US3823885A

US3823885A - Apparatus for continuously winding filamentary material

Info

Publication number: US3823885A
Application number: US00268791A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schulthess R De
Original assignee: Bobtex Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Bobtex Corp Ltd
Priority date: 1971-07-08
Filing date: 1972-07-03
Publication date: 1974-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-16
Also published as: GB1391946A

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for continuously winding yarn on a pair of successive bobbins. This apparatus comprises a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another and including means for releasably supporting a pair of bobbins. It also comprises driving means for rotating the mandrels with the bobbins thereon in surface contact with a pair of rolls and means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins thereon in and out ot contact with said rolls. The apparatus also includes a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly which comprises a yarn guide mounted on a traveler which reciprocates on a traveler roll for laying the yarn backward and forward onto a bobbin, and a carriage for the guide, traveler and traveler roll with transfer means for transferring this carriage from in front of a full bobbin to in front of an empty bobbin. Finally means are provided for anchoring the yarn on the empty bobbin during the transfer operation as well as for cutting this yarn between the two bobbins.

Description

[111 3,823,885 [451 July 16, 1974 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY WINDING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL [75] Inventor: Robin F. De Schulthess, Montreal, Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: The Bobtex Corporation Limited,

Montreal, Quebec, Canada 22 Filed: July 3,1972

21 Appl. No.: 268,791

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 8, 1971 Canada... 117792 [52] US. Cl 242/18 A, 242/19, 242/46.4 [51] Int. Cl 1365b 54/02 ['58] Field of Search 242/18 A, 25 A, 19

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,393,286 10/1921 Hos ford 242/25 A 1,476,755 12/1923 Huttinger.. 242/18 A UX 2,214,332 9/1940 Kline 242/18 A UX 2,524,623 l0/1950 Colombu 242/18 A UX 2,600,841 6/1952 Bruestle 242/18 A UX 2,653,773 9/1953 Davis 242/25 A 2,929,569 3/1960 Detrick et al...... 242/18 A UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 822,602 10/1959 Great Britain 242/18 A 1,090,892 11/1967 Great Britain 242/18 A 1,139,695 1/1969 Great Britain 242/18 A Primary Examiner- Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stevens, Davis, Miller &

Mosher [5 7] ABSTRACT There is provided an apparatus for continuously winding yarn on a pair of successive bobbins. This apparatus comprises a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another and including means for releasably supporting a pair of bobbins. It also comprises driving means for rotating the mandrels with the bobbins thereon in surface contact with a pair of rolls and means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins thereon in and out 0t contact with said rolls. Theapparatus also includes a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly which comprises a yarn guide mounted on a traveler which reciprocates on a traveler roll for laying the yarn backward and forward onto a bobbin, and a carriage for the guide, traveler and traveler roll with transfermeans for transferring this carriage from in front of afull bobbin to in front of an empty bobbin. Finally means are provided for anchoring the yarn-on the empty bobbin during the transfer operation as well as for cutting this yarn between the two bobbins.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAH-1m n JUL 1 61974 SHEET 3 BF 4 This invention relates to a winder'for continuously winding filamentry materials such as threads, yarns and the like onto successive axially spaced apart bobbins which are surface or axially driven in frictional contact with a roll. The invention is particularly suitable for the winding of filaments or yarns which have been directly extruded from an extrusion die and then longitudinally oriented and/or treated in a desired manner, although of course it can be utilized for other forms of yarn production systems such as texturizing machines and the like.

Several types of winders are known in the art for the continuous winding of filamentry materials. For example, one type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,296,339 of Sept. 22, 1942 to S. A. Daniels. This particular patent describes a device for continuously winding textile fila-' ments, yarns and threads, which device generally comprises two freely rotatable bobbins, a positively driven drive roll, means to bring the bobbins into driving contact with the'driveroll in axial alignment, and two freely rotatable doffing wheels mounted to contact the drive roll between the adjacent ends of the bobbins in.

axial alignment with said bobbins. The doffing wheels and the adjacent ends of the bobbins are each provided with a band comprising a plurality of radially extending ends adapted to engage'the yarn without substantially modifying its speed of travel, and means are mounted between the doffing whee-ls for severing yarn. Finally traversing thread guide means associated with each bobbin and positioned to feed yarn into the bobbin at substantially its line of contact with the drive roll, and means of shifting the yarn from one thread guide to another, are provided in the apparatus of Daniels.

