US2634491A - Strand-catching device - Google Patents

Description

April 14, 1953 Flled June 9 1949 April 14, 1953 H. J. MCDERMOTT STRAND-CATCHING DEVICE 4 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Filed June S, 1949 INVENTOR.` HENRY J MCDE/PMO TT ATTURNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES ENT OFFICE American Viscose Corporation,

Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1949,"`seria1`No.e,1ii3

(Cl. 28a-715) v2.2 Claims. l

This invention relates to an apparatus for catching and collecting a running strand and particularly to a portable device which may v"be used to lace strand-handling machinery. The term strand includes vall types of continuous lamentary or fibrous bundles of natural ber and/ or synthetically prepared filamentary material such as yarn, cord, thread, tow, and monolament.

In the manufacturing of textile strands, the usual rates of passing running strands over processing equipment has until present times been such that a skilled operator could manually lace a strand material through the various machines needed to carry out desired processing steps. For example, in the spinning of rayon at the usual linear rates 4of less than 100 meters per minute, a strand of lamentary material is readily led by hand around guides, reels, godets, etc. However, it is the desire of the industry to process rayon yarn by continuous methods at ever increasing rates of travel. When the strand moves at rates of 120 meters or more per minute, the strand can no longer be laced by hand, and mechanical methods must be resorted to. 'Great diculty is encountered particularly in lacing units of machinery operating at these increased processing speeds, when the units are spaced at some distance from each other such as on ldiierA ent iioors.

It is an object of the invention to provide a portable device for collecting a running yarn moving at any possible processing speed. Another object is to provide an implement for severing a continuous strand moving rapidly with respect to the implement, and for catching -the end of the portion of the strand advancing toward or past the implement, and collecting the strand as it advances. It is a further object 'to provide apparatus which will facilitate the lac'- ing of strand-handling machinery through which a running strand passes at rates which render manual threading of the machine impossible. Other objects, features and ladvantages of the invention will become `apparent from the following description of the invention and the drawing relating thereto in which Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention with its strand-receptacle removed;

Fig. 2 is a section View valong line II-II of Fig. 1 showing the device in 'thread-receiving relationship with a reel surface;

Fig. 3 is a section View vof a device similar 'to that illustrated in Fig. 2 libut modified in several minor respects;

iria-4 ris anunscctionedsid View of the :closure shown in section "in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 isa `side vievv'of a'modied embodiment of vthe invention;

Figo-is an 'end view of the apparatusof Fig. f5 illustrating in vgreater detail a closure therefor; and

41iig. '7 a Asectional View taken along line VII- VII of Fig. 5. l

Briefly, the invention 'comprises method and a portable apparatus for severing a running strand supported by Ya surface, such as that 'of athread-advancing reel, andcollecting or receiving the running Vstrand lwhile applying it to another portion vof `the path through which it is intended that Athe strand shall pass. severing of the strand is effected -by a hard tubular tip which is connect-'ed by a short resilient iiexible duct with a -device for forcibly withdrawing the strand and continuously passing it 4to a receptacle. 'The dev-ice applies suction to the tip to effect the capture of van end of the strand and passage of the strand through a portion 'of the passageway of the device. Air or other gas under pressure 'is introduced into the passage'- wa'y 4in a directioncoinciding with "the movement of the vstr-and lto 'urge the strand through the device 'with 'greater vforce than is obtainable by vacuum means.

Figs. y1 and 2 illustrate lby side 'and section views, respectively, one embodiment of the invention in which a housing is interiorly formed to a predetermined contour, which in conjunction with the exteriorcontour of 'a member 6, 'forms a chamber l. The parts v5 and -6 are preferably, though not necessarily, annular -so as lto obtain effective 'circula-tion and lr'iistribution of vair or other @gas introduced under considerable pressure into the chamber 1. Air may enter the chamber through a tube jSi in threaded relationship with an opening through lthe wall of the housing 5. The opening |50 may be offset with respect to the faxis of 4the passageway i2, as shown in Fig. l to impart `to the air a generally rotary as wellfas an axial component of motion whileit'passes through the 'chamber I and enters the passageway l2. The air passing at high velooity through the small annular clearance at i4 tends to produce a vacuum Vat the orifice I5 at the end of the 4passageway Il. Reduction of the air pressure below atmospheric at this point of course, promptly produces an inrushing of *air 'at the tip I8 and through the passage 'i in contiguous duct relationship with the tip. The velocity 'of vthe air is' sufficient to p'll a loose strand end into the tip i3 and continuously advance the strand through the passage.

