JP2023539939A - thread handling system - Google Patents

Abstract

System for handling yarn packages and empty cores. The system includes a winder, creel, and gripper assembly. The winder is configured to accommodate the empty core and wind a predefined length of yarn onto the empty core to form a yarn package. The creel is configured to provide an array of creel locations for accommodating yarn packages. The gripper assembly is configured to be movable between the winder and the creel. The gripper assembly has jaws that grip the yarn package when the yarn package is conveyed from the winder to the creel, and that remove the empty core from the creel and convey the empty core to the winder. is adapted to grasp an empty wick. Also disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for controlling a thread tail, mounting a spool on a creel, and feeding thread through a creel. [Selection diagram] Figure 1A

Description

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for use in the manufacture of woven or tufted products, including textiles such as carpets and rugs.

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from Australian provisional application numbers AU2020903209, AU2020903210 and AU2020903212, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Carpet making machines are used to make rugs and carpets. Broadly speaking, there are two types of carpet making machines: weaving machines and tufting machines.

Weaving involves interweaving orthogonal sets of weft and warp threads. In the manufacture of woven carpets, several evenly spaced parallel strands of yarn run along the length of the carpet. These strands are called warp strands. As the warp threads are advanced by the loom of the weaving machine, yarn strands may be passed vertically through the set of warp threads across the width of the carpet and captured between the warp threads, thereby forming the carpet. These strands are known as weft strands. Each of the yarn strands forming the warp and weft are fed by different yarn feeders, often in the form of yarn cones, bobbins or tubes.

Tufting involves weaving threads through a net-like backing. In the manufacture of tufted carpets using large tufting machines, several needles run linearly across the width of the backing. As the backing is advanced through the tufting machine, the needle winds the thread through the backing. Each needle is fed with yarn by a different yarn feeder.

Conversely, small tufting machines utilize a single needle assembled into a moveable needle assembly that translates across the width of the carpet. Such a machine therefore requires only one yarn feeder. Such relatively small tuft machines are particularly suitable for manufacturers of relatively small products and samples.

Gauge for woven or tufted products is a measure of the number of strands or needles per inch of width. Typical carpets and rugs are manufactured in 1/10 gauge, which corresponds to 10 threads per inch. Thus, a typical width carpet or rug may have over 1000 yarns across its width, each fed from a different yarn feeder.

Traditionally, carpet making machines include multiple needles and/or "work points" and are fed with yarn via a large, stationary creel. A creel is a shelf or frame that provides multiple locations for housing tubes or "yarn packages" of yarn. Each location within the creel provides a different work point for the carpet making machine.

Early carpet making machines used to make level cut carpets or loop carpet piles used yarn from each package equally so that the packages ran out of yarn at about the same time. However, more modern carpet making machines are capable of producing patterned carpets or rugs with varying heights of loops or cut piles, resulting in different consumption of yarn at different work points. Furthermore, the full-width patterning nature of more modern carpet making machines means that the yarn consumption at each work point, and thus each yarn package, is different. In addition, some modern machines can also exhibit one of multiple colors at a predetermined location within the pattern to produce various carpet or rug patterns, and even between different packages. This further increases the variation in the amount of yarn used.

The yarn from each location within the creel is typically drawn toward a "header" device which itself directs the yarn to a separate supply of yarn to the work point of the carpet making machine. supply A typical creel can accommodate hundreds or even thousands of yarn packages. Conventionally, each yarn package within a creel is wound with a uniform length of yarn that approximates the required amount of yarn. This results in wastage of yarn at the end of the job; any excess yarn remaining on the package at the end of the job is pulled off by the carpet making machine and discarded before the start of the next job.

Typically, new yarn packages are manually fed into position within the creel by an operator. The worker holds the free end or "tail" of the thread in his hands and carries the thread to a creel where it is threaded into an eye or conduit to the header, typically , is joined or "spliced" to the preceding length of yarn fed through this eye or conduit. Given the large number of locations within the creel that require loading and unloading, threading and feeding the thread tail to the header and manually removing the empty core can be a tedious and time-consuming task. Alternatively, the creel device may be provided for two yarn positions for each working point of the carpet making machine, in which case the new yarn can be connected to the existing yarn in the creel. can. Furthermore, if multiple yarn packages are mounted at the header and spliced together at the same time at the header, there is a risk that adjacent yarns will become entangled.

Complete replacement or replenishment of these packages can mean many labor hours, approximately 20 hours in this example. Traditional large, hand-fed creels were therefore well suited for early carpet making machines, but less so for more modern machines that often consumed different amounts of yarn at different work points. Unsuitable thread usage variations result in an increased amount of wasted thread. Alternatively, a partially used yarn package can be removed from the creel and placed in storage until that color and amount of yarn is required, but this will depend on the amount of storage required. Increase quantity.

Against this background, alternative systems have been developed in recent years that attempt to provide improvements in creels and yarn feeding to creels.

One such system relies on the use of a smaller, movable creel that can be loaded with yarn away from the carpet making machine. The first movable creel is used for yarn feeding to the carpet making machine while the second movable creel is loaded with a yarn package, and when the yarn on the first creel is finished being used. , this first creel can be replaced with a second creel. This system reduces the downtime associated with emptying and refilling traditional stationary creels. However, such systems still require manual replenishment of yarn packages to each movable creel position, and if yarn consumption at each position is unequal, a significant amount of yarn may remain. The package still has to be removed and stored.

Another alternative system involves the use of a winder configured to wind a precise length of yarn onto an empty core with high precision. Additionally, labels are placed on the yarn packages to identify the specific location within the creel where each package is to be uniquely placed. The batch of uniquely rolled packages is then conveyed to the creel, and each package is manually placed into a designated location indicated on a label on the package. One example of such a system is the Gilbos "UniWinder" machine and associated software.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved method of feeding yarn to a manufacturing machine that addresses some of the shortcomings of conventional creel-based systems. It would also be advantageous to provide systems and apparatus for implementing such methods.

The present invention has been conceived with these drawbacks in mind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is a system for handling a plurality of yarn packages and a plurality of empty cores, the creel comprising an array of creel positions each configured to receive a yarn package. a creel and a winder disposed adjacent to the creel, the winder being configured to receive the empty core; and a winder configured to receive the empty core; a winder configured to wind a predetermined length of yarn onto an empty core to form a gripper assembly, the gripper assembly being configured to move between the creel and the winder; a gripper assembly having gripping jaws adapted to grip a yarn package or an empty core, the gripping jaws of the gripper assembly gripping the empty core in a creel position and removing the empty core from the creel. A system is provided that is adapted to remove and convey empty cores to a winder.

Removal of the yarn from the yarn package may be through the process of using the yarn in the formation of rugs or carpets. For example, yarn may be removed from a yarn package by being fed from a creel location to a header plate. Yarn may be fed to the header plate through a conduit located in the center of the creel location. Once the required amount of yarn has been used, there may be a small residual amount of yarn remaining on the package, which is removed to yield an empty core.

According to some embodiments, the creel includes an array of tubes respectively surrounding each creel location.

According to some embodiments, the creel includes a first side and a second side. The first side may include a first array of creel locations. The second side may include a second array of creel locations. Optionally, at least one winder is located adjacent to the first side of the creel and at least one winder is located adjacent to the second side of the creel. Optionally, at least one winder is disposed adjacent the first side in the initial position, and the creel is configured to be rotated, such that the first side is positioned adjacent to the first side in the initial position. The creel may be handled by a winder and the creel can be rotated such that the second side in the rotated configuration can be handled by the winder.

According to some embodiments, the creel is a movable creel. The movable creel may be equipped with a yarn package in one configuration, and the movable creel may be moved to another configuration, such as adjacent to the tufting machine, if desired.

According to some embodiments, a winder includes multiple winding regions. Each winding region may be adapted to wind a predefined length of thread onto a respective empty core. The winder is capable of simultaneously winding a predefined length of yarn onto multiple empty cores. The winder may include a plurality of heads, each capable of winding yarn onto an empty core. Optionally, the winder may be equipped with a plurality of magazines adapted to accommodate empty cores. Each head of the winder or winding area may be provided with a respective magazine. The magazine may be configured to accommodate at least one empty core at a time. Optionally, the magazine may be configured to accommodate multiple empty cores simultaneously. The winder may include a storage buffer adapted to accommodate a single empty wick. If the winder has multiple winding areas, the winder may include multiple storage buffers each adapted to accommodate a single empty core.

According to some embodiments, the winder includes at least one port through which the winder receives the empty core.

According to some embodiments, a gripper assembly is movable horizontally and vertically between the creel and the winder, such that the gripper assembly retrieves empty cores from any creel location in the array. Alternatively, the yarn package can be conveyed to any creel position in the array.

According to some embodiments, the system further includes a gantry with a gripper assembly connected on the gantry. The gripper assembly may be horizontally and vertically movable on the gantry between the creel and the winder.

According to some embodiments, the gripper assembly is arranged between a first position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the creel and a second position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the winder. It can be rotated by

According to some embodiments, the gripping jaws are movable along the length of the gripper assembly toward and away from the creel position when in the first position; Or, when in the second position, it is movable toward and away from the winder. The gripper assembly and grasping jaws may be pneumatically movable and actuated and/or may include a pneumatic control system.

According to some embodiments, each creel location includes a package holder in which the core of the yarn package is placed. The package holder is preferably arranged such that it does not interfere with the gripping jaws of the gripper assembly when the gripper assembly transports the yarn package to the above-mentioned creel position or when the gripper assembly removes the empty core from the above-mentioned creel position. Positioned and dimensioned.

According to some embodiments, the gripping jaws are adapted to grip the inner surface of a yarn package or empty core. Optionally, the gripping jaws include multiple fingers. The fingers have a reduced radial profile in the closed position and the fingers have an increased radial profile in the open position. The fingers may be adapted to engage the inner surface of the yarn package or empty core when in the open position and to release the yarn package or empty core when transitioning from the open position to the closed position. I can do it.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises sensing means. The sensing means may comprise a feature recognition camera or sensor. The system may include a controller. A feature recognition camera or sensor may be adapted to recognize and locate each creel position and send a signal to the control device. The controller can thus control the gripper assembly to align with each creel position during transport of the yarn package or during removal of the empty core. The feature recognition camera or sensor and controller may also control the gripper assembly to align with the magazine or port of the winder during transfer of the empty core to the winder. A feature recognition camera or sensor and controller can control the gripper assembly to align the gripper with the package being wound on the winder. The sensing means may utilize LiDAR (light detection and ranging) for accurate positioning of the jaws. The sensor can use LiDAR.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of handling yarn packages and empty cores, the step of providing a creel having an array of creel locations, each creel location adapted to receive a yarn package. providing a creel and a winder configured to receive an empty core, the winder having a pre-defined creel on the empty core to form a yarn package; providing a winder configured to wind a length of yarn, the winder being positioned adjacent to the creel; and providing a gripper assembly, the gripper assembly being adjacent to the creel. providing a gripper assembly configured to be movable to and from a winder, the gripper assembly having a gripping jaw adapted to grip a yarn package or an empty core; placing the gripper assembly in a creel position; operating the gripper assembly into the creel position to grip the empty core by gripping jaws of the gripper assembly; and moving the gripper assembly between the creel and the winder. transporting an empty core to a winder; operating a gripper assembly to thereby collect a yarn package from the winder with gripping jaws; and operating the gripper assembly to move the yarn package to a creel position. and conveying the method.

According to some embodiments, a method includes providing a gantry on which a gripper assembly is connected and moves horizontally and vertically between a creel and a winder. The method further includes providing a gantry adapted to perform the method. Preferably, the gripper assembly is rotatable on the gantry between a first position in which the gripping jaws face the creel and a second position in which the gripper jaws face the winder.

According to some embodiments, before gripping the empty core described above, the gripper assembly is moved on the gantry to a creel position corresponding to the empty core. In order to grip the empty core mentioned above, the gripping jaws in the closed position can be moved towards the empty core in the longitudinal direction of the gripper assembly, and the gripper jaws can be actuated to the open position to grip the empty core. It can be engaged with the inner surface of the core. Once the empty core is gripped by the gripping jaws, it can be removed from its respective creel position by moving the gripping jaws in the opposite longitudinal direction as described above, in other words in a direction away from the respective creel position. . Similarly, in order to grip the yarn package mentioned above, the gripping jaws in the closed position can be moved towards the yarn package in the longitudinal direction of the gripper assembly, the gripper jaws being actuated into the open position, It can be engaged with the inner surface of the yarn package.

It is understood that any of the individual features mentioned above or below or shown in the accompanying drawings may be the subject of an independent or dependent claim in and of itself. The features described herein may be utilized in any combination to provide beneficial results, and no single embodiment should by itself limit the scope of the invention. Not considered.

Another aspect of the invention is a thread control device for controlling the tail of a thread, the device comprising a movable body configured to capture a thread and guide the thread into an operating region of the body. a body, an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body, and an inlet disposed proximate the operating area of the body and oriented to eject the first fluid as a first fluid stream. a first fluid outlet and a first movable member within the body, the first movable member moving between an operative configuration for clamping the thread and an inactive configuration for releasing the thread. and in the operative configuration, the thread is clamped in the operative region of the body such that the first fluid stream captures the thread tail, orients the thread tail coaxially with the first fluid stream, and the thread is movable. A yarn control device is provided in which movement of the body of the yarn adjusts a first fluid stream and the direction of a yarn tail flowing within the first fluid stream to control the orientation of the yarn tail.