A more recent patent disclosing a similar type of winder is British Pat. specification No; 1,090,892 published Nov. I5, 1967 and belonging to the Klinger Manufacturing Company Limited. It describes an apparatus for winding yarn onto successive bobbins, which apparatus comprises a pair of axially spaced apart spindles for receiving the bobbins, means for rotating the bobbins by friction rollers,'yarn traversing guides for laying the yarn backward and forward on bobbins mounted on the spindles, a yarn guide mounted onan arm which is pivoted about an'axis traverse to the axis of rotation of the spindles and disposed so that when the arm is swung about this transverse axis the yarn guide is moved'from a position opposite one of the spindles to a position opposite the other of the spindles and the yarn is caused to'move through an'arcuate path which lifts the yarn out of one of the yarn traversing guides and causes the yarn to be engaged with the other yarn traversing guide by reason of the traversing movement of the other traversing guide.

The winder of the present invention is of the same general type as those mentioned above, namely it involves continuous winding of yarn on a pair of successive, replacable, axially spaced apart bobbins each of which is positioned on a spindle. However the bobbins may be driven by frictional engagement with a pair of driving rolls or axially driven in surface contact with idling rolls. The invention also provides several important improvements which will be clearly described hereinafter.

Basically the winding apparatus of the present invention comprises: a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship with one another and including means for releasably'supporting a pair of bobbins; driving means for rotating said bobbins in surface contact with a driving roll; means for moving the bobbins in and out of contact with said rolls, which can be operated manually; a unitary assembly comprising a yarn guide, traveler and carriage arrangement including a traveler carriage guide for laying the yarn backward and forward onto the bobbins and for transferring the feeding of the yarn from a full bobbin to the empty; and means for anchoring the yarn during the transfer of the feeding.

There are several additional optional features which constitute further important embodiments of the novel winding apparatus such as: a system that initiates the transfer of the feeding from one bobbin to the other when a-predetermined diameter of the package has been reached; a specific design and arrangement of a knife between the two bobbins forcutting the yarn during transfer; a particularly advantageous mandrel assembly with expanding mandrels having'release levers for releasably supporting the bobbins and preferably comprising retractable snagger pins; and a particular arrangement of cantilevered package supports which ensure satisfactory transfer of the yarn feeding, even from small packages, to the empty bobbin. I

It should also be pointed out that the removable bobbins, although necessary for operating the winding apparatus, are not an essential part of the apparatus itself which will actually be manufactured and sold without the bobbins and the latter will be placed on the. mandrels just before or during the operation of the apparatus. The bobbins can, of course, be of various desired types and shapes.

The basic difference between the winder of the present invention and similar winders of the prior art resides in the unitary assembly comprising the yarn guide, the traveler and the transfer arrangement for laying the yarn backwards and forwards onto the bobbins and for transferring the feeding of the yarn from the full bobbin to the empty bobbin. Up to now, similar arrangements in winders contained two separate traversing thread guides, one moving in front of each bobbin, and a mechanism for transferring the yarn from one such guide to the other via an arcuate or similar path.

This presents some obvious disadvantages because a yarn which is in constant movement is difficult to manipulate and to transfer from one guide to' another. At the point of transfer, the yarn is lifted from one guide and dropped into the path of the second oscillating guide. The oscillating guide must then engage the transferred yarn which is difficult at high speeds andmay break or entangle during such transfer which would then require stopping the whole operation and repairv ing the defect and then restarting again. This is costly and time consuming. Furthermore, the transfer and coordinating mechanisms are usually rather complex if automation'is to be achieved and they require constant supervision','adjustment and repairs. This again in creases the cost of such known winders and renders a single yam guide provided on a single traveler device which is carried by a single carriage arrangement from in front of one bobbin to the next and the whole constituting a unitary and efficient assembly.

