US2763913A - Thread cleaning process and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 25, 1956 s. FURST 2,763,913

THREAD CLEANING PROCESS AND APPARATUS Filed April 28. 1955 I jnverizor: STEP/w FURST ice TEBREAD (ILEANING PROCESS AND APPARATUS Stefan Furst, M. Gladbach, Germany, assignor to Walter Rainer-s, Wmdniel (Lower Rhine), Germany Application April 28, 1953, Serial No. 351,636

Claims priority, application Germany May '7, 1952 19 Claims. ((11. 28-68) The present invention relates to thread cleaners.

More particularly, the present invention relates to thread cleaners of the type used in spool winding machines, for example.

Thread cleaners of this type generally include an apparatus for moving the thread to be cleaned past a knife edge which cleans the thread. As long as the thread does not exceed a predetermined diameter it moves freely past this knife edge, and any foreign matter or enlargements on the thread are removed by the knife edge. This thread cleaning knife edge forms one of the limits of a predetermined gap through which the thread moves.

One of the principal defects of known structures of this type is that the material removed from the thread during the cleaning thereof clings to the knife edge and after a given period of time stops up the gap through which the thread moves or does not permit an efficient cleaning action to take place. Very often, such stopping up of this gap also results in unnecessary thread breakage. It has already been proposed to provide an apparatus for blowing the material accumulating at the gap away from the latter, but such a blowing apparatus is extremely inconvenient and does not reliably remove the material accumulating at the gap.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by providing an exceedingly simple apparatus for preventing material cleaned from the thread from accumulating excessively at the gap through which the thread passes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a material removing means which itself defines part of the gap through which the thread moves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for cleaning the element which carries away material accumulating at the gap.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is adjustable so that threads of all different types and sizes may be cleaned with the apparatus of the invention.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for cleaning the thread in such a way that the material removed from the thread does not accumulate excessively at the gap through which the thread moves.

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly consists of a thread cleaning apparatus which includes a support having a cleaning member mounted thereon, this cleaning member having a thread cleaning knife edge. A roller is turnably mounted on the support for movement about its own axis and is located at a predetermined distance from the knife edge to form with the latter. a gap through which the thread to be cleaned is adapted to move, this roller preferably being formed with an elongated groove in its outer surface. The thread is moved in a predetermined direction through the gap, and the roller is turned so that the surface portion thereof adjacent to the knife edge of the cleaning member moves in a direction opposite to the direction of thread movement. A brush is provided to clean the roller.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawing, which shows one possible apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, it will be seen that the thread 1 is moved by the diagrammatically illustrated feeding means 10, which comprises, for example, a motor 11 for winding the thread It onto the spool 12, to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrow. The thread 1 includes, by way of example, an enlargement 2 which is to be cleaned therefrom.

A stationary support 3 carries the cleaning member 5 which is provided with a thread cleaning knife edge 5', and a roller 4 is mounted for rotation about its own axis on the support 3, this roller 4 being spaced from the knife edge 5' to form with the latter a gap through which the thread 1 passes.

The cleaning member 5 is turnably mounted on the support 3 for turning movement "about an axis parallel to that of roller 4, and a wire spring 13 engages the support 3 and cleaning member 5 to urge the latter to turn in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing. An adjustable stop member in the form of the screw member 6 which is th-readedly mounted on the support 3 engages the member 5 to limit movement thereof under the influence of spring 13 so that the stop member 6 may be turned to adjust the size of the gap through which the thread passes.

The outer surface of the roller 4 is irregular, and in the illustrated example thisirregularity takes the form of a groove 7 formed in the outer surface of the roller 4 and being substantially parallel to the kife edge 5' normal to the thread 1. The groove 7 preferably is provided with a sharp edge 70! at the outer surface of the roller 4.

This roller 4 is turned about its axis through the medium of a motor 14 connected thereto, and the roller 4 turns in a clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing and as shown by the arrow on the roller 4. Thus, the surface portion of roller 4 adjacent to the cleaning edge 5 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of thread movement.

When the enlargement 2 arrives at the thread cleaning knife edge 5', the fuzz which forms this enlargement is removed by the knife edge so that the diameter of the thread remains constant. The removed thread fuzz or other foreign matter accumulates at the portion 8 of the apparatus and would slowly stop up the gap through which the thread moves. This undesirable result is prevented, however, by the irregular outer surface of the roller 4 which carries away the material accumulating at the region 8. In the illustrated example, the single groove 7, which may be the only irregularity in the outer surface of the roller 4, carries away a greater amount of material than would be carried away by random irreg ularities in the outer surface of the roller. The sharp edge 7a sizes the material accumulating at the gap and efficiently carries this material away from the gap during rotation of the roller 4.

A brush 15 may be mounted on the support 3 in engagement with the roller 4 to clean the latter.

Devices are already known for moving a thread past a roller provided with scratches, with the aid of a feeding means located before and after this roller. These scratches are intended to remove fuzz-like enlargements from the thread. This apparatus does not accomplish Patented Sept. 25,1956

the desired results, however. With this apparatus the thread is required to be guided very accurately with respect to the roller since otherwise this roller not only would remove enlargements from the thread but also wouldinjure the thread itself. Structures of this type are incapable of being. used satisfactorily with modern machines for moving the thread at high speed.

' The structure of the invention is exceedingly simple and guarantees that thread of an exceedingly uniform diameter will be supplied to the rest of the textile apparatus. The apparatus of the invention is easily replaceable and is also adjustable so that it may be used with the most varied types of threads.

