US3570233A

US3570233A - Process and apparatus for producing fancy yarns

Info

Publication number: US3570233A
Application number: US784674A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raoul Nalpas; Gilbert Descamps; Etienne Delcroix
Original assignee: Moulinage Et Retorderie Soc
Current assignee: Moulinage et Retorderie de Chavanoz SA
Priority date: 1967-12-28
Filing date: 1968-12-18
Publication date: 1971-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-16
Also published as: BE725348A; ES361962A1; CH506642A; GB1207549A; DE1817020A1; AT309279B

Abstract

AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS, I.E., "NUBBLED" YARNS WHEREIN AN EFFECT YARN IS WOUND ON AT LEAST ONE CORE YARN UPON PASSAGE THROUGH A FIRST COVERING OR LAPPING ELEMENT WITH A BINDING YARN BEING SUBSEQUENTLY WOUND ON THE INTERMEDIARY ASSEMBLY FORMED FROM THE EFFECT YARN AND CORE YARN IN A SECOND LAPPING OR COVERING ELEMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT RELATING TO THE FACT THAT THE SPEED OF THE INTERMEDIARY ASSEMBLY IS VARIED WHILE THE FINAL WINDING TO PRODUCE THE COMPLETED FANCY YARN IS CONDUCTED AT SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT SPEED.

Description

March 16, 1971 NALPAS ETAL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS Filed Dec. 18, 1968 4 Sheets-$heet 1 FIG. 5

INVENTORS RAOUL' NALPAS G\LBERT DESCAMPS ETENNE DELLROI BY Q/Ll/MM {if Walla/m7 ATTORNEYS March 16, 1971 NALPAS' ETAL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS Filed Dec. 18, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RAOUL NALPAS GILBERT DESCAMPS ETIENNE DELcRom BY xfiuwm mallow ATTORNEYS R. NALPAS Er AL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR8 RAOUL NALPAS ATTORNEYS March 16, 1971 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS Filed Dec. 18. 1968 H w m ivlLii ri /EME w m n a]! mm m T m a 2 fill 1% 6 March 16, 1971 NALPAS ETAL 3,570,233

PROCESS AND vAPPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS Filed. Dec. 18, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 g Q N m -s-. c 2

INVENTORS RAOUL NALPAS GILBERT DESCAMPS ETIENNE DELCROIX ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,570,233 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FANCY YARNS Raoul Nalpas, Marq-en-Baroeul, Gilbert Descamps, Croix, and Etienne Delcroix, Roubaix, France, assignors t0 Societe Moulinage et Retorderie, Chavanoz, France Filed Dec. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 784,674 Claims priority, application France, Dec. 28, 1967, 49,473; Nov. 22, 1968, 50,653, 50,654 Int. Cl. 1865b 81/08; D02g 3/34 US. CI. 57-16 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus to carry out such a process comprises a first covering element carrying the effect yarn with the core yarn passing through its longitudinal aXis, a second covering element carrying the binding yarn, and a winding system for the finished fancy yarn. The apparatus additionally comprises, between the two covering elements, a reserve member on which the intermediary composite yarn may accumulate and a means which permits the varying the length of yarn accumulated on the reserve member. The apparatus additionally comprises a winding system for the finished yarn with a constant take-up speed.

The present invention directed to a novel process for the production of fancy yarns as well as an apparatus utilized therein; more particularly, the present invention is directed to such novel process and apparatus particularly adapted for the production of a nubbled or textured yarn through a process which comprises winding an effect yarn with a core yarn with subsequent binding of the intermediary assembly so formed.

Various processes and apparatus are known for the production of fancy yarns. Such processes generally consist of first forming protuberances around one or more core yarns by means of the so-called effect yarn and subsequently binding the intermediary assembly produced in this manner with a so-called binding yarn to prevent the sliding of the protuberance or nubs on the core yarn.