Another aspect of the invention is a thread control system for transporting a tail of thread to a receptacle, the system comprising a movable body that captures the thread and directs the thread into the working area of the body. a body configured to guide, an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body, and an inlet disposed proximate a working area of the body and for discharging the first fluid as a first fluid stream. a first fluid outlet oriented such that the movable member within the body moves between an operative configuration and a non-operative configuration; a nozzle having a second fluid outlet for blowing out a fluid stream; in the operative arrangement, the thread is clamped in the operative region of the body, such that the first fluid stream captures the thread tail and causes the thread tail to When a movable body oriented coaxially with the first fluid stream is moved, the first fluid stream is deflected to intersect with the second fluid stream, thereby causing the second fluid stream to intersect with the second fluid stream. relates to a yarn control system that blows out the trailing yarn tails from a first fluid stream, thereby conveying the yarn tails to a storage section.

The winder is configured to receive an empty core, and the winder is configured to wind a predefined length of yarn onto the empty core to form a yarn package.

A gripper assembly is configured to be movable between the creel and the winder, the gripper assembly includes gripping jaws adapted to grip the package or empty core, and the gripper assembly includes (i) and (ii) are configured to remove an empty core from a designated creel location, transport the empty core to a winder, and (ii) remove a yarn package from the winder and transport the package to a designated creel location. .

Yarn is removed from the yarn package by feeding it from a designated creel location to a header plate or header. The yarn is fed into a central receptacle in the form of a conduit or tube at a designated creel location and through the conduit or tube to the header.

According to some embodiments, each designated creel location includes a housing or package holder in which a spool tube is disposed and supported. The housing is preferably arranged so as not to interfere with the attachment member of the gripper assembly when the gripper assembly conveys a yarn package to a designated creel location or when the gripper assembly retrieves an empty core from a designated creel location. positioned and dimensioned.

The housing can be a mounting tube. The creel may include an array of mounting tubes. Each mounting tube surrounds a designated creel location and accommodates and supports a yarn package or empty core at the designated creel location. The housing may further include locating projections or brackets for supporting and retaining the thread package. The housing can house a conduit or tube. The conduit may be centrally located within the housing to support the spool and allow thread to be routed from the mounting surface of the creel to the opposite surface of the creel.

According to some embodiments, the gripper assembly is movable horizontally and vertically between the creel and the winder, such that the gripper assembly is capable of retrieving empty cores from any creel position in the array. or convey yarn packages to any creel position in the array.

According to some embodiments, the system further includes a gantry having a gripper assembly installed therein. The gripper assembly may be movable horizontally and vertically between the creel on the gantry and the winder. The gripper assembly is capable of telescoping motion that allows the gripper assembly to extend and retract. The gripper assembly may be configured to operate in three degrees of freedom. The gripper assembly may be assembled to allow rotation of the gripper assembly. The rotation may be in a horizontal plane. The rotation may be in a vertical plane.

According to some embodiments, the gripper assembly is arranged between a first position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the creel and a second position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the winder. It can be rotated by

According to some embodiments, the gripper assembly moves toward and away from a designated creel position when in the first position along the length of the gripper assembly. or, when in the second position, towards and away from the winder. The gripper assembly may be pneumatically movable and actuated and/or may include a pneumatic control system or may be electronically actuated.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of mounting a yarn package on a creel, the method comprising: winding a predetermined length of yarn onto an empty core in a winder to form the yarn package; capturing a yarn package by a gripper assembly configured to move between The control device captures and holds the yarn tail of the yarn package, the steps of: capturing and moving the gripper assembly adjacent to the creel to convey the yarn package to an empty creel position; and storing the yarn tail. actuating a thread control device to advance toward a section.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of mounting a yarn package on a creel and threading the yarn tail through the creel, the method comprising: threading a predetermined length of yarn onto an empty core in a winder to form the yarn package; winding the yarn and capturing the yarn package by a gripper assembly configured to move between the creel and the winder, the gripper assembly being adapted to grip the yarn package; , and a yarn control system, the yarn control system captures and holds the yarn tail of the yarn package, moves the gripper assembly adjacent to the creel, and moves the yarn package to a specified position. transporting the thread to the creel position; activating a thread control system to direct the thread tail toward the storage section at the designated creel position; and threading the thread tail through the storage section at the designated creel position. Provide a method, including.

In some embodiments, the housing may be a creel conduit. The conduit may be a central tube. A plurality of central tubes may be distributed across the creel, each central tube defining a designated creel location. The central tube of each creel location may be defined by a housing or mounting tube for protecting the yarn package therein. The yarn package may be arranged coaxially on the central tube to facilitate the feeding of the yarn from the winding tube through the central tube to the working surface of the creel. The conduit can direct the yarn tail through the yarn package and onto the working surface of the creel. The yarn package is installed from the mounting surface of the creel. The mounting surface may be on the opposite side of the creel from the working surface. In some embodiments, the mounting surface of the creel is also the work surface.

In some embodiments, the housing may be an eye or eyelet for housing the tail. In some embodiments, the storage portion may be a header or a header box for storing multiple tails of an attached creel.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the yarn extending between the outlet and a package holder to which the yarn package is attached during the manufacture of a yarn product. determining a length of the feed path; winding a first length range of yarn onto an empty core by a winder to form a yarn-wound core; and forming a yarn package. winding a second length range of yarn on a core around which the yarn is wound, the second length range being equal to the length of the yarn feeding path or having a length equal to the length of the yarn feeding path; winding a first length range having a length slightly greater than the thread length; and selectively feeding the tail end of the thread package along a thread feed path to an outlet, thereby winding a second length range of the thread. only a length range of the thread is unwound from the yarn package. By determining the length of the yarn feed path before winding the yarn package, the amount of excess yarn remaining on the yarn package upon completion of manufacturing the product is reduced.

The winding of the first length range of yarn may be a slanted winding, wherein the first length range of yarn is wound along the empty core from the first end of the empty core. is traversed to the second end of the core. The angled winding may be a helical winding, in which a first length range of yarn is repeatedly traversed between a first end and a second end of the empty core. The winding of the second length range of thread may be a straight winding, with the second length range of thread being concentrated on a portion of the core around which the thread is wound. The straight winding may be concentrated in a substantially central portion of the core around which the thread is wound. By concentrating the winding of the second length range in the central portion, the process of unwinding only the second length range from the yarn package is simplified.

The package holder may be one of a plurality of package holders, each of the plurality of package holders having a different yarn feed path, and the method includes determining the length of the yarn feed path. The process further includes the step of defining a designated package holder to which the yarn package is to be attached. A plurality of package holders may be provided within the creel. The method may further include transporting the yarn package from the winder to the designated package holder. Transporting the yarn package may include the use of an automated gripper that removes the yarn package from the winder and attaches the yarn package to a designated package holder. By attaching a yarn brake to an automated gripper, a single yarn brake can be operated between multiple yarn packages attached to different package holders to unwind yarn from multiple yarn packages.

In some embodiments, feeding the yarn from the yarn package includes applying tension to a yarn tail end of the yarn package and feeding the yarn tail end along a yarn feeding path to an exit. good. The step of feeding the yarn includes applying a frictional force to the first length of yarn with a yarn brake, thereby preventing payout of the first length of yarn from the yarn package. The yarn brake may be attached to an automated gripper or the automated gripper described above, which conveys the yarn package from the winder to the package holder. Yarn brakes provide a simple mechanism for limiting yarn feed from a yarn package.

The method includes the steps of: defining the total length of yarn needed to make the product; and calculating a first length range of the length range. By calculating the first yarn length and the second yarn length before winding, the amount of yarn on each yarn package is determined by the amount of yarn required to be consumed at each work point of the manufacturing machine. limited in quantity. Thus, yarn waste associated with excess yarn remaining on the yarn package upon job completion is further reduced.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a yarn brake for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the yarn package being attached to a package holder and having a first length range of yarn. and a second length range wound around the core, the yarn brake including a friction element having a disengaged position in which the friction element is not in contact with the yarn package; The friction element is movable to and from an engaged position in which it engages a first length of yarn, such that when the yarn brake is in the engaged position, the yarn tail end of the yarn package is movable. The application of tension causes only a second length range of yarn to be unwound from the yarn package, the second length range of yarn feeding the tail end along a yarn feed path extending from the package holder to the exit. Provide a thread brake with a predefined length calculated for. Since the length of the second length range of yarn is a predetermined length in relation to the yarn feeding path, the amount of excess yarn wound onto the yarn package can be reduced. Furthermore, by only delivering the measured second length range of the thread, the thread protruding beyond the exit is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of entanglement with neighboring threads or other objects.

The friction element is capable of engaging the core when the first length range and the second length range of yarn are unwound from the yarn package. The yarn brake is therefore configured to interact with yarn packages having different outer diameters caused by different amounts of yarn being wound onto the yarn package. The friction element is capable of engaging a first length of yarn towards an opposite end of the yarn package with respect to the end of the yarn package from which the yarn is being unwound. The friction element may be pivotable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The friction element may be removably insertable into a slot in the housing of the package holder.

In some embodiments, the package holder is one of a plurality of package holders provided within the creel, and the thread brake is movable between each of the package holders. The yarn brake may be contained within or attached to the automated gripper, the automated gripper being adapted to load the yarn package onto the creel. By attaching the thread brake to the automated gripper, the thread brake is easily equipped within existing automated thread handling systems.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a system for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the system comprising: a first length range of yarn on an empty core to form a yarn package; a winder configured to wind a second length range of yarn; a package holder configured to hold the yarn package during manufacturing of the yarn product; and a package holder configured to selectively engage the yarn package. a yarn brake configured such that the second length range of the yarn is predefined for feeding the tail end of the yarn package along a yarn feed path extending from the package holder to the outlet. a second length of yarn from the yarn package by applying tension to the yarn tail end when the yarn brake engages the first length range of yarn. To provide a system in which only the range is paid out.

The system may further include an automated gripper for conveying the yarn package between the winder and the package holder. The thread brake may be included within or attached to the automated gripper.

In some embodiments, the package holder may be one of a plurality of package holders provided within the creel. The creel may be a movable creel. The outlet may be one of a plurality of outlets provided within the header, each outlet being associated with a corresponding package holder. By providing multiple package holders in the creel, the length of the yarn feed path from each package holder to the corresponding outlet of the header can be easily determined.

It is understood that any of the individual features mentioned above or below or shown in the accompanying drawings may be the subject of an independent or dependent claim in and of itself. The features described herein may be utilized in any combination to provide beneficial results, and no single embodiment shall by itself be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Not done.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a creel, winder, winder supply storage, and gantry assembly according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a side view of a creel, winder, winder supply storage, and gantry assembly according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a creel, winder, winder supply storage, and gantry assembly according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is an end view of a creel, winder, winder supply storage, and gantry assembly according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the creel of the yarn feeding system of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of package holders; FIG. Figure 2B is a rear perspective view of the creel of Figure 2A showing a single flexible conduit extending from the rear opening of the package holder to an outlet in the header; 1 is a perspective view of a package housing with a conduit centrally located therein; FIG. FIG. 3B is an end view of the package housing of FIG. 3A showing a central projection or mounting bracket for mounting the core of the package such that the core is coaxially disposed on the mounting bracket within the housing; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package gripper according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of a package gripper with closed jaws, according to one embodiment. 4B is a front view of the gripper assembly of FIG. 4A showing the jaws in a closed position; FIG. 4B is a front view of the gripper assembly of FIG. 4B showing the jaws in an open position; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thread control device according to a first embodiment, showing the body of the device with three supply ports for supplying fluid to the device; FIG. Figure 5B is a side view of the thread control device of Figure 5A, showing a cross-section of the operating area of the body in a first "open" mode; Figure 5B is a side view of the thread control device of Figure 5A, showing a cross-section of the operating area of the body in a second "clamp" mode of operation; 5B is a perspective view of the thread control device of FIG. 5A showing the thread tail extending through the active region of the body when no fluid is flowing through the body; FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the thread control device of FIG. 5A showing the thread tail extending through the active region of the body when fluid is flowing through the body; FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the thread control device of FIG. 5A, showing the thread tail extending through the active region of the body; FIG. Figure 3 is a side view of a yarn control device according to a second embodiment, showing the first fluid outlet near the working area of the body; FIG. 7B is a side view of the thread control device of FIG. 7A showing a movable member that traverses the active area of the body to retain the thread in the body; 7B is a front cross-sectional view of the thread control device of FIG. 7A, showing a first fluid outlet in fluid communication with a hole inside the body; FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the yarn control device of FIG. 7A, with a first movable member and a second movable member disposed within each chamber of the body for reciprocating back and forth relative to the working area of the body; FIG. , with both movable members shown in the non-operative position. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the yarn control device of FIG. 7A showing the first movable member in an operative configuration, with the head of the first movable member forming an opening for internally restraining the yarn; FIG. , is brought into contact with the head of the second movable member. FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the thread control device of FIG. is advanced into the working area of the body to clamp it. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the body and thread brought close to each other; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a pair of angled jaws that direct the thread into the working area of the body and trap the thread within the working area. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a thread constrained within the working area of the body, allowing the thread to traverse the working area; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the thread clamped against the working area of the body so that the thread cannot move; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a lance head having a nozzle adapted to propel a second fluid stream, the thread intersecting the second fluid stream and becoming carried by the second fluid stream; Showing the butt. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the initial stage of the yarn feeding process, showing the yarn brake in a disengaged position; FIG. 11B is a view of the thread brake of FIG. 11A in an engaged position. 11A is a perspective view of the thread brake of FIG. 11A in a disengaged position coupled to the gripper assembly of FIG. 4A; FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a package gripper for removing an empty core from a creel package holder. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a package gripper for removing an empty core from a creel package holder. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a package gripper for removing an empty core from a creel package holder. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a package gripper for removing an empty core from a creel package holder. FIG. 3 is a side view of a package gripper conveying empty cores to a winder; FIG. 3 is a side view of a package gripper conveying empty cores to a winder; FIG. 3 is a side view of a package gripper conveying empty cores to a winder; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a core that is wound by the winder of FIG. 1; FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the core after winding, with a first length range of yarn being wound onto the core of FIG. 14A; Figure 14B is a perspective view of the yarn package with a second length range of yarn wound onto the wound core of Figure 14B; FIG. 2A is a rear view of the creel of FIG. The yarn feeding path is shown. 2B is a side view of the creel of FIG. 2A, showing first and second portions of the first and second yarn feed paths; FIG. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package gripper removing a yarn package from a winder. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a winding machine or winder that doffs the yarn tail. FIG. 3 shows a winding tube with a yarn control device that grips the tail end of the yarn on the package. 4B is a perspective view of the gripper assembly of FIG. 4A, showing a thread control device assembled thereto; FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of a gripper assembly for mounting a yarn package within a creel housing and threading a yarn tail through a conduit in the housing, illustrating the gripper assembly approaching the package housing with the yarn gripped by the yarn control device; There is. FIG. 3 is a side view of a gripper assembly for mounting a thread package within the housing of a creel and threading the thread tail through a conduit in the housing, with the thread still held by the jaws of the thread control device, and on a support projection within the housing; The yarn package is shown being moved towards. FIG. 3 is a side view of the gripper assembly for mounting a yarn package within the housing of the creel and threading the yarn tail through a conduit in the housing, with the yarn still being restrained by the yarn control device, and assembled onto a support projection in the housing; It shows the yarn package being used. FIG. 3 is a side view of a gripper assembly for mounting a yarn package within the housing of a creel and threading the yarn tail through a conduit in the housing, with the yarn being threaded across the entrance of the conduit to intersect a second fluid flow from the lance; The main body of the thread control device is shown rotated 180 degrees to orient the tail. FIG. 4 is a side view of the gripper assembly for loading the yarn package into the housing of the creel and threading the yarn tail through the conduit in the housing, with the yarn control device rotated back 180 degrees so that the gripper assembly picks up the new yarn from the winder; The thread is shown threaded through a conduit in the housing such that the thread tail protrudes from the housing when it is being retracted to retrieve either the package or the empty core from the creel. FIG. 7 is a side view of a conduit within the housing and a second fluid outlet assembled to the lance, showing the second fluid outlet aligned with the opening of the conduit; 20A is a cross-sectional view of the conduit aligned with the lance of FIG. 20A; FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a conduit opening aligned with a second fluid outlet for accommodating a tail. FIG. 6 shows a thread control device holding the thread tail in close proximity to the package housing of the creel and the lance of the gripper assembly aligned with the entrance of the conduit. FIG. 7 shows a tail being driven into the inlet and through the conduit by a second fluid stream blown from the lance toward the conduit inlet. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a thread moving through a conduit in a housing in a creel, with the thread tail being captured by a covered header plate; 11A is an illustration showing the yarn brake of FIG. 11A in a disengaged position near the yarn package, illustrating an early stage of the yarn feeding process; FIG. Figures 1A and 1B illustrate subsequent stages of the yarn feeding process, showing the yarn brake in an engaged position, with the yarn being fed under tension from the yarn package; Figure 3 shows another stage of the yarn feeding process, showing the yarn brake in an engaged position, preventing further feeding of the yarn; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the final stage of the yarn feeding process, showing the yarn brake moving to a non-operating position after yarn feeding is complete;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In this specification, the term "yarn" is understood to be a continuous strand, consisting of either natural or artificial fibers or filaments, used in weaving, tufting, sewing and knitting. . This term is intended to be synonymous with yarn, fiber, string, filament, twist, strand, ply, cord, line, wool or cotton, and the like.

