US3885278A

US3885278A - Apparatus for texturing yarn

Info

Publication number: US3885278A
Application number: US359611A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph Whitaker
Original assignee: Fred Whitaker Co
Current assignee: Fred Whitaker Co
Priority date: 1973-05-11
Filing date: 1973-05-11
Publication date: 1975-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-27

Abstract

Apparatus is provided, for facilitating the texturing of yarn, whereby a yarn strand is delivered through a needle, and impelled therethrough, to form a wad, in the presence of steam, with the yarn being crimped by compacting during the formation of the yarn, and heat set in a crimped condition by steam, and the wad of thus crimped yarn then is de-compacted and may, if desired, be subjected to further heat treatment, to relax stresses or the like, followed by cooling if desired.

Description

llnite tats Pram [191 Whitaker [45] May 27, 1975 APPARATUS FOR TEXTURING YARN [75] Inventor: Ralph Whitaker, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Fred Whitaker Company, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 359,611

[52] 11.5. C1. 28/13; 28/1.4; 28/1.6 [51] Km. Cl 002g 1/20 [58] Field of Search 28/13, 1.4, 1.6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,609,834 10/1971 Lamb et a1 28/1.4 3,611,520 10/1971 Faidley, Jr. 28/l.6 3,650,001 3/1972 Nikkei 28/13 7/1973 Smith 28/1.4 12/1973 lzawa et all 28/1.6

Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus is provided, for facilitating the texturing of yarn, whereby a yarn strand is delivered through a needle, and impelled therethrough, to form a wad, in the presence of steam, with the yarn being crimped by compacting during the formation of the yarn, and heat set in a crimped condition by steam, and the wad of thus crimped yarn then is de-compacted and may, if desired, be subjected to further heat treatment, to relax stresses or the like, followed by cooling if desired.

22 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures TO TAKE-UP DEVICE PMENTED HAYZ 71975 SHEET 10F 2 TO TAKE-UP DEVICE P/UENTEB HAYZHEJYS SHEET 2 BF 2 APPARATUS FOR TEX'ILRING YARN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In prior art types of tcxturing apparatus. for tcxturing yarn or the like, steam has been used for the purpose of assisting the delivery of yarn, as well as for providing the heat necessary for heat-setting the yarn in a crimped condition. The US. Pat. to Faidley 3,61 1,520 constitutes such a development. The Faidley development, and also the development of the present invention, are particularly useful in texturing synthetic yarns. of the monofilament type, or even of the double or oth erwise multiple filament type, most particularly with respect to the present invention. Because of the nature of synthetic yarns, they are susceptible to relaxation upon elevation in temperature. Yarns normally delivered to crimping apparatus have previously been extruded and drawn, and may have a pre-determined orientation or alignment of molecules. When subjected to heat, as for example, by steam contact, any prestressing may result in a shrinkage, or reduction in length of a given length of yarn, if such prestressing had been effected by a drawing or by the lengthening operation. Also, the crimping of yarns in the presence of steam, whereby the yarns are in a randomly bent, tangled or the like condition while subjected to steam at a sufficiently high temperature to relax stresses therein, in order that the yarns take on a permanent set in the crimped condition is known. The above-mentioned Faidley patent is so operative, and also teaches the use of delivering a wad against a moving surface disposed therebeneath as a frictional resistance to such movement of the wad outside its crimping chamber, and with the delivery of the wad from its crimping chamber effecting a decompacting or de-wadding, whereby the yarn may again be woundfor use, with a memory of its crimped condition. Such crimping effects a bulking of the yarn.

THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed toward an improvement over the above-mentioned Faidley disclosure, whereby refinements in the crimping itself, and in the manner of effecting such crimping are provided, and also whereby the steam is utilized additionally for the purpose of providing early contact with the yarns, and further for the purpose of effecting the movement of the yarn through the needle, in its path, at a plurality of locations. Accordingly, jets of steam enter the yarn path of the needle at various locations spaced longitudinally of the needle, and are angled for engaging the yarn and impelling it in the desired direction, from several locations, not only for the purpose of providing increased handling capabilities of the yarn through the needle, and perhaps faster speed of travel of yarn through the needle, but also to provide early Contact of steam with the yarn, either for shrinkage or stress relaxation purposes, as well as for raising the temperature of the yarn at an early time, just prior to crimping. Additionally, the present invention provides novel techniques for resisting the delivery of a wad of crimped yarn from the crimping chamber, and for controlling the decompacting thereafter, as well as further refinements of the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward providing 2 improvements in yarn texturing apparatus; specifically yarn crimping chambers. steam delivery and tempera ture-raising apparatus for delivering yarn to the crimping chamber, and for providing friction-type resistance to discharge of yarn from the crimping chamber by novel combinations of yarn handling apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide novel apparatus for texturing yarn.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel system for compacting and decompacting yarn.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for using steam, not only for providing the heat of relaxation of molecules of synthetic yarn during a crimping process, but also for physically impelling the yarn during its delivery to the crimping chamber.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel apparatus for taking-off and de-wadding yarn from the crimping chamber.

It is a further object of this invention to provide crimping chamber refinements and apparatus for preparing yarn prior to its entering the crimping chamber.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel yarn delivery means to a crimping chamber, as well as, and in combination with novel apparatus for providing paths of travel of wads of crimped yarn, during its delivery.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a reading of the following brief description of the drawing figures, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view, partially schematic, of one form of the apparatus of this invention, wherein the yarn delivery, early treatment, crimping, and subsequent treatment are illustrated.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, wherein an alternative form ofa portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is illustrated, specifically a yarn delivery path that is tapered in cross-sectional configuration.

FIG. 3 is a view generally similar to that of FIG. 2, although slightly larger, but wherein the yarn delivery path is of progressively stepped configuration.

FIG. 4 is a generally vertical sectional view, partially schematic, of an alternative system in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of a yarn delivery needle in accordance with this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG. 1, wherein yarn 10 is illustrated, as being delivered from a suitable delivery roll 11 or the like, rotating in a counterclockwise direction illustrated by the arrow 12 of FIG. 1. The yarn I0 is illustrated as being a single filament synthetic yarn, such as nylon 6, nylon 66 or the like, although it will be understood. within the purview of the present invention. the yarn 10 can be a double ply yarn, or triple ply. or other multiple ply yarn, either completely synthetic. or comprising a mixture of synthetic and natural fiber filaments, if desired. In some instances, the yarn 10 will be prestrcssed prior to delivery around the roll 13, to the yarn treatment and crimping station 14. In other instances, the yarn will not be pre-stressed, it being understood that the apparatus of this invention is intended to accommodate all such types of yarn. When monofilament yarn is used, a typical yarn will be of 2,500 denier, but of course a wide range of denier is utilized. Also, it will be understood, that because the yarn is synthetic, it will generally be of the continuous filament type. but any types of yarn or yarn mixtures that lend themselves toward heat treatment and increased bulking or crimping may be so used.

At station 14, a needle is provided, that will generally be circular in plan view or horizontal cross-section, but will have an elongated configuration such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, with wall portions that aggregately define a generally cylindrical configuration 16 between outer surface portions 17, and an elongated longitudinally extensive interior bore 18, that defines the longitudinal path of travel of the yarn 10 therethrough, from the chamfered inlet 20 to the path outlet 21, generally straight therebetween as illustrated.

A housing 22, generally of stainless steel construction or the like, capable of withstanding perhaps 150 pounds per square inch gauge of steam therein is provided, defining about the outer surface 17 of the needle 15, a chamber 23. A suitable nipple or other inlet means 24 is provided, threadingly connected into the housing 22, as illustrated, for delivering steam supplied thereto, into the chamber 23. The steam will thus be supplied at perhaps 125 psig, or somewhat higher or lower, as desired. The upper end of the housing 22 is closed by an end plate 24 or the like secured to a flange 25 of the housing 22 by a suitable threaded fastener 26 or the likes, as desired.