' It willbe understood that each of the elementsdescribed above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in. other types of thread cleaning process and apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has. been illustrated and described as embodied in thread cleaning process and apparatus including a turnable roller, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and. being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn in a predetermined direction; and means connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

2. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

3. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn in a predetermined direction, said roller having an irregular outer surface; and means connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

4. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning, member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a rollermounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn in a predetermined direction, said rollcr being formed in the outer surface thereof with an elongated groove substantially parallel to said knife edge of said cleaning member; and means connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

5. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn, said roller having an irregular outer surface; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

6. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own wis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter .a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn, said roller being formed in the outer surface thereof with an elongated groove substantially parallel to said knife edge of said cleaning member; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

7. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thead of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn in a predetermined direction, said roller being formed in the outer surface thereof with at least one groove; and means con- 1 nected tosaid roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

8. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge;

a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn, said roller being formed in the outer surface thereof with at least one groove; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

9. Thread cleaning appanatus comprising, in combination,v a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; and a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetennined thickness is adapted to be dnawn, said roller being formed in the outer surface thereof with at least one groove having a sharp edge at said outer surface of said roller.

10. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of la predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn, said roller being formed in the outer surface thereof with at least one groove having a sharp edge at said outer surface of said roller; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

11. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, :a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and lllaving a thread cleaning knife edge; a. roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn; cleaning means for cleaning said roller, said cleaning means being in the form of a brush mounted on said support and engaging said roller; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

12. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn in I2. predetermined direction; means mounting said cleaning member on said support for automatic movement at said knife edge thereof toward said roller when the resistance to thread movement through said gap exceeds a predetermined value; and means connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

13. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a thread cleaning member mounted on said support and having a thread cleaning knife edge; a roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support and being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge of said cleaning member to form with the latter a gap through which a thread of a predetermined thickness is adapted to be drawn; means mounting said cleaning member on said support for automatic movement at said knife edge thereof toward said roller when the resistance to thread movement through said gap exceeds a predetermined value; feeding means for feeding a thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

14. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a cleaning member turnably mounted on said support for movement about a predetermined axis and having a knife edge adapted to clean a thread; spring means operatively connected to said cleaning memberfor urging the same in a predetermined direction about said axis; adjustable stop means mounted on said support and engaging said cleaning member to limit the turning movement thereof about said predetermined axis under the influence of said spring means; and a roller having an axis parallel to said predetermined axis and being mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support, said roller being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge to form with the latter a gap through which thread to be cleaned is adapted to move.

15. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a cleaning member turnably mounted on said support for movement about a predetermined axis and having a knife edge adapted to clean a thread; spring means operatively connected to said cleaning member for urging the same in a predetermined direction about said axis; adjustable stop means mounted on said support and engaging said cleaning member to limit the turning movement thereof about said predetermined axis under the influence of said spring means; and a roller having an axis parallel to said predetermined axis and being mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support, said roller being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge to form with the latter a gap through which thread to be cleaned is adapted to move, said roller being formed in its outer surface with an elongated groove substantially parallel to said knife edge and having a sharp edge at said outer surface of said roller.

16. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a cleaning member turnably mounted on said support for movement about a predetermined axis and having a knife edge adapted to clean a thread; spring means operatively connected to said cleaning member for urging the same in a predetermined direction about said axis; adjustable stop means mounted on said support and engaging said cleaning member to limit the turning movement thereof about said predetermined axis under the influence of said spring means; a roller having an axis parallel to said predetermined axis and being mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support, said roller being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge to form with the latter a gap through which thread to be cleaned is adapted to move, said roller being formed in its outer surface with an elongated groove substantially parallel to said knife edge and having a sharp edge at said outer surface of said roller; feeding means for feeding the thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; and turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.

17. Thread cleaning apparatus comprising, in combination, a support; a cleaning member turnably mounted on said support for movement about a predetermined axis and having a knife edge adapted to clean a thread; spring means operatively connected to said cleaning member for urging the same in a predetermined direction about said axis; adjustable stop means mounted on said support and engaging said cleaning member to limit the turning movement thereof about said predetermined axis under the influence of said spring means; a roller having an axis parallel to said predetermined axis and being mounted for rotation about its own axis on said support, said roller being located at a predetermined distance from said knife edge to form with the latter a gap through which thread to be cleaned is adapted to move, said roller being formed in its outer surface with an elongated groove substantially parallel to said knife edge and having a sharp edge at said outer surface of said roller; feeding means for feeding the thread to be cleaned in a predetermined direction through said gap; turning means operatively connected to said roller for turning the same and moving the surface portion thereof adjacent said knife edge in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction; and a brush mounted on said support and engaging said roller to clean the latter.

18. A method for cleaning a thread, comprising, in combination the steps of moving a thread in a first predetermined direction aiong its length over a transverse knife edge so that one side of the thus moving thread is engaged by said knife edge; and moving a surface engaging the other side of the thread at a point located opposite said knife edge in a second direction opposite to the first predetermined direction.

19. A method for cleaning a thread, comprising, in combination the steps of continuously moving a thread in a first predetermined direction along its length over a transverse knife edge so that one side of the thus moving thread is engaged by said knife. edge; and moving a surface engaging the other side of the thread at a point located opposite said knife edge and being located in a plane defined by the thread and by said transverse knife edge continuously in a second direction opposite to the first predetermined direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 20,925 Richardson July 13, 1858 791,686 Fredenburgh June 6, 1905 915,300 MacColl Mar. 16, 1909 1,534,071 Morse Apr. 21, 1925 2,122,989 Peterson July 5, 1938 2,172,566 Olson Sept. 12, 1939 2,266,900 Owens Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,429 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1938

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