US2199354A - Pneumatic thread control for weft replenishing looms - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1940. R, G, TURNER 2,199,354

PNEUMATIC THREAD CONTROL FOR WEFT REPLENISHING LOOMS Original Filed March 31, 1958 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Inventov Ruzhard G. Turner Attorney April 1940- R. G. TURNER ,199,354

PNEUMATIC THREAD CONTROL FOR WEFT REPLENISHING LOOMS Original Filed March 51, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 lnventov 0 Richard Giuwner 6 Attorney Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PNEUMATIC THREAD CONTROL FOR WEFI REPLENISHING LOOMS Richard G. Turner, Worcester, Mass assignor to Crompton dz Knowles Loom Mass., a corporation of Works, Worcester, Massachusetts Application March 31, 1938, Serial No. 199,169 Renewed March 8, 1940 19 Claims. (01. 139-241) This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic thread holding or removing devices for weft replenishing looms and the method of their operation. One important object of the invention is to provide an improved holder into which the weft ends of reserve bobbins are drawn by pneumatic action. I

In bobbin changing looms a magazine is provided to hold reverse bobbins from which weft ends extend toward a thread holder. At the time of transfer the bobbin freshly inserted into the depleted shuttle can be threaded because of the fact that the weft end is held comparatively fixed with respect to the loom.

As the reserve bobbins await transfer their weft ends have a tendency to twist on each other the eifect of which is to render diflicult if not impossible the separation from the twisted thread mass of the thread attached to the freshly transferred bobbin. It is an important object of my present invention to provide an accumulator for weft ends located close to the intake of the thread holding system so that the threads resulting from previous transfers may form a ball or mass of yarn with which the weft ends of the reserve bobbins become entangled. This mass of threads provides an anchorage for the weft ends beyond the intake of the thread holder and serves to keep the threads in a more or'less parallel relationship and thereby prevent twisting. As a result of this construction the thread of a freshly transferred bobbin, not being twisted on other threads outside of the holder, can be drawn into the latter and the accumulator and thus be entirely removed from the zone of influence of moving parts of the loom, such as the shuttle or lay.

At the time of transfer there are ordinarily two threads which must be removed from the path of the shuttle, one of which is connected to the reserve bobbin already mentioned. The other thread is that which extends from the selvage to the outgoing bobbin, usually cut close to the temple, and removed either by the downward motion of the expelled bobbin or by mechanism specially constructed for the purpose. It is a further object of my present inventionto provide a pneumatic thread extractor for this second thread also connected to the accumulator so that the latter serves for the reception of both threads.

By this arrangement the aforesaid mass or ball of yarn is increased in size because of the threads received from the extractor, and entry of the thread from the extractor into the accumulator assists in entangling and insuring anchorage for the weft ends of the reserve bobbins.

When fresh bobbins are inserted into a magazine the weft ends are ordinarily drawn away from the magazine toward the end of the loom to be attached to some form of thread holder. Where the thread holder is of the pneumatic type it is necessary to provide some means for passing these reserve ends into the mouth or intake of the holding system. To facilitate entry of the threads it is a further object of my invention to provide a movable intake operable preferably manually, so constructed that the intake can be moved to an upwardly facing position so the weft ends can be laid across and drawn into it, after which the intake is moved angularly so that it faces the magazine to permit the weft ends to be drawn thereinto along substantially straight lines.

It is a further object of my present invention to create a vacuum in the accumulator by a connection from a pump entering the top of the accumulator, while the thread extractor and thread holder mechanisms communicate with the bottom of the accumulator. This has the effect of drawing the weft ends up into the mass of threads in the accumulator. I find it desirable to place a baiiie or the like between the intakes of these two systems so that the drafts of air will not interfere with each other sufilciently to impede correct entry of the threads. In this connection I find it desirable also to introduce'a rod or similar device in the accumulator to prevent the mass or ball of yarn from rotating under pneumatic action. With certain types of yarns rotation of the mass of threads in the accumulator may subject the weft ends to too much tension and also twist the weft ends together, and it is to prevent these disturbances that I prefer to use means to prevent rotation of the mass of threads.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved method for attaching reserve bobbin weft ends to a ball or mass of threads so that the latter can act as a holder for the ends. This method consists in blowing the ends into a group of loosely entangled threads through which the draft of air passes to carry the ends into holding relation with the mass.

