US2786637A - Method and means for packaging textile products - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1957 R. G. RUSSELL ET AL 2,785,637

' METHOD AND MEANS FOR PACKAGING TEXTILE PRODUCTS Filed Nov. 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS RoBER-T G. Russau. IECHARD H.BRAUTIGAM March 26, 1957 R. e. RUSSELL ETAL 8 METHOD AND MEANS FOR PACKAGING TEXTILE PRODUCTS v 2 SheaiS-Sheetfi Filed Nov. 1,1955

INVENTORS .ROBER T G. RussE LL RICHAR H. BRAUTIGAM BY 2 g AT 'TYS.

l 2,786,537 Patented Mar. 26, 1957 METHOD AND MEANS FOR PACKAGING TEXTILE PRODUCTS Robert G. Russell, Granville, Ohio, and Richard H. Brautigam, Anderson, S. C., assignors to wens-Cor-= ning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1955, Serial No. 544,112

Claims. (Cl. 242-18) 'This invention is related to the collection of continuous textile products and more particularly to method and means for high speed packaging of textile products such as strands, yarns, slivers and rovings.

The collection of textile products such as strands, yarns, and the like has been developed into a specialized field .of technology over a number of decades during which time speeds of packaging have of necessity constantly increased because of the increasing rates of speed at which materials can be produced and processed. Production and processing speeds, however, have increased in recent years at such rapid rates that conventional collection and packaging methods and apparatus are in many instances inadequate. For example, continuous filament products of material such as multi-filament continuous glass strands can be and are being produced at rates in the order of 15,000 feet per minute, with unrealized speed potentials in the order of 50,000 feet per minute and more. Conventional packaging equipment is totally incapable of matching such speeds.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new method and means whereby textile products such as continuous multi-filame'nt stands may be collected into conveniently handleable packages at collection rates far in excess of the capabilities of apparatus heretofore available for such purposes.

One difliculty presented by prior art methods and apparatus for packaging textile products has been that at least some components of the apparatus are usually required to move at linear speeds equal to the linear speed of collection of the product being packaged. With ever increasing speeds of collection a requirement, components moving at the linear speeds of collection are subjected to considerable wear and other mechanical abuse to the extent that high speed linear movement presents a mechanical limitation within practical ranges of engineering application.

In the light of these facts it is another object of the present invention to provide a method and means for collection of textile products such as continuous strand and yarns wherein the mechanical elements are combined in such a way as to eliminate the need for their linear movement at rates as high as the linear rate of collection of the product.

It has been found that the above can be attained according to the present invention by collection of the products on a drum-type winder or collection surface when loops of the product are first formed and then deposited over the collection tube, which upon rotation reduces the size of the loops to tighten them in snug relation on the collection tube. That is, a textile product such as a strand when formed into a series of loops encircling a rotating collection surface, such as that of a cylinder, can be collected into a package if the cylinder is rotated in the direction of encirclement of the strand at a rate such that it diminishes the diameter of the loops to a snug or tight association with the cylinder and thereby form a package thereon. It is preferred that the loops introduced in surrounding relation over the cylindrical collection surface be non-rotating in order to establish a higher differential in speed between the strand and the surface of the cylindrical collection means.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the elements of the apparatus effecting high speed collection of the textile products move through much less distance than the length of material collected.

These and other objects and features or" the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an assembly for forming continuous fibers of glass in which a newly formed strand is collected into a package on cylindrical winding apparatus according to the principles of the present invention; I

Figure 2 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein a continuous strand pulled from fiber-forming apparatus by coacting wheels is packaged in cylindrical winding apparatus;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing how loops of a continuous strand introduced over cylindrical collection means can be wound tightly over a cylinder even though the drum may be rotating at a peripheral speed considerably less than the linear speed of collection of the product;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of the present invention wherein a pe -type spinner is utilized to form and introduce loops of a newly formed strand to a drum-type collection unit; and

Figure 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention which utilizes a peg-spinner to form loops for introduction directly onto a packaging tube.