A continuous process previously utilized consists in taking up a core yarn at the inlet of a lapping or covering element which carries the effect yarn, then wrapping a binding yarn around it upon passage through a second covering element, and finally winding the fancy or textured yarn thus obtained. In a practical embodiment, the joining of the core yarn and effect yarn is effected by means of a cylindro-conical needle located in the longitudinal axis of the covering element, around which needle the effect yarn is coiled.

In the production of nubbled yarns, for example, the speed of the core yarn is varied in a suitable manner, i.e., by varying the winding speed, for example. Thus, during the stopping or slowing down of the core yarn in such a process, since the rotational speed of the covering elements remains constant, the effect yarn is wound at the same time around the cylindro-conical needle and around the core yarn to the effect that protuberances are formed around the core yarn. Simultaneously, however, the binding yarn continues to coil itself on the intermediary assembly, thus causing the finished yarn to have portions with zones of higher twist, thereby producing defects in appearance after weaving. Such defects take the form of stripes or welts which greatly reduce the esthetic value and salability of the facy yarns. Accordingly, for this primary reason, such previously employed process has not been completely satisfactory for the production of fancy yarns and nubbled yarns in particular.

In addition, since the winding speed is constantly varied, it is necessary to use special devices to produce this varied effect and heavy and costly winding machinery, requiring a large consumption of power. Finally, the necessity of having such speed variations decrease the output of the mills. These, of course, are further disadvantages asociated with the previously employed processes and apparatus for producing fancy yarns.

In addition, it has been proposed prior to the development of the present invention to obtain a nubbledtype fancy yarn on apparatus with a single hollow spindle of causing variations in the length of the yarn located just before the winding coil. This method has not been satisfactory either, since the covered yarn was not held fast by the binding yarn and the nubbled effect produced was not permanent. Accordingly, it has long been the desire of the art to provide a novel method and apparatus for producing fancy yarns and nubbled yarns in particular in a manner which eliminates these inherent disadvantages and deficiencies of previously employed apparatus and methods. This has now been accomplished in accordance with the present invention.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that such disadvantages and deficiencies of previously employed prior art processes and apparatus can be eliminated by the use of a process and apparatus characterized by a variance in the speed of the intermediary assembly obtained by winding an effect yarn on at least one core yarn in a first covering or lapping elements with a final winding of the finished fancy yarn at a substantially constant speed. In addition, the above disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art apparatus are eliminated by the provision of the present invention wherein a reserve member is utilized on which the intermediate composite yarn may accumulate.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus which eliminates the inherent deficiencies and disadvantages of previously employed prior art systems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel process for the production of fancy yarns wherein an effect yarn is wound on at least one core yarn upon passage in a first covering or lapping element and subsequently a binding yarn is wound on the intermediary assembly so formed, the improvement of the present invention being related to the fact that the speed of the intermediary assembly is varied while the finished fancy yarn is wound at a substantially constant speed.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for the production of fancy yarns, such apparatus being characterized by the presence of a reserve member located between two covering elements, the reserve member being such that the intermediate composite yarn formed may accumulate thereon.

It is' still a further object of the present invention to provide such apparatus further comprising a means which permits the varying of the length of the yarn accumulated on the reserve member with a winding system for the finished yarn having a constant take-up speed.

A still further object of the present invention comprises such novel apparatus for the production of fancy yarns 3 wherein the reserve member comprises a unit rotating around a fixed axle, the unit comprising at least one roll or a set of rolls idly or freely mounted.

Still further objects and advantages of the novel process and apparatus of the present invention will become more apparent from the following, more detailed description thereof in connection with the accompanied drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus to produce a fancy yarn in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a reserve element employed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the reserve elements of FIG. 2 taken along line AA';

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a reserve element which can be employed in a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of still a further embodiment of a reserve element which can be employed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the reserve element of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the overall apparatus employed in accordance with the present invention, including a rotation driving means;

And, FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the present invention indicating a variation of the adjustment compensating elements illustrated in FIG. 8.