The movement of the strand through the passages l2 and il of the device is the result of its Contact with the air passing through the passages. The degree of pull upon the strand is dependent upon the velocity of the air with relation to speed of the strand. It is found that vacuum means produces sufficient pull to capture a loose end thereof and continuously pass a strand which is being continuously discharged from a strand-handling device directly to the device if the influence of the suction on the strand is not opposed by appreciable frictional forces acting on the strand. However, to obtain sufficient draft on the strand to pull it around elements which frictionally impede the movement of the strand such as guides and godets, it is necessary to use other means than suction. In the apparatus of the invention the path along which suction is applied is preferably short so that a loose end of the strand captured by the device may be brought quickly into a region along its path in which the air velocity is much greater than can be produced by vacuum means. The portion of the path along which the air is forced by pressure may be extended to any length which does not render the device unduly cumbersome but which provides sufficient contact of the air with the strand to keep the strand taut while lacing it through processing equipment. Air supplied under pressure to the device therefore provides the suction necessary for capturing the strand and, moreover, the gas current needed to secure adequate movement of the strand when the strand is subjected to frictional restraint.

On account of the necessity for producing a strand end which may be captured and led from a rotating reel surface, it is necessary to cut or break the strand while it is wound about the reel surface. A light blow by a sharp or abrasiveedged object comprising a non-resilient material such as metal, plastics, etc. against the reel will ordinarily sever the strand and produce a loose end. However, it is also necessary to avoid injuring the surfaces of the reel elements. For example, if such elements are constructed of glass, or coated with porcelain or other vitreous material to withstand corrosion, their surfaces are readily chipped or otherwise injured by an object of appreciable hardness and weight brought Vinto engagement with the rapidly rotating reel. Moreover, damage may result to the object.

An essential feature of the invention, therefore, is the inclusion of a resilient portion in the duct means used as a member to engage and to sever a running strand in the manner hereinbefore described, to catch an end thereof, and to subsequently withdraw and collect the strand. Accordingly, the tip l, which may be a short tubular element of sufficient hardness to cut or otherwise sever the strand,ris connected with the tubular portion 2i? of the member 5 by a flexible resilient conduit 22 constituted of a material of rubber-like elasticity such as rubber itself. The resilient element 22 has the important function of absorbing shock resulting from the impact occuring when the tip i8 is brought into contact with the reel surface.

A further advantage raccruing from the use of the eXible tube is the oscillation of the tip i8 produced when the Vtip is brought into contact with the uneven surface of a thread-advancing surface during rotation. When the apparatus of the invention is used in connection, for example,V

with a thread-advancing reel of the longitudinal bar construction the tip i8 comes into contact primarily with the edges of bars 32 such as shown in cross section in Fig. 2. As the tip is held in engagement with the reel it chatters or vibrates as it undergoes a series of collisions or impacts with the edges or side surfaces of the bars. The eifect is accentuated considerably if the device 4 engages the reel surface at a position wherein the one set of bars is raised relative to the alternately spaced set. The severing is thus accomplished primarily by impact and thus obviates the use of a sharp-edged tip it needed for cutting the strand and the necessity for maintaining the sharp tips. Moreover, the use of a dull-edged tip permits the use of extremely hard materials such as steel-tungsten alloys without excessive injury to the surfaces of the bars or other thread-supporting elements of a reel.

The weight of the body of the device Il and the receiver 2S secured thereto produces sucient inertia to cause appreciable injury to the surfaces of reel parts if the inertia is not absorbed by resilient means. The resilient tube 22, however, absorbs any shock by permitting instantaneous movement of the tip i8 as it is brought into contact with the surface of the reel. By this expedient, severe jolting or dislodgement of the device It from the hands of an operator is avoided which might result ir" the device was equipped with a rigid extension for engagingthe normally uneven surface of a thread-advancing reel.

