US3911657A

US3911657A - Textile machine

Info

Publication number: US3911657A
Application number: US235449A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles C Bell; Kurt W Niederer
Original assignee: Leesona Corp
Current assignee: Leesona Corp
Priority date: 1969-08-04
Filing date: 1972-03-16
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14

Abstract

A textile spinning frame including apparatus for automatically doffing and donning bobbins and, if desired, for rejoining breaks occurring in a strand of yarn. A carriage passes the numerous spinning positions on the frame and automatically delays its travel to service any spinning position requiring attention.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,911,657

Bell et a1. i 1 1 Oct. 14, 1975 1 1 TEXTILE MACHINE 2.452910 11/1948 DUAMSOH 57/82 11x 1752,10 6/1956 FurstH... 242/36 [75] lnvenlors: Cliarles C. Bell, Warw1ck, R.1.; Kurt 2791384 5/1957 Fumw H 242/39 Nlederer- Charlotte 2.922.272 1/1960 Hope 57/78 r 2 930 182 3/1960 Lgnk 57/89 X 73 A.. 1 1 msma Corporam" wmmk R l 3.012.734 12/196] GQOdhuE c1211.. 242/19 22] Filed: Niar, 16, 1972 3,128,590 4/1964 FscurselLPr-ut... 57/34 R 3.373.551 3/1968 Gillnno e! 211. 57/34 R 1 1 pp 235449 3374.616 3/1968 Hidden at 111. 57/53 Dam FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [6U] (ontinuation of S r. No. 847,011. Aug. 4, 1969. 355 674 5/1960 Japan 1/14 R which is i diiisioii Oi sci 3955869 i/i m 11 m,jjji-.ijiijijijjjiiiii'ij"ijii" iii/i4 R May 13 1968. Par. NO. 3559915, which is a division 01 Scr. No. 534081, March 14, 1966, Pat. No. 1403.866 Primary Exarniner-lohn Pctrakes Arlorney, Agent, or Firm Albcrt P. Davis; Burnett W. [52] 11.5. C1 57/34 R; 57/53; 57/80; Norton 57/156; 242/356 R [51] Int. Cl." ..I)01H [5/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 57/34 R, 52, 53, 54, 78,

57/80 82 81 86 I56 89 242/18 R [8 A A textile spmnmg frame 1nc1ud1ng apparatus for auto S 6 R 29 matically dotfing and donning bobbins and, if desired, 5 l i for rejoining breaks occurring in 11 strand of yarn. A References Cited carriage passes the numerous spinning positions on the H frame and automatically delays its travel 10 service UNlTED STATES PATENIS any spinning position requiring 1111011111011. 2,077.525 4/1937 Mennesfion 57/81 2.306.871 12/1942 Esser st 111 242/356 R 119 Claimsi Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 qhw 1 of w 3,911,657

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INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER MAM AT TOR N EYS US. Patent Oct I4. 1975 811C814 or m 3,911,657

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ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 5 of 19 3,911 1657 a; 556' E a 1a;

ill I l\llll INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 6 of m 3.911.657

INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER ATTOlNEYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 7 of 19 3,911,657

INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL BY KURT w. NIEDERER p flff D ATTORNEYS US. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheetzof 19 3,911,657

INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL KURT W N I EDERER ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent w 14, 1975 Sheet 9 01' 19 3,911,657

INVENTORS CHARLES c. BELL KURT w. NIEDERER ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet I0 0f 19 3,911,657

INVENTORS CHARLES C. BELL BY KURT W. NIEDERER MhM ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent Oct.14,1975 Sheet 110119 3,911,657

QQ m Q QQQW Q Q N 1% wkm Q H X N S wan \Nw QM $1 \Q CHARLES C BELL KURT w NIEDERER BY 9%// M ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent ct. 14, 1075 Sheet 12 of 10 3.911.657

INVENTO S CHARLES 'C. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER BY WKDM WWW ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 13 of 19 3,911,657

INVENTO S CHARLES C. BELL ATTORN EYS US Patent Oct. 14. 1975 Sheet 14 0119 10116 FIG. 35