Such figures, wherein like numerals represent like elements, will be described hereinafter with respect to various embodiments of both the process and apparatus of the present invention.

The above objects and advantages of the process and apparatus are achieved in accordance with the present invention through the provision of a process wherein an effect yarn is wound on at least one core yarn upon passage in a [first covering or lapping element and then a binding yarn is wound on this intermediary assembly formed by the core yarn and effect yarn upon passage in a second lapping element, the improvement of the present invention residing in that the speed of the intermediary assembly is varied and the finished fancy yarn is wound at a substantially constant speed.

As employed throughout the instant specification and claims, the expression fancy yarn is meant to embrace a nubbled or textured yarn, also called a flake yarn as well as a boucl yarn, cockle yarn, etc. In this connection the process and apparatus of the present invention can be suitably and advantageously employed in the production of any type of fancy yarn having nubs or protuberances evenly or unevenly spaced over its length. In addition, in view of the great industrial advantage of the process and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to vary the length, average diameter, amplitude and the frequency of these protuberances so that any combination of fancy effects can be obtained. Accordingly, the term fancy yarn, as indicated previously, has meant to embrace any and all of such effects and combinations thereof.

In practicing the process of the present invention, in order to vary the speed of the intermediary assembly the length of the intermediate yarn is continually varied. Thus, 'where the length of the intermediate yarn is increased the elfect yarn is wound normally around the core yarn without forming any specific effect or pattern; when the length of the intermediate yarn is decreased, the speed of the core yarn also decreases so that the effect yarn, continuing to be wound at a constant speed, forms a protuberance or nub. Additionally, since the winding of the finished fancy yarn is effected at a constant speed in accordance with the present invention, the binding yarn itself winds on the intermediary assembly with a substantially constant twist so as to lock in the protuberances or nubs formed by varying the speed of the intermediary assembly. Generally, in accordance with the process of the present invention, only a single core yarn is utiilzed; however, as is the case with conventional processes employed in the production of fancy yarns, it is also within the scope of the present invention to employ several core yarns in the production of a single fancy yarn.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus employed in carrying out the novel process of the present invention generally comprises a first covering element carrying the effect yarn with the core yarn passing in the longitudinal axis; a second covering element carrying the binding yarn; and a winding system for the finished fancy yarn. The apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, between the two covering elements, a reserve member is located, on which the intermediary assembly produced from the core yarn and effect yarn may accumulate with a means which allows the variance of the length of the yarn accumulated on a reserve member. Additionally, the apparatus of the present invention contains a winding system for the finished yarn, the winding system having a constant takeup speed. 7

As indicated previously, the reserve member employed in accordance with the process and apparatus of the present invention may be of any suitable form. Generally, however, such reserve member comprises a unit rotating around a fixed axle, such unit comprising at least one roll or a set of rolls idly or freely mounted. The guiding of the yarn around the reserve element may easily be effected by means of an arm equipped with a guiding element, the arm being an integral part of the rotating driving axle of the reserve member. Preferably, such an arm is substantially perpendicular to the rotary driving axle of the reserve member and is provided at one extremity with a grooved wheel.

In some instances, however, such an arrangement renders the placing of the yarn on the reserve member somewhat difficult, particularly when the apparatus is in operation. Accordingly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reserve member comprises a unit rotating around a fixed axle and carrying at least a set of rollers or one roller idly mounted, the roller or set of rollers being associated with a disc equipped with a yarn guiding element, the yarn guiding element being integrated with the rotary axle of the rotating unit and placed substantially perpendicularly to such axle.

Preferably, the reserve member has several rollers or sets of rollers which are separated substantially symmetrically by the disc equipped with the guiding element. Advantageously, the yarn guiding element is composed of a double-flanged wheel idly mounted in a cavity provided in the disc, the cavity extending to the periphery of the disc through a slit made in the disc so as to permit the access of the yarn onto the wheel.