A suitable circular ring or the like 27 will facilitate the provision of a seal between the lower end of the needle 15 and the housing 22, as will a similar circular ring 28 effect comparable sealing at the upper end.

The outlet of the path 18 enters into a crimping chamber 30, that, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical bore.

A plurality of connecting ducts 33 comprise angled jets, and are constructed as angled bores, extending from the chamber 23, and from outside surfaces such as 17 that communicate with the chamber 23, inwardly through the wall portions 16 of the needle member 15, into communication with the bore or path 18 of yarn 10 through the needle member 15. The ducts 31, 32 and 33 thus extended downwardly and inwardly, being angled through the wall portions of the needle member to intersect the path of uncrimped yarn extending therethrough at locations more closely adjacent the outlet of the needle member than the locations of communication of the connecting duets with the chamber 23. It will thus be seen, that steam under pressure within the chamber 23 will enter the ducts 31, 32 and 33, and will have a downward component of motion as such steam communicates with the path or bore 18, that, with the steam thus contacting and engaging the then already downwardly moving yarn 10, will further impel the yarn downwardly, with such ducts 32, 33 and 31 acting as jets, for delivery of the yarn 10 into the crimping chamber 30. Also, it will be noted that the steam thus directly engages the yarn 10 at locations that are longitudinally spaced upstream from the entry of the yarn into the crimping chamber 30. It will be understood that a plurality of such connecting ducts 31,

32 and 33 may be utilized. but that only three are specifically illustrated in FIG. 1, for the sake of clarity. Also, it will be understood that the ducts 31, 32 and 33 illustrated are provided with cylindrical sleeves therein, that may for example be of stainless steel construction, if desired, and that are generally inserts, although if desired, the use of such sleeves could be avoided and small openings be used instead thereof, that may be bored or drilled directly through the walls 16 of the needle member 15, if desired. However, the use of sleeves as indicated, make it impossible to maintain closer control over the diameter of such ducts (interior diameter). It will also be noted that notches 34 are provided where the ducts communicate with the chamber 23, for facilitating machining and inlet of the inserts, as well as for providing increased volume for steam within the housing 22, in the chamber 23.

Yarn thus entering the chamber is being delivered thereto faster than it is being removed therefrom at the lower end 35 thereof, and thus tends to fold and bend upon itself. At about this time in the operation, the yarn will preferably be at a temperature such that it is amenable to taking on the configuration of the crimps, as a relaxed configuration therefor.

It will be noted that the lower end of the needle member 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is threadingly connected at 36, into a tube 37. The tube 37 may comprise a J- box, of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, or may merely be a tube having an arcuately bent portion, or rounded portion 38 capable of providing sufficient friction to retard the movement of a wad of crimped yarn therethrough, and thus to provide a resistance effect to yarn being delivered from the crimped chamber 30. Depending upon the interior size or diameter 40 of the J-box or other tube 37, such may also function in part as a crimping chamber, although, in many instances, the chamber 30 will provide sufficient crimping, with the tube 37 providing only a path for the already crimped yarn to pass therethrough. This resistance will provide a long plug or wad such as 41 of crimped yarn that the apparatus of this invention may be used to continue the treatment thereof. For example, the tubular member 37 may be provided with a jacket 42 as indicated, that in turn may be provided with an inlet 43 for delivering steam or other treatment fluid into a chamber 44 disposed about the tube 37. Thus, if it is desired to continue to heat treat the continuous wad 41, or to even further relax stresses that may still be present in the yarn or yarns that form the wad 41, heat may be de-. livered to the inlet 45 of the chamber 44. In lieu of the provision of a chamber 44, it may be desired simply to wrap the tube 37 with a high temperature type tape, as insulation, in order that the tube 37 will retain heat in the presence of the wad 41.

