US3664109A

US3664109A - Method and means for yarn retrieval

Info

Publication number: US3664109A
Application number: US860501A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roberto Escursell-Prat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-09-24
Filing date: 1969-09-24
Publication date: 1972-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-23

Abstract

In the automatic servicing of an end-down condition at a delivery of a textile spinning frame or the like, wherein yarn is sucked from the bobbin and thereafter traveler-threaded and joined with yarn issuing from the frame''s delivery rolls, satisfactory suction-retrieval of the bobbin yarn is facilitated by elevating and relatively slowly rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction, by directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the bobbin yarn, and by beating such surface. Excessive twist-loss within the yarn withdrawn from the bobbin after its free end has been retrieved is minimized by rotating the bobbin relatively rapidly in an unwinding direction during such withdrawal. The bobbin is elevated and rotated without being unseated from its spindle. A beater effectively frees the end of the bobbin yarn without deteriorating the same, and, in one embodiment, frees itself of any entanglement which might inadvertently occur.

Description

United States Patent Escursell-Prat 51 May 23, 1972 METHOD AND MEANS FOR YARN RETRIEVAL [72] Inventor: Roberto Escursell-Prat, Rda. General Mitre, 105 4.,l., Barcelona 6, Spain [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 860,501

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3,309 3/1964 Japan ..57/34 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney-Joseph H. Heard [57] ABSTRACT In the automatic servicing of an end-down condition at a delivery of a textile spinning frame or the like, wherein yarn is sucked from the bobbin and thereafter traveler-threaded and joined with yarn issuing from the frames delivery rolls, satisfactory suction-retrieval of the bobbin yarn is facilitated by elevating and relatively slowly rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction, by directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the bobbin yarn, and by beating such surface. Excessive twist-loss within the yarn withdrawn from the bobbin after its free end has been retrieved is minimized by rotating the bobbin relatively rapidly in an unwinding direction during such withdrawal. The bobbin is elevated and rotated without being unseated from its spindle. A beater efiectively frees the end of the bobbin yarn without deteriorating the same, and, in one embodiment, frees itself of any entanglement which might inadvertently occur.

38 Chins, 7 Drawing figures PATENTEUMM 23 I912 sum 1 m 3 fNVENTOR ROBE/Q T0 ESCURSELL PRAT ,4 rro/elvays METHOD AND MEANS FOR YARN RETRIEVAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term yarn as used herein is intended to encompass all types of textile threads, rovings, slivers, filaments, yarns and the like.

It is known to rejoin, replace, or otherwise piece broken yarns on textile spinning frames and like machines of the ringtraveler type by automatic piecing apparatus. Illustrative of some of the various types of known automatic yam-piecing apparatus, and/or components therefor, are those disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. Re. 26,230, 3,373,551, and 3,403,866, and in Japanese Patent Publications Nos. 12866/64, 4820/66 and U. M. 2809/67. Such apparatus may and frequently does include a patrolling carriage which is automatically stopped adjacent any delivery of a spinning frame at which there exists an enddown condition by reason of yarn breakage. The first phase of the piecing operation may include retrieving the end of yarn previously wound upon the bobbin at the delivery. Altematively, a new bobbin already containing some yarn may be substituted for that upon the spindle at the delivery being serviced. In either event, yarn upon either the original or the substituted bobbin is retrieved therefrom, frequently at least in part by suction-extraction, and is thereafter traveler-threaded and joined in any one of various possible ways with the yarn issuing from the delivery rolls of the spinning frame at the delivery in question.

Attempts have heretofore been made to facilitate suction or retrieval of the bobbin yarn by contemporaneously elevating and rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction, and/or by mechanically or pneumatically disrupting the surface of the bobbin yarn in an effort to free its end for passage into the suction inlet. Elevating of the bobbin as heretofore attempted has involved unseating the bobbin from, and raising it relative to, its supporting spindle. This requires the provision of a relatively complex mechanism, including a bobbin gripper or a chuck of some type, in the piecing apparatus. Apart from their expense and susceptibility to mechanical failure, such mechanisms are unreliable in operation. Contributing at least in part to such unreliability is the fact that the forces required to unseat and then subsequently re-seat a bobbin relative to its supporting spindle vary greatly depending upon a number of factors including the type and condition of the bobbins and bobbin clutches used upon the spinning frame.

Problems have also at times been encountered with known constructions which attempt to avoid the foregoing difficulties by allowing the bobbin-yarn package to remain seated during the application of end-retrieving suction forces to its surface. The suction is customarily applied to the chase-surface of the package immediately above the spinning ring encircling the same, since the free yarn end is most likely to be there located. On occasion, however, the yarn end will during suction application be disposed within or below the spinning ring, due to its either having dropped downwardly following breakage or due to upward displacement of the spinning ring with the frames ring rail under the influence of its pick motion. On such occasions the yarn end may not be retrieved by the mere application of suction, and the piecing operation therefore fails.

The same result also ensues if the yarn end, even if located above the spinning ring, adheres too strongly to the surface of the bobbin-yarn package to be dislodged and retrieved by suction alone. Prior attempts to obviate this problem by mechanically or pneumatically disrupting such surface have not been entirely successful. In some instances the surface disruption has failed to effectively dislodge the yarn end. In other instances it has failed to so direct the dislodged end to the suction inlet that the same can be thereby retrieved, and instead permits the dislodged end to drop downwardly through the ring, causing the problems noted previously herein. Certain of the previously attempted techniques of surface-disruption have also deteriorated the yarn to such an extent that it either breaks during subsequently ensuing operations, resulting in failure of the piecing efiort, or is of deficient quality not satisfactory for its contemplated ultimate use.

