EP3507404B1

EP3507404B1 - Device and method for catching and stretching weft threads

Info

Publication number: EP3507404B1
Application number: EP17746448.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marnix Ghesquiere
Original assignee: Picanol NV
Current assignee: Picanol NV
Priority date: 2016-09-02
Filing date: 2017-07-27
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-27
Also published as: CN109642362B; BE1024545B1; EP3507404A1; CN109642362A; WO2018041485A1; BE1024545A1; EP3507404C0

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a weaving machine provided with a device for catching and stretching weft threads, and to a method for catching and stretching weft threads.
For catching a leading end of a weft thread inserted into a shed (also referred to as "inserted weft thread" in the following) and for holding the inserted weft thread with a desired tension, the use of so-called "catching threads" is known from the prior art. The catching threads run in parallel to the warp threads next to the shed and form a separate shed which may be closed earlier than the normal shed via associated shed-forming means, so as to bind the inserted weft thread at an appropriate moment and with an appropriate tension. By holding the end parts of the inserted weft thread, it is avoided that the weft threads, which extend beyond the fabric edge after the insertion, are pulled back into the fabric.
WO 2013/117564 A2 discloses a device for catching and stretching a weft thread inserted into a shed of a weaving machine avoiding catching threads. The device comprises a weft thread stretching device arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of an insertion path of the weft thread for catching the leading end part of the inserted weft thread and stretching the caught weft thread, a weft thread holding device arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of the beat-up line for holding the leading end part of at least one beaten-up weft thread, and a moveable guiding device arranged on the sley for movement with the sley for guiding the caught weft thread towards the weft thread holding device. The weft thread holding device disclosed in WO 2013/117564 A2 comprises a suction nozzle with a suction opening facing the reed, at which suction opening an entry slit is provided.
US 4,096,889 shows a tensioning device comprising a U-shaped auxiliary element positioned in alignment with the weft insertion path, wherein an air passage is generated between the two legs of the U-shaped element, perpendicular to the beat-up line. JPH02-384 and JPH10-130999 A show mechanical tensioning devices. EP 1 055 752 A1 shows a weft yarn end removing mechanism comprising a weft thread stretching device arranged for a movement together with a reed and a weft yarn removing mechanism comprising a suction device which is disposed with respect to a beat-up line or cloth fell in a take-up direction. US 3,658,098 shows a weft end suction device with a weft receiving and guiding block for a double sided weft insertion loom, which block is moveably arranged to adopt two different positions for launching and receiving a weft thread. Weft thread tensioning devices with suction nozzles are further shown in JPS45-8370 Y1 , JPH09-256245 and EP 1 365 053 A1 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a weaving machine provided with a device for catching and stretching weft threads, and a method for catching and stretching weft threads, wherein the weft thread is held with sufficient tension until the free end of the weft thread is cut off.
This object is solved by the weaving machine comprising a device for catching and stretching weft threads, and the method with the features of claims 1 and 11. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect, a weaving machine comprising a sley, which is moveable to-and-fro between a most rearward position for an insertion of a weft thread and a most forward position for beating-up the inserted weft thread, and a reed mounted to the sley, the reed having a guiding channel, which guiding channel determines an insertion path of the weft thread, and a device for catching and stretching a weft thread inserted into a shed of the weaving machine is provided, the device comprising a weft thread stretching device for catching the leading end part of the inserted weft thread and stretching the caught weft thread, which weft thread stretching device is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of an insertion path of the weft thread, a weft thread holding device for holding the leading end part of at least one beaten-up weft thread, which weft thread holding device is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of a beat-up line, a moveable guiding device for guiding the caught weft thread towards the weft thread holding device, which moveable guiding device is arranged on the sley for movement with the sley, and a control unit, wherein a first suction nozzle is provided as the weft thread holding device, wherein a second suction nozzle is provided as the weft thread stretching device, wherein the opening of the second suction nozzle is directed towards the guiding channel of the reed, when the reed is in its most rearward position away from the beat-up line, wherein the first suction nozzle has an opening directed towards a fabric edge of the fabric, and thus directed towards the guiding channel of the reed, when the reed is in its most forward position towards the beat-up line, and wherein the first suction nozzle is adapted to generate a suction stream in parallel to the beat-up line, so that after the weft thread has been beaten-up a free end of said weft thread held in the first suction nozzle extends at least essentially in parallel to the beat-up line, and wherein the first suction nozzle is connected to the control unit and controlled by the control unit so that the first suction nozzle is activated upon or shortly before the weft thread caught by the second suction nozzle is moved towards the first suction nozzle.