INVENTO S CHARLES C. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER W/Z/DM ATTORNEYS US. Patent Oct. 14,1975

E 9700 5 I: E U 970 g 990 5 970:: E U E E E 967 c Sheet 15 of 19 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 16 of 10 3,911,657

INVENTORS F G. 40 CHARLES c. BELL KURT w. NIEDEREB BY D l ATTORN EYS US Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 17 of 19 3911657 FIG. 42

INVENTO S CHARLES C. BELL BY KURT W. NIEDERER ATTORNEYS FlG45 US Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 18 of 19 3,911,657

EMF H08 SOURCE H o III2 Cam Shaft Motor MOTOR Ii I6 42 r Hi8 Cam Shaft Clutch 02/ CLUTCH I04 I4 96 Z 4 SOLENOID AIR Carnage Motor 24 T L VALVE H30 MOTOR Yarn Sensor Slide 26 I skfyg' 38Z/CYLINDER H28 P I sLENoID 628 IMOQ ||22/H38 I44 LOCKING PINI H48 H36 H32 Centering Eye z fi'tg' CYLINDER Spindle Braking H52 Q- EQQ CYLINDER H58 Bobbm Transporting SOLENO'D CYLINDER li60 use 64 :11; 256' BobbIn Bellows H68 70 VALVE eELLows 272 Mounting Plate Positioning iiaii 942 m H72 H76 Capstan RotatIon H78 M 94 950 MOTOR I i S i n i I 86 QI AEi/ S 886 J' Bobbin Rotation H82 H88 930 MOTOR I Brush Rotation 1 MOTOR I I208 406 Traveler Threading SOLENOID CYLINDER I2I2 VALVE 420 Traveler Blowing |2|4 SOLENOID JET H96 I202 VALVE Down L 1 I204 994 nee i218 I220 l/ I Yarn Transfer Up T MO OR i200 I228 I022 A230 Down I224 I226 IOIZ I222

Knotter Positioning

9,5 58? r) CYLINDER [236 i240 soLENoID 288 VORTEX Vortex AIr Spmmng|234 I238 VA I042 NOZZLE Vortex Horizontal Movement 246E315 Q 'Q CYLINDER I050 Vortex Vertical Movement ekfvg' Knotting i244. R,'; Q,%' :DER|

I250 I254 INVENTORS CHARLES C.. BELL KURT W. NIEDERER ATTORN EYS U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 19 of 19 3,911,657

0 30 6O 9O l20 I50 I80 2l0 240 270 300 330 360 Carriage Motor J Yarn Sensor Slide Sensor Shunt Centering Eye Spindle Braking Bobbin Transporting Bobbin Bellows I 1 Mounting Plate Positioning I Capstan Rotation Bobbin Rotation Suction i Brush Rotation Traveler Threading Traveler Blowing Down Yarn Transfer Up I Down Knotter Positioning Vortex Air Spinning I Vortex Horizontal Movement 1'' Vortex Vertical Movement Knotting H 0 CHARLES "f" 5 KURT w NlEDERER WK M ATTORNEYS

Claims

1. A method of threading a ring traveller of a textile machine comprising the steps of wrapping said strand at least partially around the periphery of a ring on which said traveller is mounted, positioning a contiguous portion of the strand in a path contacting a traveller engaging portion of the ring, and propelling said traveller around at least a portion of said ring to cause said traveller to ride over and engage said strand.

2. A method Of threading a spinning machine having a system for drafting advancing material, and ring and ring traveller means for guiding said material to a take-up means comprising the steps of, engaging the material issuing from said drafting system, moving said material through a predetermined path extending adjacent said ring while imparting coherency to the material, deflecting said material into engagement with said ring, propelling said traveller around at least a portion of said ring to ride over and engage said material, and presenting the material to said take-up means.

3. The method according to claim 2 including the step of twisting said material to impart coherency thereto.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the movement of said material is maintained at a substantially constant rate of speed.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the movement of the material is at a rate not exceeding the rate at which the material issues from the drafting system.

6. The method according to claim 2 including the step of initiating rotation of said take-up means after the material has been presented thereto to engage the material thereon.

