WO2022180473A1 - A yarn guiding apparatus for guiding a moving yarn in a textile machine creel - Google Patents

Abstract

Invention relates to guiding apparatus (16) for running yarn in a circular loom. It comprises a creel support (5) to mount yarn bobbins, a central shaft (20) connected to bracket (19) and front guiding unit (17) and rear guiding unit (18) connected together via block (19) and a pair of support brackets (4) having a back (4a) and a transverse flange (4b) on either side of the back (4a), and a side surface (4c) on the traverse flange (4b) and lower edge (4d). Two pairs of first and second flat strips (22, 23) having a pair of horizontal support bars (6) supported between two end brackets (7) to provide sturdy structure. Guiding units (17, 18) are provided with vertical pins (8) at a predetermined distance from each other so that yarn (2) can travel smoothly. Vertical pins (8) are mounted between the first flat strip (22) and second flat strip (23) perpendicularly to flat strips (22, 23).

Description

A YARN GUIDING APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A MOVING YARN IN A TEXTILE MACHINE CREEL

Field of Invention:

The present invention relates to guiding apparatus for running yarn used in a textile machine creel, more particularly it relates to yarn guiding apparatus used in the creel of a circular weaving loom.

Background of Invention:

Textile machinery generally uses multiple yam packages and has various types of creels and its yarn guide device. The types of packages can vary such as they can carry different type of yarn width or sizes and have different diameter up to which they are wounded. The term “creel” refers to any framework or structure (whether floor-standing, machine-mounted, or overhead) designed for supporting multiple packages. The yarns from the packages are guided by yarn guide device. These yarn guide devices can be mounted on the creel or present as a separate. The yam guiding device can be constructed in many ways such that it can guide the yam without any type of hinderance and provide smooth yarn running path.

Conventional system of guiding yarn shown in figure 1, wherein a weaving loom, having creel support structure comprises of plurality of strips arranged parallel to each other. The strips which are generally made of metallic surface with plurality of holes on it. These holes have closed eyelets bonded with external bonding agents like glue or araldite or any kind of adhesive such that strip, and the eyelets form one part. The eyelets are constructed of wear resistant material such as ceramic or glass. It is necessary for operators to manually draw in yam ends through the eyelets in several succeeding strips in the creel. This is very laborious and time consuming, resulting in considerable machine down time. This simple operation thus occasions inordinate difficulty, delay and expense. Further, in the conventional system, the plurality of eyelet (11) used which is of fixed diameter irrespective the width of the yarn (2) which limits the usage of wide variety of yam (2) with different diameters. In figure 1, the conventional system of the yam guiding (1) is shown, wherein yarn guiding device (1) comprises of horizontal strip (3) with plurality of holes in which eyelet (11) are glued or welded such that they form one part. There may be at least two strip such that the tensioner (10) lies between it. The main purpose of tensioner (10) is to maintain the tension in the yarn (2) during yarn transfer, any drop-in tension lowers the tensioner (10), and machine stops indicating an error. Further, in the conventional yarn guiding device (1), the horizontal strips (3) are connected together by a connector (12) to form a rigid body. The bobbins (13) are mounted on creel support structure (5) from which yam (2) advances individually into the eyelet (11). Further, as shown in figures 1 A and IB the diameter (d) of the eyelet (11) is fixed however the width of the wider yarn (w’) is more than the width of the narrow yarn (w”). Thus, the wider yarn (14) shown in figure 1A, tends to fold and mb at the edges and causes more restriction and abrasion and wear. The yarn gets continuously abraded on side wall of eyelet and leading to dust or fibrous material accumulation. Sometimes, it results in yam breakage where, as in case of figure IB, the narrow yam (15) is limited in width (w”) with respect to the diameter of the eyelet (d) thus, the abrasion is less.