The opening of the first suction nozzle arranged in the region of the beat-up line is directed towards the fabric edge of the fabric. In other words, the opening is directed at least essentially towards a guiding channel of the reed, if the reed is in its most forward position towards the beat-up line. Thus, the weft threads held by the first suction nozzle extend in an at least essentially straight line in the extension of the beat-up line. This allows for a good stretching and, if required, an advantageous hand-over of the weft threads to a tucking-in device, a cutting device and/or catching threads arranged at the arrival side of the shed.
In preferred embodiments, the first suction nozzle is a ring-jet suction nozzle. In a ring-jet suction nozzle, a suction operation is obtained by blowing past the inlet of the suction nozzle. Preferably, the diameter of the inlet is selected so as to be sufficiently large to allow weft threads to pass easily through the suction nozzle.
In an embodiment, the first suction nozzle can be mounted in an adjustable position to the weaving machine in the region of the beat-up line. In preferred embodiments, the first suction nozzle is adjustable in its height position perpendicular to a woven fabric as well as in its position towards and away from a beat-up line. In this case, the position is adjustable by an operator of the weaving machine for example depending on a weft thread thickness and/or a type of weave binding and/or an arrangement of a tucking-in device.
In an embodiment, the guiding device for moving the weft threads towards the first suction nozzle is a blowing device. In other embodiments, a reed functions as the guiding device. In preferred embodiments, the guiding device comprises a hook-shaped guiding element, for example a hook-shaped guiding element provided with a recess having inwardly converging sidewalls for receiving the weft thread. In an embodiment, the guiding device having a hook-shaped guiding element further comprises an adjustable stopping element for adjusting the depth of the recess as described in WO 2013/117564 A2 .
In an embodiment, a weft detector is provided on the sley, which functions as guiding device having a guiding element for guiding the caught weft thread towards the first suction nozzle. In this case, the number of elements arranged on the sley and to be moved during beat-up can be reduced. However, for example, when weaving abrasive weft threads, an additional guiding element is provided. In preferred embodiments, the additional guiding element is arranged downstream of the weft detector in the insertion direction.
In preferred embodiments, the second suction nozzle is a ring-jet suction nozzle, the opening of which is directed towards a guiding channel of the reed, when the reed is in its most rearward position, away from the beat-up line. In preferred embodiments, the second suction nozzle can also be mounted in an adjustable position to the weaving machine. In this case, the position is adjustable by an operator of the weaving machine for example depending on a weft thread thickness and/or a type of weave binding and/or a type of guiding device used.
In preferred embodiments, the second suction nozzle is connected to the control unit, wherein the second suction nozzle is controlled by the control unit so that the second suction nozzle is activated upon insertion of a weft thread into the shed for catching the inserted weft thread and is deactivated upon or shortly after the caught weft thread arrives at the first suction nozzle. The deactivation of the second suction nozzle allows for a good transfer of the weft threads from the second suction nozzle towards the first suction nozzle.
The first suction nozzle is controlled by the control unit so that the first suction nozzle is activated upon or shortly before the weft thread caught by the second suction nozzle is moved towards the first suction nozzle. By deactivation, air consumption for the suction operation can be considerably reduced. The first suction nozzle can be deactivated after a leading end of the free end has been cut off and removed, or after the free end is held by catching threads or clamping elements or holding elements.
In an embodiment, catching threads are provided between the fabric edge and the first suction nozzle. The catching threads can be used to hold the free ends of inserted weft threads. In preferred embodiments, a tucking-in device is provided between the fabric edge and the first suction nozzle for tucking in the free end of at least one weft thread. The tucking-in device is also referred to as selvedge forming device. Preferably, the tucking-in device comprises at least one blowing nozzle adapted for blowing onto the free end of at least one weft thread in order to deflect the free end towards a subsequent shed. The tucking-in device can be designed and operated similar to the tucking-in device described in US 6,837,279 B2 . Such a tucking-in device comprises a hook-shaped element or bracket, which is provided with blowing nozzles for blowing a free end of a weft thread into the shed. For a reliable tucking operation, the tucking-in device is preferably mounted adjustable in position to the weaving machine.