As used herein, the term "yarn package" refers to a predefined, known quantity used to feed machines that manufacture yarn-based products, including textiles, e.g. soft floor coverings such as carpets and rugs. It is understood to mean a core around which a thread is wound. This term is intended to be synonymous with tube, bobbin, cone, etc.

As used herein, axes and movements in the X, Y and Z directions may generally be understood as horizontal, longitudinal and vertical movements, respectively. For clarity, some of the accompanying drawings include indicia to indicate the respective orientation.

Yarn Handling System The following paragraphs and the accompanying drawings are used to describe an automated yarn handling system for loading and unloading yarn packages within a creel. Accordingly, different aspects of the handling system are explored in more detail in subsequent paragraphs.

1A to 1D show a yarn handling system 1 with a creel 10 and a winder 40. FIG. The thread handling system 1 further includes a gripper assembly 70. Gripper assembly 70 is used to transfer yarn package 30 between winder 40 and creel 10, thereby facilitating loading and unloading of yarn package 30 onto creel 10. Gripper assembly 70 is connected to gantry 50 and thereby movable between creel 10 and winder 40. The yarn package 30 includes a core 31 around which a predetermined amount of yarn 32 is wound. Yarn package 30 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 14A-14C.

Creel The illustrated creel 10 is a movable creel that includes a creel frame 11 and a plurality of wheels 12. Frame 11 holds the elements of creel 10 together. Creel 10 is a double-sided creel, having two sides, a first side 13 and a second side 14, each side having an array of creel positions. Each side 13, 14 of the creel 10 has an outwardly facing mounting surface 13a, 14a, respectively, and an inwardly facing non-mounting surface 13b, 14b, respectively. The attached and non-attached surfaces are shown in FIG. 1C. Each mounting surface 13a, 14a is provided with an array of package holders 20 for receiving designated yarn packages 30 therein.

However, alternatively, the creel 10 may be a single-sided creel, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with each creel position being understood to be located on the first side 13 of the creel. . In a single-sided creel, the second side 14 is considered the non-mounted side of the creel 10.

Each creel location includes a package holder 20 for housing and supporting a yarn package 30. The package holders 20 are arranged in a hexagonal arrangement. Each package holder 20 includes an assembly bracket 21 sized and formed to accommodate a core 31 of a yarn package 30 and a housing 22 .

As best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, housing 22 includes a tube that at least partially surrounds mounting bracket 21. As best seen in FIGS. The housing 22 is open at one end and extends to a closed end located on the non-mounting surface of the creel 10. The housing 22 acts as a protective shield for the yarn package 30 contained therein, reducing the possibility of debris falling onto the yarn package and ensuring that the yarn tail 33 of the yarn package 30 touches the adjacent package holder 20 below. This prevents the yarn package from falling and becoming entangled with adjacent yarn packages 30. Such tangles take time to clear or otherwise cause a stoppage of the carpet making machine while the problem is evaluated and the tangled yarns are cleared, reducing the productivity of the entire system 1. As shown, each housing 22 extends circumferentially around each package holder 20 . It should be noted, however, that the housing 22 only needs to partially surround each package holder 20 in order to catch thread tails 33 from thread packages 30 falling under gravity toward the adjacent package holder 20. .

Other methods of protecting yarn package 30 from entanglement and debris with yarns of another yarn package 30 in another package holder 20 are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, mounting bracket 21 is configured to accommodate and support yarn package 30 thereon. The mounting bracket 21 is arranged centrally within the housing 22 towards the closed end of the housing 22. The assembly bracket 21 includes a central pedestal 21a (see, for example, FIGS. 11A and 11B) configured to contact the inner surface 31a of the core 31 of the yarn package 30, and engages with the yarn package 30 for attachment and detachment. It may include a resilient member 21b to enable it to be held in place. The assembly bracket 21 is dimensioned so that it does not contact the entire length of the yarn package 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each package holder 20 further includes a yarn conduit 24 through which the respective yarn tail 33 moves toward the outlet 60. The outlet 60 receives each yarn tail 33 from the yarn package 30 and supplies the yarn to the production machine.

The yarn conduit 24 includes a rigid conduit 24a extending from a central opening 25 through which the yarn is drawn into a terminal opening 23 located in the non-loading side of the creel 10. The opening 25 projects outwardly from the open end of the housing 22 so that the thread conduit 24 extends from the opening 25 when viewed in side section. In the illustrated embodiment, the thread conduit 24 passes through the central seat 21a of the mounting bracket 21. Rigid conduit 24a may be a plastic material or a metal such as steel or aluminum. Rigid conduit 24a preferably has an inner diameter of between 2 mm and 6 mm, preferably about 4.8 mm.

Rigid conduit 24a guides thread tail 33 through housing 22 to exit housing 22 at opening 26, thread tail 33 enters flexible conduit 24b, and flexible conduit 24b 23 to the exit 60. Flexible conduit 24b is a tube or hose and may be synthetic or otherwise made from plastic and other resilient materials. Flexible conduit 24b may be transparent so that tail 33 can be viewed as it exits rigid conduit 24a. This can provide a visual inspection point for evaluating the progression of thread tail 33 along flexible conduit 24b.

In another embodiment, the specially fabricated conduit 24 can be individually dimensioned as a rigid conduit extending through the housing 22 to the outlet 60, allowing it to be replaced with a flexible conduit 24b. Conceivable. However, for ease of manufacture, a combination of rigid portion 24a and flexible portion 24b is preferred.

Header As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, outlet 60 is one of a plurality of outlets provided within header 61, each outlet 60 being one for a respective package within creel 10. It is associated with the holder 20. The header 61 is attached to the creel 10.

The header 61 includes a header plate 62 in which a plurality of outlets 60 are respectively arranged. The header plate 62 is covered by a header cover 63. Header cover 63 is movable between an open position and a closed position. The header cover 63 is made from a porous or screen-type material to allow air to flow through the header cover 63 while the tails 33 remain contained within the header cover 63.

In the closed position, the header cover 63 is configured to capture and restrain the yarn tail 33, for example, while the creel 10 is being conveyed. When the header cover 63 is in the closed position, the thread tail 33 is restrained within the header cover 63 so that the thread tail 33 does not interfere with the operation of mounting another package 30 into the creel 10.

In the open position, the header cover 63 provides access to the tail 33 for connection to a manufacturing machine, for example via splicing the tail 33 to the machine to be used. The open configuration of header cover 63 is also shown in dashed lines in FIG. 21D.

Winder Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, a winder 40 is positioned adjacent the first side 13 of the creel 10. According to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of winders 40 may be arranged adjacent to the first side 13 of the creel 10. Similarly, one or more winders 40 may be positioned adjacent the second side 14 of the creel 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, winder 40 includes three winding heads 41. In the embodiment shown in FIG. Each winding head 41 is an area of the winder 10 where the yarn is wound onto the core 31 to form the yarn package 30 . Winder 40 may be controlled by a user or may be automated to select the desired length of yarn to be wound onto each core 31.

The length of yarn wound onto a particular yarn package 30 is calculated based on the amount of yarn required in each package holder 20 in which the yarn package 30 is placed. Therefore, some yarn packages 30 may include more yarn than other yarn packages 30.

The winder supply storage section 43 is arranged adjacent to the winder 40. The winder supply storage 43 has at least one yarn feeder 44 that provides yarn to each winding head 41 when required. Preferably, the yarn supply storage 43 comprises a plurality of yarn feeders 44 in the form of large packages of yarn. Each yarn feeder 44 can provide yarn of a desired color. Each winding head 41 may be supplied with yarn by a yarn feeder 44 that is different from the other winding heads 41 .

At least one winder 40 and a gantry frame 50 are arranged adjacent to each other on each of the first side 13 and the second side 14 of the creel 10 to simultaneously handle the package holders 20 on each side of the creel 10. It's okay to stay.

Alternatively, in some examples, the or each winder 40 described above may be arranged adjacently only on the first side 13 of the creel 10, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. In this case, only one side 13, 14 of the creel 10 may be handled by the handling system 1 at a time. For example, first side 13 may be filled with yarn packages 20 first. When the first side 13 is fully loaded with the package 30, the second side 14 is placed next to the winder 40 (i.e., in the previous position of the first side 13 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D). ), the entire creel 10 can be rotated. The second side 14 may then be filled with yarn packages 30 and/or empty cores 31 may be removed from the second side, if desired. The creel 10 is preferably held fixedly in each position so that each side 13, 14 adjacent to the winder 40 is fixedly held in place. Positioned at a known location.

Winder 40 may include a storage buffer 42 configured to hold a single empty wick 31 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the winder 40 may include three storage buffers 42 (best shown in FIG. The winding head 41 handles each. A storage buffer 42 simultaneously allows an empty wick to be wound while another empty wick is being conveyed to the winder 40. Each storage buffer 42 may be supplied with an empty wick 31 by a port provided in the side wall of the winder 40, through which the empty wick 31 may be inserted. If the winding head 41 requires an empty core 31, the empty core 31 in the storage buffer may be lifted into the winding head 41 in the winder 40.

Alternatively, storage buffer 42 may be a magazine adapted to hold a plurality of empty wicks 31. Empty cores 31 are advanced from the magazine to a winding head 41 when needed to form a new yarn package 30. The winding heads 41 may share one common magazine, and preferably each winding area 41 may be provided with its own separate magazine, so that for example three winding If head 41 is present, three magazines may be present. The magazine may be provided with a port sized to accommodate an empty core 31. Empty cores 31 are held in line within the magazine and fed in sequence to a winding head 41 when a new yarn package 30 is required.

Gantry Frame The gantry frame 50 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D includes a frame formed by a vertical member 51, a longitudinal member 52, and an inclined support 53. The vertical members 51 are arranged outside each corner of the creel 10 so that the gantry frame 50 surrounds the creel 10. The vertical members 51 at both ends of the system 1 are connected at the upper end by a longitudinal member 52, which extends in the Y direction as shown in FIG. An angled support 53 is connected to each vertical member 51 to provide stability to the frame arrangement of gantry frame 50. The lower end of the vertical member 51 and the inclined support 53 are preferably connected to the foundation surface, such as by bolts passing through the flange, to ensure that the gantry frame 50 remains stable in its position. can be guaranteed.

A bracket 54 is attached to longitudinal member 52 at a spaced apart location. The brackets 54 are positioned inside the longitudinal members 52 such that each bracket 54 on one longitudinal member 52 faces a bracket 54 on the other longitudinal member 52 .

