US3667092A

US3667092A - Yarn package winder

Info

Publication number: US3667092A
Application number: US48039A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Engels
Original assignee: Milliken Research Corp
Current assignee: Deering Milliken Research Corp; Milliken Research Corp
Priority date: 1970-06-22
Filing date: 1970-06-22
Publication date: 1972-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-06
Also published as: CA929916A

Abstract

Yarn winding apparatus including a yarn supply, rotatable yarn delivery means, means for conveying yarn from the supply to the delivery means, rotatable yarn collecting means including a supporting base and a central core, the yarn delivery means including a reference surface against which the core bears at the beginning of the winding cycle.

Description

United States Patent Engels [451 June 6, 1972 [54] YARN PACKAGE WINDER [72] Inventor: Walter Engels, Tryon, NC.

[73] Assignee: Deering Milliken Research Corporation,

Spartanburg, SC.

[22] Filed: June 22, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 48,039

[52] US. Cl. ..28/2l, l9/l59 A, 242/83 [51 Int. Cl. ..B65h 54/00, B65h 54/76 [58] FieldofSearch ..28/2l; 19/159R, 159A;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,316,609 5/1967 Russo ..-......28/21 3,234,627 2/1966 Russo et a1 ..28/21 3,478,399 11/1969 Wyatt et a1. ..28/2l 2,957,646 10/1960 Crum ..242/83 X 2,976,581 3/1961 Van Deusen 19/159 3,369,280 2/ 1968 Shattuck et a1. ..28/21 2,842,805 7/1958 Kaiser 19/159 R 3,561,694 2/1971 Schue'tz ..242/83 Primary Examiner-Robert R. Mackey AttorneyNorman C. Armitage and H. William Petry [57] ABSTRACT Yarn winding apparatus including a yarn supply, rotatable yam delivery means, means for conveying yarn from the supply to the delivery means, rotatable yarn collecting means including a supporting base and a central core, the yarn delivery means including a reference surface against which the core bears at the beginning of the winding cycle.

11 Claim,5DrawingFigures PATENTEDJUH 61912 SHEET 10F 4' la-1e S a m m E m fl/M VR 0 W K T L T A v A. w

PATENTEDJUH 6 1912 3,667, 092 j INVENTOR.

WALTER ENGELS ATTORNEY 63 I wa 44M P A TENTEHJUR 6 I972 SHEET 30F 4-.

' INVENTOR.

WALTER EN GELS ATTORNEY YARN PACKAGE WINDER This invention relates to novel apparatus for the winding of yarn into package form and more particularly relates to apparatus for winding yarn in a pattern which will permit the yarn to contract without damage to the yarn.

It has been proposed to bulk yarn in package form instead of by the conventional method which involves skein treatment. To achieve a high degree of bulking a yarn package generally will possess certain characteristics. For example, the yarn pattern should permit the yarn to contract without tightening on itself. Also, the density of the package will be low to allow space for yarn movement during the bulking step. In addition, the pattern should permit easy and efficient winding of the package and backwinding after bulking at acceptable production rates. I

One winding-'pattem producing packages which can be bulked successfully involves the looping of the yarn around a central core to provide a series of ascending loops with a portion of each loop adjacent the core and another portion of each loop adjacent the periphery of the package. In general, this is accomplished by locating a yam delivery means-offset from the axis of the core and rotating the delivery means at a much greater rpm than that of the yarn collecting means.

The apparatus of the invention provides a simple and efiicient means for winding yarn packages which can be bulked with a high degree of uniformity along the length of the yarn. In addition, the apparatus of the invention pemiits the combination of a number of winding positions into a single structure. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention provides for simplified donning'of spindles and doffing of packages. Also,

the apparatus of the invention requires a minimum of operator supervision.

Other advantages of the apparatus of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of one form of winding apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the drive mechanism of the apparatus of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, winding apparatus of the invention includes a yarn supply package 12, guides 13 and 14 and

feed rolls

15 and 16. Roll 16 is driven by motor 30 (FIG. 5) and roll 15 is movable toward and away from roll 16 by air cylinder 21. Adjacent the rolls is, guide 17 and aspirator 18. An air passage 19 in aspirator 18 joins shaft 20 (FIG. 2). At the lower end of shaft 20 is a whorl tube 22. Whorl shaft 20 is mounted .for rotation in support 24 with

bearings

25 and 26. The whorl tube and shaft are rotated by a belt 27 driving a pulley 23 which is affixed to the upper portion of the shaft adjacent the aspirator. Belt 27 is driven by a motor 32 and transmission 33 (FIG. 5 I

