GB2252106A

GB2252106A - Method and apparatus for spinning together and balling a combined yarn product

Info

Publication number: GB2252106A
Application number: GB9101437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harvey John Folkard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-22
Filing date: 1991-01-22
Publication date: 1992-07-29
Also published as: GB9101437D0

Abstract

Two yarns 60, 64 are spun together and the combined yarn product 70 is balled in a continuous process on a single piece of apparatus. The apparatus comprises a hollow spindle 40, means for drawing a first yarn 60 through the spindle 40, and means for supporting on the spindle a supply 66 of a second yarn 64 which is caused to wrap around the first yarn 60 after it has passed through the spindle 40, and the yarn product 70 is then wound onto a former 58 to produce a ball 80 of the combined yarn product 70. The drives of the spindle 40 and former 58 are interconnected as is the cam actuation of a winding guide associated with the former. The yarn passes over a brush 74 on its way to the former. The yarn length is metered to determine when a ball has been wound of the desired length. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF SPINNING TOGETHER AND BALLING A COMBINED YARN PRODUCT AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN This invention relates to a method of spinning together yarns and balling a combined yarn product as one continuous process, and apparatus for use therein.

Previously, yarns have been spun together to produce a combined yarn product as a large scale commercial procedure, using suitably constructed apparatus. Subsequently, as further procedural steps, using various other apparatus, such yarns have been brushed and balled ready for sale.

It has, therefore, not been possible to create designer yarns on a small scale using a single piece of apparatus.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method of spinning together yarns, brushing and then balling the combined yarn product as one continuous process. A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for use in said method.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for spinning together two yarns to form a yarn product comprising a combination of yarns, the apparatus comprising a hollow spindle, means for drawing a first yarn through the spindle, means for supporting on the spindle a supply of a second yarn, means for causing the second yarn to be wrapped around the first yarn after it has passed through the spindle, means for supporting a former, and means for winding the yarn product onto the former to form a ball of the combined yarn product.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for brushing the combined yarn product prior to balling. Suitably, the product is brushed by drawing it past a brushing head, which desirably is caused to rotate at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the speed at which the yarn is drawn past the brushing head.

Preferably, the speed at which the first yarn is drawn through the spindle is geared to the speed at which the spindle supporting the second yarn rotates so that a constant number of twists of the second yarn are wrapped around the first yarn per unit length of the first yarn.

In preferred apparatus in accordance with the present invention the apparatus comprises a belt disposed between two wheels, the belt being driven by a motor, and means mounting the first wheel for movement between a first position wherein the belt is clear of said wheel, and a second position wherein the belt is gripped between the first and second wheels, causing rotation of the second wheel and, thereby, rotation of the spindle.

Preferably, the yarn is drawn through the spindle by rotation of the former. A guide may be mounted above the spindle for reciprocating motion to evenly distribute the yarn on the former. Suitably, the guide is controlled by a system driven by the rotation of the spindle: the rotation of the spindle may drive a second belt, the movement of which is converted by a cam to the reciprocating movement of the guide, thereby allowing the combination yarn to be wound evenly onto the former.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises a further guide mounted above the spindle for rotary motion in a vertical plane, thereby allowing displacement of the guide from its operative position, clear of the spindle so that a cone of yarn can readily be placed on the spindle or removed therefrom.

In preferred apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the former is of generally tubular shape with a split extending lengthwise substantially perpendicular to the circular section.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a meter which measures the length of the combined yarn produced.

Desirably, a machine comprising a plurality of apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein a plurality of spindles supporting a supply of yarn are mounted along a length of belt, is arranged so that the belt, being driven by the motor, causes the rotation of selected ones of the plurality of spindles, thereby allowing a plurality of balls of the combined yarn product to be produced simultaneously.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a yarn product comprising a combination of yarns wherein two yarns are spun together and a combined yarn product is balled in a continuous process, the method comprising drawing a first yarn through a hollow spindle which supports a supply of a second yarn, wrapping the second yarn around the first yarn after it has passed through the spindle, and winding the yarn product onto a former to produce a ball of the combined yarn product.

Preferably, the method comprises the further step of brushing the combined yarn prior to balling, wherein the yarns are spun together, brushed and the combined yarn product is balled in one continuous process. Suitably, the combined yarn product is brushed by drawing it past a brushing head.

In a preferred method in accordance with the present invention, the former is of generally tubular shape with a split extending lengthwise substantially perpendicular to the circular section, so that by pushing the former inwardly towards a central axis, it yields to allow a ball of the combined yarn product to be removed therefrom.