Furthermore, it will be apparent that other types of treatment fluid other than steam or heating fluid may be utilized, within the chamaber 44, to have the desired effect upon the continuous wad 41. For example, due to the particular yarn constructions and heat applied during its passage through the needle member 15, it may be that the yarn at the time that it begins to enter the .l-box or tube 37 (at about the location of the vents 46) may already be heatset, or molecularly free of memory of their previous condition, in which instance it may be desired to cool the wad during its passage through the J-box 37. In such an instance, cooling fluid could be supplied to the chamber 44. However, generally, it will be desired to continue to heat the wad 41 during its passage through the tube 37, as illustrated in FIG. I, and in which instance, steam will be supplied to the inlet 45.

It 'will be noted that the wad, upon its discharge through the outlet end 47 of the Jbox or curved tubular member 37, will generally be cooled, either by ambient air from the environment, or by a suitable blower 48 or the like, in order to assure setting of the yarn prior to substantial tensioning thereof, The then dewadded yarn 50 is delivered around a roller 51 or the like, to a take-up device.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that an alter native embodiment of a needle member 55 is provided, with a suitable housing 56. The housing 56 is constructed generally along the lines of that 22 illustrated in FIG, 1, and accordingly will not be described in detail. Similarly, the curved tubular member 57 is constructed similar to that 37 of FIG. 1, and also will not be described in detail, it being understood that the member 57 will be used to accommodate a wad passing therethrough, and may or may not be provided with a housing similar to that 42 of FIG. 1, as desired.

The needle member 55, between its inlet end 58 and its discharge end 60 is frusto-conically configured, for at least a substantial portion of its length, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, from its inlet 58 (below the chamfer thereof), to about the point 61. This is to provide a path 62 of yarn travel through the member 55 that progressively, continuously expands, as illustrated, such that, as steam entering into the interior 63, or chamber of the housing 56 (provided with steam in a conventional manner), passes through connecting ducts or jet ports such as that 64, and impels the yarn downwardly, facilitating the commencement of the formation of crimps further upstream than in the embodiment of the needle member of FIG. 1. This has been found to be advantageous, in that, the greater the length of contact with the steam, the more expanded is the then-forming wad laterally, inasmuch as the slope or taper provided for the path 62 facilitates a larger storage area as the yarn bulks and expands as measured width-wise, although the yarn is compacting length-wise.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated another arrangement also similar to that of each of FIGS. 1 and 2, but wherein the needle member 65, disposed within the housing 66, is provided with progressively stepped bore or passage portions such as 67, 68 and 70, throughout its length, as indicated, whereby the formation of a bulking chamber occurs in stages, commencing for the embodiment of FIG. 3 at about the stage of the bore size indicated by the numeral 68, and terminating at the stage 70, insofar as the chamber increases in width while within the needle member 65. The yarn 72 is impelled through the path portions 67, 68- and 70, as aforesaid for each of the

needle members

15 and 55, through the ducts 71, with the yarn being bulked in stages (although rapidly), rather than with progressive regularity as would be the case in FIG. 2. In any event, the yarn at the outlet end, or wadforming chamber 70 will be substantially compacted for crimping and bulking purposes as it leaves the chamber 70, just as will the yarn be upon its leaving the chamber between

points

61 and 60 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

The yarn at its discharge from the chamber portion 70 of the needle member 65 can compact somewhat as indicated in FIG. 3, because the size of the chamber may be perhaps two or more times the size of the inlet of the path portion 67, as measured width-wise. For example, the sizes of the path or

chamber portions

67, 68 and 70 may respectively be 50/1000 inches, /1000 and 100/1000, if the yarn 72 is, for example. of 2500 denier. Similarly, the plug-forming chamber portion at the lower end of the needle member 55, between the

points

61 and 60 may also be 2 to 3 times the transverse or width-wise size of the upper end of the path 62, as desired. It will be understood, of course, that various dimensional changes may be utilized, as desired.

