Abstract: The apparatus (1) is used for forming a ball of yarn. It contains a container (2) having an internal volume (21) which is outwardly bounded in the vertical direction partially by an internal wall (31) and in the horizontal direction completely by the internal wall (31). The internal wall (31) has an inlet opening (41) through which the yarn is injectable into the internal volume (21) by means of an air flow. The internal wall (31) is rigid. The internal volume (21) has a downwardly open outlet opening (22) for a yarn ball formed in the internal volume (21). A lower part (33) of the internal wall (31) is inclined downwardly towards the outlet opening (22). By virtue of the rigid construction, the apparatus is simple and cost-effective. Possible problems with moving parts are avoided.

Abstract: In the method for detecting a periodic structure in a moving elongated textile material, the textile material is scanned simultaneously at several detection points which are arranged in an equidistant manner along its longitudinal direction. Scanning signals detected at the detection points are added to form a composite signal. As a result of temporal changes in the composite signal, conclusions are drawn on the periodic structure of the textile material. A spatial spectrum of the structure of the textile material can be obtained practically without any computational effort in several groups of several respective equidistant detection points.

Abstract: Using a substrate with at least one optical waveguide structure integrated thereon for the optical inspection of a moving textile material. A scanning region is provided on the substrate for optically scanning the textile material. The optical waveguide structure opens at least partly into the scanning region. The device arranged in this manner requires little space, can be used in a versatile manner and can be changed or maintained with very little effort.

Abstract: In a method and a device for identifying foreign bodies in a base textile material, the base textile material is subjected to beams and the beams reflected on the base material are detected and converted into an electrical signal. In order to detect foreign bodies in the material in a targeted manner and to differentiate them from each other, so all or only the unwanted foreign bodies can be, for example, eliminated, the beams have two defined and different wavelength ranges and the reflected beams are simultaneously and jointly detected from the two wavelength ranges. Preferably, a first defined wavelength range can be selected in such a way that the beams reflected on the base material provide random values in the electrical signal, for at least two different foreign bodies, and another defined wavelength range for the beams is selected in such a way that the reflected beams provide an electrical signal for the two foreign bodies, in a different ratio from the first wavelength range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for identifying foreign bodies in a base textile material, wherein the base textile material is subjected to beams (35, 36) and the beams (44) reflected on the base material are detected and converted into an electrical signal. In order to detect foreign bodies in the material in a targeted manner and to differentiate them from each other, so all or only the unwanted foreign bodies can be, for example, eliminated, the beams (35, 36) emitted substantially have two defined and different wavelength ranges (&lgr;1 and &lgr;2) and the reflected beams are simultaneously and jointly detected from the two wavelength ranges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting foreign matter in a fibre composite moving in the longitudinal direction and consisting substantially of wool or cotton fibres. To provide an improved, easier and rapid method of detecting polypropylene in fibres intended for textile products the fibre composite is irradiated with infrared light (2, 3) in a defined wavelength range, the reflected light filtered (13) and the filtered fraction of the light measured (11). Values which significantly deviate from a base value indicate the presence of foreign matter.

Abstract: A device for registering parameters of an elongated test material that takes up little space, can be manufactured easily and is cost-effective includes a light source for illuminating at least one region of the test material. The light source is in the form of a radiator of planar construction which is preferably designed for the emission of diffuse light. The radiator is connected to an electrode that is transparent and that can be applied to the radiator in the form of a layer.

Abstract: To test a bottle for contamination, the bottom of the bottle is laterally illuminated with a measuring light beam from a source. This measuring light beam is deflected, as if in a waveguide, in the ring of residual liquids at the bottom of the bottle. Light reemerging from the residual liquid is imaged on a detector by an imaging lens. The detector measures the spectral composition of the deflected light and compares this with theoretical values which should be yielded by the liquid with which the bottle was last filled. If deviations from the theoretical values are excessive, the bottle is rejected. The process described provides a simple way of determining whether a multi-trip bottle has contained an extraneous liquid.