US3697344A

US3697344A - Method of and apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric

Info

Publication number: US3697344A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Temple
Original assignee: DURCAM RESEARCH AND DEV CO Ltd
Current assignee: DURCAM RESEARCH AND DEV Co Ltd
Priority date: 1969-12-09
Filing date: 1970-12-08
Publication date: 1972-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-10
Also published as: JPS50984B1; DE2059902A1; DE2059902B2; GB1328098A

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for delivering yarn bits or tufts to a backing sheet for producing a pile fabric. More particularly, a bit of material is delivered pneumatically to the backing sheet and the delivery air is separated from the bit prior to its location on the backing sheet to allow the bit to continue under its own inertia to its position on the backing sheet.

Description

Oct. 10, 1972 s TEMPLE 3,697,344

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A BIT OF MATERIAL -IN A FILE FABRIC Filed Dec. 8, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I nuenlor Stephen Temple i a Attorneyo.

Oct. 10, 1972 Filed Dec. 8, 1970 TEMPLE 3,697,344

8. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A BIT OF MATERIAL IN A PILE FABRIC 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Stephen Temple y, i W llornty j United States Patent US. Cl. 156-72 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for delivering yarn bits or tufts to a backing sheet for producing a pile fabric. More particularly, a bit of material is delivered pneumatically to the backing sheet and the delivery air is separated from the bit prior to its location on the backing sheet to allow the bit to continue under its own inertia to its position on the backing sheet.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in producing patterned pile fabric and is particularly concerned with a device for locating a bit of material in Position in a pile fabric.

In co-pending United States application No. 737,505, filed June 17, 1968, and assigned to the same owner as the present application and which is now abandoned in favor of continuation application Ser. No. 133,433, filed Apr. 12, 1971, there is described a system for producing and delivering bits for patterned pile fabric. In particular this system incorporates a pneumatically operated selector arrangement for producing bits of material having different physical characteristics, for instance, colour. The device of the present invention is especially suitable for locating the bits produced by our prior system in position in a pile fabric.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, such apparatus comprising means for penumatically delivering a bit of material to a pile fabric, and means for separating the delivery air from the bit prior to its location in the pile fabric to thereby allow the bit to continue under its own inertia to a position in the pile fabric.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during the manufacture thereof, such method comprising pneumatically delivering a bit of material and prior to its location in the pile fabric separating the delivery air from the bit to allow the bit to continue movement under its own inertia to its position in the pile fabric.

According to a third aspect the present invention provides apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, such apparatus comprising delivery means defining a passage through which a bit to be located in a pile fabric is delivered pneumatically, the passage being divided in to a first part defined by a first curved wall through which air conveying the bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part defined by a second curved wall through which the bit is deflected under its own inertia and delivered to a backing sheet for the pile fabric.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during the manufacture thereof, such a method comprising pneumatically delivering a bit of material from delivery means, separating the delivery air from the bit by the Koanda effect prior to the location of the bit in the pile fabric and allowing the bit to continue movement under its 3,697,344- Patented Oct. 10, 1972 ICE own inertia to a position in the pile fabric.

The system of the present invention is particularly useful in the production of carpets. In the production of carpets using the system described in our previously mentioned co-pending application difiiculties have been encountered in locating the tufts of material in a carpet being produced as the air carrying the bits of material tends to disintegrate the bits when they are being located in position in the carpet. By using the present device the air is separated from the bits prior to their location in the carpet.

Preferably the backing sheet, which is normally coated with adhesive, is moved past the locating apparatus, such movement may be either continuous or intermittent. Further, means may be provided to pack bits just positioned on the backing so that these previously positioned bits do not interfere with the positioning of subsequent bits. Such means may be in the form of small air jets or a reciprocable pusher. Where a reciprocable pusher is used the said second curved wall preferably extends into the path of reciprocation of the pusher. With such an arrangement means are provided for withdrawing the second curve wall from the path of the pusher to allow the pusher to pack the bits. The withdrawal movement of the second wall may follow a curved path so that the second Wall co-operates with the pusher to facilitate packing of the bits. In a preferred form the second wall comprises part of a movable guide member which extends into the path of the pusher.

The first and second walls of the passage may be constructed so that the curved portions form a continuous smooth curve which ensures a good separation of the bits from the air. It has also been found possible to construct the first curved wall from a number of sections.

In another form the conveying air is separated from the bit by applying suction, for example, in such a manner that the air stream changes direction more sharply than the conveys bit can follow.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate one form of the apparatus in four stages of its operation; and

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate another form of the apparatus in four stages of the operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 there is generally shown one end of a delivery passage divided into a first part 1 and a second part 5.

' The first part 1 of the passage is defined primarily by a smooth curved wall 6 while the second part 5 of the passage is defined primarily by a smooth wall 7 which forms part of a movable guide member 2. The device also includes a reciprocable pusher device 3 for packing bits positioned on a backing sheet 4 to facilitate positioning of subsequent bits. The movable member 2 is adapted to move into and out of the path of the pusher 3 to allow the pusher to pack the bits on the backing 4.