According to another preferred embodiment, the reserve member is associated to a fixed segment which envelops the disc and supports a fixed or pivoting yarn guide which may receive the yarn.

According to still another advantageous embodiment, the rollers are slightly inclined with respect to the rotation axle of the rotary unit, so as to permit a better separation of the whorls of yarn upon its accumulation.

The driving of the reserve member may be effected by any conventional and known means. However, the advantage of the process of the present invention is that it is possible to control the variations of temporary winding and unwinding of the intermediate composite yarn on the reserve member in a substantially precise manner; in other words it is possible to vary the speeds and times of rotation of the reserve member in one direction and in the other in a substantially controlled manner. In practice, however, it is very difiicult to make a driving mechanism in a simple manner yet precise enough so that the reserve member is driven at such variable speeds and for given periods of time exactly as a function of the winding speed. Accordingly, in practice there is always a lack of synchronization between the winding speed and the take-up speeds of the intermediary yarn.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reserve member is rotatively driven by a mechanism which comprises means for rotary driving of the reserve member, in one direction and in the other, at identical or different speeds and for predetermined periods of time, characterized in that said driving means to rotate the reserve member are driven by an effect control device, comprising at least one programming element and at least one adjustment compensating element.

The rotation driving means comprise appropriate means such as variable speed motor, or by connecting gears or couplings connected to the rotation driving shaft of the reserve member. The programming element comprises any suitable means such as a double track chain. When the rotation driving means comprises clutches or couplings, at least one track, programmed or non-programmed, is used to drive one or several of the couplings controlling the rotation of the reserve member in one direction, and the second track may be used to drive the rotation of the reserve member in the other direction. This programming element may comprise any other equivalent means such as a magnetic tape, which permits a great flexibility of use.

The adjustment compensating element generally comprises a circuit breaker device driven directly or indirectly by the rotary driving shaft of the reserve member and permitting the switching off of the means driving the rotation of the reserve member, thus catching up the variation due to the lack of synchronization of the wind ing speed with respect to the take-up speeds of the intermediate yarn. This adjustment compensating element may intervene at the maximum or minimum accumulation points, or only at one of these two points.

In addition, a single member may play both the part of a programming element and the part of an adjustment compensating element, for example, by acting on the controls of a coupling or clutch.

This adjustment compensating element may be composed of a plate equipped with at least one fixed abutment or stop, the plate being driven by the rotation driving shaft of the reserve member, the fixed abutments acting upon at least one circuit breaker which permits the disconnecting of the rotation driving means of the reserve member. This adjustment compensating element may also be composed of a screw controlling a threaded plug which slides in a groove and changes its direction of translation according to the direction of rotation of the reserve member, the plug also controlling at least one circuit breaker to disconnect the rotation driving means of the reserve member.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the same driving shaft drives at a constant speed the yarn take-up device below the reserve member, for example, at the winding, as well as the rotation driving of the reserve member at variable speed and directions, through means of the effect driving device according to the invention.

The process and apparatus of the present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following detailed discussion of the drawings.

According to FIG. 1, a core yarn 1 is unwound from a spool 2, the yarn 1 passing into a tensioning member 3. The unwinding of the core yarn may be through unrolling or unreeling.

At the entrance of the longitudinal axle of the covering element composed of a hollow spindle 4, the core yarn 1 passes along a cylindro-conical needle 5, around which is wound the effect yarn 6 carried by a spool 7 placed on the hollow spindle 4 and driven therewith.

In a variation of this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the cylindro-conical needle 5. I

The intermediary yarn 8 formed by the winding of the effect yarn 6 upon the core yarn 1, passes on a yarn reserve member 17, then into a second covering element composed of another hollow spindle 9, which carries a spool 10 of binding yarn 11. This yarn is unwound by means of the spindle cap 12.

In another variation, when it is desired, for example, to obtain a slacker yarn, it is not necessary to use the spindle cap 12.

