US3405877A - Method and apparatus for the treatment of ejected delivery bobbins - Google Patents

Description

Filed May 1966 Oct. 15, 1968 R. JENNY 3,405,877

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF EJECTED DELIVERY BOBBINS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Rad-L4 IS Euros CFMLI M Oct. 15, 1968 JENNY 3,405,877

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF EJECTED DELIVERY BOBBINS L.1 ALA l VENTOR E140 THEN 5 UM lJ- United States Patent 3,405,877 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREAT- MENT 0F EJECTED DELIVERY BOBBINS Rudolf Jenny, Thalwil, Switzerland, assignor to Maschinenfabrik Schweiter AG, Horgen, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 546,803 Claims priority, application Switzerland, May 5, 1965, 6,248/65 19 Claims. (Cl. 242-35.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for the treatment of rejected delivery bobbins from a textile machine of the type having a plurality of winding locations wherein yarn is delivered along a predetermined path from a delivery bobbin to a wind-up bobbin, the invention being characterized by the features that the winding operation is monitored to determine the existence of certain faults. Upon the determination of the faults, the delivery bobbin is ejected and, simultaneously with the determination, a control signal is generated having characteristics indicative of the reason for the ejection of a delivery bobbin. The characteristic control signal is then utilized to correctly sort the ejected bobbins with respect to the yarn remainder thereon.

The present invention has reference to an improved method of handling or processing ejected delivery bobbins or cops and to an improved apparatus for use in conjunction with an automatic winder for the performance of the aforesaid method.

Automatic winding machines are already known to the art in which, upon the appearance of a faulty yarn condition such as yarn rupture at a winding location or station, a servicing or tending mechanism, which, among other things, automatically seeks the broken yarn ends and again knots them, is actuated in order to determine whether at a certain location of the yarn path the yarn is still present and whether the yarn remainder appearing at the delivery bobbin or sleeve still justifies a renewed knotting operation. If one of these preconditions is not met, then the delivery bobbin is ejected or dotted and the winding location has delivered thereto a new delivery or wind-off bobbin. A method and apparatus working substantially according to this principle is disclosed in my commonly assigned, copending United States application, Ser. No. 360,226, filed Apr. 16, 1964, now Patent No. 3,304,015, and entitled, Method and Apparatus for the Processing of Undesired Yarn Conditions Appearing at an Automatic Winding Machine. In another one of my copending United States applications, also commonly assigned, namely United States patent application, Ser. No. 463,681, filed June 14, 1965, now Patent No. 3,358,941, and entitled, Yarn Remainder Peeler, there is disclosed an improved construction of such a yarn remainder feeler for determining the extent of the yarn package remaining at the delivery bobbin.

The delivery bobbin sleeves which are ejected or doifed at the winding station are collected, and those sleeves carrying a small yarn remainder are delivered to a cleaning apparatus in order to remove such yarn remainder, whereas the sleeves which still carry a considerable yarn supply are appropriately processed in order to again be introduced to the winder, i.e. one of its winding stations.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved method which simplifies the handling or processing of these ejected bobbin sleeves.

Another important object of this invention is directed to an improved method for quickly and effectively classifying ejected delivery bobbins as a function of the extent of the yarn package remainder thereon.

A further noteworthy object of the present invention relates to an improved method of sorting delivery bobbins ejected from a winder in accordance with the quantity of yarn remaining at each ejected bobbin and in dependency of the operation of yarn sensing or feeler elements.

The method of the present invention is characterized by the features that, for each delivery bobbin there is determined the reason for its having been ejected, there is then generated a signal which corresponds to such cause of ejectionof the bobbin, and this signal is then employed for sorting the ejected delivery bobbins.

The present invention is also concerned with an improved apparatus for automatic winding machines or winders for carrying out the aforesaid inventive method.

Still a further object of this invention relates to an improved apparatus for automatically sorting the ejected bobbins of a winding machine as a function of the amount of remaining yarn package thereon.

