JPH04202839A - Implanting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce or eliminate waste of a planted yarn by penetrating a sharp tip part of a substrate opener tube into the substrate for cutting the yarn with a shear of its inclined surface with a blade. CONSTITUTION: This device is provided by sending out a yarn 92 to a substrate opener tube 10 making a shuttle movement for penetrating the substrate 12 to plant the hair root 14 of the yarn, with airflow through a tube 102. The tube 10 has a sharp tip part at the end of the tube where the yarn appears, and when the tube 10 penetrates the substrate, a blade 120 engages with an inclined surface of the tip part of the tube 10, and cuts the yarn appearing from the tube 10 with their shear.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to apparatus for manufacturing tufted textile products such as carpets, upholstery materials, and the like, and more particularly to In other words, it relates to an improved flocking apparatus capable of producing patterned flocked textile products.

[Prior Art] U.S. Pat. Discloses a highly advantageous flocking device for producing a woven article. This device allows the yarn to be set into a backing in patterns and designs that were previously only possible by weaving or using printing techniques. The device according to this patent uses a plurality of heads spaced from each other across the width of the substrate. Each head is
It includes a reciprocating substrate opener tube for penetrating the substrate and planting yarn tufts into the substrate, through which the yarn is fed by an air stream. The substrate opener is connected to a yarn exchanger, which is supplied with a plurality of yarns of different colors, for example. It also includes a mechanism that allows selecting one or more yarns to be planted in the substrate each time the substrate opener penetrates the substrate.

These heads are simultaneously moved in steps across the substrate by a distance corresponding to the spacing between the heads in order to plant one lateral row of yarn piles. The substrate is then advanced to the next row of locations,
The process is repeated for planting that one row. To obtain the desired pattern in the finished product, the computer controls the selection of yarns planted by the substrate opener each time it penetrates the substrate.

The device of this patent has been recognized by the flocking industry in that it has enabled multicolored and patterned flocked articles to be produced at substantially lower cost and in a shorter time than is possible with ordinary weaving. Although this represented a significant advance in the field of technology, it would be desirable to improve the flocking apparatus embodying the patented invention to further reduce costs and increase production rates. In an actual apparatus implementing this patented invention, one area in which efficiency improvements would be desirable is in the mechanism for cutting the yarn after it has been implanted in the substrate. The K11e patent discloses a rotary cutter driven by a motor incorporated in each flocking head for cutting the yarn after it has been planted in the substrate, and an actual device has also been constructed. The rotary cutter is located on the opposite side of the substrate from the head and moves with the head laterally (transversely) to the substrate. With each penetration of the substrate, the yarn is cut into the substrate opener tube. By the air flowing through the
It is pushed out of the substrate opener and into the path of movement of a rotating cutter blade, which cuts the yarn. This construction results in a significant amount of yarn wastage. Furthermore, because of the need for a gap between the rotating cutter blade and the substrate opener, there are limits to how close the rotating cutter can safely be placed to the underside of the substrate. As a result, the pile height of the yarns planted on the substrate is greater than desired, which further wastes the amount of yarns that are trimmed in subsequent finishing steps.

One important factor influencing the production rate of the actual equipment implementing the invention of the Ile patent is the number of flocking heads provided in the equipment.

The greater the number of heads, the less distance each head has to move laterally and therefore the faster a row of piles can be implanted in the substrate. However, as the number of heads increases, other problems arise.

The added weight makes it difficult to move the heads accurately and maintain alignment and position relative to each other.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] It is an object of the invention to provide a hair transplantation device which, in addition to being able to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, allows for further improvements in the hair transplantation device of the type disclosed in the K11e patent. The object of the present invention is to achieve this goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One important aspect of the present invention is to manufacture flocked articles that include an improved yarn cutting mechanism that replaces the common rotary cutter disclosed in the K11e patent. The company provides equipment to do this. The improved cutter is much simpler, lighter weight, and less expensive than a rotary cutter and, more importantly, reduces or eliminates yarn waste.

Briefly summarized, the improved cutting mechanism includes a cutting blade that cooperates with the substrate opener tube to provide a shearing action for cutting yarn exiting the substrate opener tube. There is. The substrate opener tube has a pointed tip at the end of the tube from which the yarn exits. This pointed tip is formed by a surface that is inclined with respect to the axis of the tube. The substrate opener tube reciprocates so that the pointed tip penetrates the substrate in order to plant the pile of yarn, and when the blade penetrates the substrate, it contacts the slope of the substrate, and the blade touches the slope of the substrate. Cuts the yarn coming out of the base opener tube by sliding the
In order to make products that are flocked with tonobail,
It is located near the bottom surface of the base.