7. The method according to claim 6 including the step of sensing the presence of material extending between the drafting system and the take-up means after rotation of the take-up means has been initiated.

8. A method of servicing a spinning machine having a plurality of positions each of which is adapted to draft material through a drafting system, twist said material into a yarn, and wind said yarn on take-up means by means of a vertically reciprocating ring and traveller comprising the steps of sensing the condition of the material at each position, engaging the material as said material issues from said drafting system when an interrupted condition in the material is sensed, moving said material through a predetermined path adjacent said ring while imparting coherency to the material, propelling the traveller around at least a portion of the ring to thread said material through said traveller, and presenting the material to the take-up means.

9. The method according to claim 8 including the steps of patrolling the plurality of positions and periodically sensing the condition of the material at each position.

10. The method according to claim 8 including the step of deflecting the material into engagement with said ring for engagement with said traveller.

11. The method according to claim 10 including the step of synchronizing the deflection of said material to said ring with the reciprocation of said ring.

12. The method according to claim 8 including the step of twisting said material during movement thereof to impart coherency thereto.

13. The method according to claim 8 wherein the movement of said material is maintained at substantially a constant rate of speed.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the movement of said material is at a rate not exceeding the rate at which the material issues from the drafting system.

15. The method according to claim 8 including the step of initiating rotation of said take-up means after the material has been presented thereto to thereby engage the material therewith and actuate said position.

16. The method according to claim 15 including the step of sensing the presence of material extending between the drafting system and the take-up means after rotation of the bobbin has been initiated.

17. The method according to claim 16 including the step of shunting said activated position from further sensing when said material issuing from the drafting system fails to be taken up on said rotating take-up means.

18. Apparatus for threading a ring traveller comprising means for wrapping a strand at least partially around the periphery of a ring on which said traveller is mounted while positioning a contiguous portion of the strand in a path contacting a traveller engaging portion of the ring, and means for propelling said traveller around at least a portIon of the ring to engage said strand.

19. Automatic strand threading mechanism for ring spinning textile apparatus comprising, means for positioning the strand to be threaded in a generally fixed vertical path extending adjacent said ring, means for deflecting a portion of the strand into a position wrapped around at least a portion of the periphery of said ring while positioning a contiguous portion of the strand in a path contacting a traveller engaging portion of the ring, and means for propelling a traveller on said ring at least partially around the ring to contact said strand, whereby said traveller rides over the portion of said strand engaged with said ring.

20. Mechanism as set forth in claim 19 wherein said strand path extends exteriorly of said ring, and including means operable subsequent to said traveller propelling means for drawing a portion of said strand downstream of the point of engagement with said traveller over and within said ring.

21. Mechanism as set forth in claim 19 wherein said strand deflecting means comprises a finger projectable generally parallel to the plane of said ring.

22. Apparatus for threading a spinning machine having a drafting system for drafting material, and ring and traveller means for imparting twist to the material advancing to a take-up means comprising, means for engaging the material issuing from the drafting system and imparting coherency thereto, means for moving the material through a predetermined path extending adjacent said ring, actuable means adapted to deflect said material into engagement with said ring, means for propelling said traveller around at least a portion of said ring to ride over and engage said material, and operative means for presenting said material to said take-up means.

23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 22 including means for twisting said material during engagement thereof by said engaging means to impart coherency to said material.

24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said means for moving said material is operated at a substantially constant rate of speed.

25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein the speed of said means for moving said material is at a rate not exceeding the rate at which the material issues from the drafting system.