In preferred embodiments, a cutting device is provided between the tucking-in device and the first suction nozzle for cutting off a leading end of at least one weft thread before tucking in the remaining part of the free end. The cut-off leading ends can be removed towards a waste container by means of the first suction nozzle. In other embodiments, an additional nozzle is provided for removal of the cut-off leading ends.
According to a second aspect, a method for catching and stretching a weft thread inserted into a shed of a weaving machine is provided, the weaving machine comprising a sley, which is moveable to-and-fro between a most rearward position for an insertion of a weft thread and a most forward position for beating-up the inserted weft thread, and a reed mounted to the sley, the reed having a guiding channel, which guiding channel determines an insertion path of the weft thread, using a device with a weft thread stretching device for catching the leading end part of the inserted weft thread and stretching the caught weft thread, which weft thread stretching device is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of an insertion path of the weft thread, a weft thread holding device for holding the leading end part of at least one beaten-up weft thread, which weft thread holding device is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of the beat-up line, a moveable guiding device for guiding the caught weft thread towards the weft thread holding device, which moveable guiding device is arranged on the sley for movement with the sley, and a control unit, wherein a first suction nozzle is provided as the weft thread holding device, wherein a second suction nozzle is provided as the weft thread stretching device, wherein the opening of the second suction nozzle is directed towards the guiding channel of the reed, when the reed is in its most rearward position away from the beat-up line, wherein the first suction nozzle has an opening directed towards a fabric edge of the fabric, and thus directed towards the guiding channel of the reed, when the reed is in its most forward position towards the beat-up line, and wherein the first suction nozzle generates a suction stream in parallel to the beat-up line, so that a free end of a weft thread held in the first suction nozzle extends at least essentially in parallel to the beat-up line, and wherein the first suction nozzle is connected to the control unit and controlled by the control unit so that the first suction nozzle is activated upon or shortly before the weft thread caught by the second suction nozzle is moved towards the first suction nozzle.
In preferred embodiments, the second suction nozzle is activated upon insertion of a weft thread into the shed for catching the inserted weft thread and is deactivated upon or shortly after the caught weft thread arrives at the first suction nozzle. The first suction nozzle is activated upon or shortly before the caught weft thread is moved towards the first suction nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a device for catching and stretching weft threads mounted to a weaving machine in a perspective view from the top.
Fig. 2 shows a device for catching and stretching weft threads of Fig. 1 mounted to a weaving machine in a perspective view from the back of the weaving machine in the direction of a tucking-in device.
Fig. 3 shows a device for catching and stretching weft threads of Fig. 1 mounted to a weaving machine in a perspective view from the back of the weaving machine in the direction of a first suction nozzle, wherein a sley is in a most rearward position.
Fig. 4 shows a device for catching and stretching weft threads of Fig. 1 mounted to a weaving machine in a perspective view from the back of the weaving machine in the direction of a first suction nozzle similar to Fig. 3, wherein a sley is in a most forward position.
Fig. 5 shows a device for catching and stretching weft threads of Fig. 1 mounted to a weaving machine in a perspective view from the insertion side of the weaving machine, after a weft thread has been beaten-up and the sley is moved towards a most rearward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 to 5 show a device 1 for catching and stretching weft threads mounted to a weaving machine, wherein the weaving machine is only partly shown.
As generally known, for weaving a fabric 2 (see Fig. 5) weft threads 3 are inserted into a shed formed between planes of warp threads 4 (see Fig. 5) by selectively raising and lowering warp threads 4. In an airjet weaving machine, during insertion, the weft thread 3 is supported in a known way by relay nozzles 5 (see Fig. 2) and guided in a guiding channel 6 (see Fig. 2) of a reed 7, which guiding channel 6 determines an insertion path of the inserted weft thread 3. In the embodiment shown, a first weft detector 8 is arranged at the end of the insertion path next to the reed 7 to detect the arrival of the weft thread 3. The reed 7 and the first weft detector 8 are mounted to a sley 9 and moveable by means of the sley 9 to-and-fro between a most rearward position for an insertion of a weft thread as shown in Fig. 3 and a most forward position for beating-up the inserted weft thread as shown in Fig. 4.