In contrast to rotary cutters that cut and discard loops of yarn each time the yarn is inserted into the substrate, the present invention does not discard cut yarn; As it moves downward through the substrate to the bottom of its travel, the sloped surface of the substrate opener comes into sliding contact with the blade and the yarn is subjected to a shearing action between the cutting edge of the blade and the sloped surface of the substrate opener tube. The yarn is cut with a substrate opener.
is cut off as it approaches the end of its downward travel. When the substrate opener is withdrawn, the cut yarn remains in its position within the substrate. The distance between the substrate and the blade location corresponds to the resulting pile height of the yarn. On the next substrate penetration by the substrate opener tube, the process repeats and the blade cuts the yarn as the substrate opener approaches the lower end of its travel. This results in a U-shaped yarn pile on the base, with equal lengths on both sides of the yarn pile. Unlike a rotary cutter, the yarn is not cut and thrown away, so there is no waste.

Therefore, the cost of producing the item is reduced.

To facilitate operation of the improved cutting mechanism, the substrate opener tube is designed such that the centerline of the passage through which the yarn is threaded is from the axis of the substrate opener to the substrate with the pointed tip. It is made so that it is shifted towards the opener side. This increases the wall thickness on the slope opposite the sharp tip, ie where the shearing action between the slope and the blade occurs. At this location of the inclined surface, a slot is formed for receiving the yarn emerging from the channel. This slot centers and holds the yarn as it is sheared between the blade and the sharp edge formed in the slot in the ramp of the tube.

In another aspect, the invention includes a plurality of reciprocating substrate opener tubes whose positions are fixed in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate through the device. We offer hair transplantation equipment.

In order to plant rows of lateral piles on the base, the base itself is woven horizontally in accordance with the spacing between the penetration points of adjacent yarns.
Shifted in several steps. This eliminates the relatively heavy and complex heads of previous devices, and instead uses multiple, closely spaced substrate openers in a common, laterally extending, reciprocating motion. Mounted on the bar. This is advantageous because it allows precise control of the position of the substrate opener and eliminates the possibility of relative movement between the substrate openers. By arranging the substrate openers with a relatively small mutual spacing, the distance over which the substrate must be shifted is small, thereby facilitating accurate shifting of the substrate.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an improved cutting mechanism is modified. That is, a variation in which each cutting blade is coupled to an actuator device that makes it possible to selectively change the position of the blade so that the yarn is selectively cut. Each time the substrate opener tube penetrates the substrate, the grade is moved by the actuator into or out of contact with the substrate opener tube. This allows loop pile, cut-and-loop pile, and cut pile articles to be produced as the yarn is selectively cut or uncut as desired.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[Example 1] As mentioned above, the invention is particularly suitable for use in apparatus for producing flocked textile products such as carpets, wall hangings or upholstery materials, and the present invention is particularly suitable for use in apparatus for producing flocked textile products such as carpets, wall hangings or upholstery materials, 4,549,496, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Details of the structure and operation described in the ile patent, which are not particularly relevant to the present invention, will not be repeated here.
For details of such construction and operation, reference may be made to the K11e patent.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section and partially schematic, in a longitudinal plane showing an improved hair transplantation device according to the present invention. The flocking apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a reciprocating substrate opener tube 10 for penetrating a subsequent substrate 12 and planting a yarn pile 14 therein. This-next substrate 12 is in the form of a continuous fabric and moves.
is moved longitudinally (to the left as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) past a reciprocating substrate opener by, for example, a substrate advancement system that moves the substrate through a reciprocating substrate opener. Driven with slightly different rotational speeds to keep the moving substrate under tension (
It includes a pair of bin rollers 20 and 22 (e.g. by an electric motor, not shown). The substrate advancement system further includes a pair of guide rollers 24, 26 that work in conjunction with the bin rollers 20, 22, respectively, to guide the substrate. As shown in the figure and for reasons explained in more detail below, a second pair of bin rollers 30.32, which have a smaller diameter than the bin rollers 20.22, move the substrate in close proximity to the reciprocating substrate opener 10. They are located on opposite sides of each other. The betel 530.32 is for better control of the substrate at the location where the pile is planted.
carried on the substrate and located near the location where the substrate opener penetrates the substrate.