Another considerable object of this invention pertains to improved apparatus for handling the bobbins ejected at a winder and in dependency of the operation of the yarn feelers thereof.

The apparatus of the invention makes use of the fact that at least periodically feelers cooperate with the winding locations of such automatic winders which, on the one hand, monitor the presence of the yarn at a given or predetermined location of the yarn path and, on the other hand, scan or sense the quantity of yarn remaining at the delivery bobbin, whereby such feelers generate signals which control the servicing or tending mechanism. Here again, reference may readily be made to my aforementioned United States application, Ser. No. 360,226, operating on such principle.

The inventive apparatus is generally characterized by the features that, the yarn feelers serve as control elements for a sorting mechanism operatively connected at the winder and receiving the ejected or doffed wind-off bobbins.

In so doing, there is presupposed that if the yarn feeler which is effective along the yarn path determines the presence of the yarn, but the yarn feeler monitoring the delivery bobbin determines that insufficient yarn remainder is present, then a delivery bobbin is dotted or ejected which is still to be cleaned. On the other hand, if the yarn feeler which is effective along the yarn path determines that the yarn is absent and if the yarn feeler effective at the delivery bobbin determines a sufiicient yarn remainder, then this bobbin is ejected since the yarn end can no longer be seized by the yarn finder elements and, therefore, an automatic servicing or disturbance-removal operation, through carrying out a renewed knotting, is no longer possible. This ejected delivery bobbin, however, can again be manually reintroduced to the winding machine, so that it must be classified or separated from the other type delivery bobbin sleeves which are to be cleaned. Finally, if both yarn feelers produce an error signal in that both the yarn at the monitored location of the yarn path is missing and also an insufiicient yarn remainder has been determined to be present at the bobbin sleeve, then this bobbin is likewise ejected or dofied. Due to the response of both yarn feelers, it can be assumed that the bobbin sleeve is completely empty. This bobbin sleeve is therefore only ready to be delivered to a spinning machine, it is therefore to be differently classified from both of the other bobbin sleeve types.

Accordingly, the apparatus is preferably provided with three sorting chutes or channels which are either opened or closed in accordance with the control signals produced by the yarn feelers.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates one of a plurality of winding stations of an automatic cross-winder which carries out, in well-known manner, a travelling or revolving movement relative to an automatic servicing or tending mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is a circuit diagram for a first embodiment of inventive apparatus depicted in FIGURE 3; V FIGURE 3 is an exemplary embodiment of sorting mechanism or apparatus for the ejected or doffed delivery bobbins and used in conjunction with the structure depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2; I

FIGURE 4 illustrates a circuit diagram for a further embodiment of inventive apparatus depicted in FIGURES 5 to 7.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a fragmentary, schematic view of sorting mechanism used in the winder of FIGURE 1 and with the circuit arrangement of FIGURE 4 and depicted in the normal operating position;

FIGURE 6 depicts the sorting mechanism or apparatus of FIGURE 5 in a second operating position; and

FIGURE 7 illustrates a third operating or working position of the sorting mechanism depicted in FIGURE 5.

Describing now the drawings, the details of the physical structure of the winding location schematically illustrated inFIGURE 1 and its associated yarn-supervising or monitoring elements do not form subject matter of the present invention, rather have been set forth in great detail in my aforementioned co-pending applications. However, such winding station has been herein depicted and described only for the purpose of providing an illustrative example as to the manner in which certain signals are generated when yarn ruptures and to demonstrate the importance or significance thereof. The depicted winding station or location is provided at an automatic winder exhibiting a plurality of such winding stations and which has not, for convenience in illustration, been here further shown, yet may be assumed to be the type of winder disclosed in my aforementioned United States patent application, Ser. No. 360,226.