Certain features of this invention constitute improvements over the structure set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 166,571, and the extractor may be as set forth more fully in my co-pending application Serial No. 190,637.

, With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of'parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings wherein a convenient embodiment of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the upper part of a weft replenishing loom having my invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a plan view taken in the direction of arrow 2, Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation taken in the direction of arrow 5, Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section on line 5-8 of Fig. 4, v

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section on line 'I-I of Fig. 6,

Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed vertical sections on line A-A, Fig. 4, showing the intake and its manual control in two different positions, and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view in front elevation of the extractor and thread holder together with the magazine and shuttle.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 I

and 2, I have shown a loom frame I 0 having a crank shaft II which makes one revolution for each beat of the loom. The lay I1 is reciprocated by power derived from the crank shaft and transmitted through connectors I3 and is provided with a transfer bunter II to engage a latch l5 on transferring beats of the loom. The latch is carried by the lower end of a transferring arm i5 pivoted as at II to fixed structure on the loom frame and cooperates with a magazine designated generally at M and set forth herein as provided with two stacks of distinctive reserve bobbins B and B. By means of a rod I8 connected to a lever I! the magazine is rocked about its fixed pivotal support to move one or the other of the stacks of reserve bobbins into operative relation with respect to the transferrer arm I 6. The lever I! may be rocked by means of a depending rod 2| connected by mechanism not shown to cause rocking of the magazine in time with the shifting of a gang of shuttle boxes at the opposite end of the loom not shown herein. It is to be understood that the loom will operate with two weaving shuttles either one of which may become active whenever required by the demands of the pattern being woven. For a further description of the magazine and the means by which it may be rocked reference may be had to my Patent No. 2,128,974, issued September 6, 1939.

A pneumatic pump cylinder is held by a bracket 25 secured to the loom frame and has a piston 21 operated by a connector rod 25 pivoted to the upper end of a'lever 30. The latter is pivoted near-the bottom of the loom as at 3| and at a point intermediate its length is attached to an operating rod 32 connected to the lay as at 33. The pivotal connection 34, between rod 32 and lever may be chosen to give the piston 21 the desired stroke. As the lay recedes. or moves to the right of the front center or transfer posltion shown in Fig. 1, the piston 21 will move rearwardly to create a partial vacuum in the left part of the cylinder 25, and as the lay moves forwardly from its rearmost position the piston will advance. tion a partial vacuum is set up in the cylinder for each beat of the loom, starting with and continuing throughout the rearward stroke of the lay. Leading forwardly from the cylinder is By this construca tube 35 connected to an accumulator to be described.

Details of the cylinder are not given herein, as they are set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 166,571, to which reference may be had for further understanding of the construction and operation of the pump. It is deemed sufficient for present purposes to state that during rearward motion of the lay a vacuum will be created in tube I5. While I have shown a pump yet I do not wish to be limited to this particular means for inducing a vacuum in tube 35.

A thread extractor designated generally at E and shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 10 comprises a head adapted for the entry of a weft thread 35 extending from the selvage of the cloth F to the right and in front of said extractor head, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 10. The extractor head is mounted on a rod ll which may be raised and lowered with respect to the lay and is under control of the transfer mechanism by means of a lug l2 projecting laterally from the head and under a projection 43 on the transferrer arm l5. Whenever the latter is depressed in well-known manner to effect transfer the head III will be lowered from its normally raised position. A tube 44 extends outwardly from the head III to the accumulator C to be described. For further details of the thread extractor E and its mode of operation and support reference may be had to my co-pending application Serial No. 190,637.

The details of the matter thus far described of themselves form no part of my present invention and may be as set forth in'the aforementioned applications.