Preferably, the method comprises use of a meter which measures the length of combined yarn wound onto the former to allow the production of balls of a determined size.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a method of spinning together yarns and balling a combined yarn product and apparatus for use therein, embodying the invention. It will be realised that this device has been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the apparatus from the rear; and Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus.

With reference to all the figures, an apparatus 30 for spinning together two yarns to form a yarn product 70 comprising a combination of yarns comprises a hollow spindle 40, means for drawing a first yarn 60 through the spindle 40, and means 62 for supporting on the spindle 40 a supply 66 of a second yarn 64.

The second yarn 64 is caused to wrap around the first yarn 60 after it has passed through the spindle 40, and the apparatus further comprises means for supporting a former 58, and means for winding the yarn product 70 onto the former to form a ball 80 of the combined yarn product 70.

With reference to figure 1, an apparatus 30 embodying the invention is put into motion by operating a lever 32. When the apparatus 30 is not operative, a drive belt 36 is disposed between two wheels 34, 38 such that it does not make contact with the first wheel 34, but remains in contact with the second wheel 38. When the apparatus 30 is in use, belt 36 is driven by an electric motor (not shown), and lever 32 is then moved from its position at rest, which allows the belt 36 to remain clear of wheel 34, to a second position which results in the belt 36 becoming gripped between wheels 34 and 38. This causes rotation of wheel 38, which results in the rotation of a central spindle 40.Lever 32 is connected to a toggle mechanism (not shown in detail) which, on movement of lever 32 into its operative position, causes wheel 34 to be moved from its rest position into the operative position where it nips belt 36 and in which it is maintained by the toggle mechanism.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the rotation of spindle 40 drives a second belt 42, which results in the rotation of shaft 44. Said rotation of shaft 44 causes a worm gear 43 on shaft 44 to drive gear wheel 46, which puts shaft 48 into rotary motion, thereby driving pulley 50. A cam 52 converts this rotary motion into reciprocating movement of a guide 54b. This system may be controlled further by a spring 56. Rotation of shaft 48 simultaneously drives the rotation of a former 58 removably supported on support means 78 secured to the shaft 48.

A first yarn 60 passes through the hollow spindle 40, which supports a supply of a second yarn 64. Suitably, the supply of yarn is carried by a cone 66 on a support 62, and the supply of the first yarn 60 may also be from a cone 68.

When lever 32 is moved to put the apparatus 30 into motion, the resulting rotation of spindle 40 causes the rotation of support 62 carrying the cone 66 of yarn. Yarn 64, therefore, winds off the cone 66 as the spindle 62 rotates, as can be seen with reference to figures 2 and 3. The rotation of spindle 40 simultaneously puts into motion the system which results in the rotation of the former 58. Said rotation draws yarn 70 onto the former 58.

After the first yarn 60 has been drawn through the spindle 40, the second yard 64 is wrapped around the first yarn 60, thus spinning together the two yarns to from a yarn product 70 comprising a combination of yarns. The combined yarn product 70 is directed via a further guide 72 and the guides 54a and 54b onto the former 58, and winds onto the former 58 to form a ball 80 of the combined yarn product 70. The reciprocating motion of guide 54b ensures that the yarn product 70 is evenly distributed on the former 58.

The guide 72 may be moved in a vertical plane such that it can be displaced from its operative position, clear of the spindle thereby making it possible for a cone 66 of yarn to be placed on the support 62 or removed therefrom.

The apparatus 30 is arranged such that the speed at which the first yarn 60 is drawn through the spindle 40 is geared to the speed at which the spindle 40 rotates. Suitably, the ratio is such that the second yarn 64 wraps around the first yarn 60 at approximately 3 twists for every 1 inch (2.54cm) of yarn drawn through the spindle 40.

Generally, the apparatus 30 further comprises means for brushing the combined yarn product 70 prior to balling.

Referring to figure 3, it will be seen that the combined yarn product 70 may be brushed by drawing it past a brushing head 74.

The rotation of shaft 44 causes the brushing head 74 to rotate: suitably, the brushing head 74 rotates at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the speed at which the yarn 70 is drawn past the brushing head 74, for example a ratio of 15:1 between the peripheral speed of the brush 74 and speed of the yarn 70 is appropriate.

The apparatus 30 has a meter 76 which measures the length of combined yarn product 70 being wound onto the former 58.

This allows the production of a ball 80 of a determined length, so that it is possible to reproduce balls of a consistent size.

