Abstract: A yarn tuft transfer system for a carpet manufacturing machine, including one or more mounting devices secured to a belt or chain. Each mounting device includes a functional link element having a mounting for a payload, first securing device rotatably mounted on the functional link element about a first axis for securing the functional link element onto the belt or chain at a first position, and second for securing the functional link element onto the belt or chain at a second position spaced from the first, the device being rotatable relative to the functional link element about a second axis. The first securing device is moveable relative to the second securing device along a line perpendicular to and intersecting the first and second axes. The system further utilizing a yarn tuft holder mounted on each payload mounting.

Abstract: A yarn tuft holder (11) for holding yarn tufts received from one or more yarn tuft inserting devices (2) prior to removal by grippers (13) of a carpet manufacturing machine, comprising a resiliently deformable comb portion (17) for receiving and holding yarn tufts and a rigid comb portion (16) disposed adjacent the resiliently deformable comb portion and for guiding grippers configured to remove yarn tufts held by the resiliently deformable comb portion. Also, a loom for making carpet, comprising one or more of the yarn tuft holders, and a method for making carpet using the loom.

Abstract: A carpet weaving loom comprises one or more tuft forming units (1), each of which is capable of supplying yarn tufts (26) of a number of different colors to a number of different weaving points sequentially. The or each of the turf forming units (1) includes a demountable yarn carrier (2). In this way, when it is required to change the design of carpet being woven, or the creel (3) is exhausted, the or each yarn carrier (2) is simply replaced by another fed from a different creel (3). Preferably the creel (3) associated with the or each set of yarn carriers is itself removable from the remainder (6) of the loom and replaceable with the yarn carriers (2).

Abstract: A yarn tuft forming unit (1) comprises a yarn selector wheel (20) with provision for holding a number of different yams (23) arranged generally radially, means (21) to drive the selector wheel (20) into a selected one of a number of angularly discrete positions to bring a selected yarn (23) to a loading position, a puller (29) for engaging the selected yarn (23) at the loading position and pulling a predetermined length of the selected yarn (23) from the selector wheel (20), and a cutting mechanism (28) to cut the selected yarn (23) to form a tuft (7) of predetermined length. Such a tuft forming unit (1) is preferably used to supply yarn tufts (7) to an Axminster carpet weaving loom. Typically a number are provided across the width of the loom and together they traverse the whole width of the loom to provide yarn tufts (7) for a complete row of carpet.

Abstract: A carpet weaving loom including at least one tuft forming unit (1) for forming sequentially yarn tufts (7) of a number of different colors, means to receive and hold at yarn tuft holding sites (8) yam tufts supplied sequentially by the tuft forming unit (1), and transfer means (10) to transfer all of the tufts (7) held by the yarn tuft holding sites (8) simultaneously to their corresponding weaving points. The or each tuft forming unit supplies yarn tufts (7) to at least twenty yarn tuft holding sites (8) between successive operations of the transfer means (10). When only a single tuft forming unit (1) is provided it preferably supplies tufts to at least one hundred and sixty tuft holding sites (8). When a plurality of tuft forming units (1) are provided each preferably supplies tufts to between twenty and one hundred and twenty tuft holding sites (8). This configuration leads to a considerable reduction in the size of creel with consequent reduction in waste and time taken to thread-up such a loom.

Abstract: A method of substantially eliminating shading in a carpet by steaming the pile tufts and positively orientating the pile tufts in a predetermined direction. The positive orientation of the tufts is achieved by engagement with a scroll roll, which is preferably a smooth roller having axially or helically extending ribs or grooves.