The bin roller 32 has a second blade 3 on the upper side of the substrate.
6 and is located just downstream of the reciprocating substrate opener. Preferably, blades 34 and 36 can be shifted laterally.

The reason will be explained later.

As shown, bin rollers 20 and 22 are also carried on shiftable blades 34 and 36, respectively. The blades 34,36 are both carried on a pair of laterally extending shafts 40 supported by a portion 42 fixed to the frame of the device so that they can move. The blades 34, 36 are mechanically connected and coupled to a lateral positioning mechanism (not shown), and the blades, together with both bin rollers and their associated drive systems, are It is possible to shift the substrate in a direction transverse to the direction in which it moves forward. A corresponding lateral shifting movement of the substrate is thereby obtained. The reason why such exercise is desirable will be explained later. The lateral positioning mechanism may be any of a number of commercially available devices, such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, provided that it is capable of making very small, precisely controlled movements. 1
Rollers 24 and 26, which preferably allow precisely controlled movement on the order of 710 inches or less, are also shifted laterally to follow bin rollers 20 and 22. It is the second, less accurate
This is accomplished by a shift mechanism.

The substrate opener 10 includes an adjustable cam assembly 50 connected to the substrate opener by a link assembly 52.
It causes reciprocating motion. The adjustable cam assembly includes a circular cam lobe member 5 rotatably supported by bearings within a circular portion of a yoke member 56.
Contains 4. The cam lobe member has a rotating shaft 58 extending laterally off center of the cam lobe member.
and is driven by it. The shaft 58 is
As shown, it is supported by bearings on a portion 60 fixed to the frame. The link assembly is a connecting link 6
2, and this joining link is 64 as shown.
is coupled to the yoke member 56 at the yoke member 56, while being coupled to a pair of longitudinally extending link members 66, which are linear members supported by another fixed portion 69 of the frame. By the bearing 68,
It is guided to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The lower end of the link member 66 is connected to a yarn exchanger 70 carrying a substrate opener 10.

As shaft 58 rotates, cam lobe member 54 rotates, imparting reciprocating motion to yoke member 56. A similar motion is then transmitted through the link assembly to the substrate opener, causing the substrate opener to repeatedly penetrate the substrate.

The flocking device of FIG. 1 also includes a system for supplying and controlling the yarn being planted on the substrate. These systems include a yarn feeding system to ensure that the yarn exchanger is fed with a predetermined length of yarn.

The system includes a yarn feed roller 80;
This roller works in combination with a second roller 82 carried on a movable member 84 which is supported in bins at 86 on part 69 of the frame.

Roller 82 is moved by a pneumatic actuator 90 or the like until it engages roller 80 . That is, the pneumatic actuator is coupled to a movable member 84 that pivots the member to cause rollers 82 and 80 to engage each other. Yarn 92 is
It is guided around roller 82 so as to pass between the engaged surfaces of rollers 80 and 82. The rollers 80 are supported by a drive shaft 94 that rotates in steps so that as the shaft rotates, the yarn is pulled out of the yarn through a yarn pullback mechanism 96 and an air manifold 98.
It is reliably fed to the exchanger 70. Air manifold 9B receives pressurized air coming from air source device 00 and receives a plurality of different yarns (although only one yarn 92 is shown in FIG. 1).

Yarn (twisted yarn) entering manifold 98 is fed to yarn exchanger 70 through individual feed tubes 102 connecting the manifold and yarn exchanger. Separate air lines 104 for each yarn tube][12 are connected to manifold 98 so that compressed air is blown in a controlled manner into each tube to direct the yarn through the tubes and into the substrate opener. Delivered by air current.

Manifold 98, yarn feed tube 102, and yarn exchanger 70 together provide K11e
It functions as and operates similarly to the yarn exchanger described in the patent. Selecting a particular yarn for planting the substrate is accomplished by appropriately controlling a pneumatic actuator 90 that pivots member 84 to move roller 82 into engagement with yarn feed roller 80 and releases the yarn. This is accomplished by controlling the yarn pullback mechanism 96 to deliver the selected yarns to the yarn exchanger, and also by controlling the compressed air supplied to the manifold 98 to deliver selected yarns to the yarn exchanger. K11e for reference
As described in the patent, the number of yarns planted each time the substrate opener penetrates the substrate may be one or more as desired by appropriate control of the yarn feeding system. Sometimes there is, sometimes not. The yarn exchanger 70 serves to guide the plurality of yarns entering it into the entry end of the substrate opener tube so that the selected one or more yarns are delivered through the substrate opener and onto the substrate. It will be implanted.