Referring particularly to Figs. '1, 2 and 3, the accumulator C is mounted on an arm 45 projecting outwardly from a stand 45 secured to the loomside and forming a support for lever l5. Bolted to the arm 45 is a base 41 extending horizontally and supporting a preferably transparent hollow cylinder 45 the lower end of which fits snugly into a seat 31 in the base. Extending upwardly from the base is a rod adjustably held in vertical position on the base by means of adjusting set screw 5|. Pivoted as at 52 to the top of the rod is a cover 53 for the cylinder. The cover may be held yieldingly in place by means of a hook 54 engaging the top of the cover as at 55 and extending down through an ear 55 on the base. A compression spring 51 is located between the ear and adjusting nuts 55 on the lower end of the hook. Ordinarily the partial vacuum existing within the cylinder 45 is suilicient to hold the cover in place, but when the latter is to be moved upwardly to permit removal of accumulated weft within the cylinder 48, the hook may be raised against the action of spring 41 and thrown to one side, after which the cover can be swung around its pivot 52. The tube 35 is preferably made of rubber and fits into a receiving head 59 integral with the cover and having a bore 80 which communicates with the interior of the cylinder 45, see Fig. 5.

The base 41 has extending thereinto from the forward side a bore 85 the rear of which is curved upwardly as at 85. The rear part of this bore receives a rubber tube 51 which fits snugly into the bore and provides a passage the interior surface of which offers frictional resistance forward end of tube 18. The tube 88 is rotatable angular positions.

II. babe 18 projects forwardly into a guide member I2 held to the base" by a screw 18. The base 41, tube 18 and guide member 12 are fixed with respect to the arm 45.

A second metallic tube 88 fits into a bore 8| of the guide member which also receives the in bore 8| and has a thread inlet port 82. In order to effect partial rotation of tube 88 I provide a handle 88 passing through tube 88 and into a plug 84 fitted tightly into the forward end of the tube to close'the outer end of tube 88. The guide member 12 is provided with a vertical slot 85, which is in transverse alignment with the port 82, and has upwardly extending horns 81 with diverging opposed surfaces 88 lying on 'opposite sides of the slot 85. These horns and the slot between them define a guide pocket into which the weft ends W from the reserve bobbins may fall.

The means for retaining tube 88 and limiting its angular motion is shown in Figs. 3 and 'I, where the guide member 12 as shown as having a recess 98 over a. portion of which fits a plate 9| held in place by a screw 82. A pin 83 (Fig. 3) carried by the tube 88 lies between plate 9| and part 12 to hold the tube in longitudinal position, and engagement of the pin by the opposite vertical walls of the recess limits angular motion of the tube 88. The intake opening or port 82 is thus kept aligned with the slot 85 in all of its The tube 88 fits its bore 8| snugly to reduce to a minimum air losses which may arise when a vacuum is created in the accumulator C.

A block 95 secured to the interior of tube 88 just behind the port 82 projects to the right a .distance substantially equal to the radius of the interior of tube 88, as indicated in Fig. 7, thereby serving as a guide to require the weft threads W toextend along the center of the tube 88 and be exposed on all sides to the action of the inrushing air.

The base 4'! has projecting thereinto another tube I88 which connects with an opening I8I in base 41 communicating with the air within the cylinder 48. Tube I88 projects to the left of the 'base as shown in Fig. 4 and has the rubber tube -44 attached thereto. extends upwardly between the inner end of tube A vertical bafile plate I82 I88 and the rubber tube 81 for the purpose of deflecting inrushing drafts of air from these two tubes and preventing such interference as might reduce the efficiency of the system.

Projecting upwardly from the base 41 and within the cylinder is a rod I85 threaded into the base and held in fixed position by a nut I88. The rod is bent horizontally as at I81 and ends in 9. depending end section I88. The purpose of the rod is to prevent rotation of a mass of threads T within the accumulator.