Preferably, the former 58 is of generally tubular shape, with a split 59 extending lengthwise substantially perpendicular to the circular section. When the correct length of yarn 70 has been wound onto the former 58 to give the desired ball size, the process may be stopped by moving lever 32 to its rest position, and the former 58 may then be lifted from its support 78. A split former is used so that when the former 58 is removed from the apparatus 30, by pushing it inwardly towards a central axis, it will yield sufficiently to enable the ball 80 of yarn 70 to be removed from the former 58. Lever 32 may then be moved back to its operative position, and another ball 80 of yarn be produced.

Suitably, a plurality of apparatus each comprising a spindle 40 supporting a cone 66 of yarn may be mounted along a length of belt 36, such that when the belt 36 is being driven by the motor, the arrangement of the apparatus is such that it can cause the rotation of selected ones of the plurality of spindles 40 by operation of the associated levers 32 thereby allowing a plurality of balls 80 of combined yarn products 70 (sometimes comprising various different yarns) to be produced simultaneously.

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention provides many advantages. It provides a method of spinning together two different yarns, and brushing and balling the combined yarn product in a continuous process on a single piece of apparatus.

The invention therefore makes possible the production of small scale designer yarns, especially for hand knitting. It is envisaged that the apparatus may be used suitably, for example, in wool shops or yarn shops. This would enable customers to bring into the shop, or buy, their chosen yarns, and create the combined yarn product of their choice in the required quantity to meet their needs. In this way, it would not only make easy the procedure of creating any yarn desired, but designer yarns would also be substantially cheaper to produce.

Claims

1. Apparatus for spinning togethertwo yarns to form a yarn product comprising a combination of yarns, the apparatus comprising a hollow spindle, means for drawing a first yarn through the spindle, means for supporting on the spindle a supply of a second yarn, means for causing the second yarn to be wrapped around the first yarn after it has passed through the spindle, means for supporting a former, and means for winding the yarn product onto the former to form a ball of the combined yarn product.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for brushing the combined yarn product prior to balling.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 so constructed and arranged that the combined yarn product is brushed by drawing it past a brushing head.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 so constructed and arranged that the brushing head rotates at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the speed at which the yarn is drawn past the brushing head.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a belt disposed between two wheels, the belt being driven by a motor, and means mounting the first wheel for movement between a first position wherein the belt is clear of said wheel, and a second position wherein the belt is gripped between the first and second wheels, causing rotation of the second wheel and thereby rotation of the spindle.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the yarn is drawn through the spindle by rotation of the former.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 comprising a guide mounted above the spindle for reciprocating motion to evenly distribute the yarn product on the former.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 so constructed and arranged that the guide is controlled by a system driven by the rotation of the spindle.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the rotation of the spindle drives a second belt, the movement of which is converted by a cam to the reciprocating movement of the guide, thereby allowing the combination yarn to be wound evenly onto the former.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims so constructed and arranged that the speed at which the first yarn is drawn through the spindle is geared to the speed at which the spindle supporting the second yarn rotates.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a further guide mounted above the spindle for rotary motion in a vertical plane to allow displacement of the guide from its operative position.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the former is of generally tubular shape with a split extending lengthwise, substantially perpendicular to the circular section.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a meter which measures the length of the combined yarn produced.

14. A machine comprising a plurality of apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of spindles supporting a supply of yarn are mounted along a length of belt so constructed and arranged that the belt being driven by the motor can cause the rotation of selected ones of the plurality of spindles, thereby allowing a plurality of balls of the combined yarn product to be produced simultaneously.

15. Apparatus constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of producing a yarn product comprising a combination of yarns wherein two yarns are spun together and a combined yarn product is balled in a continuous process, the method comprising drawing a first yarn through a hollow spindle which supports a supply of a second yarn, wrapping the second yarn around the first yarn after it has passed through the spindle, and winding the yarn product onto a former to form a ball of the combined yarn product.

17. A method according to Claim 16 comprising the further step of brushing the combined yarn product prior to balling, wherein the yarns are spun together, brushed and the combined yarn product is balled in one continuous process.

18. A method according to Claim 17 wherein the combined yarn product is brushed by drawing it past a brushing head.

19. A method according to any one of Claims 16 to 18 wherein the former is of generally tubular shape with a split extending lengthwise substantially perpendicular to the circular section so that by pushing the former inwardly towards a central axis it yields to allow a ball of the combined yarn product to be removed therefrom.

20. A method according to any one of Claims 16 to 19 wherein a meter measures the length of combined yarn wound onto the former to allow the production of balls of a determined size.

21. A method according to any one of Claims 16 to 20 wherein there is used apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 15.