In operation of the device a bit produced, for instance, by the method described in our aforementioned patent application is delivered down the delivery passage by air. At the junction of the parts 1 and 5 of the passage the air will be deflected through the part 1 while the bit will be carried down the part 5 by its own inertia onto the backing sheet 4 where it is located in position (see FIG. 1) by adhesive coated on the backing which is continuously advanced past the device.

In the next step (as shown in FIG. 2), the member 2 is removed from the path of the pusher 3 so that the pusher can pack the hit just positioned on the backing 4 to prevent this bit from interfering with the positioning of subsequent bits arranged down the delivery passage. The

member 2 follows a curved path out of the path of movement in the pusher so that it co-operates with the pusher during the packing operation.

Next,,the pusher 3 and movable guide member 2 begin their return movement (FIG. 3) until they reachthe positions shown in FIG. 4 where they are ready for the cycle to be repeated.

Any suitable control means may be provided to operate the various moving parts of the present device in the desired time relationship. It may also be necessary to include a device for patting down the tufts after they have been located on the backing sheet. Such a device will normally be positioned just to the left of the member 2.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings is basically similar: to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the pusher 3 has been supplemented by a further reciprocable pusher member 8. Further, a continuous wall 9 is provided for guiding yarn bits towards the backing 4.

More specifically, the pusher member 8 is adapted to work in cooperation with the pusher 3. Thus, when the member 2 is removed from the path of the pusher 3, both the pusher 3 and the pusher member 8 will advance to pack a bit so that it will not interfere with the positioning of. subsequent bits on the backing. However, during the return movement of, the pusher 3 and the member 2, the pusher member 8 will remain in its advanced position to ensure that the yarn bit remains in its packed position. The pusher member 8 is only withdrawn when the member 2 approaches the position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The inclusion of the vpusher member 8 ensures that a yarn bit will not spring back into the path of the member 2 prior to the positioning of the member 2 in the position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The arrows shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings illustrate the various movements of the member 2 and the

pushers

3 and 8.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, such apparatus comprising delivery means, said delivery ineans defining a passagethrough which a bit to be located in a pile fabric is delivered pneumatically, the passage being divided into a first part, the said first part being defined by a first curved wall through which air conveying the bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part, the said second part being defined by a second curved wall through which the bit is deflected under its own inertia and delivered to a backing sheet for the pile fabric.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for moving the backing sheet past said delivery means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a device for patting down the bits of material after they have been located on the backing sheet.

4..Apparatus according to claim 1 ,Which includes means for packing'bits after they have been positioned on the backing sheet so that they do not interfere with the positioning of subsequent bits.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said means for packing bits is in the form of air jets.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in-which said means for packing bits is in the form of a pusher device, the pusher device being adapted to reciprocate through a path parallel to the backing sheet.

7. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile 4 v fabric, such apparatus comprising delivery means, said delivery means defining a passage through'which a bit to be located in a pile fabric is delivered pneumatically, the passage being divided into a first part, the said first part being defined by a first curved wall through which air conveying the bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part, the said second part being defined by a second curved wall through which the bit is deflected under its own inertia and delivered to a backing sheet for the pile fabric, and pusher means, said pusher means being adapted to reciprocate through a path parallel to the backing sheet, said second curved wall extending into the path of reciprocation of said pusher means and withdrawal means are provided to withdraw said second curved wall from the path of the pusher means, to allow the pusher device to pack the bits.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said withdrawal means is adapted to withdraw said second curved wallthrough a path which allows said second curved wall to co-operate with said pusher means to facilitate packing of-the bits.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said pusher means includes first and second pusher elements adapted to operate in timed relationship.

10. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, such apparatus comprising means for pneumatically delivering a bit of material to a pile fabric, and means for separating the delivery air from the bitprior to its location in the pile fabric to thereby allow'the bit to continue under its own inertia to a position in the pile fabric. 1

11. A method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during the manufacture thereof, such a method comprising pneumatically delivering a bit of material from delivery means to be located in a pile fabric, separating the delivery air from the bit by the Koanda efiect prior to the location of the bit in the pile fabric and allowing the bit to continue movement under its own inertia to a position in the pile fabric.

12. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits are located on a. backing sheet which is moved past the delivery means.

13. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits are patted down after they have been located on the backing sheet. I

14. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits located on the backing sheet are packed so that they do not interfere with the position of subsequent bits.

15. A method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during .the manufacture thereof, such method comprising pneumatically delivering a bit of material and prior to' its location in the pile fabric separating the delivery air from the bit to allow the bit to continue movement under its own inertia to a positionin the pile fabric.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,275,487 9/1966 Lemelson 161-67 3,278,363 10/1966 Couquet 15672 3,580,761 5/1971 Boultinghouse 15672 WILLIAM J. VAN BALEN, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 156148, 285, 306, 435, 497; 16167