26. In a spinning machine having a plurality of positions each of which is adapted to draft roving material through a drafting system and take up the material on a bobbin rotating on a spindle while twisting the material into yarn by means of a ring and traveller carried on a vertically reciprocating ring rail operable to move each ring and traveller axially of its associated bobbin to distribute yarn thereon, the improvement therein comprising, automatic mechanism including a carriage movable lengthwise of said ring rails, means for moving said carriage, a platform on said carriage for reciprocating movement cooperatively with said ring rail, a detector for sensing the presence or absence of yarn in operative location at each position, means operated by said detector upon the absence of material at a position for halting the carriage at such position and for arresting the rotation of said spindle, a magazine on said carriage for holding at least one empty bobbin, means operative when said carriage is halted at such position to replace the bobbin being wound with an empty bobbin from said magazine, means operative in delayed relation to said bobbin replacement means to engage said roving material at said drafting system and deliver said material into engagement with said ring traveller and with said empty bobbin while imparting coherency to the material, means for releasing the spindle arresting means, and means for testing the presence of material in operative location at the position after the spindle arresting means has been released and while the carriage is still halted, means responsive to said testing means when the material is not in operative location to shunt the carriage past such position on succeedinG passes of said carriage, and means for reinitiating movement of said carriage.

27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said material engaging means includes means for imparting limited lateral reciprocation proximate to said drafting system in order to attract said material issuing at any point along said drafting system.

28. Apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said material engaging means includes means for imparting twist to said material during delivery thereof to said ring.

29. Apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said material engaging means includes suction means normally positioned in an inoperative position, and means for actuating said engaging means to said drafting system to attract said material therefrom.

30. Apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein said twisting means is a vortex nozzle, the vortical action thereof imparting the twist to said material to increase the coherence of said material during delivery to said ring and bobbin.

31. Apparatus as set forth in claim 52 wherein said vortex nozzle delivers said material in twisted condition in a predetermined path extending adjacent to said ring, said apparatus further including threading means movable after said material has extended adjacent said ring to deflect said material into engagement with said ring, means for threading said material through said traveler, a second vortex nozzle having an inoperative position below the base of said spindle and movable to a position within the interior of the ring to attract the material from said first vortex nozzle and return to said inoperative position thereby drawing said yarn through said ring and adjacent said bobbin, and means for releasing said material from said first suction nozzle while said second suction nozzle is positioned within said ring.

32. Apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein said material releasing means includes a strand shear operable to cut said material between said ring and said first vortex nozzle while said second vortex nozzle is located within the interior of said ring.

33. Apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein said second vortex nozzle imparts twist to said material, said twist running in the same direction as the twist inserted in the material by the first vortex nozzle.

34. For use with textile apparatus having a rotatably driven spindle for holding a bobbin for taking up yarn, and traversing means reciprocable along the length of said bobbin to distribute the yarn thereon, the combination therewith comprising, sensing means for sensing the size of a body of yarn wound on a predetermined area of said bobbin, said area being less than the full length of the body, means for inactivating the sensing means when said sensing means is proximate at least one of opposite ends of said bobbin, and separating means responsive to said sensing means for separating the yarn being delivered to the bobbin when the body of yarn in said predetermined area attains a predetermined size.

35. The combination as set forth in claim 34 including control means for periodically operating said sensing means.

36. The combination as set forth in claim 35 wherein said sensing means and separating means are rockable about a common axis, and cam means is operable to rock said sensing means into engagement with the predetermined area of said bobbin.

37. Apparatus for randomly doffing a bobbin on a textile machine while said machine continues to operate, said machine having a vertically reciprocating ring rail operable to move axially of a plurality of take-up bobbins and distribute strandular material thereon comprising, means for arresting rotation of a bobbin to be doffed, and means for subsequently doffing said bobbin.

38. Apparatus as set forth in claim 37 including a magazine for accommodating fresh reserve bobbins, and control means for operating said doffing means to retrieve a fresh bobbin from said magazine and donn said bobbin in position in place of said doffed package.

39. Apparatus as set forth in claim 37 including mechanism for severing the material being wound on said package when said package attains a predetermined size.

40. Apparatus as set forth in claim 38 including means for automatically presenting strandular material issuing from a source of supply to said fresh bobbin for winding thereon.

41. Apparatus as set forth in claim 40 including means for twisting said material into yarn as said material is delivered to said bobbin for winding thereon.

42. Apparatus for threading a ring traveller comprising means for positioning a strand adjacent a spinning ring having a traveller thereon, and means for engaging said strand aainst at least a portion of the periphery of said ring while positioning a contiguous portion of the strand in a path contacting a traveller engaging portion of the ring for engagement with said traveller.