The open end of a bag 26 which receives the strand or other material drawn into the device is secured about an annular surface 3| of the device by a clamp 29. An annular ridge 2B or shoulder is provided to effet more positive attachment; of the bag 25. Since some of the liquids which accompany the strand into the device l are of such a nature as to be irritating to human skin and the nasal, oral and respiratory passages of the human body with which they might come in contact, and are corrosive to plant fixtures and machinery if discharged into the plant atmosphere, a collecting means for the liquid-s is highly desirable. The bag 26 comprises preferably, a tightly woven fabric or other similarly apertured material which is permeable to gas but substantially impermeable to liquid. The bag should be large enough to provide sufficient area for the air used to operate the device to escape through the Walls of the bag while retaining the liquid which may be carried by the strand drawn into the device and discharged into the bag. Y When the strand-processing equipment carried by the device includes reels which handle dry or partly dried yarn such as drying reels, the liquid received into the bag Z is absorbed to some extent by dry yarn accumulated in the bag. The dry strand collected in the bag acts as an absorbent for the excess liquid which may be received from wet rolls.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified device 35 including a modied receptacle 37 for receiving yarn and liquid. In general construction, the device 35 resembles the device d of Fig. 2. The outer end of the strand-catching tube 39 is formed on a bias with respect to the axis of the tube to provide a projecting point or edge 4l to implement severing of the strand supported on a reel when the tube is brought into contact therewith. The

portion i3 is secured to the portion M in threaded relationship att whereas, in the device of Fig. 2, parts 5 and E; are fastened togetherr by the plurality of small bolts I9. Theshape or conaccesar tour of ther chamber 48. is different: than that. of

the chamber 1 ofthe device 4 to illustrate thaty the. proportions4 thereof are not critical: to. the invention.

A rigid container 31l is attached to the device.

35 by securing the collar 50 in any desired man ner to the surface. 51| of the housing 4.4. Thev con-- tainer 31 may be formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal, a molded structure comprising a thermoplastic or thermosetting syn.-` thetic resin which may or may not be reinforced with a. fibrous material, or a metal protected from corrosion by an interiorly applied rubber or resinous coating. The container 31 is provided with a lter 52 of any suitable fibrous material. The lter 52 may takel any form such as that shown wherein brous or absorbent material or other material which accomplishes. separation of liquid from the air or othergas passing through the filter, is supported within an independent cell or casing. 5.3- which is readily removable and irisertable with respect to the con-v tainer 31. The filter 52I may be positioned as shown by a circumferential groove 55 formed in the Wall of the container 31 and a spring 56 secured to a cap 58 for the container to urge the lter 52 against the. groove when the cap 58 is in place.

The cap 58 may be secured to the container 31 by such means as the bayonet joint shown of which a small protruding member 60 provided in the outer surface of the container Wall projects into. a groove 59 pressed or otherwise formed along the interiorV surface of the cap rim 51. The cap may be readily removed or attached to the container by bringing the protrusion into proper cooperation with the groove and, turning the cap through an angle correspondingto the arc formed by the groove with respect to the diameter of the cap rim 51. The cap 58 is provided with the apertures 62 to permit the escape of the air or other gas which traverses the interior of the container 31. The strand which enters the container is collected in the chamber 64. After an appreciable length of strand is collected in. the chamber, the strand itself acts as ank absorbent or collecting mediumA for liquid which under some conditions may be drawn into the container. However, any liquid which escapes the chamber 64 is collected by the filter 5'2.

Fig. 5 illustrates in side View a modication of the invention particularly adapted for service where the thread-engaging device is used tov transfer thread through narrow passages such as between members of a single machine or between machines separated by a wall, floor, or oeilv ing which may be apertured to permit passage of the thread-engaging device. It is desired to. keep such apertures to a minimum size and to have the outer surfaces ofy the thread-catching device smoothly contoured so that there are as few laterally projecting parts as possible to catch on equipment, the edges of the apertures pro-y vided for its transfer, etc. The device illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '1 is provided for safer usage around production equipment. The apparatusv shown in Fig. 5v comprises an injector portion 10 and a strand-receptacle portion 1| fastened thereto by screw-head studs 13. For simplicity of construction, the longitudinal walls ofthe receptacle portion are preferablyV annular.` They may be formed from any metallic or plastic.- ma-v terial of suicient rigidity. Preferably, the Wallsare formed from a transparent material so that an operator may readilyknow. when toy empty 6E the. receptacle portion. 0f strand collected therein. The injector portion; 10 comprises-al1.` Outer generally annular member 15. and an. annulary wall. The. tubev 83 has a. threaded end 83a' which ts within an approriiriatelyA threaded aperture contiguous with the duct; 82 of:` the member 15.` They tube 83 is` held in place.v also by a sleeveclamp. 85 and the. stud 8,6. The. sleeve clamp 85 is integral. with the; hinge plate. 88 fastenedv tothek end wall. of; the receptacle. 1|. by screws. 89. A closure 90 is secured to the plate 88 in hinged relationship. A trigger or finger-grip 9| is attached to. the closure 90 to facilitate the openingv of the receptacle for the. unloading of strand.