In the exemplary embodiment of winding station depicted in FIGURE 1, the yarn F travels from a delivery bobbin or cop 1 through a known lamella-type combination yarn feeler and balloon breaker device 2, a yarn brake 3, over a stop bracket 4 and a grooved drum 5, to a Wind-up bobbin 6. The remaining conventional yarn guide elements have not been depicted in order to preserve the clarity of the drawing. Morevover, the yarn feeler and balloon breaker device 2 may be of the type described and claimed in my commonly assigned United States Patent 3,199,806, granted Aug. 10, 1965, and also depicted in my aforementioned co-pending United States application, Ser. No. 360,226.

The stop bracket 4 which is pivotable about a pivot shaft 7 possesses an arm 8, the latter acting upon a switch 9. This switch 9 is electrically coupled in the current circuit 10 of a current source 11 and a suitable drive motor 12 driving the grooved drum 5. Furthermore, switch 9 also is connected in the current circuit 13 of a current source 14 and two parallely connected electromagnets 15 and 16. Upon excitation of the electromagnet 15 it actuates the aforementioned yarn feeler device 2, in that its core or armature 17 pivots the double-arm lever 18 in counterclockwise direction about its pivot shaft 19 and thus rocks the feeler fingers 20 provided at a hub 21 of such double-arm lever 18, so that they move into the slots 22 of the lamella-type yarn feeler device 2. The arm 18' of the double-arm lever' 18 acts upon a switch 23 situated in a current circuit 24 of a current source 25 and an electromagnet 26.

The electromagnet 16, previously considered, actuates via its guide 27 and an angle lever 28 a yarn remainder feeler device 29 in that such is guided towards the delivery cop or bobbin 1. In so doing, one feeler arm 30 bears against the unwound portion or base 1' of the bobbin sleeve 1 and the other feeler arm 31 bears against the yarn package 1". A switch 32 is arranged at the feeler arm 30 and is connected in parallel in the current circuit 24 with the switch 23 of the yarn feeler device 2. A switching or control finger 33 'adjustably arranged at the feeler arm 31 is capable of actuating the switch 32 as soon as both feeler arms 30 and 31 fall below a predeterminedrelative position. The core or armature 34 of the electromagnet 26 is arranged such that in excited state, as shown in phantom line position by reference character 34a, it actuates a release lever of the automatic servicing or tending unit (not shown), thereby triggering a bobbin-exchange operation. This actuation takes plance during and by virtue of the relative movement of the winding station to the tending unit, and has already been considered in detail in my previously mentioned co-pending United States application Ser. No. 360,226.

The mode of operation of the depicted winding station or location is as follows: Should rupture of the yarn F occur, then the stop bracket 4 falls forwardly, actuating the switch 9 by means of its arm 8. The latter is equipped with two pairs of contacts, one pair serving as the cut-off contacts for opening the current circuit 10 to thereby stop the bobbin drive motor 12, whereas the other pair acts as cut-in contacts and closes the current circuit 13 and, therefore, excites both electromagnets 15 and 16. Consequently, both yarn-monitoring or feeler elements, namely the yarn feeler device 2 and the yarn remainder feeler device 29 are placed in operation. If one or the other, or both, yarn-monitoring devices respond, then the associated switch 23 or 32 is closed and thus the current circuit 24. Therefore, by means of the electromagnet 26 a bobbin-exchange operation is initiated. Switch 23 is closed by the arm 18 insofar as no yarn is available at the yarn feeler 2; on the other hand, the fingers 20 bear against the yarn F when present and therefore hold back the angle lever 18 from actuating the switch 23. The other switch 32 closes when the yarn package 1" has dropped below a certain package size. In the first-considered case, a bobbin-exchange operation is necessary because the conventional yarn finder or seizing arm (not shown) is unable to grasp the yarn end of the wind-off or delivery bobbin 1 in that such seeks the yarn directly beneath the yarn feeler device 2, and, in the second case, because the wind-off bobbin 1 is empty or only exhibits an insufiicient yarn remainder, which does not justify knotting and further winding.