In addition,it is understandable that at the instant of transfer, the cyclic oscillation of the yarn guide is added to the transfer motion. It is important for satisfactory transfer that the two motions be additive. If, for example, the transfer from left to right were initiated at an instant when the guide is going from right to left across the full package, there would be an instant when the yarn would have no relative motion with respect 'to the package, the transfer motion cancelling out the .winding motion. This cancellation can occur on occasion midway between the two packages during the transfer cycle. It may result in yarn being accumulated between the two packages with consequent entanglement and abortive transfer.

To avoid this and to achieve proper timing, the transfer should preferably be commenced when the yarn guide is at the extreme end of its travel and about to start moving in the same direction as the pending transfer motion. This point can be detected by a'numberof ways such as a fluidic sensing element, a' mechanical, electrical or electronic sensing element or any number of proximity detectors which are available on the market and which will not wear out with repeated operation.

Another important and particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention resides in the construction of the mandrels which are expanding in nature and are provided with release levers for releasably supporting the bobbins or cores on which the yarn is'wound into packages. Consequently, when the levers are in the position of operation of the winding device, the mandrels are expanded so as to engage the bobbins or cores positioned thereon in a tight manner suitable for winding of the'yarn. On the other hand, when the lever is released, the mandrelsretract and permit easy removal of the bobbins or cores with the yarn package wound thereon. Moreover, the package core or support can be provided with the so called cantilevered arrangement which first of all enables a package to be removed from the system without a loose mandrel and secondly to effect the transfer operation with the transfer side of each package bieng completely. uncluttered and free from any mechanisms that might adversely affect the transfer of the yarn. This cantilevered system is particularly important in the case of transferring yarn from a small diameter core with very little or virtually no yarn on it to a new empty core. In such cases there is very little difference in radius at the point of transfer and there will be no tendency for the yarn to be connecting the two packages without actual severing taking place even if there is a cutting point provided be:

tween the two packages. After several minutes of operation the rotational action of the yarn will enable sepa-. ration to take place effectively. This phenomenon, however, necessitates a cantilevered roll support system otherwise entanglement would take place on the inner arms.

In addition, the ends of these expanding mandrels which are adjacent to each other are generally provided with snagger pins. the purpose of which is to ensure that the yarn wraps around the new core. Without these pins the yarn would merely be nipped between the contact roll and the new core and not wrap. No cutting or severingaction would take place either. As the transfer takes place, the yarn may be pictured as forming a straight line with the two packages. As incremental rotation takes place, the snagger pin hooks and catches the cross yarn and starts to wrap the yarn around the new core. At the same time, the back end of the yarn remains on the full package and is dragged along'a different radius, that of the full package. This action drags the cross yarn which is thus snapped. If a knife or similar cutting device is provided between the two packages then the yarn is dragged thereinto and cut due to further rotation or as a result of the difference in diameters of the two packages. The trailing edge of the cut yarn from the full package continues to rotate away from the knife zone, until the full package is removed from engagement with the contact rolls and then from the mandrel. According to another embodiment, when the lever is actuated for releasing the bobbins with the full package thereon, the snagger pin or pins are retracted so as to permit removal of the package and also for safety purposes. This is particularly important in the case of cantilevered core supports.

In some other cases, however, which can also be adopted in accordance with the present invention, such as double arm core supports, it is not absolutely necessary that the snagger pin be retractable and, of course, such snagger pins can have various designs the function of which is to provide proper snagging or anchoring efi being wound they can be easily snapped during the dragged and severed. In such cases the two packages must rotate for many revolutions with the yarn intertransfer operation from the full bobbin to the empty, it

is by far preferred to have a knife arrangement between the two packages which ensures that the yarn will be properly cut during the transfer operation. It has been found thata particularly advantageous arrangement of the knife assembly will include a curved feeding plate leading to the knife itself which guides the yarn strung between the two packages during the transfer up to the knife proper. The knife is positioned at an angle to the feeding plate and protrudes to the feeding plate which has a large clearance slot. The purpose of this slot is to permit the yarn to be drawn backwards through the knife while being pressed against it and yet have no possibility of wedging or jamming between the feeding plate and knife itself. The back end of the feeding plate area and knife is clear so that yarn that may remain in the knifeis pushed clear by subsequent transfer operations. A top feeding plate may also be part of the assembly and may be used to hold the knife and ensure that any loose yarn is also directed into the cutting zone.