Failure of the piecing operation due to twist-loss in or other deterioration of the yarn has also heretofore sometimes occurred while a length of yarn, succeeding the retrieved end and sufficiently long to extend to the frame s delivery rolls, has been unwound from the bobbin and sucked or otherwise conveyed upwardly. Heretofore the bobbin has been rotated relatively slowly in an unwinding direction at the outset of each suction-retrieval operation, to facilitate initial retrieval of the yarn end by the suction device, and then rotated at the same relatively slow speed during that remaining portion of the operation when the length of yarn succeeding such retrieved end is unwound from the bobbin. Completion of the terminal portion of the operation has therefore required an appreciable amount of time, during which time the previously withdrawn yarn is subjected to twist-loss and/or to continued suction forces. Apart fromthe delay occasioned in the overall piecing cycle by the aforesaid time lag, the twist-loss or other deterioration of the yarn may make piecing impossible, particularly in those instances when twist within the bobbin yarn is relied upon to effect final joining of such yarn with that issuing from the frame s delivery rolls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for more rapidly and reliably retrieving the bobbin yarn, without deteriorating the same, even when the yarn end is strongly adhered to the surface of the bobbin-yarn package or is disposed within or beneath the spinning ring encircling such package. The aforesaid benefits are realized without unseating the bobbin from its supporting spindle, and without introducing into the yarn retrieving operation troublesome complexities and deficiencies such as attendant bobbin-elevating and/or surface-disrupting attempts previously made by others.

In accordance with the present invention, the bobbin-yarn package and its supporting spindle are elevated and rotated in unison, without disturbing the seated relationship therebetween, as suction or other yarn-retrieval forces are applied to the surface of the package immediately above the spinning ring encircling it and the spindle. At the outset of the suction-retrieval operation, the package is rotated relatively slowly in an unwinding direction and the full vertical extent of its chase-surface, which by reason of the aforesaid elevation may then be completely exposed above the encircling spinning ring, may be subjected to repeated glancing blows from a resilient-bladed beater disposed adjacent the suction inlet and rotating faster than and in the opposite direction from the bobbin-yarn package. The end of the bobbin yarn is effectively freed from the surface of the package, even if strongly adhered thereto adjacent the lowermost windings of the chasesurface, and is directed to and retrieved by the suction inlet. To guard against the possibility of the yarn end being disposed within or below the spinning ring, which could at times occur notwithstanding the bobbins elevation, an air blast is directed contemporaneously with the foregoing steps upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the package and toward the suction inlet thereabove. The blast upwardly conveys a downwardly dangling end to the suction inlet for retrieval by it in the same manner as an end originally disposed above the ring. After the free end of the yarn has been retrieved, as determined by a detecting or timing device of suitable construction, beating and air-blasting of the surface of the bobbin package are preferably stopped, and the speed of its unwinding rotation is increased. The increased rate of the unwinding rotation of the bobbin package permits a length of yarn, succeeding the retrieved free end thereof and sufficient for subsequently ensuing operations in the piecing cycle, to be withdrawn so rapidly from the package as to greatly minimize if not altogether obviate deterioration of the yarn, and also so as to appreciably reduce the time required for each complete piecing cycle.

Elevation of the spindle, and through it the desired elevation of the yam-bobbin package seated thereon, is achieved in a preferred embodiment of the invention by the same simple and reliable means employed for rotation-control of the spindle and package. Such means preferably comprises a rotatable disc member having a high-friction peripheral surface movable into and out of engagement with any convenient lower portion of the spindle exposed beneath the bobbin seated thereon. The axis of rotation of the disc is skewed relative to the spindle axis in a direction such that upon engagement therebetween the spindle is urged upwardly relative to the spindle rail, and relative to its supporting mount carried by such rail, until restrained by the so-called doffer guard" or other restraining mechanism customarily associated with such a spindle mount. The upward spindle movement permitted by such guards or restraining mechanisms, which may be either of an internal or external hook" type, varies somewhat depending upon construction and adjustment, but usually is in the order of approximately one-eighth of an inch.

Rotation of the bobbin in an unwinding direction and at varying speeds is achieved by varying the rotative speed of the disc member engaging the supporting spindle. While such speed variation can be realized in many different ways, as by use of a mechanical transmission, a variable-speed drive motor within a suitable electrical control circuit is preferably employed. The change in speed of rotation might occur after the lapse of a selected and predetermined time interval by the use of time-delay means in the motor control circuit, as hereinafter disclosed, or alternatively might occur in response to a photoelectrically or otherwise sensed retrieval of the end of the bobbin yarn by the suction means.

The beater mechanism of the invention is so constructed and designed as to intermittently and not continuously engage the surface of the bobbin yarn, and so as to not abrade such yarn, and in an alternative embodiment automatically frees itself of any yarn which might during operation inadvertently become wound or entangled thereabout. In keeping with the means for directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring, the beater is preferably mounted in fixed relationship to the inlet of the suction device for unitary movement therewith toward and away from the bobbin-yarn package at the spinning frame delivery being serviced. A flexible drive shaft connected to the beater mechanism and at its opposite end to suitable drive means within the main carriage of the piecing apparatus contributes significantly to the capability for such movement.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter, in the following description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary environmental perspective view, with some parts broken away, showing several deliveries of a spinning frame serviced by an automatic yarn piecing apparatus embodying principles of the present invention, one of the deliveries having an end-down or broken yarn condition thereat;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the suction-retrieval head, air-blast nozzle and beater means of the piecing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, partially in section and partially broken away, showing the rotatable disc and the FIG. 2 components of the piecing apparatus in operation adjacent the spindle-mounted yarn-bobbin package of the spinning frame delivery of FIG. 1 at which and enddown condition exists;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit including the drive motor for the rotatable disc of the piecing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of the beater of the piecing apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6.