With respect to all of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be understood that, particularly when it is desired that the wad of yarn within the

curved tubular member

37, 57, 73 or the like is desired to be set a substantial amount, while remaining in compacted form, some provision should be made for exit of the steam that impels the yarn into the wad-

formation chamber

30, 60, 70 or the like, and accordingly, the steam discharge vents 46 are provided. However, the continued downward movement and formation of wads or plugs within the chambers such as that of 30 will continue to physically urge the wad portions within the J-box or curved tubular member 37, continually downwardly and outwardly through the discharge outlets 47 thereof, but that the steam will preferably have been released through the vents 46, such that continued heating by the steam will not take place, unless desired. It may be desired to continue to apply heat by having a fluid within the chamber 44 as discussed above, but such will generally not be at the high temperature of steam directly in contact with the wad 41, in order to allow setting of the yarns at temperatures below their melting temperatures.

With reference to FIG. 4 in detail, an apparatus generally designated by the numeral is illustrated, as comprising a needle member 81, a housing 82, with some means (not shown) for providing steam into a chamber 83, for passage through connection ducts or jet means 84, for engaging yarn being delivered to a bore-like path 86, and impelling the yarn vertically downwardly, as indicated, due to the component of downward direction of the angled ducts, for compacting of the yarn 85 in the laterally expanded crimping chamber 87. Thus, the jet orifices 84 are operative as discussed above for those of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the wad or plug 88 is delivered onto the surface of a wheel or roller 90, that is rotating in a direction of the arrow 91 illustrated in FIG. 4, seing delivered by any suitable drive means, with the surface of the roller providing resistance to the uownward movement of the plug 88 from the chamber 87, in a manner similar to that in which the tubular member 37 provides a resistance to the discharge of the wad from the chamber 30 discussed above. As the wheel 90 rotates, the wad 88 becomes somewhat decompacted, as indicated, and is delivered onto a woven metal apron or the like as provided by a continuous conveyor belt 92 on suitable drive and

idler rollers

93 and 94, respectively, with the conveyor 92 being of generally mesh construction or the like. It will be noted that the steam is operative upon the yarn 85 and wad 88, in a manner similar to that discussed in the embodiment of FIG. 1, in order to convey the yarn filaments, to provide a heat of thorough relaxation of the yarn molecularly, when the yarn is in the crimped condition indicated by the wad or plug within the chamber 87, and with the steam also serving to convey the plug downwardly against the surface of the roll 90. lt will be noted that the surface of the roll 90 may either be fluted as at 95, or roughened in any other desired way, or even smooth, as desired, depending upon the particular yarn, speed of rotation of the roll 90, etc.

It will be noted that the conveyor 92 is run in a direction such that it will move the decompacted yarn 96 therealong, in the direction of the arrow 97 illustrated, preferably beneath some heating means, such as an infrared light arrangement 98 having suitable upper and lower enclosure means 100 and 101 respectively. It will be noted that other heating means than the infrared light 98 may be provided, or even no such heating means, as desired, but that, in many instances, it will be desirable to relax some of the residual stresses of the yarn in its crimped condition, and to achieve full shrinkage of the yarn, inasmuch as the yarns originally delivered at 85 into the member 81 may have been prestressed longitudinally, or stretched. The yarn 96 leaving the enclosure 100 may then pass beneath a suitable cooling chamber or hood 102 as indicated, provided with suitable cooling air or the like from a blower or any other satisfactory arrangement. The decompacted yarn 96 will then be substantially completely set and will be delivered to a take-up roll 103.

It will also be apparent, that if desired, the entire conveyor 92, and even the roll 90 if desired may be enclosed, for heat-retention purposes, or partially enclosed, as desired.

With reference to FIG. 5, in particular, it will be seen that an alternative needle member 105 is provided, that it is constructed generally similar to that 81 of FIG. 4, but wherein the crimped condition 106 at the bottom thereof is formed because of the presence of an insert 107 for providing the path 108 of yarn travel through the needle member 105, and at the lower end of the insert 110, at which the insert 110 terminates, such leaves a chamber 106. It will be clear that, from a machining or manufacturing standpoint, it may be desirable to utilize an insert 107, whereby a bore the size of the chamber 106 may originally be machined into the element 105, and with the reduced path 108 being provided by machining an insert 107 accordingly and inserting it into the bore 106, and with the lower end of the bore that does not accommodate a portion of the insert 107 providing the crimping chamber. Such a feature could also be utilized for the needle member 15, or even the needle members of FIGS. 2 and 3, as desired.