The 'nip point of the knife and of the feeding plate is generally located on the centre lin'eof the new core to enable the severed end to rotate on the new package and be held by the feeding plate knife arrangement whilethe new core rotates for a few revolutions. If the cutting point were off the centre ofthe new core, the end of the new package would immediately fly loose the moment the cut was complete and in many instances it would fly clear of the snagger pin and not I start a proper wrap. As soon as the new core has made The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the winder according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the yarn guide-travelertransfer assembly in the winder according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the winder according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a transfer initiating mechanism that can be used in the winder according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial view showing the position of a cutter arrangement for cutting the yarn during its transfer from one bobbin to'the other;

FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of one embodiment of such cutter arrangement; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of a cantilevered expanding mandrel arrangement that can be used in the winder according to this invention.

Referring now to these drawings which represent a preferred but a nonlimitative embodiment of the invention, and particularly referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the novel winder comprises first of all a frame 10 which supports and generally encompasses the whole appara tus. Between the lateral side walls of this frame there is provided a mandrel arm shaft 11 pivotally supporting at each side end of the framea mandrel arm 12. The mandrel arm 12 may be pivoted on a shaft manually by using handle 17. At the upper end of the mandrel arms 12 there are provided a pair of expanding mandrels 13a and 13b which are supported in a cantilivered fashion and can be expanded or retracted by using release levers 19a and 19b. On these mandrels are removably mounted a pair of bobbins or cores a and 15b on which the yarn is wound in succession to form yarn packages 14. The bobbins or

cores

15a and 15b are sur-' face driven by frictional engagement with driving rolls tioned generally-in front of the driving rolls 16. It comprises first of all a yarn guide 22 through which passes yarn 24 and by which it is guided just before being wound on the bobbin. The yarn guide 22 is mounted on a traveler 27 which at its bottom has a projection 26 reciprocating on a conventional traveler cam 36 having on its surface an endless helicoidal groove.

. The traveler cam 36 is mounted on a traveler drive shaft 40 and is provided with a traveler carriage 38 which itself rests on the traveler carriage guiding beam 42. At its upper end, just above the traveler cam 36, the traveler carriage has a rod which supports traveler 27 and on which said traveler reciprocates. The traveler drive shaft 40 may also be driven by motor 18 or by a separate motor 49 at a desired speed. I

The carriage 38 is operated by'a cylinder 46 in which transfer piston 44 slides. The piston-cylinder device may be of any suitable type but preferably it is actuated pneumatically. The forward end of the piston is attached by connecting element 48 to the traveler carriage 38 in such a way that'when the piston is outside cylinder device is then energized by synchronizing mechanisms 28a or 2812 positioned at each end of the winder frame. These synchronizing mechanisms are provided with levers 29a and 2% respectively which. when they are in operating position, protrude outwardly from the top. When they are hit by the projection 26 they immediately start operation of the pistoncylinder device and thus the transfer of the traveler carriage from in front of one mandrel to in front of the other. The mechanisms 28a and 28b are themselves activated by the sensing switch 30 or a manual device. The sensing switch 30 is struck by element 34 adjustably mounted on the mandrel arm shaft, which is achieved when the desired size of the yarn package 14 is reached, the sensing switch transmits the transfer signal via an electrical wire 32 to the appropriate synchronizing mechanism 28 which is thereby activated and enables lever 29 to project upwardly from such mechamsm.

The synchronizing mechanism 28 illustrated in FIG.