The device 1 for catching and stretching a weft thread inserted into the shed comprises a weft thread stretching device 28 arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of an insertion path and a weft thread holding device 27 arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of a beat-up line 10 (see Fig. 5). In the embodiment shown, a first suction nozzle 11 is provided as the weft thread holding device 27 and a second suction nozzle 12 is provided as the weft thread stretching device 28. Both, the first suction nozzle 11 and the second suction nozzle 12 are designed as ring-jet suction nozzles, wherein a suction operation is obtained by blowing past an inlet of the suction nozzle. The inlets or openings 23, 24 of both suction nozzles 11, 12 are directed towards a fabric edge 14 (see Fig. 5), in particular towards the extension of the fabric edge 14. Thus, the two suction nozzles 11, 12 each generate a suction stream in parallel to the beat-up line 10. Air for the suction operation is supplied by supply tubes 13.
Downstream of the second suction nozzle 12 in the insertion direction, a second weft detector 15 is mounted to the sley 9 for detecting insertion errors.
The first suction nozzle 11 and the second suction nozzle 12 are not mounted on the sley 9. In the embodiment shown, the first suction nozzle 11 and the second suction nozzle 12 are arranged stationary on the weaving machine by means of a support beam 16 and two mounting plates 17, 18 for mounting the first suction nozzle 11 and the second suction nozzle 12 to the support beam 16, respectively. In the embodiment, setting means 29 are provided for the support beam 16, that for example comprise a slot hole and a fixing bolt, for conjointly displacing both suction nozzles 11, 12 with respect to the beat-up line 10. Further, in the embodiment shown, similar setting means 30, 31 are provided on the support beam 16 and the mounting plates 17, 18 allowing an individual adjustment of the position of the mounting plates 17, 18 with respect to the support beam 16. In the embodiment shown, the mounting plate 17 can be mounted in a horizontal position and in a settable vertical position to the support beam 16, while the mounting plate 18 can be mounted in two horizontal positions and in a settable vertical position to the support beam 16. To this end, threaded holes are provided in the support beam 16 for bolts of the setting means 30 and a row of threaded holes 32 is provided in the support beam 16 in which bolts of the setting means 31 can selectively be screwed. Thus, the position of the first suction nozzle 11 and the position the second suction nozzle 12 can be adjusted with respect to the support beam 16 and, thus, with respect to the beat-up line 10 and the guiding channel 6 of the reed 7. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first suction nozzle 11 is arranged so that a center axis of its opening 23 at least essentially coincides with the guiding channel 6 of the reed 7, when the reed 7 is in its most forward position, and the second suction nozzle 12 is arranged so that a center axis of its opening 24 at least essentially coincides with the guiding channel 6 of the reed 7, when the reed 7 is in its most rearward position. The first suction nozzle 11 is therefore also referred to as front suction nozzle and the second suction nozzle 12 is referred to as rear suction nozzle.
The device 1 shown in Fig. 1 further comprises a tucking-in device 19, arranged between the fabric edge 14 and the first suction nozzle 11 for tucking in the free end of at least one inserted weft thread 3. The tucking-in device 19 comprises a hook-shaped element 20, which is provided with blowing nozzles 21 for blowing a free end of a weft thread 3 into the shed. The tucking-in device 19 comprises at least two mutually opposite blowing nozzles 21 arranged at a side of the hook-shaped element 20 facing the fabric edge 14. In the embodiment shown, four blowing nozzles 21 are provided that are arranged in two pairs. The operation and the arrangement of the blowing nozzles 21 are for example as described in US 6,837,279 B2 .