It will be clear from all of the foregoing that various modifications may be made in the details of construction, as well as in the use and operation of the individual components of the apparatus of this invention, and in the apparatus itself. Furthermore, various substitutions and modifications that are standard in the trade may also be utilized. Sizes and materials may also be changed and substituted, within the spirit and scope of the invention, as well as other modifications obvious to those skilled in this art.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for facilitating the texturing of yarn delivered thereto, comprising an elongated, enclosed yarn guide member having a yarn passageway extending therethrough between an inlet and an outlet thereof.

said passageway extending to a yarn crimping chamber arranged to receive yarn from said passageway, for ac commodating and crimping a wad of yarn therein, said crimping chamber having a yarn wad outlet end opening in a downstream direction relative to the travel of yarn, resistance means offering resistance to the movement of crimped yarn from said crimping chamber, and impelling means comprising a plurality of opposed and substantially parallel spaced passages angled to provide a force component in the direction of movement of the yarn and arranged at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along said passageway.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said impelling means comprises a housing disposed about said passageway defining a chamber, inlet means for expandable fluid into said chamber, and a plurality of connecting ducts extending from said chamber into said passageway, said ducts being angled to intersect the passageway at an angle extending toward the direction of yarn movement.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said yarn passageway is of substantially constant transverse size throughout its length.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said yarn passageway is tapered from a smaller inlet toward a larger outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said yarn passageway is of progressively stepped configuration from a smaller inlet toward a larger outlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said yarn passageway includes a sleeve insert.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said connecting ducts include sleeve inserts extending angularly into said passageway.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resistance means comprises a tubular member, at least partially curved to define an arcuate path portion of wad passage therethrough, with the interior of said tubular member comprising surface means offering resistance to but permitting the passage of a wad of crimped yarn therethrough, including steam vent means at an inlet end of said tubular member.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resistance means comprises a tubular member, at least partially curved to define an arcuate path portion of wad passage therethrough, with the interior of said tubular member comprising surface means offering resistance to but permitting the passage of a wad of crimped yarn therethrough, including means for delivering steam at sufficient temperature and pressure to both heat set the yarn crimps and move the yarn through the needle member and move the crimped yarn wad through the tubular member, with yarn supply means for delivering yarn to the inlet of the needle member, and including crimped yarn takeup means for taking up yarn in dewadded form upon discharge thereof from said tubular member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, including means for cooling de-wadded yarn upon discharge from said tubular member. but upstream of said yarn takeup means.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resistance means comprises a rotatable roll member and means for rotating the same, with the surface of said roll member being adapted to receive said wad and deliver yarn therefore in de-wadded form along an arcuate path. including means for delivering steam at sufficient temperature and pressure to both heat set the yarn crimps and to move the yarn through the needle member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, including means for applying heat of relaxation of de-wadded yarn downstream of the path of movement of yarn delivered from said roll member and means defining a path of movement of yarn delivered from said roll member, with yarn supply means for delivering yarn to the inlet of the needle member, and including crimped yarn takeup means for taking up yarn in de-wadded form upon discharge thereof from past said means for applying heat of relaxation.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, including means for cooling de-wadded yarn during its movement along its path, downstream of said means for applying said heat of relaxation, but upstream of said takeup means.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resistance means comprises a tubular member, at least partially curved to define an arcuate path portion of wad passage therethrough, with the interior of said tubular member comprising surface means offering resistance to, but permitting the passage of, a wad of crimped yarn therethrough.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said tubular member is of J-box construction.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, including external means for heating said tubular member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said heating means comprises a steam jacket.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resistance means comprises a rotatable roll member and means for rotating the same, with the surface of said roll member being adapted to receive said wad and deliver yarn therefrom in de-wadded form along an arcuate path.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said roll member is of fluted surface construction.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, including means for applying heat of relaxation of de-wadded yarn downstream of the path of movement of yarn delivered from said roll member and means defining path of movement of yarn delivered from said roll member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said means defining a path of movement comprises an endless conveyor belt of metal mesh construction, disposed for receiving yarn from said roll member.