The spinning frame S shown in FIG. 1 is of a conventional type including a spindle rail llll on which are mounted a plurality of rotatable bobbin-supporting spindles 11 to each of which yarn is normally directed from spaced sets of drafting rolls including respective bottom and top front delivery rolls 12 and 13. The yarn issuing at each delivery from front rolls l2 and 13 normally passes downwardly through a guide 14 and balloon control ring 60, and then through a traveler is movable about a spinning ring 16 encircling spindle l1 and the bobbin l8 removably seated upon the spindle. All of the rings 16 are carried by a ring rail 17 which reciprocates and moves axially of the spindles 1 1 to guide the yarn Y along the bobbins 18 as it is wound thereon by rotation of the spindles 11 in a clockwise direction through drive tapes 22.

The builder and pick-motion mechanisms (not shown) of spinning frame S govern the motion of ring rail 17 and therefore the type of wind of the yarn-packages formed upon bobbins 18: for purposes of present illustration, it is assumed that these mechanisms are programmed to produce filling-wind yarn packages, and that rail 17 reciprocates through a constant traverse of, say, approximately 2 inches as it is moved slowly and continuously upwardly from the lower and to the upper end portions of bobbins 18.

The mounts 19 by which spindles 11 are secured to spindle rail 10 may be any conventional construction including a doffer guard or other internal or external restraining mechanism (not shown) permitting limited, and only limited, upward movement of the spindles relative to fixed rail 10 and movable rail 17. The extent of the upward movement permitted by the guards or other mechanisms will vary somewhat depending upon their particular construction, but will usually be in the order of approximately one-eighth of an inch.

The yarn piecing apparatus YP shown in FIG. 1 includes a main carriage 20 mounted in any suitable manner for movement longitudinally and forwardly of spinning frame S to a position of alignment with any delivery thereof requiring servicing by reason of a broken yarn or end-down condition thereat. The carriages supporting, driving, aligning and related control mechanisms do not form part of the present invention per se, and may be of any desired type. The apparatus YP specifically shown for purposes of illustration is of the type wherein yarn previously spun and wound upon a bobbin of spinning frame S is retrieved, traveler threaded and then rejoined to the yarn issuing from the rolls 12, 13 at the delivery in question to efiect piecing. Principles of the invention are also applicable, however, to other types of piecing apparatus, including those which change bobbins during the piecing operation.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates the position assumed by carriage 20 relative to a spindle 11 at a delivery, illustratively the third from the left-most of those shown, where the yarn has broken. The roving end of the broken yarn is shown at B as it is delivered downwardly over bottom roll 12 and into the conventional end-down suction orifice 21 therebeneath. The other end is with that yarn B upon the partially completed bobbin-yarn package carried by the spindle 11 at the subject delivery. The lower portion of carriage 20 mounts means including a rotatable and translatorily movable disc 24 for elevating and for controlling the rotation of the spindle 11 at the delivery being serviced. A sub-carriage 30 is carried by and movable vertically of the upwardly projecting portion of carriage 20 between an upper position adjacent the elevation of delivery rolls 12, 13 of spinning frame S and a lowered position wherein its projecting arm 31 engages the frame s ring rail 17. When in its lowered position, as in FIG. 1, sub-carriage 30 is supported by arm 31 upon ring rail 17 for vertical movement with it. Sub-carriage 30 mounts a bracket 32 for automatically controlled lateral movement during a piecing cycle toward and away from spinning frame S, the bracket being shown in FIG. 1 in its retracted position spaced from the spinning frame. Carried by and movable with bracket 32 to a position adjacent the spindle-mounted bobbin 18 at the delivery being serviced are means for retrieving the yarn B wound thereon, to be subsequently described, and means (not shown) for threading the retrieved yarn through the ringmounted traveler at such delivery. The upper portion of carriage of the piecing apparatus mounts a pivotally movable piecing head 28, or any equivalent mechanism, which completes each piecing cycle by transporting the retrieved and traveler-threaded yarn B to delivery rolls l2, l3 and joining the same with the yarn B issuing therefrom.

The means for and method of retrieving yarn B from bobbin 18 are described in detail hereinafter. The other components of piecing apparatus YP, including the travelerthreading means, piecing head 28 and the specific mechanisms used for moving various elements of the apparatus relative to each other during the piecing cycle, form no part of the present invention as such and may be of any desired construction.

BOBBIN ELEVATING AND ROTATING Referring now to FIG. 3 as well as to FIG. 1, the bobbin 18 at the spinning frame delivery being serviced by apparatus YP is, at the outset of the piecing cycle, elevated and rotated relatively slowly in an unwinding direction, and thereafter is rotated at a faster speed in the same unwinding direction, by means including disc 24. A rotatable shaft 34 extending upwardly from the lower portion of carriage 20 and through an arcuate slot 36 provided therein mounts disc 24 at its upper end for rotary movement about its axis and also for translatory movement, generally along the path defined by slot 36, from an inoperative position spaced from spinning frame S (FIG. 1) to an operative position wherein the high-friction peripheral surface of disc 24 engages any convenient lower portion of spindle l1 exposed beneath the bobbin 18 seated thereon (FIG. 3). Shaft 34 is connected at its lower end to means carried within the lower portion of carriage 20 for imparting the aforesaid translatory and rotary movement to it and disc 24. To reverse the normal winding rotation of spindle l l and bobbin 18 under the impetus of drive tape 22, assumed to be clockwise as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, shaft 34 and disc 24 are also rotated in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3). Referring to FIG. 5, such rotation at the desired two different speeds may be achieved by a variable speed electric motor 38 drivably connected in any suitable manner to shaft 34 and forming part of an electrical circuit connected to a power source (not shown) and further including a main switch 40, a time-delay relay 42 having a normally closed contact 42--l and a normally open contact 42-2, adjustably-