A cutting device 22 is provided between the tucking-in device 19 and the first suction nozzle 11, wherein the cutting device 22 is arranged for cutting off the leading ends of inserted weft threads 3 near a side face of the hook-shaped element 20.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the inserted weft thread 3 is caught and stretched by means of the second suction nozzle 12, which is arranged in the extension of the guiding channel 6, when the reed 7 is in its most rearward position. The reed 7 is moved by means of the sley 9 towards a beat-up line 10 (see Fig. 5) of a fabric 2 for a beat-up motion. The weft thread 3, that is caught and stretched by the second suction nozzle 12, as schematically shown in Fig. 1, is moved with the reed 7 and an additional guiding device 25 towards the beat-up line 10. The guiding device 25 for example comprises a hook-shaped guiding element 26 provided with a recess having inwardly converging sidewalls for receiving the weft thread 3. In the embodiment shown, the first weft detector 8 that is arranged on the sley 9 functions as the guiding device 25 for guiding the caught weft thread 3 towards the first suction nozzle 11, more in particular the first weft detector 8 is provided with the hook-shaped guiding element 26 of the guiding device 25. This hook-shaped guiding element 26 can consist of a profiled plate which is part of the weft detector 8, for example a profiled plate that is designed as the plate 33 which is part of the weft detector 15. According to an alternative embodiment the reed 7 may function as guiding element of a guiding device for guiding the caught weft thread 3 towards the first suction nozzle 11 upon movement of the reed 7.
As shown in Fig. 4, upon the beat-up motion, the weft thread 3 is moved into the effective range of the first suction nozzle 11 and can be transferred to the first suction nozzle 11. For this purpose, preferably the second suction nozzle 12 is deactivated once the weft thread 3 has entered the effective range of the first suction nozzle 11.
As best seen in Fig. 5, after beating-up a weft thread the free end of said weft thread 3, which is held by the first suction nozzle 11, extends at least essentially in parallel to the beat-up line 10. This allows for a good stretching of inserted weft threads 3 and a suitable operation of the tucking-in device 19. For forming the selvedge, the leading ends of the inserted weft threads are cut off and the blowing nozzles 21 of the tucking-in device 19 are activated for deflecting the remaining part of the free ends of the inserted weft threads towards the shed, wherein the free ends are conjointly bound in the fabric 2 with a subsequently inserted weft thread 3. The cut-off ends can be transported via the first suction nozzle 11 towards a waste container (not shown).
In a preferred operation, the second suction nozzle 12 is activated upon insertion of a weft thread 3 into the shed for catching the inserted weft thread and is deactivated upon or shortly after the caught weft thread 3 arrives at the effective range of the first suction nozzle 11. The first suction nozzle 11 is activated upon or shortly before the caught weft thread is moved towards the first suction nozzle 11 by means of the reed 7 and/or the weft detector 8 and/or any other guiding means. The first suction nozzle 11 can be deactivated after the leading end has been cut off by means of the cutting device 22 and the cut-off ends have been transported towards a waste container.
The activation and deactivation of the first suction nozzle 11, the second suction nozzle 12 and the blowing nozzles 21 of the tucking-in device 19 can be controlled by means of a control unit (not shown), which may be incorporated in the central control unit of the weaving machine.
The device and the method according to the invention are not limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the drawings, but can also comprise variants and combinations of these embodiments that fall under the claims.

Claims

Weaving machine comprising a sley (9), which is moveable to-and-fro between a most rearward position for an insertion of a weft thread (3) and a most forward position for beating-up the inserted weft thread (3), a reed (7) mounted to the sley (9), the reed (7) having a guiding channel (6), which guiding channel (6) determines an insertion path of the weft thread (3), and a device for catching and stretching a weft thread (3) inserted into a shed of the weaving machine, the device comprising a weft thread stretching device (28) for catching the leading end part of the inserted weft thread (3) and stretching the caught weft thread (3), which weft thread stretching device (28) is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of the insertion path of the weft thread (3), a weft thread holding device (27) for holding the leading end part of at least one beaten-up weft thread, which weft thread holding device (27) is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of a beat-up line (10), a moveable guiding device (25) for guiding the caught weft thread (3) towards the weft thread holding device (27), which moveable guiding device (25) is arranged on the sley (9) for movement with the sley (9), and a control unit, wherein a first suction nozzle (11) is provided as the weft thread holding device (27), wherein a second suction nozzle (12) is provided as the weft thread stretching device (28), wherein the opening (24) of the second suction nozzle (12) is directed towards the guiding channel (6) of the reed (7), when the reed (7) is in its most rearward position away from the beat-up line (10), characterized in that the first suction nozzle (11) has an opening (23) directed towards a fabric edge (14) of the fabric (2), and thus directed towards the guiding channel (6) of the reed (7), when the reed (7) is in its most forward position towards the beat-up line (10), and the first suction nozzle (11) is adapted to generate a suction stream in parallel to the beat-up line (10), so that after the weft thread (3) has been beaten-up a free end of said weft thread (3) held in the first suction nozzle (11) extends at least essentially in parallel to the beat-up line (10), and wherein the first suction nozzle (11) is connected to the control unit and controlled by the control unit so that the first suction nozzle (11) is activated upon or shortly before the weft thread (3) caught by the second suction nozzle (12) is moved towards the first suction nozzle (11).