Further as shown in figure 1C, if the operator tends to use the bigger eyelet of diameter (d’) in place of smaller eyelet with diameter (d) thus the yam guiding device (1) requires more space for installation and adds to the cost. As shown in figure 1C, increasing the size of eyelet from diameter (‘d’) to diameter (d”), the overall dimension of horizontal strip (3) LxW changes to L’xW’. Thus, there is a need to provide or develop a yarn guiding device which can overcome limitation of conventional yarn guide system of creels on weaving looms.

Objects of Invention:

The main objective of present invention is to provide yarn guiding apparatus with ease of threading on creel.

Another objective of present invention is that yarn guiding device is also capable of handling slit film tape yarn having wider width .

Other objective of present invention is to reduce the yarn abrasion at guiding system on creel and subsequently enhance productivity of machine.

Yet another objective of present invention is to provide a universal yam guiding system which can handle any yarn including slit film tape yarn of any width and accommodate less space.

List of Figures:

Figure 1 shows conventional system of yam guiding device for creel with eyelets guiding the yam.

Figure 1 A shows the eyelet with wider slit film tape yarn of conventional systems

Figure IB shows the eyelet with narrow slit film tape yarn of conventional systems

Figure 1C shows the dimensional changes in the strip of conventional systems

Figure ID shows the yarn threading in eyelet individually of conventional systems Figure 2 shows apparatus of the invention for yarn guiding for creel with rod-pin type guiding

Figure 2A shows rod- pin type arrangement with wider slit film yarn

Figure 2B shows the enlarged view of the strips and support bracket connection

Figure 2C shows the assembly process of the pin arrangement inside the strips

Figure 3 shows the construction of vertical pin

Figure 3 A shows one of the embodiments of vertical pin

Figure 3B shows another embodiment of the vertical pin

Figure 4 shows the easy yarn threading

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention for easy yarn threading

Figure 5A shows enlarged view of the of the pin rotation

Summary of Invention:

The present invention discloses a guiding apparatus for running yam used in a textile machine creel that is used in a circular weaving loom.

The apparatus of present invention is used for guiding moving yam wounded over bobbin placed on a creel support structure. The yarn can be the wide or narrow fibers, multifilament, or can be slit film tape of varying denier, size and shape used in raffia industry. The apparatus of the present invention essentially comprises a pair of guiding units - front and rear - that are connected via a block and a pair of support brackets. The support bracket is specially designed and provides a direct support to the pair of guiding units. The block is rigid in construction and has a hole at the top face through which a hollow or a solid central shaft with preferably circular cross section passes. The central shaft is further connected to creel rods which hold a plurality of bobbins. The bobbins can be held on the bobbin support rod such that bobbin rotates freely during yarn unwinding from it which is very well known by person skilled in art. The above construction with multiple central shaft and creel rods constitutes a creel support structure.

Both the front guiding unit and rear guiding unit can be optionally identical in construction such that they comprise of a set of strips namely first flat strip and second flat strip respectively which are together connected at their corresponding ends by a corresponding end bracket so that they are held together in place relatively rigidly with each other. There are two such connected pairs of first and second flat strips connected relatively together and held in place relative to each other using the block and support brackets arrangement. Further each pair of said first and second flat strips has a pair of horizontal support bars supported between two end brackets to provide a sturdy structure. The horizontal support bars are well inserted into the end brackets.

Further, the front and rear guiding unit comprises of plurality of vertical pins arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, between which yam travels. The distance between the consecutive vertical pin is such that it can accommodate the yarn of wide variety width such as both narrow yarn and wider yam. The arrangement of vertical pins and horizontal support bars described herein forms the guiding space for yarn, such that there is more space than the prior art eyelet guide, through which yarn can ran unhindered. List of Parts:

Conventional Yarn guiding device (1) 25 Block (19) Yam (2) Central Shaft (20)

Horizontal strips (3) Creel rod (21) Support bracket (4) First flat strip (22)

Back (4a) Second flat strip (23)

Traverse flange (4b) 30 Stud (24)

Side surface (4c) Bearing (25)

Lower (4d) Bobbin support rod (26) Creel support structure (5) Lever (27)