In FIGURE 2 both of the electric switches, corresponding to FIGURE 1, and associated with the yarn-monitoring or feeler elements 2 and 29, are designated by reference characters 23 and 32. As illustrated, both switches 23 and 32 are each equipped with two contracts 40a, 40 and 41a, 41 respectively. A respective contact 40a and 41a of each switch 23 and 32 is connected in parallel with the current circuit 24 of the current source 25 and serves to trigger the bobbin-exchange operation by means of the electromagnet 26, as has been considered in connection with the description of FIGURE 1. The other contacts 40 and 41 are electrically coupled to a respective relay 42 and 43 and to a current source 44. Each of these relays 42 and 43 possesses three contacts, namely two respective closing contacts a, c and d, e, and one respective opening contact b and 1, wherein two respective contacts thereof, as shown, are connected in series with a respective electromagnet 45, 46 and 47 and are electrically coupled with a current source 48. In the rest condition or state, the contacts a and c of the relay 42 and the contacts d and e of the relay 43 are open, on the other hand, the contact b of the relay 42 and the contact f of the relay 43 are closed. The contacts a and d and the magnet 45, the contacts [2 and e and the magnet 46, as well as the contacts c and f and the magnet 47 are each connected in series. From an inspection of FIGURE 2 it will be recognized that upon response of the yarn feeler 2 (switch 23) the electromagnet 47 is excited, upon response of the yarn remainder feeler 29 (switch 32) the electromagnet 46 is excited, and upon response of both monitoring elements (switches 23 and 32) the electromagnet 45 is excited.

In FIGURE 3 there is depicted a bobbin-sorting trough or channel 50 which is arranged at an inclination or downward slope in the direction of the arrow A. Trough or channel 50 is provided with two openings 5011- at its floor 50a which can be closed by associated flaps 51 and 52. These flaps 51 and 52 can be rocked upwardly about horizontal shafts 53 and 54 and exhibit flexed extensions 51' and 52' which project downwards past the shafts 53 and 54 respectively. Further, these flaps 51 and 52 are held in their closed position by means of springs 55, against the impact or stops 50 of the channel 50, as shown in the case of the flap 52. A shaft 56 is rotably mounted parallel to the trough or channel 50. It carries two locking pawls 57, each of which can hold in open position one of the associated flaps 51 or 52, in that their nose portions 57 engage the neighboring flap extensions 51 and 52', specifically against the action of the associated spring 55. Upon opening the flaps 51 and 52, the locking pawls 57 are pushed back due to the flap extensions 51' and 52 acting upon the inclined surfaces 57, and thus the shaft 56 is rotated in counterclockwise direction. A spring 58 works against such rotation and is suspended between a lever 59 carried at the shaft 56 and an arm 60 mounted at the channel 50, whereby engagement and retention of these flaps 51 and 52 in their open position is ensured. The electromagnet 45 disposed between the arm 60 and the extension 59 of the lever 59 protruding past the shaft 56 can work against the action of the spring 58 to rock the shaft 56 in counterclockwise direction. Levers 61 are affixed to the shafts 53 and 54 of the flaps 51 and 52 respectively, which levers are operatively connected by pull rods 62 with the electromagnets 46 and 47. These electromagnets 46 and 47 are on the other hand connected to the arms 63 of the channel 50.

