Abstract: Self-twisting yarns are made by a system in which a strand twisting device is engaged with the strand and moves at strand speed to twist the oppositely-extending sections of the strand in opposite directions. The strand is brought together with another strand and released, enabling it to untwist and twist itself to the other strand. Various arrangements are disclosed for maximizing the distance between twist reversal nodes, for cabling plied yarns together, for strengthening the strands, for reducing the tensile stresses imposed on the strands and for producing unique products with non-uniform node spacing or unequal strand lengths between adjacent pairs of nodes.

Abstract: Two or more single strands are formed and false twisted to provide sections of S-twist and Z-twist which are longitudinally spaced apart and separated by nodes which have no twist. The strands while moving longitudinally are held against rotation at points between which the adjacent strands twist in a same direction. The twist between each pair of points becomes redistributed, and the strands are released to enable them to twist together to form a self twist plural strand yarn.The strands are held against rotation during twist redistribution by apparatus which includes a device for interconnecting the strands at the points, and a rotation preventer which moves with and lies between the strands adjacent to the interconnected points.

Abstract: Groups of singles yarns are false-twisted, brought together node locked and plied to form plied strands. Additional torque in the plying direction is applied beyond the equilibrium point to add twist to the plied strands. Jet devices using air or steam can be used to apply the additional torque.

Abstract: A patterned, multi-colored carpet is achieved by space dyeing a polyester of a polypropylene yarn, tufting the spaced dyed yarn and an undyed yarn having a susceptibility to a dye to which the polyester or polypropylene yarn is not susceptible in alternating rows by a high/low technique to form a carpet having a high/low design thereon, and thereafter dyeing the undyed yarn.This invention relates to a method of making a multicolored patterned carpet and more particularly a multi-colored patterned tufted carpet.

Abstract: A stable plied yarn is produced by false-twisting two or more singles yarn strands with false-twist jets and passing the strands around a yarn wheel whereon the nodes are joined. The strands leave the wheel and ply together. The plied yarn is collected and can be tufted into carpet. The pressure of the fluid (air) supplied to the false-twist jets is varied to product varying amounts of twist in the singles strands which results in a range of twist amounts in the yarn plied therefrom, thereby avoiding streak effects in products made from the yarn.

Abstract: A temporary fabric is formed by joining groups of two or more yarn strands at a time together at various longitudinally spaced points, forming generally transverse lines of joined points across an array of a plurality of parallel strands. No weft or filler yarn is used. An apparatus for joining is disclosed including a drum having a plurality of abrasive rotating joining discs in the surface thereof. A second embodiment includes joining discs moved transversely across a plurality of longitudinally traveling strands. The fabric can be separated into individual strands by pulling the strands apart.

Abstract: Self-twisted yarn is packaged on a take-up device to prevent loss or modification of the twist previously imparted to the yarn by maintaining the yarn in a substantially rotation-free state as it is guided onto the take-up device. This is accomplished by wrapping the yarn around an elongated guide rod as it is fed to the take-up device under tension or by controlling the tensioned free length of the yarn as it is guided onto the take-up device to preclude rotation of the nodes or points of twist reversal in the yarn.

Abstract: Singles yarns are formed from a synthetic material, twisted in one direction, heat-set, cooled and false-twisted in the opposite direction. Two similarly treated strands are joined at their nodes and plied, resulting in an improved ply-twist singles twist ratio. The first twisting and heat-setting can be done concurrently using jet twisting with steam, and apparatus for accomplishing this is disclosed.

Abstract: False-twisted yarn strands are separately carried around a guide wheel and the nodes thereof are brought together and locked by applying heat to the nodes and pressing them together, after which the strands are self-twisted. Embodiments include a cam actuated clamping device which holds the yarns in an ultrasonic transducer to which energy is supplied to accomplish the welding. Devices using resistance heating and laser impulses are also disclosed.

Abstract: False-twisted yarn strands are separately carried around a guide wheel and the nodes thereof are brought together and locked by mechanical entanglement, after which the strands are self-twisted. Embodiments of entanglement joining devices include reciprocating friction plates which rub the fibers together and twist them, causing joining, the plates being carried on the guide wheel. A needle punching device carried by the wheel is disclosed, the needles being reciprocated by a cam structure within the wheel. In a third embodiment edges of oppositely rotating overlapping discs contact and twist fibers in the node area, causing entanglement.

Abstract: False-twisted yarns are continuously fed to a locking mechanism on a rotating guide wheel. The locking device has a clamping shoe for engaging the yarn, after which the direction of false twist is reversed. Two additional clamping shoes then engage the yarn upstream and downstream of the first clamping point. The first shoe is then retracted to permit the twist between the additional shoes to cancel, and a fluid vortex is used to entangle the yarn filaments, locking the node.

Abstract: A method of printing a multicolor design on a long, continuous web or carpet in a machine having uniformly spaced printing stations and apparatus for longitudinally advancing the carpet in steps between printing operations. Two or more stations adjacent each other are used for each color to appear in the design being printed. The carpet movement increment distances are selected as a function of total number of colors n, total number of stations P and the number of stations per color N to increase production. In the preferred embodiment a repeated sequence of distances D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 are selected so that D.sub.1 +D.sub.2 =2N, D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 each being odd integral numbers of pattern repeat lengths.

Abstract: Self-twist plural yarn strands are produced by a system wherein at least two singles yarn strands are individually twisted to form twisted strands each having longitudinally spaced nodes. The strands are separately conveyed around a yarn wheel and brought together in a parallel relationship with the nodes of one strand substantially aligned with the nodes of each other strand. The corresponding nodes from one strand are fastened to those of each other strand by heating with an electric arc and the strands are removed from the wheel and allowed to ply. The node fastening means comprises a pair of electrodes and a circuit for supplying arc-producing voltage across the electrodes. One electrode is mounted on the wheel and extends diagonally across and under the node location. The other electrode is fixed adjacent the wheel so that the arc traverses the yarn as it passes from one end of the diagonal electrode to the other.