The fancy yarn 13 thus formed goes through spindle passes on a return wheel 14, then is wound on the receiving spool 15 which is driven by winding roller 16 driven at a constant speed.

Between the two

hollow spindles

4 and 9, the reserve member 17 allows continual varying of the length of the yarn by accumulation and delivery of the collected yarn at variable speed.

The reserve member shown on FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a shaft 21 integrated with a suitable fixation means 22 with an arm 23 which is perpendicular to the shaft 21 and equipped at its extremity with a yarn guiding member 24. Shaft 21 may be driven in a forward or a back ward direction, and may be actuated with variable rotation speeds, periodic or aperiodic, This shaft 21 is driven by means of apparatus to be described below.

Cylindrical rollers

25, 26, 27 and 28 are idly mounted by means of

supports

29 and 36 on both sides of arm 23, symmetrically with respect to shaft 21.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a reserve member which can be employed to carry out the process of the present invention. As in the apparatus of FIG. 2, this member is composed of a shaft 31 integrated with fixation means 32 with an arm 33 which is perpendicular to the shaft 31 provided at its free extremity with a yarn guiding member 34. Rollers 35 and 3@ in the shape of a truncated cone are idly mounted on shaft 31 on both sides of arm 33. The lines of direction of these rollers, which are mounted head to tail, are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, so as to facilitate the advance of the intermediary yarn 8.

When the arm mounted on the shaft rotates according to the figure in a backward direction (a clockwise direction), it causes, for example, the take-up of the intermediary yarn originating from the first covering element and the winding of this intermediary yarn 8 on the storage member. Thus an amount of yarn which is greater than that being taken up by the rewinding system is being accumulated. If the movement of the arm is stopped, everything operates as if the reserve member 17 did not exist, and the intermediary yarn 8 is unwound at normal take-up speed. If, however, the direction of rotation of the driven arm is inverted, it eliminates the take-up of the intermediary yarn 8, which causes the effect yarn 6 to form a protuberance. Simultaneously, because of the freewheel assembly, the intermediary yarn 8 continues to be taken up through the second covering element at a constant speed, and the binding yarn 11 is Wound on the intermediary yarn 8 with a substantially constant twist.

By combining the forward direction, the backward operation and the stops of the yarn delivery arm, it is possible to create all kinds of nubbled effects such as nubs or bumps, flakes or wisps, etc., with variable length and diameter. This movement may be controlled by any appropriate means, such as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the

yarn delivery arm

23 or 33 has a

yarn guiding member

24 or 34 at its free extremity. To prevent damaging, even partially, of the protuberances formed by the effect yarn and not yet aflixed by the binding yarn, a grooved wheel idly mounted is advantageously used as yarn guiding member.

FIG. 5 illustrates still another embodiment of the reserve member. Such reserve member, also placed between the two covering

elements

7 and 10, is composed of a hollow arm 41 through which the intermediary composite yarn 8 passes. This arm distributes the yarn on a truncated cone 42 where it is accumulated. The yarn is then removed from the truncated cone 42 by the winding take-up, passing on an eyelet 43. As above, the arm 41 may be driven by any suitable means.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the reserve member may compirse shaft 51 which goes freely through a fixed unit 52 carrying rollers such as 53 idly mounted on axles 54 carried by the unit 52.

Shaft 51 is integrated with a disc 55 (see FIG. 7), on either side of which are positioned the rollers 53.

Disc 55 has a cavity 56 in which a small wheel 57 is idly mounted. Cavity 56 is extended to the periphery of the disc 55 by a slot 58 which permits the yarn to be brought to the wheel 57. Disc 55 is eneveloped by a segment 59 which is integrated with the unit 52 and has a yarn-guide 60 at its free extremity.

This reserve member permits the positioning of the yarn in a simple manner. Yarn 8 is placed on yarn guide 60 from which it is made to slide to the periphery of the disc 55 at the moment when the reserve member releases some yarn. Thus, at the beginning of the storing movement of the yarn, slot 58 automatically snatches the yarn without any manual intervention.