43. A method for randomly doffing bobbins from a textile machine having support means for mounting a plurality of rotatable bobbins each of which is adapted to wind up an associated yarn supply, and a traverse mechanism common to all of said bobbins for distributing each yarn supply along its associated bobbin comprising the steps of; removing at least one of said bobbins from said support means on signal while maintaining said traverse mechanism operative to distribute yarn supplies on each of the bobbins remaining on said supporot means.

44. The method according to claim 43 including the steps of depositing a fresh bobbin on said support means in position to replace the removed bobbins while maintaining said traverse mechanism operative to distribute yarn supplies on each of the further bobbins on said support means.

45. The method according to claim 43 including the step of severing the yarn supply winding onto the bobbin to be removed.

46. The method according to claim 44 including the steps of attaching the supply yarn associated with said fresh bobbin to said traverse mechanism and to said fresh bobbin to initiate winding of yarn on the last mentioned bobbin.

47. Apparatus for randomly doffing bobbins from a textile machine comprising, support means mounted on said textile machine for mounting a plurality of bobbins, a plurality of yarn supplies, a separate one of each supplies being directed to a respective one of said bobbins for winding thereon, means for rotating said bobbins, traverse means common to all of said bobbins and operable to distribute each yarn supply along its associated bobbin, and holding means operable on signal to remove at least one of said bobbins as said traverse means operates to distribute the respective yarn supplies onto the bobbins remaining on said support means.

48. Apparatus as set forth in claim 47 including control means operable to separate said removed bobbin from said holding means, and means operable to support a fresh bobbin for transfer by said holding means for positioning on said support means in place of the removed bobbin while maintaining said traverse means in operation.

49. In a spinning machine having a plurality of positions each of which is adapted to draft roving material through a drafting system and take up the material on a bobbin rotating on a spindle while twisting the material into yarn by means of a ring and traveller carried on a vertically reciprocating ring rail operable to move each ring and traveller axially of its associated bobbin to distribute yarn thereon, the improvement therein comprising, automatic mechanism including a carriage movable lengthwise of said ring rail, means for moving said carriage, a platform on said carriage for reciprocating movement cooperatively with said ring rail, a detector for sensing the presence or absence of yarn in operative location at each position, means operated by said detector upon the absence of material at a position for halting the carriage at such position and for arresting the rotation of said spindle, a magazine on said carriage for holding at least one Empty bobbin, means operative when said carriage is halted at such position to replace the bobbin being wound with an empty bobbin from said magazine, means operative in delayed relation to said bobbin replacement means to engage said roving material at said drafting system and deliver said material into engagement with said ring traveller and with said empty bobbin while imparting coherency to the material, means for releasing the spindle arresting means, and means for testing the presence of material in operative location at the position after the spindle arresting means has been released and while the carriage is still halted.

50. Apparatus as set forth in claim 49 wherein said material engaging means includes means for imparting limited lateral reciprocation proximate to said drafting system in order to attract said material issuing at any point along said drafting system.

51. Apparatus as set forth in claim 49 wherein said material engaging means includes means for imparting twist to said material during delivery thereof to said ring.

52. Apparatus as set forth in claim 49 wherein said material engaging means includes suction means normally positioned in an inoperative position, and means for actuating said engaging means to said drafting system to attract said material therefrom.

53. Apparatus as set forth in claim 51 wherein said twisting means is a vortex nozzle, the vortical action thereof imparting twist to said material to increase the coherence of said material during delivery to said ring and bobbin.

54. Apparatus for producing a signal to commence a work cycle in a patrolling tender movable relative to at least one yarn processing station on an associated textile machine, said tender being arranged for disposition at a servicing position proximate to said processing station upon yarn interruption at said station; said apparatus including sensing means for indicating an interruption in the yarn being processed, control means operable in response to yarn interruption for positioning said tender at said servicing position, and signal means responsive to simultaneous operation of said sensing means and control means for producing said signal.