4 as one example of such a device, comprises a solenoid 54 which receives the signal from the sensing switch 30, is actuated through its arm 56 and lever 58 which is pivotally mounted on pivot 60. The actuation is done by pulling thislever into position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 from that shown in dotted lines at which the lever rests against stop 62 and the tension spring 64 is in a retracted condition. In such inactive state the lever 29 does not contact anything. In the actuated state this lever 29, which is connected to switch 61, protrudes outside of the casing of the synchronizing mechanism 28 and can be hit by projection 26 thereby initiating the transfer. I

Furthermore, a knife or cutter assembly 25 is preferably provided between the driving rolls 16a and 16b and consequently between the mandrels 13a and 13b to facilitate automatic separation of the yarn after transfer from one core to the other (FIG. 5). A particularly preferred arrangement of such assembly is shown in FIG. 6 from which it is clear that apart from the knife 65 the assembly may also comprise a curved bottom feeding plate 66 and a top feeding plate 68 to insure that the yarn will be properly guided to the knife and cut during the transfer operation and will not deviate or become clogged somewhere'between the two bobbins.

Finally, FIG. 7 illustrates in greater detail one possible arrangement of the cantilivered mandrel 13 which can be used with particular advantage in the winder of this invention. According to this arrangement the mandrel 13 is supported by a'can'tilivered support70 which has a cam 71 to which a release lever 19 (not shown in this figure) is attached. Around cam 71 a cam bushing 72 is provided and in the middle a compression spring 73 of release shaft 77 is inserted with a dowel pin 74 above and below said spring.

Cam 71 contains a helical slot into which cam follower pin 75 is inserted. As cam mechanism 71 is ro-' tated through cam follower pin 75 drives the central release shaft 77 axially as illustrated by a small arrow at the left hand end of FIG. 7, sliding in bushing 79.

The entire structure is supported by a winder arm shaft 76 on which are mounted the main ball bearings 80. The core or bobbin is supported on rear support 81 and front support 82, the entire mechanism being rotated by frictional engagement.

The release shaft 77 which extends into cam 71 is prevented from rotation by shoulder screw 78 within an axial slot located in shaft 77. Consequently, neither the winder shaft 76 nor the release shaft 77 rotate within the assembly with the only movement being the release shaft moving forwards when mandrel release is required. Under normal condition with the-release shaft retracted, no contact is made between said shaft and the expanding head 21. The expanding head 21 of the mandrel has a pointed wedgingrimv86 which in expanded condition wedges and securely holds in place the core 15 while in released or retracted condition enables said core to be easily removed. Thereis alsoprovided between the expanding head 21 and the front support 82 a cap screw 88 and a compressing spring 89 in order to achieve this wedging action. And finally, snagger pins 32 with their lower ends resting on the outer surface of the front support 82 and provided with snagger compression springs 84 protrude outwardly from the side portion of the expanding head 21 in its expanded condition and retract automatically in the released condition. This is because the end portion of the snagger pin'will slip on the surface of the front support 82 and together with the action of the compression spring 84 will retract inside the cavity of the expanding head 21. lt should be noted that three or four such snagger pins are usually provided in each expanding head. The operation of such a mechanism is very simple. It is sufficient to rotate cam 71 by means of release lever 19 in order to release the whole assembly and enable insertion or removal of core 15and then to rotate back said cam 71 in order to expand the assembly and wedge the core 15 into position readyfor winding of yarn thereon.

Also, the operation of the whole winder apparatus is simple and efficient. The filamentary material such as yarn 24 passes through yarn guide 22 which is mounted on the traveler 27 reciprocating on traveler cam 36 due to the action of

motor

18 or 49. The yarn is thus wound on bobbin or core 15b mounted on mandrel 1312 surface driven by driving roll 1612 which itself is driven by motor 18. When a desired size of the yarn package 14 has been reached, the piston-cylinder couple 44, 46 is activated to t ransfer'the whole traveler carriage in front of bobbin or'core'l5a where the winding continues on a new bobbin. This transfer can be done automatically by element 34 on the mandrel arm shaft which, when the predetermined size of the package 14 has been reached, activates the sensing switch 30 which transmits the signal through wire 32 to solenoid 54 which actuates lever 58 and switch 61 and enables lever 29 to protrude out of the transfer synchronizing mechanism 28. This lever 29 is struck by projection '26 in the extreme position of traverse. At this instant car- 'riage motion commences in the same direction as the desired transfer which is initiated by energizing via the afore mentioned switch 61 the piston-cylinder couple.