As shown in FIG. 1A, both ends of the upper rail 55 are attached to brackets 54 such that the upper rail 55 extends horizontally between adjacent longitudinal members 52. The lower rail 56 is located directly below the upper rail 55 and extends horizontally between the longitudinal members 52. The lower rail 56 is preferably held rigidly in place on the foundation surface via bolts or another suitable fastening device. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, there is only one upper rail 55 34 located on the outside of the first side 13 of the creel 10, but another upper rail 55 is present on the second side of the creel 10. It is contemplated that the longitudinal member 52 may be located between the brackets 54 on the outside of the longitudinal member 52 . Similarly, another lower rail 56 may be positioned below a second upper rail (not shown).

As best shown in FIG. 1B, a vertical rail 57 extends between upper rail 55 and lower rail 56. The vertical rail 57 is movably connected to each of the upper rail 55 and the lower rail 56, so that the vertical rail 57 can move along the X direction as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end of the vertical rail 57 includes an upper platform 55a, and the lower end of the vertical rail 57 includes a lower platform 56a. The upper platform 55a includes rollers 55b that engage the tracks 55c of the upper rail 55. Similarly, lower platform 56a includes rollers 56b that engage tracks 56c of lower rail 56. The vertical rail 57 is thus adapted to maintain vertical alignment along the Z direction when moved along the X direction. An upper motor 55d is attached to the upper platform 55a. A lower motor 56d is attached to the lower platform 56a. The upper motor 55d and the lower motor 56d are each controlled so that their operations are synchronized. In other words, if the upper motor 55d is operated to cause movement in the first direction, the lower motor 56d is also operated simultaneously to cause movement in the first direction, and each motor Activate and deactivate at the same time. Motors 55d, 56d are preferably computer controlled by appropriate software.

Platform 57a is movably connected to vertical rail 57. Vertical platform 57a has rollers 57b that engage tracks 57c of vertical rail 57 such that vertical platform 57a is movable vertically along the length of vertical rail 57. . Vertical motor 57d controls movement of vertical platform 57a. Vertical motor 57d preferably functions in a similar manner as upper motor 55d and lower motor 56d. In order to precisely control the movement of the vertical rail 57 and/or the vertical platform 57a, any one or more of the motors 55d, 56d, 57d may cooperate with a rack and pinion and bearing arrangement. able to work.

An arm rail 58 is attached to the vertical platform 57a. Arm rail 58 extends longitudinally in the Y direction as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C. A rotatable connector 58a is adapted to be longitudinally movable along the arm rail 58 in the Z direction. Rotatable connector 58a may have rollers 58b that engage tracks 58c on arm rail 58. Rotatable connector 58a may include a connector motor 58d that controls movement of rotatable connector 58a along arm rail 58.

Gripper Assembly Gripper assembly 70 is connected to gantry frame 50 via rotatable connector 58a for vertical and horizontal movement and rotation. The gripper assembly 70 is preferably movable between any of the package holders 20 on the first side 13 of the creel 10 to supply yarn packages 30 to each package holder 20 or to move each package holder 20 as needed. Empty wicks 31 can be recovered from. Additionally, gripper assembly 70 may be operated and positioned to supply empty core 31 to winder 40 or retrieve wound yarn packages 30 from winder 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, a single gripper assembly 70 is movable along gantry 50 relative to first side 13 of creel 10 and winder 40. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. In another possible embodiment, the system 1 may include a second winder 40' on the first side 13 of the creel 10. In such embodiments, the second winder 40' is preferably handled by a second gripper assembly 70' that is also coupled to the gantry 50. The second vertical rail 57' is movable horizontally on the upper rail 55 and the lower rail 56, preferably in a manner similar to that already described with respect to the vertical rail 57. Thus, each gripper assembly 70 may be movable on the gantry 50 between its respective winder 40 and the half of the package holder 20 at one end of the creel 10 closest to each winder 40 .

Gripper assembly 70 is connected to the side of rotatable connector 58a opposite arm rail 58. The gripper assembly 70 has a first position in which the front end 71 of the gripper assembly 70 faces the creel 10 in the Y direction, and a second position in which the front end 71 of the gripper assembly 70 faces the winder 40 in the Y direction. The gripper assembly 70 is rotatably connected to the rotatable connector 58a so that the gripper assembly 70 can be rotated between positions. Accordingly, movement of the rotatable connector 58a in the Y direction can move the gripper assembly 70 toward and away from the creel 10 when the gripper assembly 70 is in the first position. . Similarly, movement of rotatable connector 58a in the Y direction can move gripper assembly 70 toward or away from winder 40 in the second position. Connector motor 58d can control rotation of gripper assembly 70 between a first attitude and a second attitude. Alternatively, gripper assembly 70 may include a separate motor to control rotation between the first and second positions. The rotation of gripper assembly 70 may be pneumatically controlled or gripper assembly 70 may include hydraulic bump stops.

According to yet another embodiment (not shown), two winders 40 may be positioned on each side 13, 14 of the creel. In other words, two winders 40 are positioned adjacent to the first side 13 of the creel 10 and another two winders 40 are positioned adjacent to the second side 14 of the creel 10. . The winders 40 are preferably located at opposite ends of the creel 10. In this embodiment, a second upper rail and a second lower rail are arranged adjacently on the second side 14 of the creel 10 between the creel 10 and the two winders 40 . Additionally, adjacent each side 13, 14 of the creel 10, the gantry 50 may include two vertical rails 57, each vertical rail 57 having a It is movable horizontally. Accordingly, the two gripper assemblies 70 are vertically and horizontally movable and rotatable on respective vertical rails 57 on each side of the gantry 50, and each gripper assembly 70 is It is movable between each winder 40 and the half of the package holder 20 on the respective side 13, 14 which is located towards the end of the creel 10 closest to each winder 40.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4C. Gripper assembly 70 has a rail 73 extending longitudinally between a front end 71 and a rear end 72 of gripper assembly 70 . Rails 73 provide the body of gripper assembly 70. The front end 71 includes a head 74 attached to a snout 75. Head assembly 74 is configured to be housed within the central cavity of core 31 . Head 74 is in the form of a cylindrical member, and snout 75 extends from head 74 toward forward end 71 of gripper assembly 70 . Snout 75 is movable independently of head 74. Additionally, the snout 75 is a cylindrical member having a smaller radius than the head 74. Additionally, snout 75 has a longitudinal length of gripper assembly 70 that is greater than the longitudinal length of head 74 .

The head 74 has four longitudinally extending tabs 74a toward the front end 71 of the gripper assembly 70. Tabs 74a are evenly spaced around the circumference of head 74. Snout 75 includes four ribs 75a that are parallel to tab 74a and extend longitudinally along the surface of snout 75. Gripper assembly 70 further includes four fingers 76. Four articulated fingers 76 extend along snout 75. Each tab 74a is connected to each finger 76 on the rear side of the respective finger 76 via two connectors 77, the connectors 77 being arranged on both sides of the tab 74a. Each finger 76 is connected to a respective rib 75a via two connectors 70 facing the front side of the finger 76. One connector 77a,b is arranged on each side of the finger. Each finger 76 is also connected to a respective rib 75a via two additional connectors 70c, 70d on either side of the finger 76 towards the rear side of the finger 76. Both connectors 77 pivotally attach a respective finger 76 to a respective rib 75a and tab 74b. The arrangement of the pivot connector 77 is such that longitudinal movement of the snout 75 relative to the head 74 causes the fingers 76 to move radially relative to the snout 55.

The described arrangement of head 74, snout 75, fingers 76, ribs 74a, tabs 75a and connector 70 form gripping jaws 78 that can be utilized to grip inner surface 31a of yarn package 30. Jaw assembly 78 is configurable between a closed state in which fingers 76 abut against snout 75 and an open state in which fingers 76 extend radially outwardly and are not in contact with snout 75. . FIG. 4C shows jaw assembly 78 in a closed state, whereas FIG. 4D shows jaw assembly 78 in an open state. In FIGS. 4C and 4D, the assembly-defined diameter jaw 78 is shown in dashed outline. In the closed configuration, fingers 76 are positioned radially inwardly adjacent ribs 75a. In the open configuration, fingers 76 are positioned radially outwardly away from rib 75a.

Jaw assembly 78 is configured to grip core package 30 from inside core 31, thereby facilitating transportation of package 30. In the closed state of jaw assembly 78, head 74 is driven forward and snout 75 is inserted into core 30. The jaw assembly 78 then expands to an open position, forcing the fingers 76 outwardly against the inner surface 31a of the wick 31. Now, with the yarn package 30 secured to the jaw assembly 78, the head 54 is retracted to remove the yarn package 30 from the winder 40.

The gripping action of jaws 48 may be a reverse chuck arrangement. For example, snout 75 may be moved longitudinally relative to head 74. As snout 75 moves longitudinally, connector 70 interacts with respective tabs 74a, ribs 75b, and fingers 76 to cause radial movement of fingers 76. As the snout 75 moves longitudinally toward the forward end 71, the fingers 76 each move radially outwardly from the snout 75. Similarly, as snout 75 then moves longitudinally toward rear end 72 , fingers 76 each move radially inwardly relative to snout 75 . Maximum inward radial movement of fingers 76 brings fingers 76 into contact with ribs 75a. A pressurized fluid, such as pressurized air, can be used to cause movement of the jaws 78. The radial inward or outward movement of fingers 76 of jaws 78 can be controlled by a controller.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, gripper assembly 70 includes a pneumatic cylinder 79. As shown in FIGS. A pneumatic cylinder 79 is positioned adjacent to the gripper body 73 and extends longitudinally from the rear end 72 to the front end 71 of the gripper assembly 70. By applying compressed air, the piston rod 79a can be extended longitudinally outwardly from the pneumatic cylinder 79. The head 74 is connected to the front of the piston rod 79a so that when the piston rod 79a is extended from the pneumatic cylinder 79, the head 74 and jaws 78 move longitudinally. This allows the jaws 78 to be used when collecting yarn packages 30 from the winding area 41, when transporting yarn packages 30 to package holder 20, when collecting empty cores 31 of yarn packages 30 from package holder 20, or when When transporting the empty core 31 to the winder 40, a desired arrangement can be made.

To accurately align jaws 78 with package holder 20, gripper assembly 70 or creel 10 may be equipped with sensors and/or cameras (not shown). For example, gripper assembly 70 or creel 10 may include a feature recognition camera that is configurable to align jaws 78. The camera(s) or sensor(s) used may identify at least the corners of the creel 10 in order to manipulate the jaws 78 to accurately align them with the desired package holder 20. can. The camera(s) or sensor(s) may be configured to individually identify each package holder 20 for accurate alignment. Similarly, camera(s) and/or sensor(s) may be used to manipulate and position jaw 78 relative to the winder or winder 10 described above. The sensing system used may use LiDAR (light detection and ranging) for accurate positioning of the jaws 78.

The above description and accompanying drawings illustrate and describe a gripper assembly 70 that is operated and controlled by a pneumatic actuator and a flow of pressurized gas, such as pressurized air. However, as described herein, a liquid may be used in place of the working fluid. Similarly, gripper assembly 70 may be controlled and operated via mechanical or electrical means. Preferably, a controller is provided to control the movement and position of gripper assembly 70. Gripper assembly 70 may be automated and uses sensors to determine when an empty core 31 should be removed from creel position 20 or when a yarn package 30 should be conveyed to creel position 20. be able to. Preferably, computer software is provided to control the process of moving the gripper assembly 70 and loading the package 30 into the housing 22 of the creel 10.

Yarn Control Device Preferably, the gripper assembly 70 controllably holds the yarn tail 33 of each yarn package 30. This process is facilitated by thread control device 101. It is understood that the thread control device 101 can also be used outside the thread handling system 1 for other thread handling applications.

5-9 generally relate to a yarn control device 101 for controlling the tail 23 of a yarn 32 from a tube of yarn, such as a yarn package 30. FIG. The thread control device 101 includes a movable body 102 configured to capture a thread 32 and guide the thread 32 into a working region 105 of the body 102 and a movable body 102 for introducing a first fluid into the body. an inlet 107; a first fluid outlet 110 disposed proximate to the active area 105 of the body and oriented to eject the first fluid as a first fluid stream F; a first movable member 109 that moves between an operative configuration for clamping the thread 32 and an inactive configuration for releasing the thread 32; The thread 32 is clamped within the working region 105 of the body 102 such that the first fluid stream captures the thread tail 33 and orients the thread tail 33 coaxially with the first fluid flow F. , whereby movement of movable 1022 adjusts the first fluid stream F and the direction of the tail 33 flowing within the first fluid stream F to control the orientation of the tail 33.

Body 102 is configured to receive and guide thread 32 toward working area 105 . The body 102 includes a pair of angled jaws including an upper jaw 103 and a lower jaw 104 that converge at a slot 121 within a working area 105 of the body 102. The jaws 103, 104 have chamfered edges to allow the thread 32 to move across the jaws 103, 104 without sticking or catching in the jaws 103, 104.

A first surface of the body 102 is provided with a plurality of supply ports for introducing fluid into the body 102, the supply ports including a first fluid inlet 107; introduces a first fluid into the body 102 to be blown out at the first fluid outlet 110 . The first fluid may be a gas. In one embodiment, the first fluid is air that is directed to the first fluid inlet 107 as compressed air. In FIG. 5, the first fluid outlet 110 is configured to direct a first fluid flow away from the body 102 in a direction perpendicular to the main axis X of the body. There is. The first fluid flow extends parallel to the direction of travel of the thread 32 as it passes across the working area 105 of the body 102. It is contemplated that the arrangement of jaws 103, 104 for accommodating thread 32 and first fluid outlet 110 may be configured in a number of alternative arrangements within the scope of the invention.

Additionally, the first fluid inlet 107 has a working fluid actuation supply port 106 and a working fluid deactivation supply port 108. By introducing a working fluid into the body 102, the movable member 109 can be moved within the body 102 to contact and clamp the thread 32 within the working region 105. The working fluid may be a gas. The working fluid may be compressed air. The working fluid may be a liquid.