Although the present invention is described in relation to the formation of strands of continuous glass fibers, it will be understood that although described in such rela tionship, the novel aspects of the invention have broader application to the packaging of strand-like products, and in this sense have application to packaging of strand-like products generally regardless of the material composition of the products.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail:

Figure 1 shows a source of molten glass such as a melting tank 10 having a feeder 11 provided with a plurality of orifices therein from which streams of the molten material flow for attenuaion into continuous fibers 12. The continuous fibers are gathered over a size-applicating gathering member 13 having a supply tube 17 associated therewith which feeds sizing fluid to a trough-like channel in the gathering member inclined downwardly toward the fibers to provide the fibers gathered thereover with sufiicient sizing fluid to integrally bind and lubricate the fibers against abrasive interaction. The fibers, upon being gathered, form a strand 16 which is pulled by a suitable annular pneumatic blower 14 supplied with air under pressure by an inlet conduit 15. The size of the blower and the pressure of the gas supplied thereto is arranged to be such as to pull the strand at high speed and to throw it downwardly in a straight linear path to a position where a pair of jet-type blowers 18 and 19 acting in conjunction with a cylindrical tube or drum 20 inclined to the path of the strand can operate upon the strand to form loops 21 on the inner periphery of the cylindrical drum. The jet blowers 18 and 19 are inclined toward the internal periphery of the drum 20 from a position outside one end, of the drum and slightly tangentially thereto so that the air introduced to the internal periphery thereof acquires a forward moving swirling action in the cylinder. This action causes the strand to acquire a helical configuration comprising a series of loops 21 on the inner periphery of the drum Ztl. The strand in its curvilinear form is also blown forwardly in the drum by the air emitted from the blowers l3 and 19. That is, upon once being formed, the loops are moved forwardly away from the blowers generally coasially with the drum.

A coilet-type collecting drum 22 having a collecting tube 23 mounted thereon is arranged to be reciprocated back and forth within the space bounded by the cylindrical drum 2?) from the end opposite to that from which the strand is introduced. The collection tube is accordingly of diameter less than the inner periphery of the cylindrical churn 2%, thus permitting loops formed in the drum 20 to surround the collection tube and to be collected one after another by rotating collection tube in the direction in which the strand is wound about the tube, thereby diminishing the size of the loops and drawing them into snug relationship onto the collection tube 23.

The speed ofrotation of the collection tube 23 toeffect collection of the looped strands by this arrangement need not be as rapid as would be necessary to wind the same length of strand snugly onto the collection tube directly from a straight path of the strand. This fact is illustrated in Figure 3 where a collection tube 5% of diameter D-l :hich when rotated in a clockwise direction will, in effect, peel or collect a strand 52 from the internal periphery of a loop forming drum 53 having an internal diameter D-2, and in doing so is only required to move through a peripheral or linear distance equal to C-2 minus C-l which corresponds to the difference in circumferential dimension of circles laving diameters D-1 and 13-2, respectively. That is, in order for the collection tube "59 to wind the strand 52, it need not move through a full peripheral distance of C2 to collect a length of strand C2 thereon, but rather is only required to move through a distance of C2 minus C4, the difference between the circumferences of the interior of drum 51 and the-exterior of collection tube 50. This is accomplished by reason of the fact that the loops 21 are preformed before being wound on the collection tube 54). Thus, it is possible to wind the strand on the collection tube at a much greater rate than the rate at which the surface of the collection tube itself moves. This feature, it is to be noted, is accomplished in such a way that other parts in the loop forming and collection system also do not move at linear rates of speed as great as that at which the strand is collected.

By way of example, strands can be collected in this manner at velocities in the order of 20,900 feet per minute or more while the peripheral collection surface is moving at linear velocities of only l0,000 feet per minute. Still further in this regard, if the diameter of the strand loop to be collected is twice the diameter of the collection tube on which it is to be wound, the collection tube need only rotate through a linear distance equal to one-half the length of strand collected.