During the transfer, the yarn is cut by knife arrangement positioned between the two bobbins and securely wrapped around the new bobbin with the help of snagger pins 23. In order to remove the package 14 it is pivoted away from the driving roll 16 by using handle 17, when the expanding mandrel is released and the package simply removed therefrom whereafter a new core or bobbin is installed on the mandrel which is then expanded and placed again in position to receive yarn thereon, all this being done while winding proceeds on the other bobbin.

It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated but that different modifications evident to those skilled in the art can be carried out without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Thus, any type of bobbins or cores can be used instead of those illustrated in the drawings. Many types of cutting arrangements or snagger means can also be employed and positioned in a desired fashion. In some instances thecantilivered arrangement of the mandrels can be replaced by double-arm core supports as long as they are properly positioned and there is provided a means to remove the yarn package from one of them while the other is being used for winding yarn thereon. And the surface driving rolls may be replaced by idlers in which case the mandrels are driven directly.

1 claim: v r

l. Apparatusfor continuously winding filamentary material on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting packages comprising: 0

a pair of mandrelspositioned in axial relationship to one another;

means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting "said bobbins;

a pair of rolls adapted to enter into surface contact with the bobbins on the mandrels;

driving means for rotating said rolls which in turn will rotate said mandrels by frictional surface engagement when said rolls are in surface contact with the bobbins mounted on said mandrels;

means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins mounted thereon in and out of surface contact with said rolls;

a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly including a traveler cam, a traveler adapted to reciprocate on said traveler cam and a guide for the filamentary material mounted on the traveler for reciprocation therewith and laying of the filamentary material backward and forward onto a predetermined bobbin, and including a carriage for said traveler cam, traveler and guide as well as transfer means for transferring said carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin; and

means for anchoring the filamentary material on the empty bobbin during the transfer operation.

2. Apparatus for continuously winding filamentary material on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting packages, comprising:

a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another;

means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting said bobbins;

driving means for axially rotating said mandrels;

a pair of idler rolls adapted to enter into surface contact 'with the bobbins on the mandrels;

means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins mounted thereon in and out of surface contact with said idler rolls;

a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly including a traveler cam, a traveler adapted to reciprocate on said traveler cam and a guide for the filamentary material mounted on the traveler for reciprocation therewith and laying of the filamentary material backward and forward onto a predetermined bobbin, and including a carriage for said traveler cam, traveler and guide as well as transfer means for transferring said carriage from in front of one bob bin to in front of the other bobbin; and

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mandrels are provided with cantilevered supports and with expanding heads and include release levers connected by means of a cam to said cantilevered supports and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to releasesaid head and thereby enable withdrawal of the bobbin from the mandrel, and

retractable snagger pins provided in said expanding head for anchoring the filamentary material during the transfer thereof from one bobbin to the other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said mandrels are provided with cantilevered supports and with expanding heads and include release levers connected by means of a cam to said cantilevered supports and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to release said head and thereby enable withdrawal of the bobbin from the mandrel, and

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving the mandrels with bobbins thereon in and out of contact with said pair of rolls are manually operable.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for moving the mandrels with bobbins thereon in and out of contact with said pair of idler rolls are manufally operable.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said traveler cam of the unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly is provided with an endless helicoidal groove on its surface and means are provided for rotating said traveler cam axially,.and said traveler comprises a projection which moves within said endless helicoidal groove of the rotating traveler cam and thereby reciprocates on said traveler cam, entraining therewith the traveler and the guide.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said traveler cam of the unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly is provided with an endless helicoidal groove on its surface and means are provided for rotating said traveler cam axially, and said traveler comprises a projection which moves within said endless helicoidal groove of the rotating traveler cam and thereby reciprocates on said traveler cam, entrainin g therewith the traveler and the guide.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means for transferring the carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin consists of a cylinder-piston couple and said carriage is attached to the end of the piston of said couple.