Movable member 109 may be a piston configured to reciprocate within a bore or chamber 122 (not shown) of body 102. Once the working fluid is introduced into the chamber 122, the movable member 109 can be advanced towards the working area 105 and clamping the thread 32 within this working area 105 (see FIG. 5C).

Body 102 provides an upper access panel 112 and a lower access panel 113, each assembled to body 102 by at least one retaining screw 115. Removal of access panels 112 and 113 provides access to the internal components of body 102. Body 102 includes a plurality of assembly holes 114 for assembling body 102 to support arm 120 to facilitate translational and/or rotational movement of body 102.

The movable member 109 has a head 111a that traverses the working area 105 to accommodate the thread tail 33, as shown in FIG. 5B. The head 111 has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the body 111a of the movable member 109 which provides a bar across the slot 121 of the working area 105 to hold the tail 33 on the shoulder 119 of the movable member 109. There is.

When the movable member 109 is actuated by the working fluid, the movable member 109 traverses the operating region 105 until the shoulder 119 contacts the upper surface 121a of the slot 121. When the shoulder 119 contacts the top surface 121a, the thread 32 is captured between the top surface 121a and the shoulder 119 and can no longer move relative to the working area 105. The thread 32 is thus clamped in place relative to the body 102 (see FIG. 5C).

To release thread 32 , working fluid deactivation supply port 106 is opened, allowing working fluid to flow into secondary chamber 125 (not shown) to move movable member 109 away from working region 105 . Drive it like this. Since each supply port 106 and 108 is an inlet, the movable member 109 can be moved back and forth by alternately introducing working fluid into the first chamber 122 and the secondary chamber 125 from the respective supply ports 106 and 108. It can be driven.

FIG. 5B shows the actuating member 109 in a non-active configuration, whereby the top surface 121a of the slot and the shoulder 119 are such that when the thread 32 moves across at least one of the jaws 103, 104, They are spaced apart to accommodate threads 32. In this arrangement, the thread 32 is able to enter into the working area 105 of the body 102 and is restrained against the head 111 within the slot 121 as soon as it rests on the shoulder 119.

In FIG. 5C, the movable member 109 has been driven across the working area 105 to capture the thread 32 between the shoulder 119 and the top surface 121a of the slot. This causes the thread 32 to be clamped in the vicinity of the first fluid outlet 110. When the first fluid is introduced into the body 102 via the first fluid inlet 107, the first fluid passes through the holes 127 (not shown) in the body 102 and the first fluid Flow F is blown out at the first fluid outlet 110. The tail 33 rides within the first fluid stream F and is brought into axial alignment with the first fluid stream F.

When the thread 32 is clamped in the working region 105, the tail 33 of the thread 32 is captured in a fixed relationship with the body 102. When fluid is not directed to the first fluid outlet 110, the tail 33 depends from the working area 105, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C.

When the first fluid stream F is actuated, the thread tail 33 is captured and rides within the first fluid stream 102 in the direction of movement away from the body 102 parallel to the first fluid stream F. 105. By moving the main body 102 in at least one of a translational movement and a rotational movement, for example in the direction indicated by arrow R in FIG. 6B, the thread tail 33 is moved toward the target area or target receptacle. can be directed.

FIG. 6C shows a state in which the first fluid flow F is not actuated, such that the thread 32 is held in the working area 105 of the body 102 and the thread tail 33 is hanging freely with only gravity acting on it. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a thread control device 101 that operably grips a thread tail 33;

7A and 7B show a second embodiment of the yarn control device 201. Yarn control device 201 has the same external features as described herein with respect to yarn control device 101. For convenience, like reference numbers will be used to describe similar features. However, the movable member 109 has been replaced by a first movable member 209 and a second movable member 239, thus providing two additional fluid supply ports for activating and deactivating the second movable member 239. 240 and 241 have been added. 7A illustrates the yarn control device 201 in a deactivated state, and FIG. 7B illustrates the yarn control device 201 in an activated configuration, in which the second movable member 239 Although actuated to restrain thread 32, thread 32 is not clamped.

The body 202 has a pair of jaws illustrated as an upper jaw 203 and a lower jaw 204 with chamfered edges 203a, 204a. The slot 221 is located where the two jaws 203, 204 converge to define the working area 205 of the body 202.

An upper access panel 212 and a lower access panel 213 for accessing the first chamber 222 and the second chamber 225 are provided for maintenance and replacement of the first movable member 209 and the second movable member 239, respectively. It is provided for.

On the side of the body opposite the pair of jaws 203, 204 there are four supply ports 206, 208, 240, 241 and a first fluid inlet 207. A first fluid inlet 207 is centrally located in the body 202 for introducing a first fluid into the body 202 that communicates with the hole 227 for supplying the first fluid to the first fluid outlet 178. There is. On the underside of the first fluid inlet 207 are a second fluid actuated supply port 240 and a second fluid deactivated supply port 241. Above the first fluid inlet 207 are a first fluid actuated supply port 206 and a first fluid actuated supply port 208.

It is understood that the first working fluid and the second working fluid may be gases. The first working fluid and the second working fluid may be compressed air. The first working fluid and the second working fluid may be supplied from the same compressed air supply or from two separate air supplies. The first working fluid and the second working fluid may be liquids and may be supplied from two separate fluid supplies or from a single fluid supply.

In FIG. 7B, the head 226 of the second movable member 239 is shown traversing the working area 205 to form the opening 218 for internally restraining the thread 32. This is the operating arrangement that provides the yarn tail 33 feeding mode of the yarn control device 201. This operative configuration is in contrast to FIG. 7A, which shows a non-operative configuration of the thread control device 201 in which neither the first movable member 209 nor the second movable member 239 is actuated.

The body 202 of the thread control device 201 provides a mounting feature 214 similar to the mounting feature of the body 102 for driving the body 202 in at least one of translational and rotational movement.

8A-8D are cross-sectional views illustrating thread control device 201 and internal components of thread control device 201.

FIG. 8A is a front cross-sectional view of the thread control device 201 in the clamp mode of operation, with each movable member 209, 239 disposed at its lowest position and the head 211 of the first movable member 209 slotted into the slot. 221 is pressed against the lower surface 221n. The head 211 is concave and has an outer rim 211a. This outer rim 211a compresses the thread 32 and holds it firmly in place against the lower surface 221b of the slot 221. FIG. 8A also shows the end of the hole 227 that communicates the first fluid from the first fluid inlet 207 to the first fluid outlet 210.

FIG. 8B shows thread control device 201 in an inactive position waiting for contact with thread 32.

The supply port arrangement shown in FIG. 8C will be described in conjunction with the first operative supply port 206. Supply port 206 is connected to body port 242 of body 202 . Supply port 206 may be a snap-fit or snap-lock connector that conveys compressed air or an alternative second working fluid to body port 242.

A first working fluid is maintained within the body 202, allowing the selection of either a liquid or a gas to drive the movable members 209, 239. Body port 206 is in fluid communication with first chamber 222 via communication passage 243 so that a first working fluid can be forced into chamber 222 upon supplying fluid to supply port 206 . Each supply port 206, 208, 240, 241 operates as described above with respect to supply port 240.

When the first working fluid enters the chamber 222, the first movable member 209 is driven towards the working region 205. When the first movable member 209 is to be released, the working fluid flows to the first deactivated supply port 206 and the supply of the first working fluid to the first activated supply port 206 is stopped. This drives the first movable member 209 away from the operating area 205 and toward the access panel 212, as shown in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 8C shows the thread control device 201 in an operative configuration in feed mode. The second working fluid is pumped into the body 202 through the second actuation supply port 240 and the second movable member 239 is actuated to move the head 226 of the second movable member 239 into the working region 205. drive to. The head 226 projects from the second movable member 239 in the form of a plug with a flat end 224 . The flat end 224 is driven upwards into contact with the head 211 of the first movable member 209, thereby forming an opening 218 in which the thread 32 is captured. The thread 32 is constrained within the aperture 218 proximate the working area 205 of the body 202, but may be freely slid or fed through the aperture 218.

The head 211 of the first movable member is concave and has a larger diameter than the diameter of the head 226 of the second movable member. When the second head 226 is driven into the first head 211, the thread 32 is captured within the opening 218 formed in the working area 205.

With the thread control device 201 in the feed mode, actuating the first fluid flow F causes the first fluid to be blown out of the first fluid outlet 210 to form the first fluid flow F. . The first fluid outlet F is close to the working area 205 and captures the tail end 33 of the restrained thread 32. The tail 33 is captured or entrained within a first fluid stream F that directs the tail 33 away from the body 202 perpendicular to the body 202 and perpendicular to the hole 227 .

When the thread 32 is unclamped, the first fluid flow captures the thread tail 33 and draws the thread 32 through the opening 218 across the working region 205, increasing the length of the thread tail 33. When the thread tail 33 reaches a sufficient length for threading into the creel 10, the first air flow F is stopped and/or the first movable member 209 clamps the thread 32 and Activated to exit the mode.

This feed mode shown in Figure 8C is in contrast to the clamp mode shown in Figure 8D. While the thread control device 201 is still in the operating position, the movable members 209, 239 are driven in opposite directions.

In the clamp mode, the second movable member 239 is not actuated and remains in the chamber 225 proximate the lower access panel 213. Meanwhile, the first fluid actuated supply port 206 is turned on, thereby driving a first working fluid into the first chamber 222 to move the first movable member 209 and its head 211 into the working area. 205. The concave head 211 is driven to come into contact with the lower surface 221b of the slot 221, so that the outer rim 211a presses down the thread 32 and fixes the thread 32 in a predetermined position relative to the lower surface 221b of the slot 221. to be maintained.

In one embodiment, chambers 222, 225 are cylindrical and movable members 209, 239 are also cylindrical and configured as pistons. The pistons are sized to reciprocate back and forth within their respective chambers 222, 225, and an O-ring 236 directs a first working fluid and a second working fluid to each piston within the body 202. Provides a sealing configuration for These seals prevent leakage of the first and second working fluids within the respective chambers 222, 225. O-ring 236 thus increases the operational efficiency of yarn control device 201 and provides improved control over the operation of yarn control device 201. The first working fluid and the second working fluid may be different fluids. In some embodiments, the first working fluid and the second working fluid may be the same fluid.

9A to 9D schematically illustrate the steps taken to approach, capture, restrain and clamp the thread tail 33 by the thread control device 201. It is understood that similar steps are possible for capturing and clamping the thread tail 33 by the thread control device 101.

FIG. 9A shows the thread control device 201 moving towards the thread 32, which is guided into the working area 205 of the body 202 as soon as it contacts the upper jaw 203 or the lower jaw 204. As thread 32 traverses jaws 203, 204, thread 32 is drawn into slot 221 (see FIG. 9B). It is also possible for the thread 32 to be moved towards the thread control device 201 in different operating modes.

A working fluid is then introduced into the body 202 to actuate the second movable member 239 and form the opening 218 that internally constrains the thread 32, shown in FIG. 9C. If the thread tail 33 is not of sufficient length, the first fluid inlet valve is opened so that a first fluid flow F can be initiated to draw the thread tail 33 through the working area 205 of the body 202. If the yarn tail 33 is determined to be of sufficient length, the first fluid flow F is terminated to stop feeding the yarn 32 and the first working fluid moves the first movable member 209. It is actuated to push the thread 32 forward into the working region 205 and clamp the thread 32 against the lower surface 221b of the slot 221, thereby clamping the thread 32 and causing the stretching of the thread tail 33 to proceed as shown in FIG. 9D. be terminated.

If the thread tail 33 exceeds a predefined length, the thread tail 33 can be shortened by moving the thread control device 201 relative to the thread 32. Therefore, any relative movement between thread 32 and thread control device 201 can be used to reduce the length of thread tail 33.

In some embodiments, yarn control device 101, 201 can be used as part of yarn handling device 301. The yarn handling device 301 includes a yarn control device 101, 201 and a movable lance 302 that can be moved independently with respect to the yarn control device 101, 201. A movable lance is shown in FIG.

In the illustrated embodiment, the thread handling device 301 comprises a thread control device 101 . However, it is understood that the thread control device 201 can also be used as part of the thread handling device 301.

Lance 302 includes a central hole 303 that feeds nozzle 304 . Nozzle 304 is adapted to emit a second fluid stream F' toward the target reservoir. The target location is the location to which the thread tail 33 is to be sent. The central hole 303 has a diameter between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably about 4.95 mm, and a secondary hole 303 with a length between 4 mm and 10 mm, preferably about 8.65 mm. It narrows toward the hole 303a.

Secondary hole 303a terminates at the tip of nozzle 304. The tip of nozzle 304 has a diameter between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably about 1.5 mm. The reduction in diameter of the lance 302 from the central hole 303 to the secondary hole 303a increases the velocity at which the second fluid is ejected from the nozzle 304.

The second fluid flow F' is approximately 50-150 liters/min, preferably 113 liters/min. The second fluid stream F' has a pressure of between 3 and 10 bar, preferably 7 bar.

The second fluid flow F' is configured to have a higher flow rate than the first fluid flow F, so that the second fluid flow F' moves the thread tail 33 carried by the flow to the first fluid flow F'. , thereby coaxially deflecting the thread tail 33 into the second fluid flow F'. The tail 33 is directed and forced toward the target location at which the second air flow F' is directed, so that the second fluid flow F' is directed from the first fluid flow F. By blowing out the thread tail 33 riding on the thread tail 33, the thread tail 33 is conveyed to the target location.