55. The method of producing a signal to commence a work cycle in a patrolling tender movable relative to at least one yarn processing station on an associated textile machine at which advancing yarn is delivered to a take-up, said tender being operable to position at a servicing position proximate to said processing station to service the yarn upon interruption thereof comprising the steps of: sensing an interruption in the advancing yarn, sensing the location of said tender at said servicing position, and producing a signal to commence reinitiation of said advancing yarn only when said interrupted yarn and the location of said tender at said servicing position are simultaneously sensed.

56. Apparatus for producing a signal to commence a work cycle in a device operable to tend a strand advancing from a supply source to a take-up comprising, sensing means for providing a first indication indicating an interruption in said advancing strand, control means operable in response to strand interruption to provide a second indication that said device is in readiness to tend the strand, the signal means operable in response to simultaneous production of said first and second indications to produce said signal.

57. Apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said sensing means includes a member engageable with said strand.

58. Apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said sensing means further includes an electrical switch, and said member is mounted on a pivot for swingable movement to contact said switch upon an interruption in the advancing strand.

59. Apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein said control means includes a second electrical switch connected in series with said electrical switch.

60. Apparatus as set forth in claim 59 wherein said signal means includes a third elecTrical switch connected in circuit with said switch and second switch.

61. Apparatus as set forth in claim 59 wherein said member is operable to engage the strand periodically to sense the condition thereof.

62. Apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said sensing means includes an electrical switch having a contact member mounted on a rockable arm, fluid means is provided to rock said arm and hold said switch in an inactive position during advancement of said strand, and baffle means are provided to stop the action of said fluid means upon interruption of said strand, said arm being rocked to move said switch to an active position upon stopping of said fluid means.

63. Apparatus as set forth in claim 62 wherein said control means includes a second electrical switch connected in series with said electrical switch.

64. Apparatus as set forth in claim 63 wherein said signal means includes a third electrical switch connected in circuit with said switch and second switch.

65. Apparatus as set forth in claim 56 including means for interrupting the strand when a predetermined amount of strand has been delivered to said take-up.

66. Apparatus as set forth in claim 56 including power means for moving said device between a first position where said device is in readiness to tend the strand and a second position where said device is unready to tend the strand, said control means being operable to provide said second indication when said device is at said first position.

67. Apparatus as set forth in claim 66 wherein said sensing means is mounted on said device for movement therewith, and said device is responsive to said first indication to move to said first position.

68. A method of producing a signal to commence a work cycle in a device operable to tend a strand advancing from a supply source to a take-up and movable between a first position where said device is in readiness to tend the strand and a second position where the device is unready to tend the strand, comprising the steps of, sensing an interruption in the advancing strand, sensing the location of said device at said first position, and producing said signal only when the interrupted strand and the location of the device at the first position are simultaneously sensed.

69. The method according to claim 68 including the step of engaging the strand to sense the condition thereof.

70. The method according to claim 68 including the step of interrupting the strand when a predetermined amount of said strand has been delivered to said take-up.

71. The method according to claim 68 including the step of moving said device to said first position when an interrupted strand is sensed.

72. A method of tending a textile machine having at least one position thereon for processing a strand comprising the steps of, providing a tender movable relative to the processing position, energizing sensing means when said tender is proximate to said strand processing position, sensing an interruption in the processing of said strand at said position, locating said tender to a tending position to reinitiate strand processing at said inoperative position in response to said processing interruption, and producing a signal to commence the operation of said tender to tend said position when said processing interruption has been sensed and the tender is located at said position.

73. The method as set forth in claim 72 wherein said textile machine includes a plurality of strand processing positions and including the step of moving said tender from one inoperative position to a further inoperative position without stopping the tender at intermediate positions.

74. The method according to claim 73 including the step of shunting an inoperative position from said tender after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts by said tender to service said inoperative position.

75. Apparatus for tending a textile machine having at least one station thereon for processing a strand comprising, a tender, mEans affording relative movement between said textile machine and said tender to present said station to said tender, first sensing means energized when said tender is proximate to said station, second sensing for sensing an interruption in the processing of said strand at said station, means operative in response to said second sensing means sensing said processing interruption to effect relative movement between said tender and said inoperative station to place said tender and station in register whereby said tender can tend said station to reinitiate strand processing thereat and means for producing a signal to commence the operation of said tender when said processing interruption has been sensed and said tender is in register with said station.