A spring 93 urges the. closure into. the closed position as shown. and. exerts, suicient. force tohold the closure in a. closed position in opposition to any pressure abovey atmospheric producedV in the receptacle by operation of the injector 10. Additional holes similar to the apertures |02 may be provided through the closure. 0.1. through the cylindrical wall 95, if desired.

An apertured baffle 94 separates the interior of the receptaclell. into` two compartments indicated.

inFig. 5. The larger one 95 is used for-collecting. strand within the device pulled thereinto by the operation of the injector portion 10.. The smaller compartment 96 provides space through which the tube 83 may extendwithoutcoming into con-y tact with the strand, thus avoiding the tangling or wrapping of strand which might result in difficulty in unloading the receptacle.` The bale 94 is secured within the receptacle by engagement of its ends with grooves 91 and 98 provided inthe opposite end walls of the receptacle. A curved portion 99- of thev baille causesvit to function asa spring wheny slipped into. position. The-balile may be perforated as showni along substantially itsv entire length and the greater part of. itsl width by the apertures. |0| through which, as well as through apertures |02 extending'throughthe an.- nular wall of thereceptacleair may escape read-- ily from the receptacle. in a lateral direction. In order to collect any liquidmaterial which may be carriedv into the receptacle during use of the apparatus, mineral wool, glass ber,x or any other material which will lter or collect liquid droplets from the air passing out. ofthe receptacle may be packed into the smaller compartment 06, of the receptaclein the space surroundingY the tube 83.

As described heretofore. in connection with similar parts of other` modified embodiments of the invention, the injectorportion 10 is. provided with a tubular element |04 to, give the required resiliently-exibleI support. to: a. threadfengaging; tip |05 illustrated as. receiving the` strandV |01 from. reel bars |08 in` an` operative. manner.. A tubular guard |06. is. supported'. in. threaded relationship on an exterior annular shoulder of the member 15;. The guard L06 protects. the soft, flexible. tube |04 from injury' which. occursA when4 the portion. of the tube extending over the edge L09 of the. tubular extension L03; cames into con..- tact with/.mevingreelparti elim.

Since it'may be desired to pass a device through'` an aperture of a floor for ceiling to another matached so that the apparatus may be manually pulled to another point such as a point on the.

surface of a revolving thread-advancing reel designated as a transfer point.

Air or other gas may be suppliedunder pressure from a reservoir (not shown) to the apparatus just described orany of the 'previously described embodiments of the invention, preferably through a exible hose or tubing (not shown) To provide the strand-catching apparatuswith the portability necessary to service a plurality of spaced machines or to transfer the running strand from machine to machine, the hose necessary to reach the machines may be stored, for example, on a springoperated reel, or other hose storing and retracting means. l

The apparatusl of the invention herein described in various embodiments is a highly desirable and eicient means for capturing and collecting a vrunning strand from all types of equipment. It may be used 4for handling strand traveling at any vconceivableprocessing-speed. It has great versatility in being adapted to the requirements of any particular use since Yit is readily portable and may be easily regulated by' merely adjusting the pressure ofthe air or other` gas suppied to it. Minor changes in design 'will be apparent to those skilled in the art of jet construction to adapt the apparatus to obtain desirable performance characteristics under varying conditions such as variations in denier, weight, and linear speed of the yarn being handled.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

' l. A method of catching and collecting a running strand comprising supporting the strand upon a surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand, directing a second surface of greaterV hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface to sever the strand by impact while simultaneously applying suction along a path integrally associated with the second surface to the region of impact to capture a loose strand-end produced by the impact, and continuously removing the strand through a region adjacent the second surface and along a path which includes as a portion-the path through which the suction is applied.