The numerical ranges set forth above relate to particular embodiments of the invention. However, it is contemplated that these ranges and pressures of the second fluid can be varied to provide the desired flow rate to compensate for a given thread density. For example, a lightweight yarn with a low linear mass density called Decitex or dTex can be controlled at a lower flow rate, while a relatively heavier yarn with a higher dTex can be controlled more easily to influence and manipulate the yarn tail 33. Can be controlled at high flow rates.

Thus, in use, with the thread control device 101 in the operative configuration, the thread 32 is clamped in the operative region 105 of the body 102, so that the first fluid flow F captures the thread tail 33 and 33 is oriented coaxially with the first fluid stream F, and when the body 102 is moved, the first fluid stream F is diverted to intersect with the second fluid stream F' from the nozzle 304. It is understood that The thread tail 33 is therefore directed towards the target location.

Yarn Brake The payout of yarn 32 from yarn package 30 is controlled by yarn brake 80 . The yarn brake 80 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C.

The yarn brake 80 is used to control the unwinding of the yarn 32 from the yarn package 30, so that as soon as the yarn tail 33 reaches the header 61, further unwinding of the yarn 32 from the yarn package 30 is prevented. Ru.

The thread brake 80 comprises a support arm 81 and a friction element in the form of a brake finger 82 . A linear actuator 83 extends along support arm 81 and is connected to brake finger 82 . Although actuator 83 is shown as a pneumatic cylinder including a piston rod 83a, other types of actuators are also contemplated.

Actuation of the linear actuator 83 moves the brake finger 82 from the disengaged position to the engaged position. FIG. 11A shows brake finger 82 in a disengaged position located outside housing 22 of package holder 20. FIG. In the disengaged position, brake finger 82 extends substantially parallel to brake support arm 81 . However, in the engaged position shown in FIG. 11B, the brake fingers 82 pivot inwardly toward the yarn package 30. Brake finger 82 is received within slot 23 of housing 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11C, thread brake 80 is part of gripper assembly 70 and support arm 81 is movably attached to and extends longitudinally from gripper body 73. The support arm 81 is offset from the body 73 of the gripper assembly 70 so that the thread brake 80 is located completely outside the housing 22 during the mounting process and is received in the gap between adjacent housings 22. .

Method of automatically loading and unloading the creel Generally speaking, operation of the system 1 includes the following steps.
i. collecting the empty yarn core 31 from the creel 10;
ii. conveying the empty core 31 to the winder 40;
iii. winding machine 40 winding yarn 32 onto empty core 31 to form yarn package 30;
iv. then collecting the yarn package 30 from the winder 40 by the gripper assembly 70;
v. transporting yarn packages 30 by gripper assembly 60 and loading them into respective package holders 20 within creel 10;
vi. respectively threading the thread tail 33 of each thread package 30 into the conduit 24 of the respective package holder 20; and
vii. The yarn tail 33 from each yarn package 30 in the creel 10 is fed into a respective outlet 60 in the header 31 which supplies the yarn 32 to a respective work point of the machine and Consumable stage in the manufacture of yarn products such as carpets.

The following paragraphs of the present disclosure relate to processes (i) to (vii) identified above.

Retrieving Empty Cores from the Creel FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate gripper assembly 70 collecting empty cores 31 from package holder 20. FIG. Head 74 of gripper assembly 70 moves into alignment with package holder 20, as shown in partial cross-section in FIG. 12A. The head 74 then moves longitudinally through the open end of the respective housing 22 in the Y direction towards the empty core 31 . Head 74 and snout 75 each include a shaft disposed on a central longitudinal axis. The shaft is positioned such that the thread conduit 24 passes through the shaft as the head 74 moves into the housing 22 towards the empty core 31.

FIG. 12B shows snout 75 and head 74 inserted into housing 22 with thread conduit 24 extending through the rear side of head 74. Jaws 78 are in a closed position so that snout 75, including fingers 76, is located within the center of core 31 when head 74 approaches core 31. In an arrangement where the snout 75 and fingers 76 are located completely or substantially within the core 31, as shown in FIG. 12B, the snout 75 is not interfered with by the mounting bracket 21. For example, assembly bracket 21 may only engage about half of the inner surface of core 31 such that snout 75 and fingers 76 may be positioned within another half of core 31.

When the jaws 78 are positioned as shown in FIG. 12B, they are actuated by applying pressurized gas, such as pressurized air. The jaws 78 move from the closed position to the open position until the fingers 76 engage the inner surface 31a of the core 31.

Once the fingers 76 engage the inner surface 31a of the wick 31, the empty wick 31 can be removed from the mounting bracket 21. Piston rod 79a is retracted, moving head 74 longitudinally back towards gripper body 73. Head 74 and snout 75 are therefore removed from housing 22. Furthermore, the empty core 31 is taken out from the package holder 20. FIG. 12C shows gripper assembly 70 with piston rod 79a fully retracted and empty core 31 removed from within housing 22. Gripper assembly 70 is then moved longitudinally away from housing 22, as shown in FIG. 12D.

Transporting Empty Cores to Winder FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate gripper assembly 70 transporting empty cores 31 to winder 40. FIG. Gripper assembly 70 is rotated on rotatable connector 58a to move platform 57a in the Z direction relative to vertical rail 57, if necessary, to move upper platform 55a and lower platform 56a. By moving in the X direction relative to the upper rail 55 and the lower rail 56, it is moved in the X direction and the Z direction. This operation of gripper assembly 70 causes head 74 to face winder 40 as shown in FIG. 13A.

The pneumatic cylinder 79 is then actuated to extend the piston rod 79a outwardly and longitudinally in the Y direction toward the winder 40, as shown in FIG. 13B.

The head 74 is positioned in an empty core delivery position adjacent to a port or another receiving section of the winder 40, which position provides access to the storage buffer 42. The jaws 78 close to release the empty wick 31, thereby providing the empty wick 31 to a port or receiving section of the winder 40. The winder 40 may have means for collecting empty wicks 31 and transferring them to a suitable magazine or storage buffer 42 . According to one embodiment not shown, the gripper assembly 70 may include a push member for forcing the empty core 31 through a port or receiving section of the winder 40 and into the storage buffer 42.

Once the empty core 31 is provided in the magazine or storage buffer 42 as shown in FIG. 13C, the head 74 and piston rod 79a can then be retracted away from the winder 40 in the Y direction.

Winding the Yarn Package Reference is now made to FIGS. 14A-14C. Each yarn package 30 includes a tubular core 31 around which yarn 32 is wound by a winder 40 . Figure 14A shows the empty core 31 before the thread is wound up. FIG. 14B shows an intermediate stage in the formation of yarn package 30, in which a first length range 34 of yarn is wound to form partially wound yarn package 30. FIG. A first length range 34 of yarn is wound onto the core 31 in an oblique manner. The helical winding of the first length range 34 substantially covers the core 31 . FIG. 14C shows the completed yarn package 30 after the second length range 35 of yarn has been wound onto the core 20' by the winder 12. The second length range 32'' of thread is wound straight. In contrast to the first length range 34, the second length range 32'' of the yarn is concentrated within the central part of the core 31. The yarn tail 33 of the yarn package 30 is the free end of the second length range 35 .

The lengths of the first length range 34 and the second length range 35 of the yarn on each yarn package 30 are variable, and the lengths of the yarn on each yarn package 30 are variable, and the length of the yarn is variable between (i) the designated package holder 20 to which the yarn package 30 is attached; ) depends on the amount of yarn 32 required to be consumed by the manufacturing machine at the corresponding work point. The total length of yarn wound into each yarn package 30 is equal to the amount of yarn to be consumed by the manufacturing machine at the corresponding active operating point. Therefore, the advantage provided by calculating the first length range 34 and the second length range 35 is reduced yarn waste. This reduction is due to the small amount or absence of yarn remaining on the yarn package 30 upon completion of manufacturing the yarn product. The now empty core 31 can therefore be reused by the winder 40 to form a new yarn package 30. This is in contrast to conventional manufacturing methods, which discard the yarn remaining on the winding tube after the completion of one job, thereby allowing the core 31 to be re-wound for the next job. .

Before winding the first length range 34 of yarn onto the empty core 31, the winder 40 determines the amount of yarn required by the manufacturing machine and the allocated amount in which this yarn package 30 will be placed. An input indicating a package holder 20 is received. The winder 40 then determines the length of the second length range 35 of the yarn. This length is equal to or slightly greater than the length of the yarn feed path P associated with the assigned package holder 20. It is contemplated that this process uses a look-up table in which the yarn feed path P associated with each package holder 20 is predefined and stored within the winder 40. The length of the first length range 34 of the yarn is then calculated by the winder 40, which length is required by the manufacturing machine, minus the length of the second length range 35. Equal to the total amount of thread.

Each package holder 20 is associated with its own yarn feeding path P. The yarn feeding path P is a path along which the yarn ends 33 of each yarn package 30 in the creel 10 are sent to their respective outlets in the header 61.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, yarn feed path P includes a first portion extending along rigid portion 24a of yarn conduit 24. Referring to FIGS. The first portion terminates in an opening 26 located on the non-mounting side of the creel 10. As shown, each side 13, 14 of the double-sided creel 10 has a non-mounting surface 13b, 14b, respectively, disposed between the first side 13 and the second side 14. In one embodiment where the creel 10 is a single-sided creel, the non-mounting surface is understood to be the second side 14 of the creel.

The thread feed path P further comprises a second portion extending along a non-rigid conduit 24b from the opening 26 in the non-attachment surface to a corresponding outlet in the header 61.

As shown schematically in FIG. 15B, the yarn feed path P' associated with the first creel position 20' is longer than the yarn feed path P'' associated with the second creel position 20''. Therefore, the length of yarn from the first package holder 20'' to the first outlet 60'' is long compared to the length of yarn required to be fed from the second package holder 20'' to the second outlet 60''. The length of the thread being fed is required. The length of the yarn feed path P' is one of the longest lengths in the creel 10. By comparison, the length of the yarn feed path P'' is one of the shortest lengths in the creel 10. Depending on the dimensions of the creel 10, there may be a difference of 2 meters or more between the shortest and longest length of the yarn feed path P.

Collecting Yarn Packages from the Winder After following the above steps, there is a package holder 20 in the creel 10 in which no packages 30 or cores 31 are present on the mounting bracket 21.

Yarn control device 101 , 201 may be configured in conjunction with gripper assembly 70 during retrieval of yarn packages 30 from winder 40 and transport of packages 30 to creel 10 .

16A-16F illustrate gripper assembly 70 collecting yarn packages 30 from winder 40 after the desired length of yarn has been wound onto empty core 31. FIG.

As mentioned above, gripper assembly 70 is linearly movable along gantry 50 between creel 10 and winder 40. As shown in FIG. 16A, gripper arm 70 is operated such that its gripping jaws 78 face the position of thread package 30 on winder 40. As shown in FIG. Positioning of the gripper assembly 70 in this position follows the gripper assembly being retracted after transporting the empty core 31 to the port or receiving section of the winder 40 as described above.

From the position shown in FIG. 16A, rotatable connector 58a moves longitudinally along arm rail 58 in the Y direction toward winder 40, thereby placing gripper assembly 70 in the position shown in FIG. 16B. . Cylinder 79 may then be actuated to extend piston rod 79a toward package 30 until jaw 78 is positioned within inner core 31 and head 74 is positioned adjacent core 31. can.

When the jaws 78 are moved towards the yarn package 30, the jaws 78 are in a closed position so that the snout 75, including the fingers 76, is in the center of the wick 31 as the head 74 approaches the package 30. Placed. When placed in the position shown in FIG. 16C, the snout 75 and fingers 76 are completely or substantially within the wick 31 and the jaws 78 are then moved by applying pressurized gas, such as compressed air. or activated by other means. The jaws 78 move from the closed position to the open position until the fingers 76 engage the inner surface 31a of the core 31, as shown in FIG. 16D. Cylinder 79 can then be actuated again, thereby moving piston rod 79a retracting in the Y direction as shown in Figure 16E. If desired, rotatable connector 58a can be moved in the Y direction relative to arm rail 58 to move gripper assembly 70 away from winder 40 to a position as shown in FIG. 16F.

In particular, after the winder 40 has completed winding the package 20, the core 31 is released from the winder 40, or "doffed", and assumes the removal position. The yarn feeder 44 from the winder 40 is either uncut or retained in some way. This is shown in Figure 17A. This means that the thread control devices 101 and 201 control the thread tail 33 of the wound package 30 until the gripper assembly 70 can grip the package 30. make it possible.

As previously mentioned, the thread control device 101, 201 provides a V-shaped cross-section to capture the thread 33 while it is still under the control of the winder 40 before the thread 33 is cut. Use jaws. This is shown in Figure 17B. During control of the thread control device 101, 201, the thread 32 is released or cut by the winder 40. The thread tail 33 is then restrained solely by the thread control device 101, 201. Once the thread tail 33 is restrained within the thread control device 101, the first fluid flow F' can be actuated, whereby the thread 33 rides the flow of the first fluid flow F' and It is coaxially aligned with F'.

Feeding yarn packages to the creel The next step is to transport the yarn packages 30 to the assigned package holders 20. This stage is illustrated in FIGS. 18-19. At this stage, the gripper assembly 70 is moved until the inner surface 31a of the core 31 of the thread package 30 attached to the gripper assembly 70 is positioned in axial alignment with the core assembly bracket 21 of the assigned package holder 20. , move along the gantry 50. Head 74 is then driven forward toward housing 22 so that thread package 30 is received on core assembly bracket 21 . At this point, the jaws 78 return to the closed position, whereby the yarn package 30 is supported solely by the core assembly bracket 21. Head 74 is then retracted, thereby positioning gripper assembly 70 completely outside housing 22. Each step at this stage will now be described in more detail.

First, the rotatable connector 58a is rotated such that the jaws 78 of the gripper assembly 70 face the creel 10. In this step, connector 58a is preferably rotated in the opposite direction to that which moved gripper assembly 70 from facing creel 10 to facing winder 40.