76. Apparatus as set forth in claim 75 including means for shunting an inoperative station from said tender after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts by said tender to reinitiate strand processing thereat.

77. Apparatus as set forth in claim 75 wherein said textile machine includes a plurality of stations, said tender and said stations having relative movement therebetween, said tender being presented individually to each said station, and being responsive to inoperativeness of any said station to move into register therewith to reinitiate strand processing thereat.

78. A method of threading a ring traveller comprising the steps of presenting a strand in position wrapped in a generally helical path at least partially around the periphery of a ring on which the traveller is movable while positioning a contiguous portion of the strand in a path contacting a traveller engaging portion of the ring, and means for effecting relative movement between said wrapped strand and said traveller within said zone to engage the strand with the traveller.

79. The method according to claim 78 including the step of providing a fluid pressure to effect said relative movement.

80. The method according to claim 79 including the step of halting the movement of said traveller after engagement with said strand.

81. Apparatus for tending a textile machine having at least one strand processing station thereon including, traversing mechanism movable relative to a take-up member to distribute the strand along the member comprising, means for sensing interruption of the processing of said strand at said station, and means operable in response to said sensing means to doff said take-up member from its take-up position while maintaining movement of said traversing mechanism.

82. Apparatus as set forth in claim 81 including means operable to reinitiate strand processing after removal of said member.

83. Apparatus as set forth in claim 82 including a carriage mounting at least a portion of the means for reinitiating strand processing, and means connecting the carriage to said traversing mechanism for movement therewith.

84. Apparatus as set forth in claim 82 including means for controlling a supply end of the strand during interruption.

85. Apparatus as set forth in claim 84 including means for scanning said controlling means for said supply end and deliver said supply end to a predetermined locus to reinitiate its delivery to said member.

86. Apparatus as set forth in claim 81 wherein said doffing means is operable to return said member to its take-up position for reinitiation of strand processing.

87. Apparatus as set forth in claim 81 wherein said doffing means is operable to deliver a different take-up member to said take-up position to have strand wound thereon.

88. Apparatus for tending a textile machine having strand delivery means and a take-up bobbin comprising, means for interrupting said strand intermediate said delivery means and said take-up bobbin when a predetermined amount of said strand has been wound on said bobbin, and means operable in response to said interruption to doff said bobbin from said machine.

89. Apparatus as set forth in claim 88 including means for sequentialLy supplying a fresh bobbin in place of said first mentioned bobbin to have the strand wound thereon.

90. Apparatus as set forth in claim 88 including means for delivering said supply strand to the fresh bobbin for winding thereon.

91. Apparatus as set forth in claim 88 including means for rotating said first mentioned bobbin as the strand advances thereto for winding thereon, and means for arresting rotation of the first mentioned bobbin preliminary to doffing thereof.

92. Apparatus as set forth in claim 88 including means for sensing said supply strand after delivery to said fresh bobbin to determine that said strand is in position to be wound on said fresh bobbin.

93. Apparatus as set forth in claim 88 including means for controlling the interrupted strand flowing from said supply during doffing of said bobbin.

94. Apparatus for tending textile apparatus having at least one strand processing position comprising, a movable carriage having strand reinitiating means thereon, drive means for said carriage, sensing means for indicating the condition of a strand at said processing station, and means responsive to said sensing means indicating an interruption in the strand being processed to shift said drive means into a first mode to decelerate said carriage and then into a second mode different from said first mode to move said carriage to a locus to tend said position and reinitiate strand processing thereat.

95. Apparatus as set forth in claim 94 including means for precluding delivery of said strand from its supply source when said sensing means senses that strand processing has failed to be reinitiated.

96. Apparatus as set forth in claim 94 including means for shunting said position from operation by said carriage upon failure by said carriage to effect strand processing at said station.

97. Apparatus as set forth in claim 94 including means for operating said sensing means to sense the condition of the tended position to determine that strand processing has been reinitiated prior to said carriage moving therefrom.