By further referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 it will be recognized that if now, for example, the electromagnet 47 is energized the rod 62 pulls at the lever 61 and opens the flap 51 against the action of the spring 55. In so doing, the extension 51' moves past the inclined surface 57" of the locking pawl 57 and rotates the shaft 56 in counterclockwise direction against the action of the spring 58 until the nose 57 engages behind the extension 51' due to the action of the spring 58. The rotation of the shaft 56 in counterclockwise direction brought about by opening of the flap 51 at the same time causes the locking pawl 57 to release the flap 52, so that it closes under the action of the spring 55. In analogous manner this also holds true for the flap 51 when the flap 52 is opened by the electromagnet 46. Therefore, there is guaranteed that only the one flap associated with a given electromagnet can be opened and that the other automatically is closed. The third electrornagnet 45, upon excitation, pulls the lever extension 59' upwards to thus rotate the shaft 56 in counterclockwise direction. As a result both locking pawls 57 release both flaps 51 and 52 so that such are closed by the action of the springs 55. Consequently, the sleeves or bobbins 1 slide past both openings 50b in the channel 50. Beneath each opening 50b and its outermost end there is provided a suitable non-illustrated receptacle or transport device which separately receives the bobbin sleeves 1 depending upon their condition. Of course, a flap could also be associated with the electromagnet 45 in analogous manner to the flaps 51 and 52. The bobbins 1 ejected from the cross-winder slide from the upper left end of the trough or channel 50 downwards until they arrive at an open flap 52 or 51, which together with their extensions 52' and 51 respectively, serve as guide means or plates and allow such to fall into the receptacle or otherwise situated therebeneath.

In FIGURE 4 there is once again depicted both switches 23 and 32 actuated by the yarn-monitoring or supervising elements and which are each provided with two respective contacts 40a, 40 and 41a, 41, of which a respective one 40a and 41a serves to actuate the bobbinexchange magnet 26. The second respective contact 40 and 41 of these switches 23 and 32 leads to two respective relays 42 and 43, each of which possesses two switch-in contacts I), c and d, f, and one switch-out contact a and e respectively. A respective switch-out and switch-in contact a and d and electromagnet 46, as well as the contacts b and e and the electromagnet 47, are connected in series. Both of the cut-in or switch-in contacts c and f serve to bridge their associated impulse contacts 40 and 41 in order to hold the relays 42 and 43. As a result, both of the electromagnets 46 and 47 are also under current until the contacts 70 and 71 are opened after a predetermined program and therefore release the relays 42 and 43. Opening of the contacts 70 and 71 can take place by a cam disk 72 arranged at the usual control shaft 73 associated with the tending or servicing unit and which also actuates the remaining elements of the aforesaid tending .unit. Opening of such contacts can, however, also be brought about by a suitable time switch or timer.

FIGURE 5 depicts a sorting device or apparatus controlled by the circuit of FIGURE 4. The bobbins ejected or dotfed by the cross-winder are delivered to the upper end of the bobbin receiver or channel 74. This channel 74 widens in the direction of fall of the bobbins 1 and is divided by spaced partititions or intermediate walls 75 and 76 into three compartments or channels 77, 78 and 79. At the upper respective ends of these intermediate walls 75 and 76 there are arranged at shafts 82 and 83 the pivotable guide flaps 80- and 81 respectively. Levers 84 which extend opposite the direction of the flaps 81 and 80 are seated upon the shafts 82 and 83. These levers 84 are coupled by pull rods 85 with the electromagnets 46 and 47. The plates 36 seated at the pull rods 85 serve as a support for the springs 87 which, in turn, bear against the electromagnets 46 and 47. In this manner, there is ensured that both flaps 30 and 81 are always held against the associated outer walls 74 and 74". These electromagnets 46 and 47 are further secured by arms 88 at the channel 74.

If, in accordance with FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 2, only the yarn feeler device 2 and its switch 23 respond, which means that a bobbin sleeve 1 is ejected which still has usable yarn remainder thereon and is delivered to the receiver or channel 74, then the relay 42 responds. Contacts b and c are closed. By virtue of the closing of the contact 12, the electromagnet 47 has current applied to it and therefore, as shown in FIGURE 6, the flap 81 is rocked in counterclockwise direction until it bears against the counterwall 74'. The bobbins 1 introduced into the receiver or channel 74 are guided into the channel 79. The self-holding contact 0 ensures that this position remains until a predetermined period of time, that is, until the contact 70 is opened.