If necessary, the arm platform 57a moves vertically in the Z direction along the vertical rail 57, and the upper platform 55a and the lower platform 56a move in the X direction along the upper rail 55 and the lower rail 56. By moving horizontally, gripper assembly 70 is also moved in the X and Z directions. Gripper assembly 70 holding package 30 will therefore assume the position shown in FIG. 19A.

The rotatable connectors 58a are then moved in the Y direction to move the gripper assemblies 70 holding the packages 30 toward and into the respective housings 22, as shown in FIG. 19B. I am made to do so. From here, cylinder 79 is actuated to extend piston rod 79a until thread package 30 is disposed within and at the rear of housing 22, as shown in FIG. 19C. The inner core 31 of the package 30 is then placed on the assembly bracket 21.

Once the yarn package 30 is placed on the mounting bracket 21, the jaws 78 are actuated again in the opposite direction to disengage the fingers 76 from the inner surface 31a of the wick 31 until the jaws 78 assume their closed position. It will be done. At this point, the yarn package 30 is supported entirely by the assembly bracket 21.

Thus, after the package 30 is secured, the gripper assembly 70 can be partially retracted by actuating the cylinder 79 to retract the piston rod 79a until the head 74 of the gripper assembly is out of the housing 22. During this time, control of the thread tail 33 within the thread control device 101 is maintained. This is shown in Figure 19D.

Threading the Yarn Tails into the Conduits Once the yarn package 30 is supported on the core assembly bracket 21, the yarn tails 33 must be fed through the conduits 24 towards their respective outlets 60 in the header 61. No. The first step in this process is to thread the thread tail 33 into the conduit opening 25, as shown in Figure 19E. In one preferred embodiment, transport of the yarn tails 33 to their respective outlets 69 is facilitated by a yarn handling device 301 that incorporates the yarn control devices 101, 201 described herein. Yarn handling device 301 is coupled to gripper assembly 70 . However, it is also conceivable that the thread handling device 301 is movable in other ways and by mechanisms external to the gripper assembly 60.

20A-20C, it is understood that when the head 74 and snout 75 of the gripper assembly 70 provide a movable lance 302, the target location of the thread handling device 301 is the conduit opening 25 of the respective package holder 20. be done.

Thus, if the head 74 provides a movable lance 302, the nozzle 304 is brought into proximity with the conduit opening 25 as the gripper assembly 70 is advanced and the package 30 is slid onto the core assembly bracket 21. Preferably, in use, nozzle 304 is positioned about 3 mm±2 from conduit opening 25. This optimal distance G between nozzle 304 and conduit opening 25 is approximately twice the diameter of nozzle 304 shown in FIG. 20A. The ratio of the diameter of the second fluid outlet provided by nozzle 304 to the diameter of conduit opening 25 is approximately 1:3. However, it is conceivable that for different threads dTex different ratios between 1:2 and 1:5 can be selected. The second fluid flow F' is activated when the head 74 is aligned with the conduit 24.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 21A and 21B. With the nozzle 304 of the head 74 aligned with the central opening 25 of the conduit 24 and positioned at an optimal distance from the conduit 24 (FIG. 21A), a second fluid flow F' is actuated to open the central opening 25 of the conduit 24. 25. Yarn control device 101 is then moved by rotation and/or translation of gripper assembly 70 to direct yarn tail 33 flowing in first fluid stream F across second fluid stream F'. (Figure 21B).

The second fluid flow F' has a larger fluid flow than the first fluid flow F. Thus, when a tail 33 in the first fluid stream F intersects the second fluid stream F', the tail 33 is blown out of the first fluid stream F and into the conduit opening 25; It is routed through both rigid conduit 24a and flexible conduit 24b and received in header 61.

Gripper assembly 60 is then fully retracted from housing 22 to resume the process, as illustrated in FIG. 19E.

Feeding the thread to the outlet Now, with the thread package 30 supported by the package holder 21 and the thread tail 33 threaded into the conduit opening 25, a tension T is applied to the thread tail 33. Thus, the yarn 32 on the package 30 is pulled through the conduit 24 along the yarn feed path P. Tension T is provided by a second airflow F' from nozzle 304. The second fluid flow F' thus advances the thread tail 33 into the conduit opening 25 and along the thread feed path P to the header 61. If the thread tail falls into the creel position 20 below the header 61, the header 61 receives and stores the thread tail 33, thereby preventing the thread tail 33 from becoming tangled or caught.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the second length range 35 of yarn is wound onto the package 30 in a linear arrangement, thereby causing the housing 22 of the creel 11 to The feed of the yarn that continues to be unwound from the package 30 during installation of the package 30 into the package 30 is defined. As mentioned above, the particular length 35 of yarn fed can be adjusted to the placement of the package 30 on the creel 10.

When feeding yarn 32 along yarn feeding path P, it is desirable that only the minimum length of yarn required to reach each outlet 60 is fed. This is to reduce the possibility that threads from adjacent outlets 60 become entangled with each other within the header 61. This selective feeding is facilitated, at least in part, via thread brake 80. The operation of the yarn brake 80 during the feeding process will now be described with reference to FIGS. 22A-22D.

After the thread tail 33 has been inserted into the thread conduit opening 25 , the brake finger 82 is moved into an engaged position for frictional contact with the first length range 34 of the thread package 30 . This is shown in Figure 22A. Brake finger 82 is dimensioned so that it can contact core 31 mounted within package holder 20 . This allows the brake 80 to be used for yarn packages 30 of different diameters with different amounts of yarn 32 wound up.

The engagement of the brake finger 82 with the thread 32 results in a frictional force R. Frictional force R is applied to the end of the first length range 34 near the point where the helical winding of the first length range 34 transitions to the straight winding of the second length range 35 . Frictional force R acts in the opposite direction to tension T. Since the brake finger 82 engages only the first length range 34 of the thread, the second length range 35 of the thread is free to pay out unrestricted under tension T, and the thread tail 33 is It can be sent towards header 61. This is shown in Figure 22B.

Figure 22C shows the placement of the yarn brake 80 at a later stage of the yarn feeding process. As shown, the second length range 35 of yarn has been completely unwound from the yarn package 30 so that the yarn tail 33 has reached the header 61 . Since the frictional force F exerted by the brake finger 82 is greater than the tension T of the fluid stream F'', further unwinding of the yarn 32 from the yarn package 30 is prevented. Thus, only the second length range 35 of the yarn is being fed along the conduit 24 while the entire first length range 34 of the yarn remains in the yarn package 30. This is advantageous since it reduces the droop of the thread tail 33 at the corresponding outlet 60 in the header 61. Therefore, the thread tails 33 that are close to each other within the header 61 are less likely to become entangled with each other. Furthermore, waste of yarn that occurs during splicing of each yarn tail 33 to a corresponding yarn supply section in the manufacturing machine is reduced. This is because there is no need to cut off the excessive hanging of the thread tail 33.

After a predetermined period of time, the tension T is released. In particular, even when the tension T is applied, the frictional force F applied by the yarn brake 80 prevents the first length range 34 of the yarn from being paid out. It is not necessary to calculate precisely for the feed path P. Rather, the predetermined time only needs to be sufficient to feed the thread tail 33 from the package holder 20 with the longest thread feed path P. Therefore, the tension force T is applied to each package holder 20 of the creel 10 for the same predetermined time, which simplifies the entire feeding process.

Once tension T is released, actuator 83 is deactivated, thereby returning brake finger 82 to a disengaged position outside housing 22, as shown in FIG. 22D. The thread brake 80 is then retracted toward the gripper head 74 and returned to its non-operating position. In the non-operating position, the thread brake 85 and the entire gripper assembly 70 are located outside the creel 10. This process can then be repeated for subsequent yarn packages 30.

The process described above can be repeated multiple times. Briefly, the process includes the steps of retrieving the package 30 from the winder 40, manipulating the gripper assembly 70 to capture the thread tail 33, transporting the package 30 to the housing 22 on the creel 10, and orienting the thread tail 33. a step of operating the first fluid flow F in order to move the main body 102 in order to pull the thread tail 33 across a second fluid flow F'; moving the body 102 to transport the thread tail 33 carried by the first fluid stream F into the opening 25 of the conduit 24 and controllably transporting the thread 32 along the conduit 24 with the aid of a thread brake 80. This includes a step of conveying the yarn end 33 to the header 61.

Where prior art documents are referred to herein, such reference is an acknowledgment that the documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or any other country. Please understand that this is not the case.

In the following claims and the foregoing description of the invention, the word "comprise" or "comprises" is used, unless the context otherwise requires by express language or necessary implication, to refer to the words "comprise" or "comprises". Variants such as or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the recited feature, but may also include other features in different embodiments of the invention. shall not be used to exclude the presence or addition of.

1 Thread handling system

10 Creel 11 Frame 12 Wheel 13 First side 13a Mounting surface 13b Non-mounting surface 14 Second side 14a Mounting surface 14b Non-mounting surface

20 Package holder 21 Assembly bracket 21a Central pedestal 21b Elastic member 22 Housing 23 Slot 24 Thread conduit 24a Rigid conduit 24b Flexible conduit 25 Conduit opening 26 Opening

30 Yarn package 31 Core 32 Yarn 33 Yarn tail 34 First length range of yarn 35 Second length range of yarn

40 Winder 41 Winder head/area 42 Magazine 43 Storage section 44 Yarn feeder

50 Gantry 51 Vertical member 52 Longitudinal member 53 Inclined member 54 Bracket 55 Upper rail 55a Upper platform 55b Upper roller 55c Upper track 55d Upper motor 56 Lower rail 56a Lower platform 56b Lower roller 56c Lower track 56d Lower side Motor 57 Vertical rail 57a Vertical platform 57b Vertical roller 57c Vertical track 57d Vertical motor 58 Arm rail 58a Rotatable connector 58b Arm roller 58c Arm track 58d Arm motor

60 Outlet 61 Header 62 Header plate 63 Header cover

70 Gripper assembly 71 Front end 72 Rear end 73 Main body 74 Head 74a Tab 75 Snout 75a Rib 76 Finger 77 Connector 78 Jaw assembly 79 Cylinder 79a Piston head

80 Thread brake 81 Support arm 82 Finger 83 Cylinder 83a Piston rod

101 Thread control device 102 Movable body 103 Upper jaw 104 Lower jaw 105 Working area 106 Fluid actuation port 107 Fluid inlet 108 Fluid actuation stop port 109 Movable member Piston 110 First fluid outlet 111 Flat head 112 Access panel Upper side 113 Access Panel lower side 114 Body attachment point 115 Access panel screw 118 Opening 119 Shoulder 120 Support arm 121 Slot 121a Slot top surface 121b Slot top surface 122 First chamber 123 First head 124 Flat end 125 Second chamber 126 Concave head 127 hole

201 Thread control device 202 Movable body 203 Upper jaw 204 Lower jaw 205 Working area 206 First actuation port 207 First fluid inlet 208 First deactivation port 209 First movable member 210 First fluid outlet 211 Flat head 212 Upper access panel 213 Lower access panel 214 Main body assembly location 215 Access panel screw 218 Opening 219 Shoulder 221 Slot 221a Slot top surface 221b Slot top surface 222 First chamber 223 First head 224 Flat head End 225 Second chamber 226 Concave head 227 Hole 239 Second movable member 240 Second actuation port 241 Second deactivation port 242 Body port

301 Thread handling device 302 Lance 303 Hole 304 Nozzle

F first fluid flow
F' second fluid flow
P Yarn feed path
T tension
R Friction force

Claims (79)

