Abstract: In a textile machine two primary yarns are fed under relatively low longitudinal tension from respective yarn supplies to a combining location at which they are combined into a single yarn. The combined yarns are fed from this location under relatively high longitudinal tension to a takeup station where they are wound up on a spool. The tension in the combined yarns is continuously monitored between the combining location and the takeup station and an output is generated when this tension drops from the high tension below a predetermined level at least equal to the relatively low tensions in the individual yarns. This occurs when one of the yarns breaks. The yarn feeds are interrupted when the output is generated to prevent forming an inadequately plied yarn.

Abstract: A twisting apparatus has a spindle extending along an upright axis, having an upper end and a rotatable lower end, and formed with a passage opening axially upwardly at the upper end and radially outwardly at the lower end. A bobbin support is rotatably carried on the spindle between the ends thereof and is provided with four angularly equispaced bobbin holders radially equispaced from the axis. Two of the diametrally opposite supports carry main bobbins and the other two carry reserve bobbins, with the leading ends of the yarns of the reserve bobbins being tied to the tail ends of the yarns of the main bobbins. The spindle is rotated about the axis while the bobbin support is held against rotation. The leading ends of the yarns of the main bobbins are led down through the passage and up around the bobbin support while the spindle is rotating to wind the yarns together and form a balloon around the support. The bobbins can be standard small-diameter bobbins such as come directly from a spinning machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for twisting together a first and second yarn has a frame extending in a longitudinal direction and carrying a row of upright spindles each having and rotatable about an upright spindle axis. A holder is carried on the frame above each spindle and in turn carries a pair of yarn supplies one which may be the first yarn and one the second, or both the first. When the holder carries both first and second yarn supplies the spindle is operated as a takeup spool and is provided with a traveling-ring arrangement, with the two yarns being pulled off the respective supplies and twisted together. When the holder carries only two supplies of the first yarn the supply of the second yarn can be carried on the spindle, and a separate takeup spool can be provided above the spindle and below the holder. This takeup spool is driven to take up the two yarns and the first yarn is fed from the holder down and then up through the hollow spindle to be twisted with the second yarn that is simultaneously being spun.

Abstract: An apparatus for twisting a first and second yarn having a parallelogrammatic mounting support for a plurality of supplies of one of said yarns mounted above a twisting spindle carrying the other of said yarns and having a radially open aperture, a takeup means mounted above said twisting spindle, and a U-shaped guide for passing said one of said supplies of yarn from the mounting support to said spindle.

Abstract: A pneumatic threader for a twisting apparatus has a nozzle formed with a counterbore so that the nozzle can be fitted over the end of the inlet tube of the twisting apparatus. In addition this nozzle is formed with a slot opening toward the tube and extending beyond the counterbore so that a filament engaged in this slot can freely pass into the tube. The slot may extend helically up around the tube so that automatic clamping of the filament is effected when it reaches the end of the helix. It is also possible to form the slot parallel to the air passage in the nozzle and to provide a clamping member for holding the filament end in the upper portion of this slot. To this end a lost-motion coupling may be provided between the valve-operating trigger of the pneumatic threading apparatus and the operating lever for opening of the clamp shortly after air flow has been started.

Abstract: A thread is pulled off a yarn package and down past a thread brake into a spindle shaft forming part of a rotating structure. The thread exits at the bottom of the shaft from a radial opening in a payoff disk having a frustoconical surface formed with a peripheral groove. The thread passes from below across this groove and is then pulled up between the yarn package and a ballon-limiting cylinder. A reservoir disposed next to this structure is filled with a treatment liquid feeding an applicator whose upper end projects into the groove in the payoff disk. A wick in the applicator tube conducts the liquid up to the tip of the tube and moistens the thread as it passes periodically between this tip and the rotating disk.