Abstract: A positioning unit for a yarn splicer mountable to a creel in a yarn winding operation includes a rolling unit attachable to the creel, a main support member secured to the rolling unit, and a slide unit supporting the yarn splicer. The slide unit is slidably mounted to the main support member. In one arrangement, the main support member includes an air cylinder, and the slide unit includes an actuator driven by the air cylinder. In another arrangement, the slide unit is secured to the main support member for manual positioning by a creel attendant and is supported by a counterweight assembly. The positioning unit enables a creel attendant to easily and readily position a mechanical splicer or the like relative to yarn packages on a creel to facilitate yarn package maintenance.

Abstract: A separator or a packaging material is provided, comprising a thermoplastic plastic film at least one surface of which is a matte surface or an embossed surface having a surface roughness (Ra) of not larger than 1/2 of the thickness of the film. The thermoplastic film may have a release treatment layer on the whole or part of a surface. The separator or packaging material is useful as a separator for pressure-sensitive adhesive articles and disposable articles or as a packaging material for packing foods, pressure-sensitive adhesive articles and sanitary articles. In particular, the separator is suitably used as a separator for a disposable diaper and a sanitary napkin, and also the packaging material is suitably used as a package for a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing an induced flow of particulate-bearing air traveling with a moving yarn sheet in a winding apparatus such as a textile warping machine. An air nozzle produces a thin sheet of air moving in a counterflow direction to the induced air flow, and located adjacent the carrier roll of the warper. The air sheet entrains a volume of ambient air for movement with the air sheet, and the mass flow of the counterflow-moving air is sufficient to redirect the induced air from the yarn sheet for removal from the warper. An optional second nozzle may provide additional air entrainment above the moving yarn sheet, upstream from the carrier roll, thereby entraining a flow of air moving through the yarn sheet to divert dust and other particulates traveling on or with the yarn sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning surface lint and debris from a plurality of traveling textile warp yarns includes a slotted reed mounted on a vacuum housing with each reed slot opening into the housing interior. A blower is disposed within the housing to apply suction to the yarns traveling through the reed slots and a filter is interposed between the reed and the blower to separate lint and debris removed from the yarn. A cover is movable into and out of covering relation to the reed to constrain ambient air to be drawn into the housing from the opposite sides of the reed generally in alignment with the direction of yarn travel to prevent the suction force from imposing additional tension on the yarns and to minimize entrance of air borne ambient lint into the vacuum housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winding machine, in particular a warping or beaming machine, in which yarns are drawn off a bobbin creel at high speed. To reduce the air friction of the yarns and to improve the removal of fiber contaminating material, there is provided an arrangement for accelerating the air which surrounds the yarns. In addition it is possible to provide an extractor hood with which the air is sucked out of the region of the winding unit and recirculated to the said arrangement.

Abstract: The protective apparatus for a winding machine is formed by a support construction comprising pillars and a transverse support member. The support construction is arranged in a portal-like fashion over the winding machine, wall portions in the form of swing doors and an anti-draft plate filling the intermediate space. The wall portions are secured to the support construction and can preferably be actuated automatically by drive means.

Abstract: Dual vacuum cleaing heads are provided above the sheet of warp yarns at opposite ends of a slasher intake portion where the multiple section beams are mounted on a creel ahead of the sizing bath. The two suction heads thoroughly remove debris from the sheet of warps at two locations before the sheet enters the sizing bath. The suction heads are suspended by transparent vacuum hoses from overhead serially connected vacuum manifolds. One manifold is connected with a centrifugal fan which evacuates both manifolds and delivers debris to a collection tank immediately ahead of the fan and having a filter. Viewing windows and clean-out ports are provided in the system.