In starting a packaging cycle on the forming or collection tube 2.3, the strand is first started on the tube in the conventional manner of winding a few turns snugly thereabout, whereafter the loop forming operation through the drum 2d and rotation of the tube 23 is initiated to effect collection of the strand as it continues to be formed. As an alternative means by which a packaging cycle may be initiated, the collection tube 23 can be pro vided with an adhesive zone, such as at a margin of tube, which will adhesively secure the beginning of the strand upon its being .irected thereagainst. This method of start-up is rapid and has an advantage in that'it may be accomplished without requiring shutdown or appreciable slowup in operation of the apparatus.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a strand 36 isformed by drawing a plurality of continuous fibers 32 from a source of molten glass 30 through a feeder Si by means of a pairof meeting rotating wheels 34 and 35. The fibers are gathered into the strand '36 over a gathering member 33 to which sizing fluid is applied from a supply tube 37. The strand is introduced to the internal periphery of a cylindrical loop forming drum 4% by a pair of jet blowers 38 and 39 which coact with the drum to move the strand in its looped or helical configuration within the cylinder for introduction in the form of loops 41 onto a collection tube 42.

The loops El are collected on the tube 42 in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of Figure l, with the exception that in this instance the loop forming drum 4b can be rotated in either direction coaxially .v ith the collection tube 42. The drum is suitably mounted for rotation on bearings and is driven by ring and pinion gears 43 and d4, respectivel' powered by a suitably mechanical power source. Rotation of the loop forming drum, performs dual functions cooperatively with the pneumatic jets of the blower 3b and '39 by forming the loops 4i and, in "addition, aiding movement of the loops through the drum since the frictional retarding effects of the interior drum surface are less when the drum is rotating than when stationary.

Figure 4 shows still another embodiment of the present invention in which continuous fibers 62 are drawn from a feeder 61 associated with a molten glass supply source 69 and are gathered together and supplied with sizing fluid at a gathering member 63 from a size supply tube 67 associated therewith. The'fibers are gathered into strand 66 which is pulled pneumatically by a blower 64 supplied with air over a supply tubeS to blow the strand 66 against a loop forming peg spinner. The peg spinner 68 has generally inclined radially extending fingers 69 arranged for successive passage transversely through the path of the strand 66 in a manner somewhat similar to that described and shown in Patent 2,719,352, issued on October 4, 1955.

The spinner 68 is generally in the form of a ring or disk from which fingers extend-singularly and radially out ward. The spinner is inclined to the path of the strand 66 so that on rotation, the end of each finger thereof passes in sweeping transverse relationship through the path of the strand and thereby successively interrupts movement of the strand'to form a series of loops between successive adjacent fingers thereof. By rotating the spinner .68 at sufficiently high speeds, the loops formed between the ends of the fingers 69 are caused to be thrown off by the centrifugal force-of the spinner and to acquire a generally helical configuration comprising a series of loops 71 which move through space at a rate depending upon the rate of rotation of the spinner 63.

The loops of the helical configuration are directed in surrounding relation about a collection tube 72 which is rotated todiminish the size of the loops and to form a package on the tube in the manner of the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. In this arrangement, it is to be noted again that the amount of strand wound on the collection tube 72 is ofa length considerably greater than the peripheral distance through which the collection tube 72 must move to effect collection of the strand. None of the parts effecting collection of the strand move through a distance equal tothe length of strand collected, nor at a rate as great as the rate of collection of the strand.