The flocking device 1 described in the K11e patent uses a plurality of flocking heads that are moved in synchronized steps in the lateral direction, that is, in the direction across the substrate.

In contrast, the flocking device shown in FIG. 1 uses a plurality of laterally fixed base openers that are interconnected by a laterally extending bar 110. There is. The device has shafts 5 arranged laterally spaced apart from one another across the width of the substrate.
several adjustable cam assemblies 50 coupled to 8;
is used, whereby the substrate opener is caused to synchronously reciprocate and penetrate the substrate. Base opener
each implants one or more selected yarns as determined by a control system such as a computer. That is, the computer controls the yarn feeding and control system of the device. To plant a row of lateral piles, the substrate is shifted laterally in small steps corresponding to the spacing between adjacent piles, as described above. By providing a large number of furring openers and keeping the spacing between adjacent furring openers relatively small, typically 2.5 inches, the furring can be separated for planting a complete horizontal row of piles. This small distance is all that is needed for the total distance that the . By a combination of shifting the larger diameter bin roller 20.22 and shifting the smaller diameter bin roller 30.32 spaced in close proximity to the area of the substrate opener, the substrate is shifted laterally. The roller 24 that guides the substrate to the bin roller 20 and the roller 26 that guides the substrate from the bin roller 22 are also separate as described above, so that the substrate can be well controlled and the substrate does not tend to tilt. is shifted laterally by the shift mechanism of
The mechanism for shifting the blade and bin roller within the area where the substrate flocking takes place does not need to be precisely controlled.

As previously mentioned, this substrate shifting construction has many advantages over the moving head type devices of the earlier K11e patent. This eliminates the relatively heavy and complex movable head of previous devices. This simplifies the equipment, allows for more precise control of the position of the substrate openers, eliminates the possibility of relative movement between the substrate openers, and increases production speed.

A further important aspect of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is the improved yarn cutting mechanism of the present invention, which reduces or eliminates wasted yarn when producing cut pile articles. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in more detail below, the improved flocking device according to the present invention includes a cutting mechanism that includes a separate knife blade 120 for each substrate opener. have.

The blade is located on the side of the substrate opposite the reciprocating mechanism for the yarn exchanger and substrate opener, as shown in FIG. These blades are adapted to cut the yarn extruded from the substrate opener by shearing and sliding on the inclined surface forming the pointed tip of the substrate opener, as further described below. , is arranged to work in combination with the substrate opener.

As shown, the knife blade 120 is made of a flat, elongated piece of metal, such as steel;
It is clamped and retained by a knife block 122 mounted on a laterally extending keyed shaft 124. As best seen in FIG. 2, shaft 124 is supported by a number of laterally spaced brackets 126 coupled to laterally extending frame members 128. Bracket 126 tightly clamps shaft 124 so that this shaft does not move; frame member 128 is connected to stationary member 13 of the equipment frame.
A jack control shaft 134, preferably supported by several threaded jacks 132 (only one shown in the figure) spaced laterally across the width of the device, on the As shown, these jacks are interconnected by control ronds 135 and bushings 138, so that these jacks can be raised and lowered simultaneously, thereby adjusting the position of the knife blade relative to the substrate. Normally shaft 124 is held stationary by bracket 126.

The end of the shaft is threaded and connected to the corresponding end bracket 12 by a pair of nuts 140, as shown for the left end of the shaft in FIG.
It is fixed to 6. These nuts and support brackets hold the shaft stationary, preventing rotation and lateral movement of the shaft.

Once the clamp bracket 126 and nut 140 are loosened, the shaft can be rotated to change the angle between the knife blade and the substrate opener and the force with which the blade contacts the substrate opener, and the knife blade can be rotated to change the angle between the knife blade and the substrate opener and the force with which the blade contacts the substrate opener. It can also be shifted slightly laterally with respect to the base opener.

This shifting changes the area of the knife blade that the base opener contacts, thereby reducing the sharpness of the knife blade caused by repeated engagement between the knife blade and the base opener. Knife blades and base openers are preferably made of hardened steel or other suitably treated materials to resist wear and provide long-term operation, but
Even so, the blade tends to lose its sharpness as it is used, so the structure shown in Figure 2 is
In order to reduce the loss of sharpness, it is convenient to shift the knife blade slightly relative to the base opener.

