Abstract: A first sensor comprising interspersed light emitting and receiving fibers is situated at the egress slot of an air containment element on a fluid weft insertion type loom and retroreflectively senses filling yarn as it egresses from the element. The first sensor, placed along the length of the air containment tube, together with a second sensor outboard of the shed is used to discriminate filling yarn condition and the impact of those conditions on fabric quality. Signals from the first and second sensors are employed in a logical method to permit continued operation of the loom when particular faults are sensed but do not represent conditions warranting stopping of the loom, while said sensors do produce loom stopping signals when faults of predetermined values are sensed. Loom output efficiency is thus improved by allowing a controlled number of defects to enter the finished fabric.

Abstract: A weft guidance tube for a fluid weft insertion system of weaving apparatus includes an elongated member having a longitudinal channel therein. A plurality of segments are juxtaposed in the channel. Each of the segments includes a base and an upper end, with the upper end having an aperture therein and an exit slot extending from the aperture. The base of each segment is wider in cross-section than the upper end thereof. Connecting pins project outwardly from one side of each base to thereby permit connection of adjoining segments to each other. When so connected the apertures and exit slots of all of the segments arranged in the channel are in proper alignment and the upper end of each segment is spaced apart from the upper end of adjoining segments by a distance goverend by the width of bases of the segments. The plurality of segments are secured to the channel by suitable gripping means.

Abstract: In a yarn storage feeder system of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,379 and having a yarn storage unit upon which a quantity of yarn is maintained from a yarn supply for intermittent withdrawal and delivery to yarn feeding and/or consuming means, such as a loom, and in which the yarn storage unit is driven by a low inductance DC motor such as a flat armature or pancake DC motor powered by a full wave rectified AC current, a significant improvement in motor operating efficiency, especially output torque, is achieved by incorporating an electrical choke in the circuit supplying such current to the DC motor.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a fluid weft insertion loom monitors the significant operative events of each weaving cycle of the loom, e.g. yarn supply withdrawal, insertion nozzle actuation and yarn end arrival, and indicates the occurrence of each such event, preferably in terms of the elapsed time of such occurrence from a fixed reference point of the loom cycle, for example front dead center. The indications of the relative timing of the occurrences of such events is preferably retained on corresponding visual displays until the successful completion of each weaving cycle or in the event of a defective cycle until the defect is corrected and the loom is restarted. Preferred individual sensing units for the respective significant operative events are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a weft strand into the shed of a loom or the like in which a confined zone is provided in proximity to the shed serving as a guide for a weft strand passing through the zone, and a sustained pulse of a supersonic gaseous medium is abruptly expelled from the zone directed toward said shed to thereby pass the weft strand through at least a portion of the shed. The strand is preferably confined to a pre-selected path during passage of the pulse of medium and the strand through at least the stated portion of said shed.

Abstract: A precise, accurate and sensitive control method and system for actuating the stop motion mechanism of a weaving loom equipped with a weft yarn storage feeder unit is disclosed. The storage and feeder unit includes a device for applying tension to the weft yarn being delivered from a weft yarn supply to the storage and feeder device. The tension device is equipped with a switch which provides a first electrical signal when the weft yarn being supplied to the storage and feeder device becomes slack or interrupted. That switch is connected with the weft yarn storage and feeder unit motor circuit. The weft yarn storage and feeder unit may be intermittently driven as the need occurs for feeding a weft yarn length or pick into the loom.

Abstract: Loss of tension in individual warp threads is detected in the lease zone by directing a flow of air against one side of the warp threads within the lease zone to displace any relatively untensioned thread toward the opposite side of said zone and detecting such displacement photoelectrically. Preferably, the photoelectric detector is insensitive to disturbances other than thread displacement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing high quality wrapped yarn by a wrapping operation wherein a binder strand, carried by a supply package supported by a rotatably driven hollow spindle, is fed to the free end of the hollow supply spindle and wrapped around a core strand moving through the hollow spindle. The binder strand inherently balloons outwardly in its path of travel from its rotating supply package to the core strand being wrapped. The zone in which the binder strand balloons is enclosed to isolate it from the ambient air about the wrapping apparatus to thereby substantially preclude pick up of fiber waste on the binder strand. Suction means communicates with the hollow spindle to attract the core yarn and facilitate passage of the wrapped yarn therethrough. Isolation of the zone in which the binder strand balloons is obtained by enveloping the package and balloon-forming region of the binder strand with an enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for correlating strand withdrawal speed from a strand supply package and utility means such as a shuttleless loom thereby reducing the possibility of supply package sloughs and strand breakage caused by conditions such as large changes in loading on an intermediate stationary drum type strand feeding and storage device. Thus, the loom operates to withdraw strand from the feeding device at a first average rate. A flyer withdraws strand from the supply package at a second rate which is slightly higher than the first average rate and wraps that strand onto the drum of the feeding device. Withdrawal of the strand by the flyer generates a balloon in the strand intermediate the strand supply and the flyer. Flyer drive speed is controlled by a feedback system which avoids changes in speed of the flyer except when occurrences of an overfill of strand on the drum occur.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel voluminous multi-filament stretch of set yarn and a method for manufacturing the yarn. The yarn, formed from continuous filaments, substantially all of which have the same extension to break, has the appearance of spun yarn, i.e., yarn produced from staple length fibers. The continuous filaments constituting the yarn are spun with contaminents present therein. Subsequently, the undrawn or partially drawn yarn is subjected to simultaneous drawing and false twisting which causes generally all of the filaments to break in regions where the contaminents are entrapped while the yarn is contemporaneously processed into textured yarn. The false twisting step includes the usual twisting and untwisting. Since substantially all of the filaments are broken into relatively short lengths, hereinafter sometimes called "staple," during false twisting it is necessary to preclude disintegration of the yarn as it is untwisted. This achieved by any of several techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of extruded deformable polymer with a plurality of longitudinally extending fracture lines along which splitting can occur to sub-divide the sheet into a plurality of filaments or tapes. The apparatus includes an elongated embossing roll having circumferential ridges formed on the periphery thereof with a cooperable backing roll positioned to press the sheet into engagement with the embossing roll so that the ridges and intervening grooves of the embossing roll are formed in the hot plastic sheet. The zone between the backing roll and embossing roll constitutes a first nip zone. A pressure roll is disposed adjacent to the embossing roll with a second nip zone being defined between these two rolls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming a tailing end of predetermined length and the resultant package formed thereby. The tailing device includes a conically shaped hub positioned on the outboard end of a drive roll and provided with a spiral groove in the outer surface. The groove runs from a terminal flat circular groove upwardly to the main cylindrical drive portion of the roll. Means are provided for moving a strand sequentially into contact with the flat circular groove to form a bunch on the package support and thereafter in contact with the spiral groove so as to print helically wound wraps of strand about the support prior to the initiation of winding the main body of strand on the package as by conventional traverse means. The width and number of turns the spiral groove makes along the extent of the hub regulates the length of usable tailing end that will be formed in the completed package.