Horizontal support bar (6) First Bar (28)

End Bracket (7) 35 Second bar (29)

Vertical pin (8) Hardware (30)

Slot (9) Width of the strip (W) Tensioner (10) Length of the strip (L)

Eyelet (11) Diameter of eyelet (d)

Connector (12) 40 Diameter of wider eyelet (d’)

Bobbin (13) Width of wider yarn (w’)

Wider yarn (14) Width of narrow yam (w”) Narrow yarn (15) Length of strip with eyelet Diameter d’

Yam Guiding Apparatus of the (L’) invention (16) 45 Width of strip with eyelet Diameter

Front guiding unit (17) d’(W’)

Rear guiding unit (18)

Detail Description of Invention:

Figure 2 shows a yarn guiding device or apparatus (16) of present invention used for guiding moving yarn (2) wounded over bobbin (13) placed on a creel support structure (5). The yarn (2) in the present invention refers to the wide or narrow fibers, multifilament, or can be slit film tape of varying denier, size and shape used in raffia industry.

The apparatus(16) of the present invention comprises of front guiding unit (17) and rear guiding unit (18). Both the guiding units (17, 18) are connected via a block (19) and a pair of support brackets (4). The support brackets (4) have a back (4a), a transverse flange (4b) on either side of the back (4a), a side surface (4c) on the traverse flange (4b) and a lower edge (4d). The side surface (4c) on the traverse flange (4b) acts as a barrier such that end brackets (7) does not move laterally and end brackets (7) always touches the side surface (4c) of the support bracket (4) as can be seen from figure 2B. The block (19) is rigid in construction and has a hole at the top face through which a hollow or a solid central shaft (20) with preferably circular cross section passes.

Further, the yarn guiding apparatus (16) can use a shaft (20) with rectangular or square or of any polygonal shaped cross section instead of circular cross section, such that it provides a rigid support to the yarn guiding apparatus (16). The central shaft (20) is further connected to creel rods (21) which hold a plurality of bobbins (13). The bobbins (13) can be held on the bobbin support rod (26) such that bobbin (13) rotates freely during yarn unwinding from it which is very well known by person skilled in art. The above construction with multiple central shaft (20) and creel rods (21) constitutes a creel support structure (5) but in Figure 2 only a single creel rod (21) and single central shaft (20) is shown for better visibility.

Both the front guiding unit (17) and rear guiding unit (18) can be optionally identical in construction such that they comprise of a set of strips namely first flat strip (22) and second flat strip (23) respectively which are together connected at their corresponding ends by a corresponding end bracket (7) so that they are held together in place relatively rigidly with each other. The first flat strip (22) can be made with u cross section with a sheet of metallic or non-metallic material such that it forms a sturdy base. Further, the second flat strip (23) can be identical in material and construction with the first flat strip (22) or optionally of a material preferably sturdy than the first flat strip (22). Further second flat strip (23) can be chosen from high tensile steel or can be crafted by metallic block such that if tension is generated by the yam (2) , due to load on the second flat strip (23) it will not bend. The cross section of the strips (22,23) is made of u shape such that the horizontal support bar (6) along with the end brackets (7) can be easily slid inside. As can be seen from Figure 2, there are two such connected pairs of first and second flat strips (22, 23) connected relatively together and held in place relative to each other using the block (19) and support brackets (4) arrangement. The connection can be done by any kind of mechanical joining method such as welding, brazing such that the strips (22, 23) are firmly affixed to the lower edge (4d) of the support bracket (4). Further each pair of said first and second flat strips (22, 23) has a pair of horizontal support bars (6) supported between two end brackets (7) to provide a sturdy structure. The horizontal support bars (6) are well inserted into the end brackets (7) such that there is no requirement of the mechanical hardwares such as bolts, rivets, welding for connecting the horizontal support bars (6) with the pair of end bracket (7). Also, the horizontal support bars (6) provide a guiding path onto which the yarn (2) rest while advancing. The horizontal support bars (6) are made up of solid or hollow metallic or non-metallic rod with preferably circular cross section or can be rectangular or square having a smooth surface such the lower surface of the advancing yam (2) which rest over it does not degrade. Such smooth finish can be obtained by any kind of method such as super finish coating of ceramic, glass or coatings like nickel, chrome or any kind of method or treatment such as grinding the surface to obtain good surface finish or by using super finishing method of treatment of surface by vibratory material in a camber which is known to person skilled in art. In one of the embodiments, the individual horizontal support bars (6) can be rotated about their longitudinal axis such that it rotates under the pulling force applied by the moving yarn (2) that passes over it and does not restrict its movement. The horizontal support bars (6) are arranged at a predetermined distance such that yarn (2) has enough space in vertical direction to travel at the moment of tension loss.