3A and 3B illustrate one preferred form of a substrate opener according to the present invention. As shown, the substrate opener consists of a hollow tube 150, the axis of which a pointed tip 15 formed by a generally flat surface 154 that is inclined relative to 156;
The bore 158 of the tube is preferably offset from the axis +56 of the tube, having an angle of 2 and preferably an acute angle on the order of 20@. The centerline 160 of the bore is offset from the axis and the bore is offset toward the sidewall 162 of the tube on which the lowermost end 164 of the tube's pointed tip is located.

This increases the thickness of the opposite sidewall 166, which is desirable. This is because it increases the length of the slot 170 on its sidewall. As shown in Figure 3B,
The opening 172 of the bore 158 in the surface 154 is oval shaped. Slot 170 is formed in the upper region (in the figure) of an oval opening in surface 154, as best shown in FIG. 3B, with the bottom wall of the slot extending from the tip. with an upwardly escaping angle, and at an obtuse angle with respect to the inclined surface 154, inwardly, toward the axis of the tube, so that it is sharp at the plane +54, as best shown in FIG. 3A. Preferably, the slot 170 forms an edge that captures and centers the yarn exiting the substrate opener tube opening 72 as it is cut by the knife blade, as described in more detail below. The yarn acts to hold it in place. side wall 166
Changing the thickness of the slot 170 increases the length of the slot 170, making the above function more reliable. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the bore 158 at the upper end of the substrate opener +76 is beveled to facilitate yarn entry.

Figures 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of substrate opener tubes that may be used. 3rd A.

In Figure 3B, the base opener tube 150 is provided with a bore 158 having a substantially constant diameter over the length of the tube. In contrast, the substrate opener 180 of FIG. 4 tapers from a relatively small opening 182 at the pointed tip to a somewhat larger opening 184 at the opposite end of the tube as shown. It has a large bore. The large opening at the top of the tube facilitates feeding the yarn into the bore.

In the embodiment of the substrate opener 186 shown in FIG. 5, the pointed tip is formed by two flat surfaces 18B and 190 with different inclinations relative to the axis +92 of the tube. The angle of the lower surface 190 of the substrate opener in FIG.
The angle is larger than the angle of the surface forming the sharp tip of the base opener 150 or 180. This reduces the sharpness of the tip, and at the same time, the slot 1
As the distance between the sharp edge created by the 70 and the lowest end of the pointed tip is reduced, there is a corresponding reduction in the reciprocating mechanism required of the device to be able to penetrate the substrate of the substrate opener. The stroke length can be reduced.

Figures 6A-6E contain a series of views illustrating the operation of the improved cutting mechanism according to the present invention. Figures 6A to 6D are
The sequence of changing positions during the downward stroke of the substrate opener 150 is shown. Yarn 200 is fed through a substrate opener, and the yarn is fed through a substrate opener.
Planted on 4th.

In FIG. 6A, the first U-shaped pile 2 of the yarn
06 has already been planted in the substrate, and the substrate opener is shown as it passes through the substrate in a downward stroke to plant the second half of the adjacent pile 208. In FIG. 6A, the base opener is not in contact with the knife blade 120, but as the base opener continues its downward movement, the sixth
As shown in Figure B, the inclined surface 1 at the tip of the base opener
54 contacts the knife blade. As shown, the knife blade 120 is not oriented vertically or parallel to the axis of the substrate opener tube; that is, the knife blade 120 is oriented at a small acute angle to the vertical axis of the substrate opener. The cutting edge 2 of the blade is preferably placed so that when the sloped surface 154 of the substrate opener contacts the blade, the cutting edge 2 of the blade
The force applied to 10 tends to bend the blade (towards the left in the diagram)
do. This facilitates the cutting edge to slide along the inclined surface without being directly subjected to downward forces in the plane of the blade. Due to the resiliency of the steel blade, the blade remains in contact with the substrate opener and slides on its surface +54.

FIG. 6C shows the position of the substrate opener just before the yarn is cut by the knife blade. As the substrate opener advances downwardly through the substrate, the yarn passes into the substrate opener tube as shown in FIG. It is located in a slot 170 and attempts to conform to the plane of that slot which is flat but has an upward escape angle and forms a sharp edge within the sloped surface of the tube. This provides yarn capture and centering. As the substrate opener advances downwardly, the knife blade slides over the sloped surface of the substrate opener and works in conjunction with the sharp edge created by slot 170 to cut the yarn by shearing action. 6th
Figure D shows the substrate opener after the yarn has been cut, and Figure 6E shows the substrate opener after it has been extracted from the substrate.