variable potentiometers

44, 46, a capacitor 48, a DIAC 50 and a TRIAC 52, the latter being known types of thyristors or silicon control rectifiers. Closure of switch 40 at the outset of a piecing cycle, at which time shaft 34 is moved toward spinning frame S so as to bring the periphery of disc 24 into engagement with spindle ll, completes circuits through motor 38, relay 42, potentiometer 44, DIAC 50, and TRIAC 52. The adjustment of potentiometer 44 is such that motor 38, and therefore the spindle l1 engaged by the peripheral edge of disc 24, is then driven relatively slowly in a direction producing counterclockwise or unwinding rotation of the spindle (FIG. 3), overcoming the impetus of belt 22 and causing slippage between it and the spindle. After the lapse of a desired brief interval, relay 42 times out, opening its contact 421 and closing contact 42-2. This in turn opens the circuit through potentiometer 44 and closes that including potentiometer 46, which is so adjusted as to cause motor 38, and therefore disc 24 and spindle 11, to rotate more rapidly in the same FIG. 3 directions until switch 40 is again opened. At that time yarn retrieval will have been completed, and relay 42 will restore its contacts to their original conditions illustrated in FIG. 5.

The generally upright axis of rotation of shaft 34 and disc 24 is skewed somewhat relative to the vertical axis of spindle l l, as may be best seen from FIG. 3, such that engagement of spindle 11 by the rotating disc 24 not only reverses the spindles normal winding direction of rotation, but also subjects the spindle to upwardly-directed lifting forces. These forces raise spindle 11 and the bobbin l8 seated thereon relative to spindle rail 10 and ring rail 17 within the limits permitted by the doffer guard or other restraining mechanism (not shown) associated with the mount 19 by which spindle 11 is secured to rail 10. The upward movement permitted will generally be in the approximate order of one-eighth of an inch, depending upon the type and adjustment of the doffer guard of mount 19. Spindle l1 and bobbin 18 remain elevated for so long as rotating disc 24 is maintained in engagement with the spindle, which may be during the entire time that yarn B is retrieved from bobbin l8, and drop downwardly by gravity to their original position upon movement of disc 24 from spindle 11. Since bobbin 18 is at no time unseated from spindle 11, the difficulties attendant properly seating and unseating many types of bobbins are totally avoided.

YARN RETRIEVAL While bobbin 12 is elevated and rotated in an unwinding direction as described previously, yarn B thereon is retrieved by the cooperative effort of suction means including a suction head 54, beater means including rotatable beater 56, and airblast means including a nozzle 58 (see FIGS. 1-4). Suction head 54, beater 56 and nozzle 58 are mounted in fixed relationship to each other upon bracket 32 of sub-carriage 30 for unitary movement with bracket 32 between a retracted position spaced from the spinning frame S (FIG. 1) and an advanced position adjacent bobbin 18 and ring rail 17 (FIGS. 3 and 4), during that time when sub-carriage 30 is supported by ring rail 17. To permit the aforesaid movement to freely transpire, flexible self-retracting hoses 62, 64 respectively connect suction head 54 and nozzle 58 to selectively energizable airsuction and air-blast means disposed within carriage 20 of the piecing apparatus, and a flexible drive shaft 66 similarly connects beater 56 to selectively actuable drive means within the carriage.

Suction head 54 includes an inlet 54 adapted during operation to be disposed closely adjacent that surface of the yarn B upon bobbin 18 immediately above the spinning ring 16 encircling such bobbin. At least in the case when the bobbin-yarn package being formed upon spinning frame S is of the fillingwind type, inlet 54 preferably has, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a slope and a height generally corresponding to the slope and height of the inclined chase-surface of the package. It will be appreciated that while ring rail 17 is shown in FIG. 3 at about the lowest position of its downward traverse, that condition is not a static one since rail 17 moves vertically all the while spinning frame S is in operation.

Beater 56 is mounted closely adjacent inlet 54' of suction head 54 and includes a center shaft 68 mounted at its upper end by a bearing 70 for rotation about an axis extending in spaced and generally parallel relationship to the axis of spindle-mounted bobbin l8. Rotative movement is imparted to shaft 68 through flexible drive shaft 66 in a direction opposite to and at a speed considerably greater than that of the unwinding rotation of bobbin 18 As shown in FIGS. 24, a pair of flat and generally rectangularly-shaped

blade members

72, 74 are carried by and extend equal distances generally radially outwardly from center shaft 68, on opposite sides thereof, for engagement during rotation of the shaft with the surface of the yarn upon bobbin 18.

Blades

72, 74 are formed of resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, such that the blades deform upon engagement with the yarn surface and sweep across the same without abrading or otherwise injuring the yarn, as they deliver repeated glancing blows to it. The terminal edge of each

blade

72, 74 is bevelled, as best shown in FIG. 3, in the direction of movement of the blade across the yarn surface, so as to increase the contact area between the blades the the yarn surface and also so as to further minimize the possibility of injury to the yarn. The height of

blades

72, 74 is preferably at least equal to that of the chase-surface of the yarn upon bobbin 18, so that the entire vertical extent of such surface will be engaged by the blades even when ring rail 17 is in the lowermost part of its traverse.

