Abstract: A filamentary yarn handling apparatus is arranged for use with a filamentary yarn winder of the type comprising a package support on which the packages are rotated. The yarn handling apparatus comprises a gathering head mounted above the package rotary axis for displacement toward the paths of travel of the yarns. The gathering head includes a cutter for severing each yarn and a suction tube whose inlet is disposed above the cutter for continuously drawing-in each yarn after severing has occurred. A yarn transfer mechanism includes two guides mounted for movement relative to the gathering head between upper and lower positions along one side of the package axis. With the transfer mechanism being in its upper position, the guides are respectively located between the rest position of said gathering head and the paths of yarn travel, respectively, such that when the cutter means severs the yarns and the gathering head returns to its rest position the yarns engage respective ones of the guides.

Abstract: Winding of filamentary material upon a winder tube is initiated by inserting the filamentary material into a slot which prevents the filamentary material from being traversed along the axis of the tube. The slot is moved relative to a gate such that the gate prevents egress of the filamentary material from the slot. The filamentary material is inserted into a pinch groove of the tube, and the tube is rotated to form a waste bunch of filamentary material at the end of the tube. After a preset interval, the slot is moved relative to an ejector cam whereupon the latter ejects the filamentary material from the slot. The filamentary material is then engaged by a traversing guide which traverses the filamentary material along the axis of the tube.

Abstract: Filamentary material is wound upon tubes mounted upon a winder. A traversing guide traverses the filamentary material along the package axis to produce a helical winding thereof. A control mechanism engages the filamentary material prior to completion of a winding sequence to cause the trailing end of the filamentary material to be wound for a plurality of turns in non-helical, close-order relationship on the package to resist subsequent unraveling of the filamentary material. The control mechanism comprises a movable arm which includes a contact edge oriented generally parallel to a plane defined by the traversing movement of the filamentary material. The arm is mounted for movement toward and away from such plane to contact the filamentary material upstream of the traversing guide and displace same out of the latter. The contact edge includes a stop for constraining the filamentary material for winding in a non-helical, close-order relationship onto the package.

Abstract: A guide encloses a group of traveling filaments arranged in a pattern forming a main longitudinal axis. The guide comprises a carrier movable toward and away from the filament group. A plurality of relatively movable members are mounted on the carrier for movement between open and closed positions. Those members form a through-passage for the filament group in the closed position. An actuating mechanism is operatively connected to the carrier and members for extending the carrier toward the filament group, and closing the members around the filaments to converge the filaments. Thereafter, the carrier is retracted to a position where a longitudinal axis of the through-passage is substantially aligned with the main longitudinal axis formed by the filament group.

Abstract: A guide encloses a group of traveling filaments arranged in a pattern forming a main longitudinal axis. The guide comprises a carrier movable toward and away from the filament group. A plurality of relatively movable members are mounted on the carrier for movement between open and closed positions. Those members form a through-passage for the filament group in the closed position. An actuating mechanism is operatively connected to the carrier and members for extending the carrier toward the filament group, and closing the members around the filaments to converge the filaments. Thereafter, the carrier is retracted to a position where a longitudinal axis of the through-passage is substantially aligned with the main longitudinal axis formed by the filament group.

Abstract: In the melt-spinning of filaments molten polymer is extruded downwardly through circularly arranged holes of a spinneret to form a circular group of filaments. Quench gas and finish liquid are conducted downwardly through the spinneret in alignment with a longitudinal axis defind by the filament group and are directed outwardly through the filament group. The filaments exhibit vibration during travel from the spinneret to the lower guide. The filaments are passed through and against a circular guide surface disposed around the filament group below the finish spray and above the lower guide. As a result, the filaments are deflected inwardly, in mutually spaced relationship, toward the longitudinal axis, whereby the amplitude of vibration of the filaments is reduced. The filaments are passed between walls extending upwardly from the guide surface and surrounding the filament group. Finish liquid is sprayed against the walls so that a finish environment is confined between the walls.

Abstract: The primary crimp frequency of crimped material is optically measured by utilizing the pattern of light reflections produced by the waviness of the material. The material is illuminated from one end thereof with light striking the material at a shallow angle to produce a pattern of bright and shadowed areas on the material. The light pattern is scanned by a reticon camera and an amplitude modulated output signal corresponding to the light pattern is obtained. The frequency of the output signal is measured to provide an indication of crimp frequency.