In the event now only the yarn remainder feeler 29 and its switch 32 respond, which means that there is present a bobbin or sleeve which is to be cleaned, then the relay 43 is energized and the contact d closed. The electromagnet 46 which is thus supplied with current rocks the flap 30 until it impacts against the intermediate wall or partition 76. The bobbins 1 introduced into the channel 74 are conducted or guided into the channel 77, as depicted in FIGURE 7. The self-holding contact f ensures retention of this position until the contact 71 is opened.

Now, if both yarn-monitoring or supervising elements and both switches 23 and 32 respond, which signifies a completely empty bobbin or sleeve, then both relays 42 and 43 are energized. Due to their alternate contact positions, both of the electromagnets 46 and 47 are not furnished with current. Both of the flaps 3i and 81 thus remain in their normal or basic position, that is, impact against the outer Walls 74' and 74", as depicted in FIG- URE 5. The bobbins or spools 1 introduced into the channel 74 are therefore guided into the channel 78. This normal or basic position guaranteed by the springs87 in the currentless state of the electromagnets 46 and 47 is preferably the general situation, that is, that associated with the completely empty bobbins or bobbin sleeves 1. By reversing one of the contacts a, b, d or e it is possible to correlate the basic position to every other bobbin condition however.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope oi the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Method for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of textile winding machines of the type in which yarn is delivered along a predetermined path from a delivery bobbin to a wind-up bobbin, wherein the bobbin sleeves are freed of any smaller yarn remainder thereon and those bobbin sleeves with larger yarn remainder thereon are again introduced to the winding operation, comprising the steps of: monitoring the presence of predetermined characteristics of said winding operation, ejecting each delivery bobbin in response to said monitored predetermined characteristics and simultaneously therewith generating a signal indicative of each said predetermined characteristic monitored and sorting the ejected delivery bobbins in accordance with the generated signal.

2. Method for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of textile winding machines as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the presence of predetermined characteristics of said winding operation includes the steps of checking for the presence of the yarn at a predetermined location of yarn travel and checking for the extent of the yarn package remaining at the delivery bobbin.

3. Method for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of textile winding machines as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of sorting the ejected delivery bobbins is carried out by controlling the movement of each delivery bobbin through a bobbin receiver.

4. Method for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of textile winding machines of the type provided with a plurality of yarn-winding locations, each yarn winding location having a wind-up bobbin, a delivery bobbin for delivering yarn along a predetermined path of travel to said wind-up bobbin, and a delivery bobbin ejection and exchange mechanism operably associated therewith, comprising the steps of: supervising yarn travel at each individual yarn-winding location, upon appearance of a faulty yarn condition at a given yarn-winding location checking whether the yarn is present at a predetermined region of its path of travel and further checking the extent of the yarn package at the delivery bobbin of such winding location, ejecting the delivery bobbin if either one of the checking operations proves that the yarn is not present at said predetermined region of its path of travel or that the yarn remainder at the delivery bobbin has fallen below a minimum critical value, simultaneously genenating a signal it either one or both of the checking operations prove that such an undesirable condition exists at the winding location, and sorting the ejected delivery bobbins in accordance with the generated signal.

5. Method for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of textile winding machines as defined in claim 4, wherein said signal simultaneously generated is constrained to have a first characteristic if both checking operations each indicate the existence of such undesirable conditions at the Winding location, and wherein said ejected delivery bobbin is sorted in response to said signal having said first characteristic as one that is depleted of its yarn supply; that wherein said signal simultaneously generated is constrained to have a second characteristic if the checking operation at the predetermined path of yarn travel proves that the yarn is absent while the checking operation at the delivery bobbin indicates that sufiicient yarn package remains thereon, and wherein said ejected delivery bobbin is sorted in response to said signal having said second characteristic as one which can be reintroduced to a textile winding machine; and wherein said signal simultaneously generated is constrained to have a third characteristic if the checking operation performed at the predetermined location of yarn travel indicates .the presence of yarn whereas the checking operation at the delivery bobbin indicates an insufiicient yarn remainder thereon, and wherein said ejected delivery bobbin is sorted in response to said signal having said third characteristic as one requiring a cleaning operation freeing it of the yarn remainder thereon.