In the alternative beater construction of FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein the same reference numerals with the addition of prime designations have been utilized to designate similar components, only a single resilient blade member 72, corresponding to the blade 72 of the first embodiment, is provided. Extending generally radially outwardly from the opposite side of center shaft 68 is a more narrow metallic blade 76 terminating in a cutting edge 78. During operation of the beater, blade 72' engages the surface of the yarn upon bobbin 18 in the same manner as blade 72 of the first embodiment. Due to its lesser radial extent, rigid blade 76 does not engage the yarn surface at all. However, if the yarn B dislodged from that upon bobbin 18 should inadvertently become wound or otherwise entangled the beater, during its operation, edge 78 of blade 76 would sever the same and thus automatically free the beater of the entanglement.

Referring now once again to FIGS. 2-4, outlet 58 of airblast nozzle 58 is during operation disposed beneath inlet 54' of suction head 54 and ring rail 17, in closely adjacent relationship to the surface of the yarn B upon bobbin 18. Nozzle outlet 58' faces upwardly so as to direct its air-blast along the surface of the yarn B through ring 16 and toward suction head inlet 54. The vertical spacing between nozzle outlet 58 and suction inlet 54' is, of course, sufficient to permit free lateral movement of the components to and away from their operative position adjacent bobbin 18.

OPERATION The operational steps of the method and apparatus will now be described.

In FIG. 1, carriage of piecing apparatus YP has stopped in alignment with the delivery of spinning frame S at which an end-down condition has occurred and been detected. Roving yarn B, still issuing at such delivery from front delivery rolls 12, 13 passes into the spinning frame suction orifice 21 at such delivery. Tape 22 continues to drive spindle l1 and thus bobbin 18 in a winding direction, and ring rail 17 continues its vertical movement. Sub-carriage 30 has been lowered to where its support arm 31 rests upon ring rail 17, such that the subcarriage and all components carried by it are supported by rail 17 for vertical movement in unison therewith. Disc 24 and the various components carried by bracket 32 of sub-carriage 30 are all in their static or inoperative conditions and positions, spaced from spindle l1 and bobbin 18.

Disc 24 and bracket 32 are now moved toward spinning frame S so as to place the disc and the various components carried by bracket 32 in their operative positions adjacent spindle 11 and bobbin 18 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Substantially contemporaneously with such movement, rotation of disc 24 and of beater 18, and air-flow through hoses 62, 64, is commenced. Engagement of the rotating disc 24 with spindle l1 reverses the latters normal winding rotation and causes spindle 11 and bobbin 18 to rotate in unison in an unwinding direction, relatively slowly at this time due to the then relatively slow speed of disc 24 and its drive motor 38. Due to the skewed relationship existing between their axes of rotation, engagement of spindle l l by the rotating disc 24 also elevates the spindle and the bobbin l8 seated thereon relative to

rails

10, 17, within the limit imposed by the doffer guard or other restraining mechanism associated with spindle mount 19. Windin gs of yarn B which otherwise would be shielded within ring 16 are therefore raised above the ring. If, by reason of the bobbins elevation or otherwise, the end of yarn B is disposed above ring 16, the same will be subjected to the beating and sucking action of beater 56 and suction inlet 54, irrespective of the ends precise circumferential and longitudinal location upon the bobbin-yarn package and irrespective of the precise position then occupied by ring rail 17 in its traversing movement, since bobbin 18 is rotating in an unwinding direction and since substantially the entire height of the chase-surface of the package is spanned by suction inlet 54' and

beater blades

72, 74.

Blades

72, 74, which are rotated by shafts 66,

68 considerably faster than and in a direction opposite to the rotation of bobbin 18, strike the surface of yarn B repeated glancing blows directed toward the closely adjacent suction inlet 54'. If the end of yarn B adheres too strongly to the bobbin-yarn package to be dislodged by suction alone, such blows effectively free the end and direct it to suction inlet 54 for retrieval thereby. Abrasion of or other damage to the yarn does not occur due to the resilient construction of the beater blades and the intermittent, rather than continuous. nature of their engagement with the surface of the bobbin-yarn package.

If the alternative beater construction of FIGS. 6 and 7 is utilized, the same results and benefits ensue, and the beater in addition automatically frees itself of any yarn which might inadvertently become wound or entangled thereabout.

Notwithstanding the elevation of bobbin 18, the end of yarn B may in some instances be disposed below ring 16. This would be the case if, for example, at the moment of yarn breakage the end dropped appreciably downwardly from the chase-surface of the bobbin-yarn package. Irrespective of its location circumferentially of the package, such a downwardly dangling end is subjected during the bobbins unwinding rotation to the air-blast directed from nozzle outlet 58' upwardly through ring 16 and toward suction inlet 54'. The air-blast conveys the downwardly dangling end upwardly for retrieval by suction inlet 54 in the same manner as an end originally disposed above ring 16. The blast also assists in the suctionretrieval of an end of the latter type, discouraging its possibly dropping downwardly through ring 16 following dislodgement by beater 56.

Upon expiration of the brief time interval necessary for retrieval as aforesaid of the end of the yarn B within suction inlet 54, timing-out of relay 42 causes disc 24 and therefore bobbin 18 to be rotated considerably more rapidly. By suitable connections with control mechanisms within carriage 20, timing-out of relay 42 may also be used to then stop rotation of beater means 56 and the air-flow through nozzle 58. The suction air-flow continued through head 54 quickly withdraws from the now rapidly rotating (still in an unwinding direction) bobbin 18 a length of yarn B succeeding the retrieved end and sufiicient, both as to length and as to twist-condition, for subsequent operations in the piecing cycle. The rapidity with which the length of yarn B is so withdrawn from bobbin 18 minimizes the possibility of its deterioration due to twist-loss and/or suction forces, and also increases the efficiency of the piecing apparatus by reducing the time required for completion of each piecing cycle.