It can be seen that this apparatus permits the positioning of the yarn in a simple operation, which does not require exceptional skill on the part of the operator and which is effected with precision at the moment when the movement of the reserve member is inverted. The result is a constant effect produced on the yarn, since the first few centimeters of yarn produced after insertion of the yarn on the reserve member have the same characteristics as that after any certain amount of time of operation.

In addition to the above method of operation, the insertion or positioning of the yarn may be effected while the loom is in operation without disturbing the operation of the other portions of the apparatus. This, of course, is an important advantage of the novel process and apparatus of the present invention.

Additionally, while the reserve member has been described with respect to the foregoing figures as having the aforementioned configurations, it is pointed out that such reserve member can have a variety of other shapes. Thus, for example, the reserve member can be in the form of a treadmill, etc.

The reserve member may be driven by any suitable programming means, for example, by a cam device actuating its driving shaft into rotation, so as to allow one to obtain a nubbled yarn with evenly or unevenly spaced nubs.

It is also possible to use other programming means which produce more varied effects, such as flake yarns, cockled yarns, knop yarns, boucl yarns, in addition to combining these various effects as desired.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIG. 8.

The driving of the reserve member is effected by shaft 21 driven by

couplings

65, 69 and 72, which are actuated by a shaft 68 through the intermediary of pinion sets 66, 70 and 73, which impart predetermined speeds to them.

Shaft 68 also actuates, on one hand, the winding roller 16 and on the other hand, through the intermediary of a pinion 75, a double track chain 77 which acts upon clutches or

couplings

65, 69 and 72 through the intermediary of contactors or closing switches 82 and 83. Double-track chain 77 has stops such as 78 on the first track and 79 on the second track. These stops trip the

contactors

82 and 83 which come back to their initial position during the intervals when the two tracks do not offer any stops.

As mentioned above, however, it is practically impossible to exactly synchronize the winding speed and the collecting and releasing speeds; therefore, a pinion 84 '8 which drives through an intermediate set of pinions 61 and plate 62 are mounted on shaft 21.

According to a first embodiment, plate 62 (see FIG. 8) has two

abutments

63 and 64. The clutch is then only controlled by the movement of plate 62, and the

abutments

63 and 64 of said plate act at the end of each trip on the contactor 81. When the abutment 63 reverses contactor 81, the electric power is then directed only on clutch 65 which is set into motion, driving the rotation of shaft 21 causing the accumulation of a certain quantity of yarn on the reserve member until abutment 64 in turn trips contactor 81 causing the switching off of clutch 65 and directing the electric power upon the

contactors

82 and 83, which upon actuation by

stops

78 and 79 of chain 77 drive the clutches or

couplings

69 and 72. These

clutches

69 and 72 then drive shaft 21 in reverse direction, causing the partial or total release of the yarn stored on the reserve member, and the partial or total stop of the take-up of the intermediary yarn, which produces the formation of a protuberance by the effect yarn.

During this period, plate 62 driven by shaft 21 comes back to its starting point, i.e., the point when the fixed abutment 63 actuates again contactor 81 and the cycle starts again.

According o a second type of embodiment, the

above contactors

81, 82, and 83 are double acting (see FIG. 9), which permits an operating system with a minimum storing or collecting of yarn. The device then operates as follows: The electric current still arrives at 80, the doubleacting contactor 82, in low position between stops, sends the current onto the double acting contactor 83, which drives between stops (low position) the clutch 69' and on stops (high position) the clutch 72.

Since the chain continues to turn, the double acting contactor 82 comes in contact with a stop 79 and reaches the high position. In this position, it switches off the feeding of double acting contactor 83 and sends the current in the storing clutch 65.

During the duration of stop 79, clutch 65 permits the storing or collecting of the yarn, then stops when the stop is passed. At that moment,

clutches

69 and 72 are switched on again under the effect of contactor 83.