As shown in Figures 6A-6E, the improved cutting mechanism according to the present invention does not result in yarn wastage; the yarn is cut to a length substantially corresponding to the desired pile height in the flocked article. is cut off. The only possible waste is that which occurs in later finishing steps. In this finishing process, a small amount of yarn at the tip of the pile is cut off to equalize the pile height.The cutting mechanism of the present invention does not waste yarn, thus producing flocked items. The cost of doing so is reduced. Furthermore, the cutting mechanism is rather simple. It does not require complex moving components as in the K11e patent rotary cutter, and the only maintenance required is to replace or resharpen the blade when it becomes dull.

FIG. 7 shows one variant of the cutting mechanism according to the invention, which allows selective cutting of the yarn and production of cut-loop textile products. In this variant,
The position of the knife blade 120 is selectively controlled each time the substrate is penetrated by the substrate opener tube 150 such that the knife blade exits the substrate opener in contact with the substrate opener. In the first position of cutting the yarn (the position shown in Figure 7), the knife blade is pivoted (counterclockwise in the figure) away from the substrate opener and therefore does not contact the substrate opener, thus cutting the yarn. can be moved between a second position in which it does not cut. When the knife blade is in the yarn cutting first position, a cut pile article is produced. A loop pile is created when the knife blade is in a second position where it does not cut the yarn. A cut loop, which is a combination of a cut pile and a loop pile, can be created by appropriate control of the blade position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the knife blade 120 is held within a knife block 222, which is supported by bearings 226 on an axially extending shaft 224 so that the knife 6 shafts that allow the block to easily rotate relative to the shaft 224
is clamped by bracket 126 in the same manner as described above for shaft 124 to prevent it from rotating. Knife block 222 is pivoted on shaft 224 by a positioning member 230, such as a pneumatic actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like. As shown, the cylinder portion of the pneumatic actuator is binned at 232 to a first laterally extending angle member 234, and the piston rod portion 236 is binned to a member 238 attached to the knife block 222. ing. In FIG. 7, the positioning device 230 is shown in the activated state, ie the piston is extended. As a result of the extension of the piston, the knife block 222 is pivoted clockwise (in the figure) about the shaft 224 to a first position defined by an adjustable stop 240, which is laterally It includes a head bolt extending through a second angle member 242. Stop 240 is a base opener.
When the yarn penetrates the substrate, the blade contacts the substrate opener 150 and cuts the yarn as described above.
When the positioning device 230, which sets the proper position of the blade 120, is deactivated, the piston is retracted (e.g. by a return spring), so that the knife block pivots counterclockwise in the diagram, and the knife blade 12
In this second position, in which the knife blade is moved away from contact with the substrate opener, the knife blade does not cut the yarn, leaving a loop in the substrate when the substrate opener is withdrawn.

Each of the plurality of knife blades in the flocking device according to the present invention has a unique positioning device 230, and each time the associated substrate opener tube penetrates the substrate, each positioning device 230 is operated as described above. individually controlled. This allows for selective cutting of the yarn emerging from each substrate opener, thus making it possible to produce cut loop articles. If an all loop pile carpet is to be produced, the knife blades will be engaged only when it is desired to change the color of the yarn.The individual actuators 230 will be For example, it is controlled according to a desired pattern.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the reciprocating substrate opener and associated knife blade are held in place, this same cutting mechanism is used in the lateral direction shown in the K11e patent. It may also be used with a moving substrate opener, such as in the case of a moving head.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles or spirit of the invention.