Once the full desired length of yarn B is retrieved, rotation of disc 24 is stopped, as by opening of switch 40, and suctionflow through head 54 also preferably ceases. This may occur, in keeping with the initial change in speed of rotation of disc 24, in response to expiration of a predetermined time interval. Alternatively, both the initial retrieval of the yarn end and/or the complete retrieval of a succeeding length of the yarn might be photoelectrically or otherwise detected, and such detection employed to control the operation of disc 24 and heater 56, and the air flows through head 54 and noule 58.

After the retrieval of yarn B, the same is traveler-threaded and then joined in various possible ways to the roving yarn B still issuing from delivery rolls 12, 13 of spinning frame 8. During these operations, which form no part of the present invention as such, suction head 54, beater 56 and nozzle 58 are moved away from bobbin 18. At the completion of the piecing cycle, disc 24 is similarly retracted to a position out of engagement with spindle 11, allowing the same to drop downwardly by gravity and to resume normal winding rotation under the impetus of tape 22. The yarn passes automatically into guide 14 and balloon-control ring 16, if the same are of the selfthreading type shown.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that this was for purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin seated upon a rail-mounted spindle and encircled by a spinning ring of the spinning frame, comprising the steps of:

elevating the spindle and the bobbin, while maintaining seated relationship therebetween, relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring; and

applying yarn-retrieving forces to the surface of the yarn wound upon the elevated bobbin above the spinning ring.

2. A method as in claim 1, including directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin while applying said forces. 3. A method as in claim 1, including rotating the elevated spindle and bobbin in an unwinding direction initially at a first speed and thereafter at a second speed faster than said first speed, while applying said forces.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the steps of elevating and rotating the spindle include engaging the same with the periphery of a rotatable disc having its axis of rotation in skewed relationship to the axis of the spindle.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein the forces applied to the surface of the yarn are suction forces and further including beating the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said surface during said unwinding rotation of the spindle and bobbin, while applying said suction.

6. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or like machine having a plurality of bobbins rotating in a winding direction, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin requiring end-down servicing, comprising the steps of: halting the winding rotation of the bobbin; rotating the bobbin at a first speed in an unwinding direction; while applying yarn retrieving forces to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin, to retrieve the end of said yarn; and rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction at a second speed greater than said first speed, while continuing the application of said forces, to rapidly unwind from the bobbin a length of yarn succeeding said retrieved end thereof.

7. A method as in claim 6, including directing an air blast against the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin during, and generally toward the location of, said force application to assist in said retrieval of the yarn end.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the bobbin is seated upon a spindle of the spinning frame, and wherein the bobbin is rotated in an unwinding direction by rotating the spindle seating the bobbin in said direction.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the spindle and bobbin are encircled by a spinning ring of the spinning frame and said forces are applied to the surface of the yarn immediately above the spinning ring to retrieve the yarn end, and further including the step of elevating the spindle and the bobbin relative to the spinning ring during said force application to assist in said retrieval of the yarn end.

10. A method as in claim 6, where said forces applied to the surface of the yarn are suction forces, and further including beating the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin during, and adjacent the location of, said suction application to assist in said retrieval of the yarn end.

11. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring of the spinning frame, comprising the steps of:

applying suction to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring; while discharging, at a location beneath said spinning ring, a concentrated air blast directed upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin and beating the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring while applying said suction.

12. A method as in claim 11, including elevating the bobbin relative to the spinning ring during said suction application.

13. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin of the spinning frame, comprising the steps of:

applying suction to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin; striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin during, and adjacent the location of said suction application, repeated blows by a resilient-bladed rotary beater; and

severing during operation of the beater any yarn becoming wound thereabout.

14. A method as in claim 13, including rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction during said suction application initially at a first speed and thereafter at a second speed faster than said first speed.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein the bobbin is seated upon a spindle and is encircled by a spinning ring of the spinning frame, and wherein the bobbin is rotated in an unwinding direction by rotating the spindle in said direction, and further including the step of elevating the spindle and the bobbin relative to the spinning ring during said suction application.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein said suction is applied to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, and further including the step of directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin while applying said suction.

17. A method as in claim 13, including the step of directing an air blast against and generally longitudinally of the yarn wound upon the bobbin during, and in the direction of, said suction application.

18. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus adapted to service a textile spinning frame or the like, said apparatus including a carriage movable along said frame and having means for withdrawing from a bobbin on said spinning frame yarn wound thereon, the improvement comprising:

means carried by and movable with said carriage for rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction at a relatively slow speed during initial operation of said withdrawing means, to facilitate the retrieval thereby of the end of the yarn wound upon the bobbin, and for rotating the bobbin at a relatively fast speed during succeeding operation of said withdrawing means, to thereby rapidly unwind from the bobbin a length of yarn succeeding the retrieved end thereof.

19. Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said bobbin-rotating means includes a drive motor, and a motor control circuit having time-delay means therein, said motor when actuated by said circuit initially operating at a relatively slow speed and in response to said time-delay means thereafter operating at a relatively fast speed.

20. Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the spinning frame includes an upright spindle seating the bobbin upon its upper portion, and said bobbinrotating means includes a disc member engageable with a lower portion of the spindle and rotatable in a direction opposite to the normal direction of rotation thereof for rotating the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon in an unwinding direction.

21. Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said disc member is rotatable about an axis skewed relative to the axis of the spindle in a direction effective, upon rotation of said disc member while in engagement with the spindle, to elevate the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon.

22. Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the spinning frame includes a spinning ring encircling the bobbin, said withdrawing means includes a suction head operable adjacent the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, and further including means for directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin and toward said suction head.