A system for handling multiple yarn packages and multiple empty cores, the system comprising:
a creel comprising an array of creel positions each configured to receive a yarn package, wherein removal of yarn from the yarn package results in an empty core;
a winder disposed adjacent to the creel and configured to receive an empty core and for winding a predetermined length of yarn onto the empty core to form a yarn package; a winder configured to wind the winder;
a gripper assembly configured to be movable between the creel and the winder, the gripper assembly having a gripping jaw adapted to grip the yarn package or empty core;
the gripping jaws of the gripper assembly are adapted to grip the empty core in a creel position, remove the empty core from the creel, and convey the empty core to the winder;
system. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the creel comprises an array of tubes respectively surrounding each creel location. 2. The creel of claim 1 or 2, wherein the creel comprises a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a first array of creel positions and the second side comprising a second array of creel positions. The system according to claim 2. at least one first winder is disposed adjacent the first side of the creel; and at least one second winder is disposed adjacent the second side of the creel. 4. The system of claim 3. at least one first gripper assembly is disposed between the creel location on the first side of the creel and each of the at least one first winder, and at least one second gripper assembly 5. The system of claim 4, wherein an assembly is located between the creel location on the second side of the creel and each of the at least one second winder. 6. The system of claim 5, comprising two first gripper assemblies, two second gripper assemblies, two first winders, and two second winders. 7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the creel is a movable creel. Claims 1 to 7, wherein the winder comprises a plurality of winding regions, each winding region being adapted to wind a predefined length of thread on a respective empty core. The system according to any one of the following. 9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the winder comprises at least one magazine adapted to accommodate at least one empty core. 10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the winder comprises at least one port through which the winder receives an empty wick. the gripper assembly is movable horizontally and vertically between the creel and the winder, such that the gripper assembly can retrieve empty cores from any creel position in the array; or 11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, capable of transporting yarn packages to any creel position in the array. 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a gantry on which the gripper assembly is horizontally and vertically movably connected between the creel and the winder. The gripper assembly is rotatable between a first position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the creel and a second position in which the gripping jaws are aligned with the winder. , a system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The gripping jaws are movable along the length of the gripper assembly toward and away from a creel position when in the first position, or in the second position. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is movable toward and away from the winder in some cases. Each creel location comprises a package holder on which the core of the yarn package is disposed, and the package holder is configured such that when the gripper assembly conveys the yarn package to the creel position or when the gripper assembly 15. The package holder according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the package holder is positioned and dimensioned so as not to interfere with the gripping jaws of the gripper assembly when removing an empty core from a creel position. system. 16. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping jaws are adapted to grip the inner surface of the yarn package or empty core. The gripping jaws include a plurality of fingers, the fingers have a reduced radial profile in the closed position, and the fingers have an increased radial profile in the open position, such that the fingers have: 17. Engaging the inner surface of a yarn package or empty core when in the open position and releasing the yarn package or empty core upon transition from the open position to the closed position. system. It further comprises a feature recognition camera or sensor and a control device, said feature recognition camera or sensor recognizing and locating each creel position and controlling said control device when transporting a yarn package or removing an empty core. 18. The gripper assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the gripper assembly is adapted to send a signal to the control device to enable the gripper assembly to be controlled to align the gripper assembly to a respective creel position. The system described in Section. A method of handling yarn packages and empty cores, the method comprising:
providing a creel having an array of creel locations, each creel location being adapted to receive a yarn package;
providing a winder configured to receive an empty core, the winder configured to wind a predetermined length of yarn onto the empty core to form a yarn package; and wherein the winder is positioned adjacent to the creel;
providing a gripper assembly, the gripper assembly being configured to be movable between the creel and the winder, the clipper assembly being adapted to grip a yarn package or an empty core; providing a gripper assembly having gripping jaws that are
operating the gripper assembly to the creel position to grip the empty core with the gripping jaws of the gripper assembly;
moving the gripper assembly between the creel and the winder;
conveying the empty core to the winder;
operating the gripper assembly to thereby collect yarn packages from the winder with the gripping jaws;
transporting the yarn package to the creel position by operation of the gripper assembly. providing a gantry on which the gripper assembly is connected and adapted for horizontal and vertical movement between the creel and the winder; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing. The gripper assembly is rotatable on the gantry between a first orientation in which the gripping jaws face the creel and a second orientation in which the gripper jaws face the winder. 21. The method of claim 20. In order to grip the empty core or the yarn package, the gripping jaws in the closed position are moved towards the empty core or the yarn package in the longitudinal direction of the gripper assembly, and the gripper jaws are moved in the open position. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method is actuated to engage an inner surface of the empty core or yarn package. providing a creel with a first side having a first creel position and a second side having a second creel position;
providing at least one first winder disposed adjacent to the first side;
providing at least one second winder disposed adjacent to the second side;
providing at least one first gripper assembly disposed between the first side of the creel and the at least one first winder;
providing at least one second gripper assembly disposed between the second side of the creel and the at least one second winder;
Each gripper assembly collects an empty core from a creel location on each said side of said creel, conveys the empty core to a respective winder, collects a yarn package from said respective winder, and transports said yarn package. configured to convey to the creel position;
23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 22. A thread control device for controlling the tail end of a thread,
a movable body configured to capture the thread and guide the thread to a working area of the body;
an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body;
a first fluid outlet disposed proximate the working area of the body and oriented to eject the first fluid as a first fluid stream;
a first movable member within the body, the first movable member moving between an operative configuration for clamping the thread and an inactive configuration for releasing the thread;
In the operative arrangement, the thread is retained within the operative region of the body such that the first fluid stream captures the thread tail and directs the thread tail into the first fluid stream. coaxially oriented such that movement of the movable body causes the first fluid stream and the tail to flow within the first fluid stream to control the orientation of the tail. adjust the direction,
Thread control device. a second movable member with the body configured to operate in conjunction with the first movable member to provide a feeding arrangement, the thread tail controlling the movement of the body; 25. Claim 24, further comprising a second movable member held in a region and pulled through the working region by the first fluid flow to thereby change the length of the tail. Thread control device. 26. The yarn control device of claim 25, wherein the first movable member and the second movable member are a pair of reciprocating pistons. 27. The thread control device of claim 26, wherein each of the first piston and the second piston has an independent operative and non-operative configuration. The yarn control device according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the first movable member has a head for clamping and fixing the yarn to the main body. the second movable member having a head forming an aperture when brought into contact with the working area of the body, restraining the thread within the working area and pulling the thread through the opening; Yarn control device according to any one of claims 25 to 28, when dependent on claim 25, allowing. 30. The method of claim 28 or claim 29, wherein each of the first movable member and the second movable member each comprises at least one seal for controlling the flow of working fluid within a respective bore. Thread control device. 31. The thread control device of claim 30, wherein the at least one seal is an O-ring. the first movable member and the second movable member for controlling the flow of working fluid into and from the first and second holes, respectively; 32. A thread control device according to any one of claims 24 to 31, wherein a series of fluid inlet and outlet valves are arranged within the body in which the movable member is arranged. 33. According to any one of claims 24 to 32, the body has a wedge-shaped cross-section providing a pair of inclined jaws for capturing a thread and guiding it to the working area. Thread control device. The first movable member operates the yarn by supplying a working fluid to a working supply port, thereby allowing the working fluid to flow into the hole in which the first moving member is disposed. 34. A thread control device according to any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the thread control device is actuated to clamp once within the working area of the body. The first movable member controls the body by supplying a working fluid to a deactivation supply port, thereby allowing the working fluid to flow out of the hole in which the first movable member is disposed. 35. A thread control device according to any one of claims 24 to 34, wherein the thread control device is deactivated to release the thread from the operating area of the thread. Yarn control according to any one of claims 24 to 35, wherein the first fluid outlet is located proximate to the working area and directed away from the body. Device. 37. A thread control device according to any one of claims 24 to 36, wherein the first fluid outlet is on a surface of the body. 38. A thread control device according to any one of claims 24 to 37, wherein the first fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet via a hole in the body. 39. The thread control device of claim 38, wherein the aperture is oriented to direct the first fluid stream perpendicularly to the body. 40. Any one of claims 24 to 39, wherein the first fluid outlet is centrally located in the body and is located on a face facing the pair of opposing jaws. Thread control device. The yarn control device according to any one of claims 24 to 40, wherein at least one of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the working fluid is air. The yarn control device according to any one of claims 24 to 40, wherein the working fluid is a liquid. A yarn control system for conveying a yarn end of a yarn to a storage section, the system comprising:
a movable body configured to capture the thread and guide the thread to a working area of the body;
an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body;
a first fluid outlet disposed proximate the working area of the body and oriented to eject the first fluid as a first fluid stream;
a movable member within the body, the movable member moving between an operative configuration and a non-operative configuration;
a nozzle having a second fluid outlet that blows out the second fluid as a second fluid flow toward the storage portion,
In the operative configuration, the thread is held immovably within the operative region of the body, such that the first fluid stream captures the thread tail and directs the thread tail to the first When the body is moved, the first fluid stream is deflected to intersect the second fluid stream, thereby causing the first fluid stream to intersect with the second fluid stream. blows out the thread tail riding on the flow from the first fluid flow, thereby conveying the thread tail to the storage section;
Thread control system. 44. The yarn control system of claim 43, wherein the second fluid flow is stronger than the first fluid flow. 45. The yarn control system of claim 44, wherein the second fluid flow has a flow rate greater than the flow rate of the first fluid flow. 46. A yarn control system according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the second fluid outlet is of a larger diameter than the first fluid outlet. 47. The receptacle according to any one of claims 43 to 46, wherein the housing is selected from one of a conduit, a central thread tube, an eye, an eyelet, a needle, a thread feed tube, etc. Thread control system. 48. A yarn control system according to any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein at least one of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the working fluid is air. 49. A yarn control system according to any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the working fluid is a liquid. A winding tube handling device comprising the yarn control device according to any one of claims 24 to 42. A winding tube handling device comprising a yarn control system according to any one of claims 43 to 49. A method of using a thread control device to attach to a creel, the method comprising:
winding a predefined length of thread onto an empty core in a winder to form a spool tube;
capturing the spool tube by a gripper assembly configured to move between the creel and the winder, the gripper assembly including a thread control device, the thread control device controlling the spool tube; a step of catching and holding the thread end of the thread;
moving the gripper assembly adjacent to the creel to transport the spool to an empty creel position;
activating the yarn control device to thereby advance the yarn tail toward a receptacle. A method of installing a bobbin tube in a creel and threading a thread end through the creel,
winding a predetermined length of thread onto an empty core in a winder to form a spool tube;
capturing the spool by a gripper assembly configured to move between the creel and the winder, the gripper assembly being adapted to grip the spool; and a thread control system, the thread control system capturing and holding the thread tail of the bobbin tube;
moving the gripper assembly adjacent to the creel to transport the spool to a designated creel position;
activating the thread control system to direct the thread tail toward the receptacle at the designated creel position, and threading the thread tail through the receptacle at the designated creel position. ,Method. A method for threading a thread end into a storage section, the method comprising:
activating a thread control device to maintain a tail end of a predetermined length of thread within the body;
activating a first fluid flow of the yarn control device, thereby orienting the yarn tail coaxially with the first fluid flow;
activating a second fluid flow of the yarn control system, thereby directing the second fluid flow toward the receptacle;
moving the main body so that the second fluid flow intersects the first fluid stream and the yarn tail riding on the first fluid flow, thereby conveying the yarn tail to the storage section; and threading the thread end into the housing part. A method for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the method comprising:
determining the length of a yarn feed path extending between the outlet and a package holder to which the yarn package is attached during manufacture of a yarn product;
winding a first length of yarn onto an empty core with a winder to form a yarn-wound core;
winding a second length range of yarn onto a core on which the yarn is wound to form the yarn package, the second length range being within the length of the yarn feed path; winding a second length range having a length equal to or slightly greater than the length of the yarn feeding path;
selectively feeding a yarn tail end of the yarn package along the yarn feed path to the outlet, such that only a second length range of the yarn is unwound from the yarn package. . The winding of the first length range of the yarn is a slanted winding, the first length range of the yarn being wound along the empty core from a first end of the empty core. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the empty core is traversed to a second end. the angled winding is a helical winding, and a first length range of the yarn is repeatedly traversed between the first end and the second end of the empty core; 57. The method of claim 56. Claims 55 to 55, wherein the winding of the second length range of yarn is a straight winding, and the second length range of yarn is concentrated along a portion of the winding. 57. The method according to any one of 57. 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the straight winds are concentrated along a substantially central portion of the thread-wound core. the package holder is one of a plurality of package holders, each of the plurality of package holders being associated with a respective outlet, the method comprising:
60. According to any one of claims 55 to 59, prior to the step of determining the length of the yarn feed path, the method further comprises the step of defining a designated package holder to which the yarn package is to be attached. the method of. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of package holders are provided within a creel. 62. The method of claim 60 or claim 61, further comprising transporting the yarn package from the winder to the designated package holder. The step of conveying the yarn package includes the use of an automated gripper, the automated gripper removing the yarn package from the winder and attaching the yarn package to the designated package holder. The method according to item 62. The step of feeding the yarn from the yarn package includes the steps of applying tension to the yarn tail end of the yarn package, and feeding the yarn tail end along the yarn feeding path to the outlet. 64. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 63. the step of feeding the yarn includes applying a frictional force to the first length range of the yarn with a yarn brake, thereby preventing payout of the first length range of the yarn from the yarn package; 65. The method of claim 64. 66. The yarn brake of claim 65, wherein the yarn brake is attached to an automated gripper or to the automated gripper that conveys the yarn package from the winder to the package holder. Method. defining a total amount of yarn required to produce a textile product; 67. The method of any one of claims 55 to 66, further comprising calculating a first length range of the yarn. A yarn brake for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the yarn package being attached to a package holder and having a first length range and a second length range of yarn circumferentially. a wound core, the yarn brake including a friction element having a disengaged position in which the friction element is not in contact with the yarn package; movable between an engaged position and an engaged position in which the thread brake is in the engaged position, thereby applying tension to the tail end of the thread package when the thread brake is in the engaged position; Thereby, only a second length range of the yarn is unwound from the yarn package, and the second length range of the yarn is fed to the yarn tail end along a yarn feed path extending from the package holder to the outlet. Thread brake, with a predefined length calculated for feeding parts. 69. The thread brake of claim 68, wherein the friction element is pivotable between the disengaged position and the engaged position. 70. The thread brake of claim 69, wherein the friction element is removably insertable into a slot in a housing of the package holder. Any of claims 68 to 70, wherein the package holder is one of a plurality of package holders provided within a creel, and the thread brake is movable between each of the package holders. The thread brake described in paragraph 1. The yarn brake is contained within or attachable to an automated gripper, the automated gripper being adapted to load the yarn package within the creel. 72. The thread brake of claim 71. 73. A yarn brake according to any one of claims 68 to 72, wherein the friction element is configured to be engageable with the core of the yarn package. 68-10 wherein the friction element engages a first length range of the yarn towards an opposite end of the yarn package with respect to the end of the yarn package from which the yarn is unwound. 73. The thread brake according to any one of 73. A system for controlling the feeding of yarn from a yarn package to an outlet, the system comprising:
a winder configured to wind a first length range of yarn and a second length range of yarn onto an empty core to form a yarn package;
a package holder configured to hold the yarn package during manufacturing of yarn products;
a yarn brake configured to selectively engage the yarn package;
a second length range of the yarn has a predefined length calculated for feeding a tail end of the yarn package along a yarn feed path extending from the package holder to the outlet; Thereby, when the yarn brake engages the first length range of the yarn, by applying tension to the tail end of the yarn, only the second length range of the yarn is removed from the yarn package. being brought out,
system. 76. The system of claim 75, wherein the package holder is one of a plurality of package holders provided within a creel. 77. The system of claim 76, wherein the outlet is one of a plurality of outlets provided within a header, each outlet being associated with a corresponding package holder. 78. The system of any one of claims 75-77, further comprising an automated gripper for transporting the yarn package between the winder and the package holder. 79. The system of claim 78, wherein the thread brake is contained within or attached to the automated gripper.

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