Shaft 20 extends from the whorl tube 22 and to this extension is affixed a plate 28. The delivery portion of whorl tube 22 is positioned to extend through a portion of plate 28 adjacent the periphery thereof. Independently joumalled below plate 28 is a reference base 29 with bearing 31 disposed therebetween. 5

A yarn package turntable 34 is located in a position spaced from the whorl assembly with the axis of the turntable offset with respect to the axis of the whorl assembly. The turntable is carried by a slotted hub 35 with the turntable in engagement with the slots thereof and movable longitudinally along the hub. To the lower portion of hub 35 is affixed a drive shaft 36 driven by a sprocket 37 which engages a chain 38. Chain 38 is driven through a suitable chain and sprocket arrangement 40 by motor 44 (FIG. 5). 1

Movement of turntable 34 along hub 35 is effected through a bracket 39 having a crescent shaped extension 41 which bears against the turntable. Bracket 39 is affixed to a double acting cylinder 42 whichis movable along piston rod 43. The movement of cylinder 42 is controlled with a chain 45 which is connected to each end of the cylinder housing and around

sprockets

46 and 47 respectively disposed above and below the cylinder. Sprocket 46 which is connected to drive shaft 50 drives chain 45. A portion of the chain 45 also engages a sprocket 48 of a caliper brake 49. Adjacent the cylinder housing 42 are also positioned switches 51 and 52 which limit the travel of cylinder 42 along rod 43.

Turntable 34 is mounted near one end of a rotatable arm 54. The arm which is pivotable on a shaft 55 has adjacent its opposite end a second turntable assembly with a similar arrangement of sleeve, shaft and drive sprockets. This construction provides for the positioning of one turntable under the whorl tube for the formation of a yarn package and the subsequent pivoting of the turntable to a position remote from the whorl after the package is completed with the location of the second turntable under the whorl for the formation of another yam package. Pivoting of the turntables is effected by a double acting pneumatic cylinder 56 through a chain 57 con nected to the piston rod 58 of thecylinder. Chain 57 engages a sprocket 59 affixed to shaft 55. In a multi-position winder as shown in FIG. 3 dual turntable assemblies would be located adjacent to each other and the chain 57 would pass around an idler sprocket 61 on an adjacent turntable assembly.

As shown in FIG. 3, the'center line of the spindle assembly is offset from the center line of the whorl assembly. To accommodate different size packages, the center line of the spindle assembly may be displaced by the movement of rail 62 slidably supported on frame member 63. Movement of rail 62 is controlled by a rocker arm linkage 64 through a rotatable knob 65.

The

motors

30, 32 and 44 are connected to a common power source 67 which generates power of varying frequency. Power source 67 is driven by a motor 68 through an infinitely variable mechanical drive 69. This drive mechanism permits the speeds of the feed roll 16, whorl tube 22 and turntable 34 to be increased or decreased proportional amounts simultaneously by a single adjustment of drive 69.

In the operation of the apparatus shown-in the drawings a package base 71 having a spring core 72 is positioned on turntable 34. Yam 11 from package 12 is fed over guides 13 and 14 and between rolls I5 and 16. Since roll 16 is driven, the yarn is advanced past guide 17 into aspirator 18. The yarn is forced through shaft 20 by air moving through passage I9 and shaft 20. The yarn moving through shaft 20 is delivered from whorl tube 22. Whorl tube 22 is rotated by a .belt 27 in contact with pulley 23.

The yarn from whorl 22 is looped around sprin g core 72 in a series of ascending loops with a portion of each loop adjacent the core and another portion of each loop adjacent the periphery of the package base. Prior to the beginning of the winding cycle, turntable 34 is raised to a position close to the whorl 22 with the spring core in contact with and compressed against base 29. This contact causes base 29 which was rotating with plate 28 to stop.

With the accumulation of yarn on the package, turntable 34 is moved away from the whorl tube to maintain a substantially constant distance between the end of the whorl tube and the plane in which the yarn loops are being deposited. This facilitates the maintenance of the identical yarn loop pattern throughout the package. The turntable 34 is permitted to be lowered by the movement of cylinder 42 on rod 43. The speed at which cylinder 42 is lowered is controlled by sprocket 46 which is rotated on shaft 50 at a constant speed adjustable in steps for predetermined lowering rates depending upon the size of the yarn. Since bracket 39 afiixed to cylinder 42 supports turntable 34 through crescent extension 41, the lowering of the cylinder causes the turntable to be lowered at corresponding speed. -When the package is completed, cylinder 42 will contact limit switch 52 which through suitable controls (not shown) will stop the delivery of yarn from the whorl tube by moving roll 15 away from roll 16 through actuation of cylinder 21.