Abstract: This application relates to an apparatus for winding strandular material known in the textile industry as a takeup device. The overall arrangement of the device incorporates a stationary supporting spindle onto which a rotatable package support is mounted for receipt of strandular material wound thereon. The support and the strandular material wound thereon as the package is progressively built, is adapted for contact with a rotatable drive drum. A traverse device to guide the strandular material to the rotatable package and control the manner in which the strandular material is wound thereon is also included. Both the drive means and the traverse means including the motors therefor are mounted on a freely vertical movable carriage supported within a frame member and uniquely counterbalanced by a pulley suspended counterweight system. The spindle and the package support are mounted on said frame independent of such carriage.

Abstract: This application relates to an apparatus for winding strand onto a rotating member to form a package including means for traversing the strand axially of the member to form a plurality of layers thereover. A novel manner for supporting the traversing means while permitting such to oscillate so as to scatter the point at which the strand is laid down at opposite ends of the package and novel means for adjusting the stroke of such oscillation during machine operation are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressing noise in machinery a having movable element and fixed element in close proximity to the movable element is disclosed. The movable element and fixed element may coact to disturb the atmosphere and produce noise. A fluid system is provided for inducing a pressure variation proximate to the movable element and fixed element to thereby reduce the level of noise.

Abstract: Low-cost fluid-operated electric relay type logic elements are provided with an elastomeric conductive diaphragm flexed out of a stable taut intermediate position by means of differential pressures of fluid signals directed into respective chambers on opposite sides to provide thereby break or make connections with cooperating conductive contacts. Thus fluid logic, switching circuit logic or hybrid logic operations may be effected directly with attendant advantages of reliability and more powerful logic capabilities. Alternatively the elements may serve as interfacing members to produce electrical signals from fluid systems. The elements have further advantages as servicing monitor means where access is provided to conductive circuits displaying more servicing information relating to operational characteristics of the fluid logic devices than possible with fluid indicators.

Abstract: Apparatus for pelletizing synthetic plastic resins, comprising an extruding die assembly having extrusion orifice sleeves pervious to liquid, a water jacket surrounding each sleeve in such manner that water will pass through the walls thereof to chill plastic being extruded therethrough while at the same time lubricating passage of the plastic therethrough. Severing means are provided at the die face for cutting the plastic into pellets as it is extruded. Optionally means are provided for collecting the pellets such as a casing that surrounds the die and the cutting means.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of heat set yarns. The process comprises firstly passing a two or more ply twisted filament or spun yarns having a latent bulk in the single ends into a first heating zone to develop the latent bulk, passing the yarn into a second heating zone where the yarn is heated to a temperature higher than it was heated in the first zone, and then passing the yarn into a cooling zone while imposing a false twist which runs back into its second heating zone. The second heating zone and the cooling zone serve to set the bulk and the twist and to increase the torque of the yarn. The yarn is then fed to a take-up and wound into a package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is mechanism for lubricating the traverse portion of winding apparatus. The lubricating mechanism includes an atomizing system for introducing an oil mist into a housing which generally encloses a traverse cam mounted for rotation on suitable bearings within the housing. The oil mist is effective to lubricate the various parts of the traverse system notwithstanding that the traverse cam may be rotating at speeds of 7,000 r.p.m. and higher. The housing enclosing the traverse cam is provided with a slot through which a strand guide, attached to a cam follower, projects. The cam follower is engaged in an endless groove in the traverse cam and as the traverse cam is rotated the guide is reciprocated from end to end of the traverse cam groove and is thus operable to distribute an advancing strand with which it is engaged onto a rotating package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is size reduction apparatus such as a granulating machine of the type for cutting plastics and the like. The granulating machine includes a chamber provided with a driven rotor having a series of cutting knives affixed on the periphery thereof. The cutting knives cooperate with stationary bed knives to comminute material fed into the cutting chamber. One or more screens are positioned in the bottom of the chamber and allow for the discharge of the material after it has been reduced to a predetermined size. A series of fluid nozzles are arranged to deliver fluid such as air under pressure into the chamber in the zone below the axis of rotation of the rotor. The air acts to effect a scrubbing of the granulator screen, improve cooling of the cutting chamber and cool the cutting knives. By such scrubbing and cooling in the area of the discharge screen heavy build up of material on top of the screen is precluded as the material is circulated and suspended.