Figure 5 illustrates another arrangement wherein loops 81 formed of a strand 76 drawn by a pair of coacting rotating wheels 74-and 75 are collected on a packaging tube 82. The strand '76is driven in a generally straight path below the pulling Wheels and is interrupted in its linear motion .by amulti-spinner, loop forming unit consisting of two or more vertical-axis spinners 78 spaced about the path oftheistrand. lnFigure 5 three spinners 78 are distributed an equal distance apart about the path of the strand, each have a single strandengaging peg-or finger 79. The fingers 79 .are of arcuate shape with a slight downward .and backward bend :from their direction of rotation to facilitate release of loops of strand formed thereon. The spinners are rotated in synchronism so that the fingers strike the strand laterally in sequence one after another, 120 apart in time. Upon being engaged by a finger of one of the spinners, the portion of strand engaged is moved laterally, while the portion of strand behind the point of engagement continues in a straight path. Thus, a doubled back portion or loop of the strand is formed on each lateral engagement. Rotation of the spinners is arranged to be at such speed that the doubled back :loops are spread and thrown outwardly for removal to produce a series of generally circular loops which form a helix directed for deposition about the core of a collection tube 82.

The tube 82 is supported with its axis in vertical relation on a suitable rotary support under the spinners and is provided with a flared bottom or end portion so that loops deposited about the core come to rest over the flare. By this means, a package can be collected on the tube even if the tube is stationary. In most instances, however, it is more desirable to rotate the collection tube in order to form a more snug relationship of loops in the package.

The size of the loops ejected from the fingered spinners is controlled by the speed of rotation of the spinners if the rate of linear movement of the strand is held constant. The faster the rotation of the spinners, the smaller are the loops or coils. Conversely, the slower the spinner speed, the larger are the loops or coils. Thus, the loop sizes may be controllably varied by regulating the speed of. rotation of the spinners. Accordingly, the order of pile-up of the loops on the core of the collection tube 82 may be controlled by varying the size of the loops to change the zones of deposition of individual loops on the flare of the tube and the portion of the package already collected thereon. Because the loops can be piled in orderly fashion on the collection tube, the tube can be maintained stationary and still permit formation of a package thereon.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that many modifications of the present invention may be made and it is accordingly contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising means for feeding a strand longitudinally in a generally straight path, a rotatable collection surface adjacent to the line of travel of said strand, means intermediate said path and collection surface for forming said strand into a generally coaxial series of loops of sufficient size to encircle said collection surface, means for directing said loops about said surface, and means to rotationally drive said collection surface about an axis generally parallel to a center line through said loops to diminish the size of each of the loops in sequence for snug collection thereof over said surface.

2. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising means for feeding a strand longitudinally in a generally straight path, a rotatable collection surface disposed adjacent to the line of travel of said strand, means for forming said strand into a generally coaxial series of loops of sufficient size to encircle said collection surface, means for directing said loops about said surface, means for rotationally driving said collection surface about an axis corresponding generally to a line through the center of said loops to diminish the size of each of the loops in said series for snug collection thereof over said surface, and means for reciprocating said surface back and forth along its axis of rotation to distribute the strand over said surface as it is collected.

3. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising means for feeding a strand longitudinally in a generally straight path, a rotatable cylindrical collection surface disposed immediately adjacent to the line of travel of said strand, means for continually collection surface about an axis generally parallel to a center line through said loops to diminish the size of each of the loops in said series for collection into a package over said surface.

4. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising means for feeding a strand longitudinally in a generally straight path, a rotatable cylindrical collecting member adjacent to the path of travel of said strand, loop forming means comprising an internal cylindrical tube between said path and said collecting member into which said strand is introduced to effect formation of loops of the strand, said internal tube surface being greater in diameter than said collecting member to permit encirclement of loops formed therein about the circumference of said drum, means for introducing the strand into said internal tube surface, means for rotationally driving said member on an axis corresponding generally to a line through the center of said loops to diminish the size of each of the loops in said series for snug collection thereof on said member, and means for reciprocating said member along its axis of rotation within said internal tube surface to receive the strand in distributed relation over said member.

5. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising means for feeding a strand longitudinally in a generally straight path, a rotatable collecting member disposed adjacent to the path of travel of said strand, means comprising an internal cylindrical tube surface between said path and said collecting member into which said strand is introduced to effect formation of loops of the strand, said internal tube surface being greater in diameter than said collecting member to permit encirclement of loops formed therein about the circumference of said member, at least one pneumatic blower disposed at the end of said tube into which said strand is introduced, said blower being arranged to discharge a gaseous blast into said cylindrical tube surface in tangential and angular relation thereto to cause the gas emitted into said cylindrical surface to acquire a swirling action within said cylindrical surface, thereby causing the strand introduced therein to acquire a looped configuration, means for rotationally driving said member on an axis corresponding generally to a line through the center of loops formed of said strand to diminish the size of each in the order of their formation for snug collection thereof on said member.

6. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising strand feeding means for projecting a continuous, flexible strand linearly along a controlled path leading to a working zone, loop forming means comprising spinner type catchers spaced about the path of said strand each including means for engaging and laterally displacing progressively spaced portions of said continuous stand without interfering with the movement of intermediate portions of said strand, means for operating said catchers such that each engages and interrupts movement of said strand in sequence before any one re-engages the strand again to interrupt its movement, whereby a loop of laterally displaced portions is formed in each cycle of operation of the loop forming means.

7. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising strand feeding means for projecting a continuous, flexible strand linearly along a controlled path leading to a working zone, loop forming means comprising strand catchers each rotatable on an axis generally parallel to said path and each having a generally radially extending pin, said catchers being spaced from each other and about said path so that the pin of each catcher crosses said path and engages and interrupts the movement of progressively spaced portions of said continuous strand as well as displaces the interrupted portions laterally from said path without interfering with the movement of intermediate portions of said strand,

means for operating said catchers in sequence such that each engages said strand before any re-engages the strand, whereby said strand is caught and distributed about said path into looped configuration, and a collecting cylinder disposed below said catchers to receive the loops of said strand.

8. Apparatus for packaging continuous flexible strands and the like comprising strand feeding means for projecting a continuous, flexible strand linearly along a controlled path leading to a Working zone, loop forming means con1- prising strand catchers each rotatable on an axis generally parallel to said path and each having a pin extending generally radially from its axis, said catchers being spaced from each other and about said path so that the pin of each catcher crosses said path and engages and interrupts the movement of progressively spaced portions oi said continuous strand and displaces the interrupted portions laterally from said path without interfering with the movement of intermediate portions of said strand, means for operating said catchers in sequence such that each engages said strand before any re-engages the strand, whereby said strand is caught and distributed about said path into looped configuration, a rotatable collecting cylinder disposed below said catchers to receive the loops of said strand in coaxial relation, and means for rotating said collecting cylinder to diminish-the size of each loop in the order of its formation for snug collection thereof on said cylinder.

9. A method for collecting a continuous flexible strand comprising feedingsaid strand longitudinally along a generally defined path to a Working zone, interrupting the longitudinal movement of saidstrand to form loops there in in said zone, removing suoh loops from said zone in generally the same order as their formation, depositing said loops in encircling relation over a collection surface, and rotating said surface to diminish the size of said loops for collection thereof in snug relation over said surface.

10. A method for collecting a continuous flexible strand comprising feeding said strand longitudinally along a generally defined path to a Working zone, interrupting the longitudinal movement of said strand by laterally displacing progressively spaced portions of said strand to different ones a given number of positions about said path as they enter said zone while continuing the feeding of said strand into said zone until the portions of said strand intermediate such retarded portions at least approach such retarded portions, thereby forming serially connected loops of said strand portions generally coaxial with the path of said strand, removing such loops from said zone in generally the same order as their formation, depositing said loops in encircling relation over a rotatable collection surface, and rotating said surface to diminish, the size of said loops for collection thereof in snug relation over said surface.

No references cited.

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