10 Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said transfer means for transferring the carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin consists of a cylinder-piston couple and said carriage is attached to the end of the piston of said couple. v

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing device and means for activating said sensing device when the package of filamentary material on one bobbin reaches a predetermiend size as well as means for initiating transfer of the carriage at that point.

12. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a sensing device and means for activating said sensing device when the package of filamentary material on one bobbin reaches a predetermined size as well as means for initiating transfer of the carriage at that point.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for synchronizing transfer of the carriage, said mechanism being positioned so as to initiate the transfer when the traveler is at the extreme end of itstravel and is about to start itsmovement towards the middle of the apparatus, namely in the same direction as the pending transfer motion.

14. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for synchronizing transfer of the car- .riage, said mechanism being positioned so as to initiate the transfer when the traveler is at the extreme end of its travel and is about to start its movement towards the middle of the apparatus, namely in the same direction as the pending transfer motion.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising a cutting device between the two bobbins adapted feeding plate leading to the knife and adapted to guide the filamentary material strung between the two bobbins up to the knife where it is securely cut.

.19. Apparatus for continuously winding yarn on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting yarn pacakges, comprising: i

a'pair of expanding mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one'another'; 7

means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting said bobbins, each of said mandrels having a cantilevered support and an expanding head;

release levers connected by a cam to said cantilevcr ed support and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to release said head and thereby enable withdrawal of said bobbin from the mandrcl;

retractable snagger pins provided in said expanding head for anchoring the yarn during transfer thereof from one bobbin to the other;

bins thereon by frictional surface engagement;

means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins driving rolls for rotating said mandrels with the bobfor said traveler cam, traveler and yarn guide operated by cylinder-piston transfer means and adapted to transfer said carraige from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin;

a sensing device and means for activating said sensing device when the package of the yarn on one of the bobbins has reached a predetermined size, as well as means for synchronizing transfer of the carriage at that point so that transfer thereof starts when the traveler is at the extreme end of its travel and is about to commence its movement in the same direction as the pending transfer motion; and

a cutting device for securely cutting the yarn between the two expanding mandrels during transfer of the

Claims

1. Apparatus for continuously winding filamentary material on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting packages comprising: a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another; means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting said bobbins; a pair of rolls adapted to enter into surface contact with the bobbins on the mandrels; driving means for rotating said rolls which in turn will rotate said mandrels by frictional surface engagement when said rolls are in surface contact with The bobbins mounted on said mandrels; means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins mounted thereon in and out of surface contact with said rolls; a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly including a traveler cam, a traveler adapted to reciprocate on said traveler cam and a guide for the filamentary material mounted on the traveler for reciprocation therewith and laying of the filamentary material backward and forward onto a predetermined bobbin, and including a carriage for said traveler cam, traveler and guide as well as transfer means for transferring said carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin; and means for anchoring the filamentary material on the empty bobbin during the transfer operation.