2. A method of catching and collecting a running strandcomprising supporting the strand upon a surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand, directing a second surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface to sever the strand by impact while simultaneously applying suction along a path fixed with respect to the second surface to the region of impact to capture a loose strand-end produced by the impact, continuously removing the strand along a path which includes as a portion the path through which the suction is applied, and directing a high velocity gaseous stream into the path to produce the suction and to produce a high gaseous velocity along the remaining-portion of the path in a direction away from the region of impact.

8 l. 3., The method of claim2 wherein the strand is'supported on an uneven surface.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the strand is supported on a thread-advancing reel of the type wherein bars arranged longitudinally with respect to the reel axis may move relative to adjacent bars to'produce strand-advancing.

5. A method of catching and collecting a running strand comprising supporting the strand Vupon a surface of greater hardness than the,

material of the strand, directing a second surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface to sever the strand while simultaneously applying suction along a path integrally associated wth the second surface to the region of engagement ofthe surfaces to capture an end of the severed strand, continuously removing the strand through a region adjacent the second surface along a second path which includes the path through which the suction is applied, and forcing a gaseous stream at high velocity into the second path in a direction extendingv away from the second surface at an angle oblique with respect to the general direction of the path.

6. A method of catching and collecting a running strand, comprising supporting the strand upon a surface moving with the strand, of greater hardness than the material of the strand, directing a second surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface to sever the strand while simultaneously applying suction along a path integrally associated with the second surfaceto the region of engagement of theV surfaces to capture-an end of the severed strand, continuously removing the strand through a region adjacent the second surface alonga second path which includes as a portion the path through which the suction is applied, forcing` a gaseous stream at high velocity into the second path in a direction extending away fromv the second surface at an angle of less than degrees with respect to the direction of the path, and discharging the gaseous stream and the strand into a strand-(collecting region, and ltering liquid from the gas which passes through and out of the strand-collecting region.

7. Apparatus in the form of a portable unit for severing a running strand supported by aV surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, and catching the severed end thereof, comprising a small rigid tubular' element having a hardness greater than the material, a suction device having a passage, and a short iieXible resilient tubular'member connected with the rigid member and having its bore in communication with the passage of the suction device.

8. lApparatus for severing a running strand supported by a surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, for catching the advancing severed end thereof, and for continuously collecting the strand, comprising a small rigid tubular strand-receiving element havinga hardness greater than the material of the strand, a device forlongitudinally advancin'g thestrand connected'with a reserve supply of gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric, said device having a passageway for the strand extending therethrough and provided with duct means within the device for conducting the gas at elevated pressure into the passageway, said duct means opening into the passageway in a direction extending; away. from ,the strand-re- Vama-4,491

ceiving end thereof, and a flexible resilient tubu- -lar member connecting the element and the strand-receiving end of the passageway.

9. Apparatus for severing a running strand supported by a surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, for catching the advancing severed end thereof, and for continuously collecting the strand, comprising a small rigid tubular strand-receiving element having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, a device for longitudinally advancing the strand connected with a reserve supply of gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric, said device having a passageway for the Strand extending therethrough and provided with duct means within the device for conducting the gas at elevated pressure into the passageway, said duct means opening into the passageway in a direction extending away vfrom the strand-receiving end thereof, a flexible resilient tubular member connecting the element and the Strandreceiving end of the passageway, and a strandreceiving receptacle having gas permeable walls in communication with the strand-discharging end of the passageway for collecting the strand.

10. Apparatus for severing a running strand supported on an uneven surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, for catching the advancing end of the severed strand, and for continuously collecting the strand, comprising a small rigid tubular element having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, a suction device having a strand receiving port and a strand discharging port, a exible resilient tubular member connecting the element to the strand receiving port of the suction device, a strand-collecting receptacle connected with the strand discharging port and comprising rigid walls defining a strand-collecting space, an apertured wall portion, and a filter for collecting liquid disposed between the space and the apertured wall portion.