6. In combination with a textile winding machine of the type provided with a plurality of yarn-winding locations, each yarn-winding location having a wind-up bobbin, a delivery bobbin for delivering yarn along a predetermined path of travel to said wind-up bobbin, and a delivery bobbin ejection and exchange mechanism operably associated therewith, an apparatus for handling the ejected delivery bobbins of each winding location which comprises: a feeler device for determining the presence of yarn at a predetermined location of yarn travel of the relevant winding location, a further feeler device for determining the extent of the yarn remainder at the delivery bobbin of said relevant winding location, both feeler devices being capable of initiating a delivery bobbin-exchange operation, sorting means for receiving the ejected delivery bobbin, electric circuit means operatively coupling both said feeler devices with said bobbin-sorting means, said feeler devices defining control elements for controlling the operation of said bobbin-sorting means.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, further includ ing means placing both feeler devices into operation upon the appearance of at least yarn rupture at the relevant winding location.

8. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said sorting means incorporates a delivery bobbin-receiving channel.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8, further including means cooperating with said delivery bobbinreceiving channel to provide at least three separate paths of travel for the ejected delivery bobbins.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said cooperating means includes partition wells for dividing said delivery bobbing-receiving channel into three separate bobbin-receiving compartments.

11. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said cooperating means includes at least two spaced bobbin throughpassage openings provided at said delivery bobbin-receiving channel, and a respective flap member for selectively opening and closing each said bobbin throughpassage opening.

12. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said electric circuit means incorporates a pair of relays, one of said relays being controlled by said feeler device for determining the presence of yarn at a predetermined location of yarn travel and the other relay being controlled by said further feeler device determining the extent of yarn remainder at the delivery bobbin, at least one electromagnet controlled by said relay, said electromagnets influencing the operation of said sorting means.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said relays are connected in parallel with one another, each of said relays being provided with at least three contacts.

14. In combination with a textile winding machine of the type provided with a plurality of yarn-winding stations, each winding station having a Wind-up bobbin, a delivery bobbin for delivering a yarn along a predetermined path of travel to said wind-up bobbin, and a delivery bobbin ejection and exchange mechanism operably associated therewith, a feeler device for determining the presence of the yarn at a predetermined location of said path of travel, a further feeler device for determining the yarn remainder at the delivery bobbin, means for placing both feeler devices into operation upon the appearance of a faulty yarn condition such as yarn rupture, both said feeler devices being capable of initiating exchange of the delivery bobbin, bobbin-sorting means for receiving the exchanged and ejected delivery bobbins from said winding station, and electric circuit means operatively coupling both said feeler devices with said bobbin-sorting means, said electric circuit means incorporating mechanism for generating a control signal as a function of the operation of said feeler devices, to thereby control operation of said bobbin-sorting means.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said mechanism for generating a control signal includes first means for generating a control signal corresponding to a command for said sorting means to sort the ejected delivery bobbin as one requiring a cleaning operation and only when said yarn remainder feeler device responds, second means for generating a control signal corresponding to a command for said sorting means to sort the ejected delivery bobbin as one which is empty and only when both feeler devices respond, and third means for generating a control signal corresponding to a command for said sorting means to sort the ejected delivery bobbin as one having a usable yarn supply thereon and only if the yarn feeler device for determining presence of yarn at a predetermined location of yarn travel has responded.

16. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said electric circuit means includes a pair of relays, one relay being controlled by said feeler device deter-mining the presence of yarn at a predetermined location of yarn travel and the other relay being controlled by said yarn remainder feeler device.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16, wherein each relay has three contacts, each one of the contacts of one relay being in series with a respective contact of the other relay, at least two pairs of said serially arranged relay contacts being in alternate contact positions.

18. The combination as defined in claim 17, further including at least two electromagnets each connected in series with a given pair of serially connected relay contacts.

19. The combination as defined in claim 16, wherein 'both of said relays are connected in parallel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

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