Abstract: A creel includes a yarn package of the rotational type, which is mounted on a yarn package holder, and yarn guiding apparatus. The yarn guiding apparatus includes a first, second, third and fourth yarn guiding means. The first yarn guiding means is attached to a first end of a pivoting member. The pivoting member pivots about a pivot axis spaced from the first end. In use yarn is drawn from the yarn package and about the first, second, third and fourth yarn guiding means. The yarn is unwound by applying tension to the yarn. During unwinding, the point at which the yarn leaves the yarn package traverses axially back and forth across the yarn package. Because the first yarn guiding means is free to rotate about the pivot axis, the tension in the yarn acts to move the first guide means to a position substantially in alignment with that point.

Abstract: An improved tension controller for a strand to achieve constant downstream tension regardless of tension variation in the upstream strand has a pair of tensioning plates (9, 10) between which the strand upstream (3), downstream (5) is compressed, generating frictional force for added tension. A selectable loading force is applied to the controller in the opposite direction to the movement of the strand. This loading force acts on a wedge between a movable tensioning plate and a fixed plate (9). The angle between the fixed plate (9) and the strand between the tensioning plates generates a compression force at a right angle toward the compressed strand for added tension. The incoming strand is deflected before it reaches its compressed stage between the tensioning plates. This strand deflection generates a force-component in the direction of the strand movement and reduces the loading force correspondingly.

Abstract: A strand tension apparatus, including a strand delivery mechanism for controllably delivering a moving strand under tension downstream from a strand supply, a strand take-up mechanism positioned downstream from the strand delivery mechanism for pulling the strand from the strand supply, and a tension controller positioned between the strand delivery mechanism and the strand take-up mechanism for adding tension to the moving strand as it moves downstream from the strand delivery mechanism to the strand take-up mechanism. The tension controller includes a rotating strand feeding device frictionally-engaging the strand and a variable drag force-applying device cooperating with the rotating strand feeding device for adding a predetermined tension to the strand as the strand is delivered downstream from the strand delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A yarn package holder on a creel, with a mechanism for rapidly stopping the yarn package holder once yarn is no longer being drawn. The mechanism has a pivoted member, one end of which carries a transverse braking control arm that overlies the yarn, and the other end of which is secured to an end of a tensioning cord wrapped at least once around a pulley on the yarn package holder. When yarn is being drawn, the braking control arm is lifted, which has the effect the loosening the cord around the pulley so that the braking effect is small. When yarn is no longer drawn, the braking control arm drops, which has the effect of tightening the cord around the pulley and rapidly stopping the yarn package holder.