Further, the front and rear guiding unit (17, 18) comprises of plurality of vertical pins (8) arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, between which yarn (2) travels. The distance between the consecutive vertical pin (8) is such that it can accommodate the yarn (2) of wide variety width such as both narrow yam (15) and wider yam (14) as shown in figure 2A. The arrangement of horizontal support bars (6) and vertical pins (8) forms a number of slots (9) through which the yam (2) can pass. The arrangement of vertical pins (8) and horizontal support bars (6) described herein forms the guiding space for yam, such that there is more space than the prior art eyelet (11) guide, through which yarn (2) can ran unhindered. The vertical pins (8) are mounted between first bar (28) and second bar (29) such that it is always perpendicular to the bars (28, 29) as shown in figure 2C step 1. As shown in figure 3, the vertical pins (8) are constructed in such a way that they have circular cross section to obtain a surface without any sharp edges. The vertical pins (8) can be optionally coated with super finish material like coating such as nickel, chrome, ceramics, plasma, or any other coating to obtain a smooth finish surface such that the yarn (2), which comes in contact with the surface of pin (8), does not degrade. The pins (8) may be made of metallic or non-metallic material such as ceramic or glass. In one of the embodiments, the vertical pins (8) are constructed such that stud (24) is welded over the vertical circular pin as shown in figure 3A. The vertical pins (8) now can be inserted between the first and second bar (28, 29) after threading all the yams to creates a predetermine slot (9). The flat strip has plurality of blind holes into which each vertical pin (8) can be inserted to provide a rigid vertical structure. This activity does not require individual yarn (2) threading and reduces threading time.

In another embodiment as shown in figure 3B, the vertical pin (8) is mounted between the first and second bar (28, 29) such that it comprises of bearing (25) at both the ends of vertical pin (8) . In such kind of arrangement, vertical pins (8) tend to rotate about their longitudinal axis, such that the advancing yarn (2), when it comes in contact with the surface of vertical pin (8), rotates the vertical pin (8). In this mechanism the contact frictional forces are of rotational frictional type thereby creating very less friction at the point of contact between the yarn as compared to the fixed arrangement and the surface of the vertical pins (8) thereby protects the yarn (2) from degradation.

Further, the present yarn guiding apparatus (16) helps in increasing the loom speed by 10% due to less breaks on account of comparatively lower abrasion of yarn (2) with guiding surfaces. The guiding surface is the surface onto which yarn (2) moves or guided from the bobbin (13) mounted on creel support structure (5) to the central portion of the weaving loom. These surfaces include the vertical pin (8) and horizontal support bar (6) of which various embodiments are defined earlier.

An apparatus of invention (16) formed by the set of front and rear guiding units (17, 18) with strips (22,23), plurality of vertical pins (8) and horizontal support bars (6) assembled in the manner as described herein and as shown in Figure 2, and mounted on creel support structure (5) with help of a set of support brackets (4) and block (19), provides the necessary space to each yarn (2) moving through them and thus results in ease of threading, reducing the threading time to almost 50% of conventional yarn guiding device (1). In case of conventional threading mechanism individual yarn (2) is threaded inside the individual eyelet (11) which is very small. So, operator require much more time in threading whereas in case of the threading mechanism of the invention, as the slot (9) is wider compared with conventional system so that easy and less time-consuming threading happens.