The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional and partially schematic vertical in-plane elevational view of a hair transplanting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a knife block assembly of the device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3A is a vertical sectional view of a substrate opener according to the present invention, FIG. 3B is a reproduction of FIG. 3A viewed from the left side, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the base opener according to the present invention, in which the bore is tapered.
Figures 6A-6E are a series of schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the improved yarn cutting mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a longitudinal in-plane cross-sectional view of a modification of the cutting mechanism according to the invention, ie allowing selective cutting of the yarn by controlling the individual knife blades. 10... Base opener tube, 12...
Base, 14... Hair, 20, 22...
Bin roller, 24, 26... Guide roller, 30, 32... Bin roller, 34.36... Bed blade, 40... Shaft, 42... Fixed part, 50... - Cam assembly, 52... Link assembly, 54... Cam lobe member, 56... Yoke member, 58... Shaft, 60... Fixed part, 6
2...Connection link, 64...Bin, 66...
... Link member, 68 ... Linear bearing, 69 ... Fixed part, 7
0... Yarn exchanger, 80... Yarn feeding roller, 82... Roller, 84... Movable member, 86... Bin, 90...
... Pneumatic actuator, 92 ... Yarn, 94 ... Drive shaft, 96 ... Yarn pullback mechanism, 98 ... Air manifold, 100 ... Air source device, 102 ...Feeding tube, 104...Air line, 110...Coupling bar, 120...Knife blade, 122...Knife block, 124...Shaft, 126... ... Bracket, 128 ... Frame member (movable), 13
0... Frame member, 132... Jacket, 134... Control shaft, 136...
Control rod, 138... Bushing, 140... Nut, ]50... Base opener tube, 152...
...Sharp tip, 154...Slanted surface, 156...
...Axis line, 158...Bore, 160...
...Bore center line, 162...Side wall, 164...Bottom end,
166... Side wall, 170... Slot, 172... Opening, 176... Upper end, 180... Base opener tube, 182,
184... Opening, 186... Base opener tube, 188, 1
90... Inclined surface, 192... Axis line, 200...
... Yarn, 204 ... Base, 206, 2
08... Hair foot, 210... Cutting edge, 2
22... Knife block, 224... Shaft, 226... Bearing, 2
30...Positioning member, 232...Bin, 234...Angle member, 236...Piston rod, 238...Member (attached to 222), 240...
...Stop, 242...Angle member FIG, 1 FIG, 3A FIG, 38FIG, 4
FIG, 5 FIG, 6A FIG, 68 FIG, 6CFIG, 6D
FIG-6EFIG, 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A flocking device for manufacturing a flocked article from a base fabric and a long continuous yarn, comprising base fabric support means for supporting the base fabric, and a through passageway extending in the axial direction. and a pointed tip formed by a sloped surface at one end that is inclined relative to the axis of the tube, generally perpendicular to the underlying fabric, the pointed tip being sharpened proximate to the fabric. a base opener tube arranged to have a leading edge; and a base opener tube arranged to have a leading edge thereof; and a base opener tube that is axially disposed between a position where the pointed tip penetrates the fabric and a position where the sharp tip is withdrawn from the fabric. means for reciprocating in the direction; means for successively feeding lengths of yarn successively through said through passageway and outwardly through said pointed tip; and by sliding contact with said inclined surface. A flocking device for producing flocked articles, comprising: blade means operative to separate yarn pile from said continuous length of yarn. 2. The substrate opener tube is located near a portion of the inclined surface remote from the pointed tip;
a slot extending therefrom toward the axis of the tube for receiving therein the continuous length of yarn exiting the passage;
2. The slanted surface defines a sharp edge which acts in conjunction with the blade to separate yarn pile from the continuous length of yarn. The hair transplant device described in . 3. The axis of the passageway is offset laterally from the axis of the tube toward the distal end of the pointed tip, and the slot is angled toward the axis of the passageway. 3. The flocking device of claim 2, having an extending bottom wall in combination with the sloped surface to define the sharp edge. 4. The flocking device of claim 1, wherein said means for delivering said yarn comprises means for delivering an air stream. 5. The airflow delivery means applies a force to the yarn in the direction of discharging the yarn from the pointed tip,
5. The flocking device according to claim 4, further extending from the pointed tip so as to impart a predetermined length of yarn pile to the base fabric. 6. The airflow delivery means as claimed in claim 5, wherein said reciprocating means serves to retain yarn within the fabric when said reciprocating means withdraws said substrate opener tube from the substrate fabric. Hair transplant device. 7. The hair transplant device of claim 1, wherein the passageway in the base opener tube tapers from a small opening at the distal surface of the tube to a larger opening at the opposite side of the tube. 8. said inclined surface is flat, said blade means is a flat member having a cutting edge, and said inclined surface slides with said cutting edge when the pointed tip is in a position penetrating the fabric; 2. A hair transplanting device as claimed in claim 1, including retaining means for retaining said blade means at an angle to said inclined surface so as to be in contact with said blade means. 9. The blade has elasticity, and
