GB596999A - A new or improved device for checking and cleaning threads from a spinning or twisting operation - Google Patents

Abstract

596,999. Thread-clearing apparatus. DOLL, J. E. July 19, 1945, No. 18531. Convention date, April 7, 1944. [Class 120 (ii)] A device for checking and cleaning threads from a spinning or twisting operation, designed to stop slubs but to allow knots to pass, comprises a stopping member through or below which the thread to be checked passes, and a plate arranged obliquely in the path of travel of the thread in advance of the stopping member, the said plate having a slot of width slightly less than the anticipated minimum diameter of a knot and terminating in an open end disposed laterally of the stopping members. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a thread 1 passes through a slot 3 in a plate 4 arranged obliquely in front of the stopping member which is constituted by a slot cleaner 6 arranged at right angles to the thread 1. Knots slide up plate 4 and by-pass the stopping member, while slubs which are wider than slot 3 gain therein, and slubs narrower than slot 3 but wider than slot 5 are stopped by slot cleaner 6. Instead of a slot cleaner, the stopping member may comprise a feeler 7, Fig. 4, which when lifted by a suitably thick slub releases a spring-loaded flap 13 to trap the thread. In another embodiment, Fig. 7, the stopping member is arranged to pass slubs which exceed the critical width but which have a length less than a predetermined dimension d. A slub longer than d raises feeler 34 and causes finger 37 to depress arm 24 so as to close gap 21 between blades 23 and 27. Block 28 carrying blade 27, stop 26a, pivot 33 and finger 37 are all adjustable according to the critical dimensions of the slubs to be stopped or passed. It is possible for a soft slub of more than the allowable width to be forced through gap 21 without being stopped. This is guarded against by a modification, Fig. 8, in which the thread passes beneath two feelers 42, 47 spaced apart by the distance d, the simultaneous raising of both feelers or the excessive raising of feeler 47 alone, serving to release a spring-loaded flap 59 to trap the thread. Base piece 40, stop 44a, pivot 45 and finger 53 are all adjustable to vary the critical slub dimensions.. In a further modification, the flap 59 is arranged in advance of the feelers. Pig-tail or other guides 2, Figs. 1 and 4, may be provided with any of the embodiments. In order to prevent a long slub which has passed through slot 3 by being flattened, from passing through the stopping member, the thread may be turned through an acute angle around a guide, such as a cylindrical roller or a porcelain finger, arranged between plate 4 and the stopping member. In order to limit the sizes of knots which are passed, there may be arranged before or after the device a further cleaner, for example a slot cleaner, capable of stopping knots of a diameter greater than that which is acceptable.