastically deform the yarn contacted member <NUM> with a simple structure.

The force toward one side in the height direction is applied to the first part 43f on account of the law of action and reaction in such a way that one warping unit <NUM> regulates the movement of the first part 43f toward the other side in the height direction. The force toward the other side in the height direction is applied to the second part <NUM> and the third part 43t on account of the law of action and reaction in such a way that the contact portions 85b and 95b regulate the movement of the second part <NUM> and third part 43t toward one side in the height direction. It is therefore possible to elastically deform the yarn contacted member <NUM> with a simple structure.

Each of the contact portions 85b and 95b is movable between the retracted position and the overlapping position. With this arrangement, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating unit <NUM> in such a simple way that (i) each of the contact portions 85b and 95b is temporarily moved to the retracted position and then (ii) each of the contact portions 85b and 95b is moved back to the overlapping position while the yarn contacted member <NUM> is warped. When the yarn contacted member <NUM> is attached to the heating member <NUM>, the yarn contacted member <NUM> is detached from the heating unit <NUM> in such a simple way that each of the contact portions 85b and 95b is temporarily moved to the retracted position.

The contact portion 85b is biased from the retracted position toward the overlapping position by the torsion coil spring <NUM>. The contact portion 95b is biased from the retracted position toward the overlapping position by the torsion coil spring <NUM>. This suppresses each of the contact portions 85b and 95b from being unintentionally moved from the overlapping position to the retracted position.

The swing members <NUM> and <NUM> (i.e., the contact portions 85b and 95b) are swingably supported by the respective swing axes <NUM> and <NUM>. It is therefore possible to downsize a space required for the movement of the contact portions 85b and 95b.

Claim 1:
A heater (<NUM>) configured to heat a running yarn (Y), the heater (<NUM>) comprising:
a heat source (<NUM>);
a heating unit (<NUM>) which extends in a predetermined extending direction and which is heated by the heat source (<NUM>);
a yarn contacted member (<NUM>) which has a yarn contacted surface (<NUM>), which extends at least in the extending direction, and which is heated by the heating unit (<NUM>), the yarn (Y) making contact with the yarn contacted surface (<NUM>); and
an attaching portion (<NUM>) which includes the heating unit (<NUM>) and to which the yarn contacted member (<NUM>) is attached,
the yarn contacted surface (<NUM>) extending at least in the extending direction and being oriented at least to one side in a predetermined height direction orthogonal to the extending direction,
the heater (<NUM>) further comprising an elastic deformation holding unit (<NUM>) configured to hold the yarn contacted member (<NUM>) attached to the attaching portion (<NUM>) while elastically deforming the yarn contacted member (<NUM>) viewed in a width direction orthogonal to the extending direction and the height direction and,
when the yarn contacted member (<NUM>) is elastically deformed and held by the elastic deformation holding unit (<NUM>), a cross sectional curve in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction of the yarn contacted member (<NUM>) having a predetermined curvature.