Weaving machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first suction nozzle (11) is a ring-jet suction nozzle.
Weaving machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first suction nozzle (11) is mounted in an adjustable position to the weaving machine in the region of the beat-up line (10).
Weaving machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the guiding device (25) comprises a hook-shaped guiding element (26), which is for example provided with a recess having inwardly converging sidewalls for receiving the weft thread (3).
Weaving machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a weft detector (8) is provided on the sley (9), which functions as the guiding device (25) for guiding the caught weft thread (3) towards the first suction nozzle (11).
Weaving machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second suction nozzle (12) is a ring-jet suction nozzle.
Weaving machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second suction nozzle (12) is connected to the control unit, wherein the second suction nozzle (12) is controlled by the control unit so that the second suction nozzle (12) is activated upon insertion of a weft thread (3) into the shed for catching the inserted weft thread (3) and is deactivated upon or shortly after the caught weft thread (3) arrives at the first suction nozzle (11).
Weaving machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a tucking-in device (19) is provided between the fabric edge (14) and the first suction nozzle (11) for tucking in the free end of at least one weft thread.
Weaving machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the tucking-in device (19) comprises at least one blowing nozzle (21) adapted for blowing onto the free end of at least one weft thread (3) in order to deflect the free end.
Weaving machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a cutting device (22) is provided between the tucking-in device (19) and the first suction nozzle (11) for cutting off a leading end of at least one weft thread (3) before tucking in the remaining part of the free end.
Method for catching and stretching a weft thread (3) inserted into a shed of a weaving machine, the weaving machine comprising a sley (9), which is moveable to-and-fro between a most rearward position for an insertion of a weft thread (3) and a most forward position for beating-up the inserted weft thread (3), and a reed (7) mounted to the sley (9), the reed (7) having a guiding channel (6), which guiding channel (6) determines an insertion path of the weft thread (3), using a device (1) with a weft thread stretching device (28) for catching the leading end part of the inserted weft thread (3) and stretching the caught weft thread (3), which weft thread stretching device (28) is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in an extension of the insertion path of the weft thread (3), a weft thread holding device (27) for holding the leading end part of at least one beaten-up weft thread, which weft thread holding device (27) is arranged stationary on the weaving machine in a region of a beat-up line (10), a moveable guiding device (25) for guiding the caught weft thread (3) towards the weft thread holding device (27), which moveable guiding device (25) is arranged on the sley (9) for movement with the sley (9), and a control unit, wherein a first suction nozzle (11) is provided as the weft thread holding device (27), and wherein a second suction nozzle (12) is provided as the weft thread stretching device (28), wherein the opening (24) of the second suction nozzle (12) is directed towards the guiding channel (6) of the reed (7), when the reed (7) is in its most rearward position away from the beat-up line (10), characterized in that the first suction nozzle (11) has an opening (23) directed towards a fabric edge (14) of the fabric (2), and thus directed towards the guiding channel (6) of the reed (7), when the reed (7) is in its most forward position towards the beat-up line (10), wherein the first suction nozzle (11) generates a suction stream in parallel to the beat-up line (10), so that a free end of a weft thread (3) held in the first suction nozzle (11) extends at least essentially in parallel to the beat-up line (10), and wherein the first suction nozzle (11) is connected to the control unit and controlled by the control unit so that the first suction nozzle (11) is activated upon or shortly before the weft thread (3) caught by the second suction nozzle (12) is moved towards the first suction nozzle (11).
Method for catching and stretching a weft thread according to claim 11, characterized in that the second suction nozzle (12) is activated upon insertion of a weft thread (3) into the shed for catching the inserted weft thread and is deactivated upon or shortly after the caught weft thread arrives at the first suction nozzle (11).