23. Apparatus as in claim 18, and further including rotatable beater means adjacent said withdrawing means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said withdrawing means.

24. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus for servicing a textile spinning frame or the like having a yarn supporting bobbin, said apparatus including a carriage, bracket means carried by said carriage for movement relative thereto toward and away from the bobbin of the spinning frame, suction means including an inlet carried by said bracket and movable therewith for positioning during operation adjacent the bobbin and for withdrawing therefrom yarn previously wound upon the bobbin, and means for rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction during operation of said suction means, the improvement comprising:

beater means mounted by said bracket means in fixed adjacent relationship to said suction inlet for unitary movement therewith toward the bobbin and for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said suction inlet, said heater means including a center shaft rotatable during operation about an axis spaced from and extending generally parallel to the axis of the bobbin, and at least one blade carried by and extending generally radially outwardly from said center shaft, said blade being formed of resilient material deformable upon engagement with the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin; and

drive means including a flexible drive shaft connected to said center shaft for during operation of said beater means rotating said center shaft about said axis thereof in a direction opposite to and at a speed greater than the unwinding rotation of the bobbin.

25. Apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said blade has a terminal outer edge extending generally parallel to the axes of the bobbin and said center shaft, said edge being bevelled along the length thereof in the direction of movement of said blade across the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin.

26. Apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said beater means further includes a second blade formed of resilient material and extending generally radially outwardly from said center shaft on the opposite side thereof from said first-mentioned blade.

27. Apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said blades each have a height substantially corresponding to the height ofthe chasesurface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin.

28. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus for servicing a textile spinning frame or the like and having suction means including an inlet positionable during operation adjacent a bobbin of the spinning frame for withdrawing therefrom yarn previously wound upon the bobbin, the improvement comprising:

beater means mounted adjacent said suction means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said suction inlet, said beater means including a center shaft rotatable during operation about an axis spaced from and extending generally parallel to the axis of the bobbin, at least one blade carried by and extending generally radially outwardly from said center shaft, said blade being formed of resilient material deformable upon engagement with the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin, and means for severing yarn becoming wound about said beater means during operation thereof; and drive means including a flexible drive shaft connected to said center shaft for during operation of said beater means rotating said center shaft about said axis thereof.

29. Apparatus as in claim 28, wherein said severing means includes a rigid blade extending generally radially from said center shaft on the opposite side thereof and a lesser distance outwardly than said resilient blade, said rigid blade having a sharpened outer edge spaced from the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin.

30. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or like machine having a spindle-mounted bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus including means for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, said withdrawing means being disposed during operation adjacent the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, the improvement comprising:

means for discharging, during the operation of and at a location beneath said withdrawing means, an air blast directed upwardly through the spinning ring and along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin toward said withdrawing means.

31. Apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said withdrawing means includes a suction head having an inlet and said air blast means includes an outlet, said suction inlet and air blast outlet being respectively positioned during operation above and below the spinning ring, and being unitarily movable to and from said operating positions.

32. Apparatus as in claim 30, including means for elevating the bobbin relative to the spinning ring during operation of said withdrawing means.

33. Apparatus as in claim 30, including rotatable beater means adjacent said withdrawing means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said withdrawing means.

34. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or the like having a rail-mounted spindle seating a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus including means for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, said withdrawing means being positioned during operation adjacent the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, the improvement comprising:

means engageable with the spindle for elevating the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon, during operation of said withdrawing means, relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring.

35. Apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevating means includes a member engageable with a portion of the spindle exposed beneath the bobbin seated thereon.

36, Apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevating means includes a disc member engageable with the spindle and rotatable during such engagement about an axis skewed relative to the axis of the spindle in a direction exerting an upward force on the spindle engaged thereby.

37. Apparatus as in claim 36, wherein said rotation of said disc member rotates the spindle and the bobbin in an unwinding direction, and further including means operatively connected to said disc member for rotating the same at a relative slow speed during initial operation of said withdrawing means and for thereafter rotating said disc member at a relatively fast speed.

38. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or like machine having a rail-mounted spindle seating a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus having suction means including a suction head inlet positioned during operation adjacent the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin above the spinning ring for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, and said apparatus having a disc member engageable with the spindle for rotating the spindle and the bobbin in an unwinding direction during operation of said suction means, the improvement comprising:

means mounting said disc member for rotation about an axis skewed relative to the axis of the spindle in a direction such that engagement of the spindle by said rotating disc member upwardly displaces the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring, thereby exposing additional windings of the yarn wound upon the bobbin to said suction means above the spinning ring;

air-blast means including a nozzle outlet positioned below the spinning ring for directing an air blast upwardly along the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin through the spinning ring and toward said suction head inlet positioned thereabove, to thereby raise a downwardly dangling end of the yarn to said suction inlet for retrieval thereby;

rotary beater means mounted adjacent said inlet of said suction means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows said suction means of the end of the yarn upon the bobbin, and for thereafter rotating said disc member and therefore the spindle and the bobbin at a relatively fast speed, to assist the rapid withdrawal by said suction means of a length of the bobbin yarn succeeding the retrieved end thereof.

Claims

1. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin seated upon a rail-mounted spindle and encircled by a spiNning ring of the spinning frame, comprising the steps of: elevating the spindle and the bobbin, while maintaining seated relationship therebetween, relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring; and applying yarn-retrieving forces to the surface of the yarn wound upon the elevated bobbin above the spinning ring.

2. A method as in claim 1, including directing an air blast upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin while applying said forces.

3. A method as in claim 1, including rotating the elevated spindle and bobbin in an unwinding direction initially at a first speed and thereafter at a second speed faster than said first speed, while applying said forces.

11. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring of the spinning frame, comprising the steps of: applying suction to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring; while discharging, at a location beneath said spinning ring, a concentrated air blast directed upwardly through the spinning ring along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin and beating the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring while applying said suction.

13. In the automatic servicing of a textile spinning frame or the like, a method of retrieving yarn wound upon a bobbin of the spinning frame, Comprising the steps of: applying suction to the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin; striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin during, and adjacent the location of said suction application, repeated blows by a resilient-bladed rotary beater; and severing during operation of the beater any yarn becoming wound thereabout.

18. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus adapted to service a textile spinning frame or the like, said apparatus including a carriage movable along said frame and having means for withdrawing from a bobbin on said spinning frame yarn wound thereon, the improvement comprising: means carried by and movable with said carriage for rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction at a relatively slow speed during initial operation of said withdrawing means, to facilitate the retrieval thereby of the end of the yarn wound upon the bobbin, and for rotating the bobbin at a relatively fast speed during succeeding operation of said withdrawing means, to thereby rapidly unwind from the bobbin a length of yarn succeeding the retrieved end thereof.

20. Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the spinning frame includes an upright spindle seating the bobbin upon its upper portion, and said bobbin-rotating means includes a disc member engageable with a lower portion of the spindle and rotatable in a direction opposite to the normal direction of rotation thereof for rotating the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon in an unwinding direction.

24. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus for servicing a textile spinning frame or the like having a yarn supporting bobbin, said apparatus includIng a carriage, bracket means carried by said carriage for movement relative thereto toward and away from the bobbin of the spinning frame, suction means including an inlet carried by said bracket and movable therewith for positioning during operation adjacent the bobbin and for withdrawing therefrom yarn previously wound upon the bobbin, and means for rotating the bobbin in an unwinding direction during operation of said suction means, the improvement comprising: beater means mounted by said bracket means in fixed adjacent relationship to said suction inlet for unitary movement therewith toward the bobbin and for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said suction inlet, said beater means including a center shaft rotatable during operation about an axis spaced from and extending generally parallel to the axis of the bobbin, and at least one blade carried by and extending generally radially outwardly from said center shaft, said blade being formed of resilient material deformable upon engagement with the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin; and drive means including a flexible drive shaft connected to said center shaft for during operation of said beater means rotating said center shaft about said axis thereof in a direction opposite to and at a speed greater than the unwinding rotation of the bobbin.

27. Apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said blades each have a height substantially corresponding to the height of the chase-surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin.

28. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus for servicing a textile spinning frame or the like and having suction means including an inlet positionable during operation adjacent a bobbin of the spinning frame for withdrawing therefrom yarn previously wound upon the bobbin, the improvement comprising: beater means mounted adjacent said suction means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said suction inlet, said beater means including a center shaft rotatable during operation about an axis spaced from and extending generally parallel to the axis of the bobbin, at least one blade carried by and extending generally radially outwardly from said center shaft, said blade being formed of resilient material deformable upon engagement with the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin, and means for severing yarn becoming wound about said beater means during operation thereof; and drive means including a flexible drive shaft connected to said center shaft for during operation of said beater means rotating said center shaft about said axis thereof.

30. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or like machine having a spindle-mounted bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus including means for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, said withdrawing means being disposed during operation adjacent the yarn wound upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, the improvement comprising: means for discharging, during tHe operation of and at a location beneath said withdrawing means, an air blast directed upwardly through the spinning ring and along the surface of the yarn wound upon the bobbin toward said withdrawing means.

34. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or the like having a rail-mounted spindle seating a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus including means for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, said withdrawing means being positioned during operation adjacent the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin above the spinning ring, the improvement comprising: means engageable with the spindle for elevating the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon, during operation of said withdrawing means, relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring.

36. Apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevating means includes a disc member engageable with the spindle and rotatable during such engagement about an axis skewed relative to the axis of the spindle in a direction exerting an upward force on the spindle engaged thereby.

38. In an automatic yarn piecing apparatus servicing a textile spinning frame or like machine having a rail-mounted spindle seating a bobbin encircled by a spinning ring, said apparatus having suction means including a suction head inlet positioned during operation adjacent the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin above the spinning ring for withdrawing from the bobbin yarn wound thereon, and said apparatus having a disc member engageable with the spindle for rotating the spindle and the bobbin in an unwinding direction during operation of said suction means, the improvement comprising: means mounting said disc member for rotation about an axis skewed relative to the axis of the spindle in a direction such that engagement of the spindle by said rotating disc member upwardly displaces the spindle and the bobbin seated thereon relative to the spindle rail and the spinning ring, thereby exposing additional windings of the yarn wound upon the bobbin to said suction means above the spinning ring; air-blast means including a nozzle outlet positioned below the spinning ring for directing an air blast upwardly along the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin through the spinning ring and toward said suction head inlet positioned thereabove, to thereby raise a downwardly dangling end of the yarn to said suction inlet for retrieval thereby; rotary beater means mounted adjacent said inlet of said suction means for during operation thereof striking the surface of the yarn upon the bobbin repeated glancing blows directed toward said suction inlet, to free from the surface of the yarn an end thereof adhered to such surface; and means connected to said disc member for rotating the same initially at a relatively slow speed, to initially rotate the spindle engaged thereby and the bobbin seated upon the spindle at a relatively slow speed to assist the retrieval by said suction means of the end of the yarn upon the bobbin, and for thereafter rotating said disc member and therefore the spindle and the bobbin at a relatively fast speed, to assist the rapid withdrawal by said suction means of a length of the bobbin yarn succeeding the retrieved end thereof.