22. Apparatus for facilitating the texturing of yarn delivered thereto, comprising a needle member having a longitudinal yarn path extending therethrough between an inlet and an oulet thereof, said yarn path terminating at its outlet end in a yarn crimping chamber means, said crimping chamber means being of a greater transverse size than the inlet end of said yarn path for accommodating a wad of crimped yarn therein, said crimping chamber means having yarn wad outlet end opening in a downstream direction relative to the travel of yarn, and combination means for facilitating both heating yarn being delivered through the path in the needle and impelling yarn therethrough from a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the path through the needle, wherein said combination means comprises a housing disposed about said needle member defining a chamber about a substantial longitudinal portion of the outer wall portions thereof, inlet means to said chamber for facilitating the delivery of steam thereto, and a plurality of connecting ducts extending through the wall portions of said needle member between said chamber and said yarn path, with said ducts being angled through the wall portions of said needle member to intersect the path of uncrimped yarn extending therethrough at locations more closely adjacent to the outlet of the needle member than the locations of communication of said connecting duets with said chamber.

Claims

1. Apparatus for facilitating the texturing of yarn delivered thereto, comprising an elongated, enclosed yarn guide member having a yarn passageway extending therethrough between an inlet and an outlet thereof, said passageway extending to a yarn crimping chamber arranged to receive yarn from said passageway, for accommodating and crimping a wad of yarn therein, said crimping chamber having a yarn wad outlet end opening in a downstream direction relative to the travel of yarn, resistance means offering resistance to the movement of crimped yarn from said crimping chamber, and impelling means comprising a plurality of opposed and substantially parallel spaced passages angled to provide a force component in the direction of movement of the yarn and arranged at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along said passageway.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resistance means comprises a tubular member, at least partially curved to define an arcuate path portion of wad passage therethrough, with the interior of said tubular member comprising surface means offering resistance to but permitting the passage of a wad of crimped yarn therethrough, including means for delivering steam at sufficient temperature and pressure to both heat set the yarn crimps and move the yarn through the needle member and move the crimped yarn wad through the tubular member, with yarn supply means for delivering yarn to the inlet of the needle member, and including crimped yarn takeup means for taking up yarn in de-wadded form upon discharge thereof from said tubular member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, including means for cooling de-waddeD yarn upon discharge from said tubular member, but upstream of said yarn takeup means.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resistance means comprises a rotatable roll member and means for rotating the same, with the surface of said roll member being adapted to receive said wad and deliver yarn therefore in de-wadded form along an arcuate path, including means for delivering steam at sufficient temperature and pressure to both heat set the yarn crimps and to move the yarn through the needle member.

22. Apparatus for facilitating the texturing of yarn delivered thereto, comprising a needle member having a longitudinal yarn path extending therethrough between an inlet and an oulet thereof, said yarn path terminating at its outlet end in a yarn crimping chamber means, said crimping chamber means being of a greater transverse size than the inlet end of said yarn path for accommodating a wad of crimped yarn therein, said crimping chamber means having yarn wad outlet end opening in a downstream direction relative to the travel of yarn, and combination means for facilitating both heating yarn being delivered through the path in the needle and impelling yarn therethrough from a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the path through the needle, wherein said combination means comprises a housing disposed about said needle member defining a chamber about a substantial longitudinal portion of the outer wall portions thereof, inlet means to said chamber for facilitating the delivery of steam thereto, and a plurality of connecting ducts extending through the wall portions of said needle member between said chamber and said yarn path, with said ducts being angled through the wall portions of said needle member to intersect the path of uncrimped yarn extending therethrough at locations more closely adjacent to the outlet of the needle member than the locations of communication of said connecting ducts with said chamber.