In operation, rearward motion of the lay will cause a partial vacuum in the cylinder 48 to cause inrushes of air toward the interior of the cylinder through tubes 87 and I88. When the magazine is first supplied with reserve bobbins the handle 83 will be thrown temporarily to the raised position shown in Fig. 9 which will face port 82 upwardly between the horns 81 and the weft ends W previously drawn off from the bobbins will be laid down between said horns and across the port. During the first backward motion of the lay the inrushing air in the direction of arrows a, Fig. 9, will draw the weft ends into the tube 88. These threads will pass around the ilcient length to reach into the cylinder 48 and after the threads have assumed the position shown in Fig. '7, the handle 83 will be released and return by gravity to its normal position shown in Fig. 8 where the port 82 faces the magazine. Thereafter the weft ends .will feed directly into the port 82 along substantially straight lines. At each subsequent rearward motion of the lay there will be an inrush of air into the port to exert pneumatic pressure on the wet ends W tending to keep them taut.

On a transferring beat of the loom one of the bobbins will move in well-known manner from the magazine into the depleted shuttle S by means of transferrer arm I8 and at some subsequent time in the operation of the loom the thread will be cut, after which the inrushing air will draw said cut end into thecylinder 48. As subsequent transfers occur there will be an accumulation of thread ends in the cylinder 48, the weft ends of the reserve bobbins still held in the magazine being sufiiciently long to project into the cylinder and become entangled with the mass of threads which serves as a thread holder. In this way the ball of yarn within the accumulator prevents twisting of the weft ends ing to the number of thread ends within the cylinder 48 and assisting in providing additional anchorage for the weft ends W of the reserve bobbins. By this construction the accumulator not only serves the purpose of providing vacuum for both the thread holder and the extractor, but requires all threads released during a normal transfer to pass into it to provide a ball of threads which serves as an anchor for the weft ends W.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided pneumatic control mechanism for the threads which are released at the time of transfer, the threads from both the thread holder and extractor being passed into a common reservoir or accumulator pneumatically. It will also be seen that the mass of weft within the accumulator is entangled with the weft ends extending from the reserve bobbins and the force tending to hold said weft ends taut is not only that arising from the inrush of air into the port 82 but also the resistance created by entanglement with the mass of threads. Furthermore, the thread removed by the extractor E forms part of the ball of yarn and thereby further assists in anchoring the weft ends W. It will also be seen that the port 82 is movable so that weft ends from a freshly inserted supply of bobbins can be laid between the horns 81 and drawn into the accumulator when the tube 88 is temporarily turned to receiving position, after which the tube returns to normal position facing the magazine. The block 95 within the tube 88 requires the weft ends W to extend into the center of the stream of air passing along the tube 88 to the accumulator. Furthermore, the accumulator is located close to the thread holder so that a small length of yarn only is required to extend into the cy1- inder It for entanglement with the ball of yarn' therein. Rotationoftheballofyarniaprevented by the rod ill, and the baiiie plate III also assists in directing the inrusbing streams of air in non-conflicting directions. The current of air passes upwardly through the yarn mass.

.drawing the incoming threads up into entangling relation with the yarn mass. The method by which the yarn mass becomes an anchorage for the weft ends is also a part of my invention. Having thus described my invention it will be seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is:

i. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a hollow weft end accumulator having a mass of threads therein, a thread holder having an intake opening pneumatically connected with the interior of the accumulator and into which the weft ends extend, means to induce a draft of air into the opening and accumulator to move the weft ends against and entangle them with said mass of threads, and means to prevent rotation of said mass of threads within the accumulator.

2. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a hollow weft end accumulator having a mass of threads therein, a thread holder having an intake opening into which the weft ends extend and pneumatically connected with the interior of the accumulator, means to create a partial vacuum within the accumulator to induce a draft of air into' the opening and accumulator to move the weft ends against and entangle them with said mass of threads, and a thread guard within the accumulator in engagement with said mass of threads to prevent rotation of the latter.

3. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a pneumatic thread holder at one side of the reserve bobbins, a rotatable tubular member forming part of said holder and having an intake opening, means to induce a draft of air into said intake, and operating means by which said tubular member may be rotated to face the opening upwardly to permit weft ends from the bobbins to lie across said opening preparatory to being drawn thereinto by the draft of air, said tubular member thereafter being turned by said operating means to face the intake opening toward the bobbins so that the weft ends extend from the latter directly into the opening.

4. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a supporting member, a tubular member having an intake opening therein and angularly movable within said supporting member to two angularly spaced positions one of which causes the intake opening to face the bobbins so that the weft ends extend from said bobbins directly-into the opening, and said tubular member when in the other position causing the intake opening to face in a direction transverse of the direction in which the weft ends extend, said ends to lie over the intake opening, and means to induce a draft of air into said opening to draw the weft ends into the tubular member when the latter is in either of said positions.

5. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a fixed support, upwardly spaced guide horns on the support defining between them a thread receivareas ingslot,atuberotatablymountedinthesupportandhavingalateral intaketoregister with said slot. said tube being movable angularly in thesupport toapositiontoplacetheintakein an upper position to receive weft ends extending across the tube between said horns and said tube thereafter being movable to 'a position causing the intake to face the reserve bobbins. and means -tocausetheintaketoremaininregisterwith theslotasthetubemovesangularlyinthesupport. p

6. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which wcft ends extend, a fixed support, a tubular member angularly movable within the support and having a laterally openingintake,ahandleconnectedtosaidtubular membernormally in low position with the intake at one side of the tube facing the reserve bobbins,saidtubebeingmovableangularlyinthe support by motion of the handle to high position toplacetheintakeontheupperpartofthe tube to receive weft ends extending from the reserve bobbins across the tube. stop means to limit motion of the handle to an angle less than 180, and means to induce a draft of air into said intake to draw the weft ends thereinto when the handle is in high position, said handle falling by gravity when released to return the intake to a position facing the reserve bobbins.

7. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a tubular member having an intake opening laterally thereinto, weft end guide means adjacent one side of the opening and extending into and part way across the interior of the tube, and means to induce a draft of air into the opening in a direction around said guide means to draw the weft ends into the opening. said guide means causing the weft ends to lie along lines spaced from the interior walls of the tube.

8. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a tubular member having an intake opening laterally thereinto, a weft end guide on the interior of the tubular member located at one side of the intake. and means to induce a draft of air into the intake and within the tube in a direction from the intake toward the guide to draw the weft ends into said intake and around the guide and along the interior of the tubular member, said guide located to place the weft ends approximately at the transverse center of the tubular member.

9. In a pneumatic thread control for a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a cloth with a selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor located adjacent the selvage to attract threads extending from the selvage, a pneumatic thread holder for the weft ends, a common accumulator for the threads attracted by the extractor and the weft ends, and means pneumatically connecting the thread extractor and the thread holder with said common accumulator.

10. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a selvage, a hollow thread accumulator, a thread extractor between the selvage and the reserve bobbins having an intake mouth to receive a thread extending from the selvage, means to pneumatically connect the extractor to the accumulator, a thread holder having an intake opening for the weft ends, means pneumatically connecting the intake opening in the thread holder with the accumulator. and means to induce a partial vacuum in the accumulator to induce a draft of air into the extractor to cause the same to attract a thread extending from the selvage and also induce a draft of air into the intake of the thread holder to draw the weft ends toward the accumulator.

11. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a selvage, .a thread extractor adjacent the selvage and having an intake mouth to receive a thread extending from the selvage, a thread holder having an intake opening to receive the weft ends of the reserve bobbins, a. hollow thread accumulator for both the extractor and the thread holder, means defining an inclosed passage from the mouth of the extractor to the interior of the accumulator, other means defining an inclosed passage from the intake opening of the thread holder to the interior of the accumulator, and means to induce drafts of air into said mouth and said intake opening to cause the thread extending from the selvage and the weft ends to move toward said accumulator.

12. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a salvage, a thread accumulator containing a mass of thread, a pneumatic thread extractor adjacent the selvage and having an intake mouth to receive a thread extending from the selvage toward the reserve bobbins, a pneumatic thread holder having an intake opening to receive the weft end from the reserve bobbins, means defining an inclosed passage to connect the mouth of the extractor with the interior of the accumulator, other means to provide an inclosed passage from the intake opening of the thread holder to the interior of the accumulator, and means to create a partial vacuum within the accumulator to induce a draft of air into said mouth of the extractor to move the thread extending from the selvage to said mass of yarn in the accumulator and also induce a draft of air into said intake opening of the thread holder to move the weft ends into entangling engagement with the mass of threads and the threads reaching the accumulator from said mouth, the threadsreaching the accumulator from the extractor assisting by entanglement with the weft ends to hold the latter within the accumulator.

13. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor adjacent the selvage having an intake mouth for a thread extending from the selvage, a thread holder having an intake opening to receive the weft ends of the reserve bobbins, a hollow thread accumulator having a mass of threads therein, means to pneumatically connect the interior of the accumulator with said mouth of the extractor and said intake opening of the thread holder, means to induce drafts of air from said mouth and said intake opening to the interior of the accumulator to move threads connected to the selvage and said weft ends into the accumulator, threads from the extractor increasing the mass of yarn within the accumulator and the weft ends being entangled with and held by the mass of thread within the accumulator.

14. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor adjacent the selvage and having an intake mouth to receive threads extending from the selvage, a pneumatic thread holder having an intake opening to receive said weft ends, a hollow thread accumulator having a mass of thread therein, means defining an inclosed passage between the mouth of the extractor and the lower part of the interior of the accumulator below said mass of threads, other means defining an inclosed passage between the intake opening of the thread holder and the bottom of the interior of said accumulator below said mass of thread, and means connected to the upper part of the accumulator above said mass of threads to create a partial vacuiim within the accumulator and thereby induce a draft of air into said mouth to draw threads extending from the selvage into the lower part of the accumulator and also induce a draft of air into the intake opening of the thread holder to-move the weft ends into the accumulator and entangle said weft ends with said mass of threads by the action of a current of air moving upwardly throughsaid mass" of threads, the threads received by the accumulator from the extractor forming part of said mass of threads and assisting in entangling the weft ends to hold the latter within the accumulator.

15. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends and having a fabric with a selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor having an intake mouth adjacent the selvage to receive threads extending from the selvage, a pneumatic thread holder having an.

intake mouth to receive the weft ends, a hollow thread accumulator, means defining an inclosed passage between the mouth and the bottom of the interior of the accumulator, other means defining an inclosed passage between the intake opening of the thread holder and the bottom of the interior of the accumulator, means to induce drafts of air into the mouth and said intake open ing through said means into the accumulator, the drafts of air from the first and second named means entering the accumulator in opposite directions, and baflle means within the accumulator to prevent interference of the drafts of air coming from said first and second means.

16. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a hollow holder having a mass of threads confined therein, a hollow guide for the weft ends leading .toward the holder, the weft ends being of sufficient length to extend through the hollow guide and engage the mass of threads in the holder, and means to induce a draft of air through the guide toward the holder and pneumatically move the weft ends toward and entangle them with the mass of threads.

17. In a weft replenishing loom having reserve bobbins from which extend weft ends, a hollow pneumatic thread holder having an intake opening to receive said weft ends, a hollow accumulator having amass of threads confined therein, hollow connections between said intake opening and the lower part of the interior of said accumulator, the weft ends being of suflicient length to extend through the opening and hollow connections and have contact with the mass of threads in the accumulator, and means to induce a draft of air into the intake opening and along said connections and into the lower part of said accumulator, said draft of air moving the weft ends and entangling them with the mass of threads in the accumulator.

18. In a weft replenishing loom having reservebobbins from whichextend weft ends, a hollow accumulator having a mass of threads confined therein, a pneumatic thread holder having an intake opening into which the weft ends extend, hollow connections between the intake opening ca ulster :nd having contact with the interior of thelmcumulator above threat confined within the accumulator.

pneumatic commutation with the lower of lutllclent lanzth to the interior-01am lccumuhtor below of threads, and mum communl otthelntu'lorottheaccumuhem: through hollowanyllnto, locum mum m m 6mm

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