However, in another case of the threading mechanism of the invention, multiple yarns are threaded between the blocks (19) and then the individual vertical pin (8) is inserted to create a slot (9) between the consecutive yarn (2).

Figure 4 shows the threading mechanism of the invention wherein the multiple yarns are being inserted into the yam guiding apparatus (16) rather than individually inserted the yarns (2) as in case of conventional system.

Figure 2C shows the steps of the assembling the yarn guiding apparatus (16). In the step 1, the horizontal support bar (6) along with the vertical pins (8) and the first bar (28) and second bar (29) enclosed by pair of end brackets (7) which is inserted into a pair of first flat strip (22) such that the end bracket (7) coincides with the side surface (4c) of the traverse flange (4b). Next, the hardware (30) are inserted such that the first strip (22) is connected to the end bracket (7) to form a fixed assembly.

Further, the apparatus of invention optionally comprises of plurality of tensioner (10) each for individual yarn (2) which lies between the front guiding unit (17) and rear guiding unit (18). The main purpose of tensioner (10) is to maintain the tension in the yarn (2) during yam advancement, any drop in tension lowers the tensioner and machine stops indicating an error as shown in figure 3. In the next embodiment shown in figure 5 and 5A, a rotating lever (27) is provided on the end bracket (7) which is connected to the first bar (28). The connection between the first bar (28) and the lever (27) can of any type such as rotation of lever (27) by a certain angle provides equal rotation of the first bar (28). The plurality of vertical pins (8) is mounted on the first bar (28) such that its movement facilitates corresponding equal movement of the vertical pin (8). During threading, the operator turns the lever (27) which in turns rotates the first bar (28) along with the vertical pins (8) so that the vertical pins (8) are positioned vertically, and that empty space is created for the operator to for multiple yarn threading at a single time . After the multiple threading take place, the operator upturns the lever (27) back to its initial position and the yarn are automatically takes its path inside the slot (9). If required operator can adjust the yarn (2) to the individual slot (9).

It is evident that the invention has a number of embodiments.

In its principal embodiment, the invention discloses a yarn guiding apparatus (16) for guiding moving yarn (2) wounded over bobbin (13). The characterizing feature of the apparatus is that said apparatus comprises:

- a creel support structure (5) having a central shaft (20) that holds a block (19) and onto which at least one creel rod (21) is mounted fixedly;

- a front guiding unit (17) and a rear guiding unit (18); each of said front and rear guiding units (17, 18) constitute: o two pairs of a first flat strip (22) and a second flat strip (23), corresponding ends of said first and second flat strips of each pair being connected together with a corresponding end bracket (7), and said two pairs being held in place relative to each other using said block (19) and a pair of support brackets (4), wherein said support brackets have a back (4a) and two transverse flanges (4b); o two pairs of horizontal support bars (6) supported between the end brackets (7) and a corresponding transverse flange (4b), there being eight support bars in total; o a plurality of vertical pins (8) arranged perpendicularly to said first and second flat strips (22, 23) at a predetermined distance from each other.

In an embodiment of the yarn guiding apparatus (16) of the principal embodiment, the block (19) is rigid in construction and has a hole at the top face through which said central shaft (20) passes.

In another embodiment of the apparatus (16), said central shaft (20) is hollow or solid.

In yet another embodiment of the apparatus (16), the cross section of said central shaft (20) is circular or rectangular or of any polygonal shape.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus (16), the first flat strips (22) and said second flat strips (23) are identical in material and construction.

In a still further embodiment of the apparatus (16), said second flat strip (23) is made of sturdier material than that of said first flat strip (22).

In a yet further embodiment of the apparatus (16), the horizontal support bars (6) are well inserted into the end brackets (7).