The adjusting by the compensating member is effected as follows: During the operation of

clutches

69 and 72 during the course of the releasing of yarn, plate 62 turns in a direction such that abutment 63 comes near contactor 81 and lifts it, while at that moment the current is turned off on

clutches

69 and 72 as well as on clutch 65, if the first track does not have any stops 79 at the level of contactor 82.

The result is that shaft 21 as well as plate 62 are then stopped, but chain 77 continuing its rotation since it is driven by shaft 68 lifts contactor 82 by means of a stop 79 and thus sends the current in clutch 65 which starts operating again; plate 62 starts off again in reverse direction, contactor 81 comes down, which permits the current to pass between contactor 83 and

clutches

69 and 72, which are switched on again. As soon as contactor S2 is again in low position, plate 62 changes its direction of rotation, and the cycle starts again.

The second type of embodiment has the advantage of multiplying the effects without creating large areas without any yarn effect, because the storing and release operations fall on each other constantly, creating alternating areas with and without effects, in controlled lengths and without any long areas of yarn without effects. Moreover, this arrangement with compensation at the minimum storage point facilitates the positioning of the yarn on the reserve member.

According to a variation of the present device, plate 62 is replaced by a screw controlling a threaded sprocket or cam-wheel which slides in a groove and changes its direction of translation according to the direction of rotation of shaft 21 driven by

clutches

65, 69 and 72, said 9 sprocket or cam-wheel also controlling contactor 81 at the end of its path.

It is obvious that these types of embodiments are not limiting, and that it is possible, for example, to operate with compensation at the maximum storage point without departing from the scope of the invention.

On the other hand, it is also possible to increase the effects obtained on the yarn, for example, by giving to contactors 82 and 83 a relative movement with respect to chain 77, which allows the superposition a second periodic movement on the movement created by chain 77, therefore giving a periodic variation in the effects created on the fancy yarn.

Another alternative, which may be utilized with that first discussed, consists of replacing the double track chain 77 by another programming means such as a magnetic tape with two tracks or more. If more than two tracks are used, other clutches such as 69 and 72 are provided, which allows one to obtain still morespecial effects. Therefore, such a device is not limited in the number of special effects obtained.

It can be seen from the above description that the process and apparatus of the present invention possess great versatility. Thus, in accordance with the present invention it is possible to obtain yarns having all of the generally desired fancy effects. These include nubs, flakes, or small loops in a continuous or discontinuous manner, as well as various other desired effects.

Similarly, it should be quite clear from the above detailed description of the process and apparatus of the present invention that the process of the present invention is not dependent upon the use of any particular type of yarn. Thus, the yarns employed in accordance with the present invention may be of any origin, e.g., natural or artificial or synthetic. In addition, such yarns may be formed of continuous filaments or cut fibers and the various yarns employed in the production of a single fancy yarn may be of the same type or of a different nature.

In addition, in the above description of the process and apparatus of the present invention the reserve member has been described primarily in conjunction with a mill employing hollow spindles. However, a particular advantage of the process and apparatus of the present invention is that the reserve member employed can be adapted for use in conjunction with any fancy loom, particularly 2-stage looms, and more generally may be adapted for use on a multi-delivery loom for the purpose of obtaining a desired specific effect.

Thus, for example, this element may be adapted to a texturing loom for the purpose of obtaining a fancy textured/non-textured yarn by feeding the yarn through the thermal treatment oven at variable speeds and therefore texturing different plastic conditions. This can be achieved, for example, by placing it below the texturing spindle and controlling the tension of the yarn above the oven by means of a tension device, the receiving being effected at a constant speed.

Similarly, this element may be used in a pneumatic texturing device for the purpose of causing special effects on the yarn subjected for longer or shorter periods of time to the action of a fluid.

It can be seen, therefore, that the novel process and apparatus of the present invention constitutes a substantial improvement in the art of producing fancy yarns.