9. A hair transplanting device according to claim 8, wherein the holding means includes means for varying the angle between the blade and the inclined surface. 10. selectively moving said blade means out of position where said cutting edge contacts said sloped surface so as to prevent yarns emerging from said substrate opener tube from being cut; 9. A hair transplantation device according to claim 8, further comprising means for selectively controlling said holding means. 11. Said selectively controlling means includes a positioning device for moving the blade out of the position where the cutting edge contacts the sloped surface and selectively cutting the yarn each time the substrate opener tube penetrates. Hair transplantation device according to claim 10, comprising means for activating the positioning device so that the hair transplantation can be performed. 12. The flocking device of claim 1, including means for adjusting the angle of said blade means relative to said substrate opener tube. 13. advancing means for longitudinally advancing the base fabric; spaced apart from each other and arranged transversely to the base fabric, each of said base opener tubes being spaced apart from each other and arranged transversely to the base fabric; a plurality of said base opener tubes reciprocating to maintain a vertical position and seed piles of yarn on said base fabric by said reciprocating means; and planting horizontal rows of piles on said base fabric; 13. A flocking device as claimed in claim 12, including means for moving said base fabric laterally relative to said base opener tube. 14. A flocking device for producing flocked articles from a base fabric and a long continuous yarn, the machine comprising an elongated base opener tube at one end for planting the base fabric with yarn piles. , the tube including an axial passageway therethrough and a pointed tip defined at a first end by an inclined surface inclined relative to the axis of the substrate opener tube; 2 ends, the passageway including a slot in the opening made in the inclined surface, the slot comprising:
Defining a sharp edge in combination with the sloped surface within the tube such that the continuous length of yarn passes through the passageway and exits the opening through the second end. a flocking device for producing a flocked article in which the yarn is captured and centered within said slot when cut by the combined action of a cutting blade and said sharp edge; . 15. The flocking device of claim 14, wherein the slot includes a bottom wall at an obtuse angle to the inclined surface. 16. The ramped surface is flat, and further includes cutting means including a blade and means operative to engage and slide the blade on the ramped surface. The hair transplant device described. 17. The flocking device of claim 14, wherein the passageway is dimensioned to allow a plurality of yarns to pass therethrough simultaneously. 18. The hair implantation device of claim 14, wherein the passageway has a substantially uniform diameter. 19. The hair transplant device of claim 14, wherein the passageway tapers from a small aperture included in the ramp to a larger aperture included in the second end. 20. The sloped surface of the substrate opener tube comprises a first flat surface at a first angle to the axis of the tube and a second flat surface at a second angle to the axis. the first surface begins at the tip on the first side of the tube and extends to the intermediate region of the ramp, and the second surface begins subsequent to the first surface at the intermediate region and extends from the tip on the first side of the tube. 15. The hair implantation device of claim 14, wherein the tube extends to the opposite side of the tube, and the slot is located in the second flat surface near the opposite side of the tube. 21. A flocking device for producing flocked articles from a base fabric and a long continuous yarn, comprising a pointed tip having a pair of ends and defined at one end by an inclined surface; a base opener tube including an axial passageway extending therefrom to the other end of the tube; and a base fabric relative to the base opener tube proximate said one end of said base opener tube. means for generally vertically supporting the base opener tube; means for axially reciprocating the base opener tube between a position through the base fabric and a position withdrawn therefrom; means for feeding from the other end through the passageway and out of the ramp; movable in relation to the ramp between an actuated and a non-actuated position; an actuated position; blade means disposed to contact and slide over the ramp when in contact with the ramp to cut yarn projecting from the ramp; and each time the substrate opener tube penetrates the substrate fabric; and means operative to move said blade between said operative and inoperative positions so as to permit selective cutting of the yarn. 22. The means for changing the blade position includes a blade holder and the blade holder in the activated position where the blade contacts the sloped surface when penetrating the substrate, and in the inactivated position where the blade does not contact the sloped surface. 22. A hair transplant as claimed in claim 21, including means for supporting the blade holder means so as to be pivotable between positions and means for controlling movement of the blade holder means between said activated and inactivated positions. Device. 23. The hair transplanting device of claim 22, further comprising adjustment means for varying the initial position of the blade to vary the force of contact between the blade and the ramp. 24. Claim 2, wherein the means for changing blade position includes a hydraulically actuated actuator for changing blade position.
1. The hair transplant device according to 1.