In another embodiment of the apparatus (16), the horizontal support bars (6) have a solid or hollow cross section having a smooth surface and made of metallic or non-metallic material.

In yet another embodiment of the apparatus (16), said horizontal support bars (6) have a metallic or ceramic or glass coating. In still another embodiment of the apparatus (16), said horizontal bars (6) are capable of rotating about their respective longitudinal axis under the pulling force applied by the yarn (2) that passes over them.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus (16), said vertical pins (8) have a circular cross section and a smooth surface.

In another embodiment of the apparatus (16), said flat strips (22, 23) have plurality of blind holes into which each vertical pin (8) is inserted to be held rigidly.

In yet another embodiment of the apparatus (16), said vertical pins (8) are mounted on to said first and second flat strips (22, 23) rotatably around the longitudinal axis of said vertical pins (8).

In a further embodiment of the apparatus (16) a rotating lever (27) is mounted on the end bracket (7) and connected to a first bar (28), onto which said first bar (28) are fixedly mounted said plurality of vertical pins (8), and wherein the rotational movement of said first bar (28) facilitates corresponding equal movement of the vertical pin (8), whereby during threading of yarn said lever (27) is operated to bring said vertical pins (8) in vertical position and an empty space is created for threading of multiple yarn threading at a single time.

While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitation in the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. It must be realized that modifications and variations are possible based on the disclosure given above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

Claims:

1. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) for guiding moving yam (2) in a textile machine creel characterized in that said apparatus comprises:

- a creel support structure (5) for mounting yarn carrying bobbins (13) and having a central shaft (20) that holds a block (19) and onto which at least one creel rod (21) is mounted fixedly;

- a front guiding unit (17) and a rear guiding unit (18); each of said front and rear guiding units (17, 18) consists of: o two pairs of a first flat strip (22) and a second flat strip (23), corresponding ends of said first and second flat strips of each pair being connected together with a corresponding end bracket (7), and said two pairs being held in place relative to each other using said block (19) and a pair of support brackets (4), wherein said support brackets have a back (4a) and two transverse flanges (4b); o two pairs of horizontal support bars (6) supported between the end brackets (7) and a corresponding transverse flange (4b), there being eight support bars in total; o a plurality of vertical pins (8) arranged perpendicularly to said first and second flat strips (22, 23) at a predetermined distance from each other.

2. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said block (19) is rigid in construction and has a hole at the top face through which said central shaft (20) passes.

3. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said central shaft (20) is hollow or solid.

4. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross section of said central shaft (20) is circular or rectangular or of any polygonal shape.

5. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein said first flat strips (22) and said second flat strips (23) are identical in material and construction.

6. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein said second flat strip (23) is made of sturdier material than that of said first flat strip (22).

7. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein said horizontal support bars (6) are well inserted into the end brackets (7).

8 The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein said horizontal support bar (6) has a solid or hollow cross section having a smooth surface and can be made of metallic or non-metallic material.

9. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein said horizontal support bars (6) have a metallic or ceramic or glass coating.

10. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein said horizontal support bars (6) are capable of rotating about their respective longitudinal axis under the pulling force applied by the yam (2) that passes over them.

11. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 10, wherein said vertical pins (8) have a circular cross section and a smooth surface.

12. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein said flat strips (22, 23) have a plurality of blind holes into which each vertical pin (8) is inserted to be held rigidly.

13. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein said vertical pins (8) are mounted on to said first and second flat strips (22, 23) rotatably around the longitudinal axis of said vertical pins (8).

14. The yarn guiding apparatus (16) as claimed in claims 1 to 13, wherein a rotating lever (27) is mounted on the end bracket (7) and connected to a first bar (28), onto which said first bar (28) are fixedly mounted said plurality of vertical pins (8), and wherein the rotational movement of said first bar (28) facilitates corresponding equal movement of the vertical pin (8), whereby during threading of yarn said lever (27) is operated to bring said vertical pins (8) in vertical position and an empty space is created for threading of multiple yarn threading at a single time.