We claim:

1. In a process for the production of a fancy yarn wherein, in a first covering element, an effect yarn is wound on at least one core yarn to form an intermediate yarn and, in a second covering element a binding yarn is wound on said intermediate yarn, the improvement which comprises varying the speed of the core yarn through the first covering element to form the intermediate yarn by accumulating a continually varying length of said intermediate yarn on a reserve member located between the first and second covering elements, while simultaneously maintaining a substantially constant intermediate yarn speed through the second covering element and winding the finished fancy yarn at the same substantially constant speed.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the varying of the speed of the core yarn produces a continuous variance in the length of the intermediate yarn.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the variance in the speed of the core yarn produces a periodical variance in the length of the intermediate yarn.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the variance in the speed of the core yarn produces an aperiodic variance in the length of the intermediate yarn.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the speed of winding of the finished fancy yarn is synchronized with the speed of the core yarn.

6. In an apparatus for producing fancy yarns comprising means to supply a core yarn; a first covering element carrying an effect yarn with said core yarn passing through the longitudinal axis of said first element; a second covering element carrying a binding yarn to bind the intermediate yarn formed in said first covering element; and a winding system for the finished fancy yarn from said second covering element; the improvement which comprises, between said first and second covering elements, a reserve member upon which the intermediate yarn may accumulate, and at least one means which allows a continual varying of the length of said intermediate yarn accumulated on said reserve member, said Winding system for the finished fancy yarn being one which operates at a constant take-up speed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reserve member comprises a unit rotating around a fixed axle, integral with an arm provided with a yarn guiding element, said arm being placed between two sets of rollers idly mounted on said rotating unit in a position substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotary unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reserve member comprises a unit rotating around a fixed axle, said unit carrying at least one roller or set of rollers idly mounted.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said roller or set of rollers is associated with a disc equipped with a yarn guiding element, said yarn guiding element being integral with the axis of rotation of said rotary unit and placed substantially perpendicular thereto.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotating unit carries several rollers or sets of rollers separated substantially symmetrically by said disc.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said yarn guiding element comprises a grooved wheel idly mounted in a cavity in said disc, said cavity extending to the periphery of said disc by means of a slot provided in said disc to permit access of the intermediate yarn to said grooved wheel.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said reserve member is associated with a fixed sector enveloping said disc and supporting a fixed or pivoting yarn guide to receive said intermediate yarn.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reserve member is driven by a rotary driving means controlled by an effect-controlled device comprising at least one programming means and at least one adjustment compensating means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said driving means for the rotation of said reserve member comprises clutch means.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said driving means for the rotation of said reserve member comprises coupling means.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the driving means for the rotation of said reserve member comprises a variable speed motor.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said programming means comprises a double track chain.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said programming means comprises a magnetic tape.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said adjustment compensating element comprises a disconnecting switch means controlled by the rotation of said reserve member, said disconnecting switch means permitting the disconnecting of the driving means controlling the rotation of said reserve member.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said adjustment compensating element comprises a plate equipped with at least one fixed abutment, said plate being driven by the driving means controlling the rotation of said reserve member, said fixed abutment acting upon at least one disconnecting switching means permitting the disconnection of the driving means for the rotation of said reserve member.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said adjustment compensating element comprises a screw controlling a threaded cam-wheel which slides into a groove and changes its direction of translation according to the 12 direction of rotation of the driving shaft controlling the rotation of said reserve member, said cam-wheel additionally controlling at least one disconnecting switch means to disconnect the driving means for the rotation of said reserve member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,076,805 10/1913 Young 57-91 2,211,434 8/1940 Perry 5716 2,224,110 12/1940 Walsh 5716 2,302,543 11/1942 Gift, Jr. 5716 3,074,223 1/1963 Servage 5718 3,133,401 5/1964 Servage 5718 3,439,484 4/1969 Nalpas et al 5716 3,445,994 5/1969 Nalpas 5712 JOHN PETRAKES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5717, 18, 160