11. Apparatus for severing a running strand supported by a surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, for catching the advancing end of the severed strand, and for continuously receiving the strand comprising a body portion, a central passage through the body portion having a strand-receiving end and a strand-discharging end, an annular chamber in the body portion disposed concentrically with respect to a central passageway and separated therefrom by an annular wall, said annular chamber having a small annular end portion terminating in a circumferential region of the central passageway at an angle less than 90 degrees to the axis of the passageway, duct means extending through an outer wall of the body connecting the chamber to exteriorly disposed means for supplying a gas under pressure, a container having gas permeable walls in communication with the strand-discharging end of the central passageway, lter means positioned within the container for separating gaseous and liquid materials, and conduit means contiguous with the strand-receiving end of the passageway comprising a rigid portion having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, and a resilient portion connecting the rigid portion and the strand-receiving end of the passageway.

12. Apparatus for severing a running strand supported by a surface having a hardness greater than the material of the strand, for catching the advancing end of the severed strand, and for continuously receiving the strand comprising `a body portion, a central passage through the body portion having a strand-receiving end and a strand-discharging end, an annular chamber in the body portion disposed concentrically with respect to a central passageway and sepa-rated therefrom by an annular wall, said annular chamber having a small annular end portion terminating in a circumferential region of the lcentral passageway at an angle less than vdegrees to the axis of the passageway, duct means extending through an outer wall of the body connecting the chamber to exteriorly disposed means for supplying a gas under pressure, a container having a gas-permeable wall in communication with the strand-discharge end of the central passageway, and conduit means contiguous with the strand-receiving end of the passageway comprising a rigid portion having a hardness greater than the material of the strand and a resilient portion connecting the rigid portion and the strandreceiving end of the passageway.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the container comprises a bag of tightly woven textile material.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the container comprises a rigid material, said container enclosing a strand-collecting space and a lter disposed between the space and an outlet in a wall of the container through which gas may pass into the outer atmosphere.

15. Apparatus as in claim 12 in which the container comprises rigid walls, a strand-collecting space, a removable closure having an apertured wall, an-d a removable liquid-collecting filter disposed within the container between the space and the apertured wall of the closure.

16. Apparatus as in claim 12, said container having rigid walls, the duct means having a p0rtion extending longitudinally through the container adjacent a wall thereof for connecting the exteriorly disposed gas supply means with the portion of the duct means which extends through the wall of the body, a closure in the end of the container opposite the strand-discharge portion of the central passageway of the body, and, spring means for urging the closure into the closed position. Y

17. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the container has walls comprising a transparent material.

18. Apparatus as in claim 12 in which an annular guard for the resilient portion of the conduit extends from the body to enclose in radially spaced relationship at least the part of the resilient portion overlapping any portion of the body.

19. Apparatus as in claim 12, said container having rigid walls, the duct means having a portion extending longitudinally through the container adjacent a wall thereof for connecting the exteriorly disposed gas supply means with the portion of the duct means which exten-ds through the wall of the body, and apertures through the portion of the container wall adjacent the duct means for permitting the escape of gas.

20. Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the portion of the duct extending through the container is separated from a strand-collecting region of the container by baffle means to assure and facilitate the discharging of a mass of strand from the container.

21. A method of catching and collecting a running strand comprising supporting the strand upon a moving surface having a hardness greater than that of the material comprising the strand, directing a second surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface and the strand to sever the strand by impact, capturing the loose end of the portion of the strand advancing toward the second surface at the point of impact and continuously transferring said strand portion by suction along a controlled path extending-from the second surface, and moving the path and the second surface to a transfer point for the yarn.

22. A method of catching and collecting a runing strand comprising supporting the strand upon a moving surface having a hardness greater than that of the material comprising the strand, directing a second surface of greater hardness than the material of the strand against the supporting surface and the strand to sever the strand by impact, sucking the loose end of the portion of the strand advancing into the region Where sev- 12 erance thereof occurred toward the second surface and thereafter continuously sucking said strand portion along a controlled path extending from the second surface, and moving said path to bring the running strand into engagement with a running receiving surface.

HENRY J. MCDERMOTT.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 2,173,847 Knebusch et al Sept. 26, 1939 2,277,753 Furness Mar. 31, 1942 2,356,378 Capolupo Aug. 22, 1944 2,412,403 Jackson et al Dec. 10, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 322,417 Great'Britain Dec. 12, 1929 359,627 Great Britain Oct. 29, 1931

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