2. Apparatus for continuously winding filamentary material on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting packages, comprising: a pair of mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another; means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting said bobbins; driving means for axially rotating said mandrels; a pair of idler rolls adapted to enter into surface contact with the bobbins on the mandrels; means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins mounted thereon in and out of surface contact with said idler rolls; a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly including a traveler cam, a traveler adapted to reciprocate on said traveler cam and a guide for the filamentary material mounted on the traveler for reciprocation therewith and laying of the filamentary material backward and forward onto a predetermined bobbin, and including a carriage for said traveler cam, traveler and guide as well as transfer means for transferring said carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin; and means for anchoring the filamentary material on the empty bobbin during the transfer operation.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mandrels are provided with cantilevered supports and with expanding heads and include release levers connected by means of a cam to said cantilevered supports and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to release said head and thereby enable withdrawal of the bobbin from the mandrel, and retractable snagger pins provided in said expanding head for anchoring the filamentary material during the transfer thereof from one bobbin to the other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said mandrels are provided with cantilevered supports and with expanding heads and include release levers connected by means of a cam to said cantilevered supports and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to release said head and thereby enable withdrawal of the bobbin from the mandrel, and retractable snagger pins provided in said expanding head for anchoring the filamentary material during the transfer thereof from one bobbin to the other.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said traveler cam of the unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly is provided with an endless helicoidal groove on its surface and means are provided for rotating said traveler cam axially, and said traveler comprises a projection which moves within said endless helicoidal groove of the rotating traveler cam and thereby reciprocates on said traveler cam, entraining therewith the traveler and the guide.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said traveler cam of the unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly is provided with an endless helicoidal groove on its surface and means are provided for rotating said traveler cam axially, and said traveler comprises a projection which moves within said endless helicoidal groove of the rotating traveler cam and thereby reciprocates on said traveler cam, entraining therewith the traveler and the guide.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said transfer means for transferring the carriage from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin consists of a cylinder-piston couple and said carriage is attached to the end of the piston of said couple.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for synchronizing transfer of the carriage, said mechanism being positioned so as to initiate the transfer when the traveler is at the extreme end of its travel and is about to start its movement towards the middle of the apparatus, namely in the same direction as the pending transfer motion.

14. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for synchronizing transfer of the carriage, said mechanism being positioned so as to initiate the transfer when the traveler is at the extreme end of its travel and is about to start its movement towards the middle of the apparatus, namely in the same direction as the pending transfer motion.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting device between the two bobbins adapted to cut the yarn during transfer thereof.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which said cutting device includes a knife and at least one curved feeding plate leading to the knife and adapted to guide the filamentary material strung between the two bobbins up to the knife where it is securely cut.

17. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cutting device between the two bobbins to cut the yarn during transfer thereof.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which said cutting device includes a knife and at least one curved feeding plate leading to the knife and adapted to guide the filamentary material strung between the two bobbins up to the knife where it is securely cut.

19. Apparatus for continuously winding yarn on a pair of successive bobbins to form self supporting yarn pacakges, comprising: a pair of expanding mandrels positioned in axial relationship to one another; means included in said mandrels for releasably supporting said bobbins, each of said mandrels having a cantilevered support and an expanding head; release levers connected by a cam to said cantilevered support and adapted to expand the expanding head of each mandrel and thereby lock the bobbin thereon as well as to release said head and thereby enable withdrawal of said bobbin from the mandrel; retractable snagger pins provided in said expanding head for anchoring the yarn during transfer thereof from one bobbin to the other; driving rolls for rotating said mandrels with the bobbins thereon by frictional surface engagement; means for moving the mandrels with the bobbins thereon in and out of driveable relationship with the driving rolls; a unitary guide-traveler-transfer assembly including a traveler cam provided with an endless helicoidal groove on its surface, means for rotating said traveler cam axially, a traveler having a projEction entering said helicoidal groove and reciprocating therein when the traveler cam is rotated, a yarn guide mounted on the traveler, said yarn guide being entrained with said traveler and reciprocating in the same manner when the traveler cam is rotated and thereby lay the yarn backward and forward onto a predetermined bobbin, and a carriage for said traveler cam, traveler and yarn guide operated by cylinder-piston transfer means and adapted to transfer said carraige from in front of one bobbin to in front of the other bobbin; a sensing device and means for activating said sensing device when the package of the yarn on one of the bobbins has reached a predetermined size, as well as means for synchronizing transfer of the carriage at that point so that transfer thereof starts when the traveler is at the extreme end of its travel and is about to commence its movement in the same direction as the pending transfer motion; and a cutting device for securely cutting the yarn between the two expanding mandrels during transfer of the carriage.