Abstract: A yarn tension control device controls tension in a running yarn. The tension control device includes a housing having a yarn guiding inlet for receiving running yarn at an unwinding tension from a yarn supply source, and a yarn guiding outlet for guiding running yarn exiting the housing at a delivery tension. First and second opposing yarn engaging surfaces are disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and are adapted to frictionally engage opposite sides of the running yarn along a path of yarn travel through the housing. The first and second yarn engaging surfaces define a respective plurality of sequentially spaced friction rolls. A biasing assembly resiliently urges the first and second yarn engaging surfaces together. The opposing friction rolls cooperate to form a number of sequentially spaced nip points adapted to adjust yarn delivery tension in response to stress variations in running yarn entering the housing.

Abstract: A textile stuffer box includes a housing having an entrance and an exit, and including cooperating chamber-forming surfaces defining an internal crimping chamber for receiving and accumulating a length of yarn. An adjustable sliding gate defines at least one of the chamber-forming surfaces adjacent the exit of the housing. A set screw releasably locks a position of the gate to selectively enlarge and narrow the exit of the housing, such that selective adjustment of the gate operates to control axial compression of yarn accumulating inside of the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A yarn tension control device controls tension in a running yarn. The tension control device includes a housing having a yarn guiding inlet for receiving running yarn at an unwinding tension from a yarn supply source, and a yarn guiding outlet for guiding running yarn exiting the housing at a delivery tension. First and second opposing yarn engaging surfaces are disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and are adapted to frictionally engage opposite sides of the running yarn along a path of yarn travel through the housing. The first and second yarn engaging surfaces define a respective plurality of sequentially spaced friction rolls. A biasing assembly resiliently urges the first and second yarn engaging surfaces together. The opposing friction rolls cooperate to form a number of sequentially spaced nip points adapted to adjust yarn delivery tension in response to stress variations in running yarn entering the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) and methods are provided for splicing selected portions of sliver (S) such as during yarn formation and processing. The apparatus (20) preferably includes a needle carrying member (35) having a plurality of needles (32) to engage silver (S) when positioned adjacent thereto and a needle engaging member (45) positioned to underlie the needle carrying member (35) and to receive the plurality of needles (32) from the first needle carrying member (35).

Abstract: A yarn guiding and texturizing apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of yarn strands and a yarn guide positioned downstream from the yarn supply to receive the plurality of yarn strands in a position substantially parallel and spaced-apart from each other and to guide the plurality of yarns downstream along a path of travel. The apparatus also preferably includes a plurality of draw rolls positioned downstream from and adjacent the yarn guide for drawing the plurality of yarn strands from the yarn supply and through the yarn guide, a yarn stuffer box positioned downstream from and adjacent the plurality of draw rolls to receive the plurality of yarn strands therein and to texturize the plurality of yarn strands, and a conveyor positioned downstream from the stuffer box to receive the plurality of texturized yarn strands thereon and to convey the texturized yarn therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for splicing selected portions of sliver such as during yarn formation and processing. The apparatus preferably includes a needle carrying member having a plurality of needles to engage sliver when positioned adjacent thereto and a needle engaging member positioned to underlie the needle carrying member and to receive the plurality of needles from the first needle carrying member. The apparatus also preferably includes a hand-activated needle actuation device connected to the needle carrying member and the needle engaging member to position the needle carrying member in an open position to allow sliver to be spliced to be readily positioned therebetween and responsive to closing at least portions of the hand of a user for actuating the engaging of the needle carrying member with the sliver and the needle engaging member so that the engaging of plurality of needles of the needle carrying member with the needle engaging member thereby defines a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interrupting delivery of sliver to a spinning frame for spinning sliver into yarn and winding the yarn onto a spindle utilizing a sliver stop motion. The sliver stop motion is positioned on a respective drafting system of the spinning frame. The sliver stop motion is mounted to the spinning frame so as to overlie the back drafting rolls for stopping the motion of sliver being drafted by the back drafting rolls responsive to a break in yarn being wound onto the spindle. The stop motion includes an elongate pivoting member which is pivotally mounted to a frame mounting member. The frame mounting member is pivotally mounted to the spinning frame. At the stop motion's proximal end, a yarn contact member extends outwardly therefrom so as to underlie and slidably contact yarn being directed to the respective spindle. A sliver comb is connected to and extends outwardly from the distal end of the elongate pivoting member so as to overlie sliver being drafted by the back drafting rolls.