To begin the formation of a new package, another package base 71 is positioned on turntable 34 and cylinder 56 actuated by suitable controls (not shown) to advance chain 57 and thereby rotate arm 54 so that turntable 34 moves from below whorl tube 22 and turntable 34' rotates into winding position under the whorl tube. The completed package is then doffed from the turntable 34 and a new package base positioned on the turntable for subsequent winding.

if a break should occur in the yarn being delivered through whorl tube 22, caliper brake 49 is actuated by suitable controls (not shown). This causes chain 45 to be stopped thereby stopping cylinder 42 and fixing the position of the turntable 34 until the yarn delivery is resumed.

The above description and drawings show that the apparatus of the present invention provides a simple and efficient means for winding yarn packages in a pattern which permits the packages to be bulked with a high degree of uniformity along the length of yarn. Furthermore, the design of the winding apparatus facilitates the combination of a number of winding positions into a single integrated structure. In addition, the design simplifies the donning and dofiing of packages.

It will be apparent that variousmodifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein within the scope of the invention. For example, the means for feeding the yarn to the whorl and the arrangement for raising and lowering the turntable may be of a different construction. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

l. Yarn winding apparatus including a yarn supply, rotatable yarn delivery means, means for conveying yarn from said supply to said delivery means, rotatable yarn collecting means including a supporting base and a compressible central core, means for advancing said yarn collecting means toward said yarn delivery means to a predetermined spacing therefrom prior to the delivery of yarn to said yarn collecting means, and means for moving said yarn collecting means away from said yarn delivery means as yarn is collected on said yarn collecting means at a rate sufiicient to maintain the spacing between the yarn on the base and said delivery means, said yarn delivery means including a plate member mounted above said core having a reference surface against which the top of said core bears at the beginning of the winding cycle to compress said core and to allow said core to expand as said yarn collecting means is moved away from said yarn delivery means.

2. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the yarn conveying means includes a pair of rolls and means to move one of said rolls toward and away from the other of said rolls.

3. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a pivot arm assembly, said yarn collecting means being rotatably mounted on one end of said pivot ann assembly and a second yarn collecting means being rotatably mounted on the other end of said pivot arm assembly.

4. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a power generating source of varying frequency, said yarn delivery means, said yarn collecting means and said means for moving said yarn collecting means being connected to said source.

5. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said yarn collecting means includes a hub with a slot therein and a turntable slidably mounted on said hub with a portion thereof in said slot.

6. Yam winding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said yarn collecting means includes a bracket supported under said turntable and a movable cylinder connected to said bracket.

7. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the central core is a coil spring whichis in a compressed state when it bears a ainst the reference surface.

8. Yarn win mg apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the central core of the yarn collecting means is located offset from the axis of the yarn delivery means.

9. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 8 wherein means are provided for adjusting the offset distance between said core and said yarn delivery means.

10. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 5 where the yarn delivery means includes a whorl tube.

11. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the yarn delivery means includes an aspirator associated with said whorl tube.

Claims

1. Yarn winding apparatus including a yarn supply, rotatable yarn delivery means, means for conveying yarn from said supply to said delivery means, rotatable yarn collecting means including a supporting base and a compressible central core, means for advancing said yarn collecting means toward said yarn delivery means to a predetermined spacing therefrom prior to the delivery of yarn to said yarn collecting means, and means for moving said yarn collecting means away from said yarn delivery means as yarn is collected on said yarn collecting means at a rate sufficient to maintain the spacing between the yarn on the base and said delivery means, said yarn delivery means including a plate member mounted above said core having a reference surface against which the top of said core bears at the beginning of the winding cycle to compress said core and to allow said core to expand as said yarn collecting means is moved away From said yarn delivery means.

3. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a pivot arm assembly, said yarn collecting means being rotatably mounted on one end of said pivot arm assembly and a second yarn collecting means being rotatably mounted on the other end of said pivot arm assembly.

6. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said yarn collecting means includes a bracket supported under said turntable and a movable cylinder connected to said bracket.

7. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the central core is a coil spring which is in a compressed state when it bears against the reference surface.

8. Yarn winding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the central core of the yarn collecting means is located offset from the axis of the yarn delivery means.