Abstract: A tension device is utilized for equalizing, or at least reducing differentials in tension across strands in a web. The device utilizes an overfeed roll which rotates faster than the speed of feeding the web. Strands at the desired tension, or less, slip about the exterior surface of the overfeed roll. Strands which are greater than the desired tension have sufficient friction to be rotated, at least temporarily, by the overfeed roll to thereby create slack in the higher tension strands to equalize the tension relative to the other strands. Feedback from feed rolls, support rolls, and/or the overfeed roll may be utilized to adjust the speed of the overfeed roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for space-dyeing yarns, particularly fine denier yarns, including the steps of wrapping a plurality of feed yarns with a sacrificial wrapper yarn to form a composite yarn bundle, space-dyeing the composite yarn bundle, removing the wrapper yarn from around the feed yarns, and separating the feed yarns into individual yarns for further processing. An intermediate yarn product for passing through the space-dyeing machine is disclosed, as well as the end product fine denier yarns after being separated from the bundle in which dyeing took place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which selected pile across the face of a web of pile fabric such as carpet may be raised or lowered in accordance with a pattern as the fabric passes through shearing apparatus so that certain pile of the pile may be sheared more than other pile to provide a sculptured affect. Nozzles extend across the width of the fabric and apply jets of air from controllable valves to impinge on the pile in its path to compress or raise selected pile in accordance with a pattern controller which controls the valves. Locating the nozzles so that jets of air impinge on the pile upstream from the shearing apparatus in a direction downstream toward the shearing apparatus will raise the pile while locating the nozzles so that the jets of air impinge upon the pile prior to the shearing location in an upstream direction will compress the pile. The pile which is raised is cut further than pile which is not raised and cut even further than the pile that is compressed.

Abstract: One or more dye fixation combs are mounted within a high temperature dye fixation steamer housing downstream from the yarn dyeing device and a post steamer and upstream of a coiler which places the yarn in coil form onto a conveyor for subsequent operations in a dye line. The yarn is fed in warp form through the high temperature steamer. Each comb has a series of spaced apart fingers extending from the body of the comb. The body of the comb is hollow and defines a conduit. Between each pair of fingers at the location of the comb body is a root having an orifice communicating with the conduit. A strand of yarn is directed through each root guided by a pair of support rods, one of which is upstream of the comb and the other of which is downstream of the comb. The yarn is under tension and is directed against the outlet of the orifice. A source of superheated steam is supplied to the conduit so that each yarn strand as it moves in warp form through the steamer is impinged upon by steam above 212.degree. F.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for twisting two or more strands of yarn together in accordance with a pre-selected and changeable pattern so as to obtain twisted yarn with a selected twist level extending for a selected length of the yarn and other selected twist levels extending for various other lengths of the yarn so that a package of finished yarn has a variable twist pattern which is reproducible and changeable. The yarn twisting apparatus has a drive for rotating a finished package of twisted yarn, a yarn twister for twisting the yarn together, and a drive for the yarn twister. Each drive includes a motor which may be a servo motor or a controllable a.c. motor so that the product package drive and the yarn twisting drive may be controlled to selected speed ratios, and also includes a programmable controller for controlling this ratio and for varying the time that each selected ratio is maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for space dyeing yarn includes a series of dye stations each of which has a dye applicator roll and a rotatable pattern roll having deflecting rods which may deflect yarn into engagement with the periphery of the respective dye applicator roll. Each pattern roll is rotatably driven by a servo motor and selectively rotated to position the deflecting rods for permitting dyeing to occur at the respective station and to rotate the roll and thus the rods to angular dispositions where the yarn is not deflected. A programmable controller controls the respective motors to the selected angular positions at precise times to start and stop the application of dye to the yarn. An encoder associated with the yarn feed system feeds timing signals related to yarn movement to the controller so that rotation of each pattern roll is in timed relationship with the movement of the yarn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for space dyeing a plurality of strands of yarns which are fed over a series of dye applicator rolls. Each roll is rotated in a partly submerged condition in a dye pan containing a different color. Above and offset relative to each dye applicator roll is a yarn pattern roll which carries a number of slats in a circumferential array extending beyond the periphery of the pattern rolls for contacting the yarn strands. The slats sequentially engage and deflect the yarn strands onto the surface of the respective dye applicator rolls. The slats may be positioned in selected slots in the pattern rolls to determine the pattern of color applied to the yarn. Variable speed drives rotate the dye applicator rolls and the pattern rolls independently of each other to effect the spacing of the colors and the amount of dye received by the yarn strands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for space dyeing a plurality of strands of yarns which are fed over a series of dye applicator rolls. Each roll is rotated in a partly submerged condition in a dye pan containing a different color. Above and offset relative to each dye applicator roll is a yarn pattern roll which carries a number of slats in a circumferential array extending beyond the periphery of the pattern rolls for contacting the yarn strands. The slats sequentially engage and deflect the yarn strands onto the surface of the respective dye applicator rolls. The slats may be positioned in selected slots in the pattern rolls to determine the pattern of color applied to the yarn. Variable speed drives rotate the dye applicator rolls and the pattern rolls independently of each other to effect the spacing of the colors and the amount of dye received by the yarn strands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for space dyeing a plurality of strands of yarns which are fed over a series of dye applicator rolls. Each roll is rotated in a partly submerged condition in a dye pan containing a different color. Above and offset relative to each dye applicator roll is a yarn pattern roll which carries a number of slats in a circumferential array extending beyond the periphery of the pattern rolls for contacting the yarn strands. The slats sequentially engage and deflect the yarn strands onto the surface of the respective dye applicator rolls. The slats may be positioned in selected slots in the pattern rolls to determine the pattern of color applied to the yarn. Variable speed drives rotate the dye applicator rolls and the pattern rolls independently of each other to effect the spacing of the colors and the amount of dye received by the yarn strands.