98. Apparatus for tending textile apparatus having at least one strand processing position where a strand is advanced to a take-up unit comprising, tending means disposable in a tending position to reinitiate strand processing upon interruption of the strand at said position, and means for precluding disposition of said tending means in said tending position after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts by said tending means to reinitiate strand processing at said position.

99. Apparatus as set forth in claim 98 including means for halting advance of the strand at said position after said predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts by said tending means.

100. Apparatus as set forth in claim 98 including means for testing for successful strand reinitiation at said position after operation of said tending means.

101. Apparatus as set forth in claim 100 wherein said test means includes a strand engaging member.

102. Apparatus for tending a textile machine provided with a winding position having take-up means operatively engaged on a holder comprising, means for detecting an interruption in the advance of a supply strand to said take-up means, and means operable in response to said detection for displacing said take-up means from operative engagement with said holder.

103. Apparatus as set forth in claim 102 wherein said displacing means is operable to return said take-up means to engagement with said holder after removal therefrom.

104. Apparatus as set forth in claim 102 wherein said displacing means is operable to provide a take-up means to said holder different from the one displaced.

105. Apparatus as set forth in claim 102 wherein said take-up means is reengaged on said holder sequentially after said displacing, and including means for reinitiating strand processing at said position.

106. Apparatus as set forth in claim 105 wherein said strand is roving, and including means for moving the roving from a first location to said take-up means while imparting coherency thereto for engagement of the roving with the take-up means after said take-up means has been reengaged on said holder.

107. Apparatus as set forth in claim 105 wherein said position includes reciprocating traverse means for distributing the strand on the take-up means, and including means for reinitiating strand processing while maintaining reciprocation of the traverse means.

108. The method of tending a textile machine provided with a winding position having take-up means operatively engaged on a holder comprising the steps of, detecting an interruption in an advancing supply strand advancing to said take-up means, and displacing said take-up means from operative engagement with said holder in response to detecting said interruption.

109. The method as set forth in claim 108 including the step of returning said take-up means to engagement with said holder after removal therefrom.

110. The method as set forth in claim 108 including the step of providing a take-up means to said holder differing from the one displaced.

111. The method as set forth in claim 110 wherein said strand is roving, and including the steps of moving the roving from a first location to said take-up means while imparting coherency thereto for engagement with the take-up means after said take-up means has been reengaged on said holder.

112. The method according to claim 111 wherein said position includes reciprocating traverse means for distributing the strand on the take-up means, and including the step of reinitiating strand processing at said position while maintaining reciprocation of the traverse means.

113. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a tender unit movable relative to a strand processing position and operable when in a predetermined location to tend said position comprising, means for moving said tender unit relative to said position, means for sensing the presence of a strand in processing position at said position, and control means operable in response to the absence of said strand in processing position to arrest the movement of said tender unit at a locus spaced from said predetermined location and then situate said tender unit at said predetermined location.

114. Apparatus as set forth in claim 113 wherein said processing position includes a predetermined path for said strand and said control means includes means operable to sense the condition of said strand in said path at said position.

115. Apparatus as set forth in claim 113 wherein said moving means is reversible means, and said control means is operable to reverse said reversible means to situate said tender at said predetermined location.

116. Apparatus as set forth in claim 113 wherein said predetermined location includes locking means, said tender unit includes engaging means for mating with said locking means to secure said tender unit in said predetermined position, and said control means is operable to actuate said engaging means for engagement with said locking means.

117. Apparatus as set forth in claim 113 wherein said moving means is a reversible motor, and including solenoid means for operating said motor to situate said tender at said predetermined location.

118. Apparatus as set forth in claim 113 wherein said tender unit is operable to reinitiate strand processing at said position, and including means for precluding successive operation of said control means in the event said tender unit has not reinitiated strand processing at said position.

119. Apparatus as set forth in claim 118 wherein said control means includes first means to sense the condition of the strand path at said position and second means to sense the condition of registration means associated with said position, and said means for precluding successive operation of the control means includes means for shunting said registration means.