US3855768A

US3855768A - Manufacture of chenille yarn

Info

Publication number: US3855768A
Application number: US00369986A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Jubany
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-04
Filing date: 1973-06-14
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24
Also published as: GB1390897A; ES404853A1

Abstract

Two chenille yarns each composed of at least two core threads twisted to secure projecting short lengths of chenille effect material are produced simultaneously on a machine which continuously supplies two individual core threads from bobbins mounted in a head through a stationary tubular spindle to a mandrel. One or more threads of chenille effect material are supplied from a bobbin that is mounted at a distance from the head via a stationary thread guide to a rotating thread guide arranged below and laterally of the core thread bobbins on a rotating hollow spindle surrounding the stationary core thread spindle. The rotation of the lower thread guide causes the chenille effect thread to rotate and spin out in a balloon shape around the core thread bobbins in an unobstructed tubular space provided. The rotating thread is wound in a spiral around the core threads on the mandrel and two further core threads are applied to the outside of the spiral from further core thread bobbins. The spiral is cut and the two pairs of core threads with chenille effect material between them are twisted into the desired yarn. The core thread spindle is kept stationary by magnetic attraction to an adjacent fixed portion of the machine across the unobstructed tubular space. The chenille effect thread bobbins can be replenished without halting the machine.

Description

. States Patent .lubany [111 3,855,768 I [4 1 l) ec.24,1974

[ MANUFACTURE OF CHENILLE YARN [22] Filed: June 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 369,986

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data.

July 4, 1972 Spain 404853 [52 us. Cl. 57/24, 57/156 [51] Int. Cl D02g 3/42 [58] Field of Search 57/24, 143, 156

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 817,965 4/1906 Eversmann 57/24 1,558,179 10/1925 Keefer....' 57/24 2,408,898 10/1946 Wilmsen 57/24 3,357,166 12/1967 McCarthy... 57/24 3,645,078 2/1972 Roberts 57/24 Primary ExaminerJohn Petrakes I Attorney, Agent, or FirmSteinberg & Blake 57] ABSTRACT Two chenille yarns each composed of at least two core threads twisted to secure projecting short lengths of chenille effect material are produced simultaneously on a machine which continuously supplies two individual core threads from bobbins mounted in a head through a stationary tubular spindle to a mandrel. One or more threads of chenille effect material are supplied from a bobbin that is mounted at a distance from the head via a stationary thread guide to a rotating thread guide arranged below and laterally of the core thread bobbins on a rotating hollow spindle surrounding the stationary core thread spindle. The rotation of the lower thread guide causes the chenille effect thread to rotate and spin out in a balloon shape around the core thread bobbins in an unobstructed tubular space provided. The rotating thread is wound in a spiral around the core threads on the mandrel and two further core threads are applied to the outside of the spiral from further core thread bobbins. The spiral is cut and the two pairs of core threads with chenille effect material between them are twisted into the desired yarn. The core thread spindle is kept stationary by magnetic attraction to an adjacent fixed portion of the machine across the unobstructed tubular space. The chenille effect thread bobbins can be replenished without halting the machine.

16 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PMENTEUUEW'M 3.855.168

SHEET OEUF 10 PATENTEI] DEC 24 I974 sum ouor 10 PATENTED0EB24I9T4 3,855,768

SHEEI GSUF 1O PATENTEB UEC24 I974 SHEET 07 0F 10 PATENTEB DEC 2 41974 sum am 1o PATENTED [15124 I974 SHEU 190$ 30 MANUFACTURE OF CHENILLE YARN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The machines utilized for the manufacture of such yarns generally have a guide, conventionally constituted by two endless bands or wires having two adjacent sections between which the core threads are passed in parallel arrangement, the said wires or bands (or tapes) being so actuated that they entrain the core threads from one to the other end of the guide, a twisting head mounted for rotation at high speed about the assembly of the guide sections and the core threads entrained by the latter and provided with one or more bobbins of chenille effect material which is wound about the assembly, supply means for one or more further core threads for retaining on the wound chenille effect material, means for longitudinally severing the chenille effect material spiral between the core threads, and conventional twisting means for twisting and rolling the two compound yarns which are separated after severing.

As will be appreciated, the core threads exhibit apart from the helical arrangement resulting from the twist imparted to the assembly, an essentially longitudinal unwinding effect in the chenille yarn produced; the chenille effect threads, on the other hand, exhibit a very much longer helical unwinding effect, due to the fact that they are wound about the assembly constituted by the core threads and the guides for the latter, and because the said guides retain them in such manner that their turns form a perimeter which is sufficiently long to afford the desired length of chenille effect threads proper.

In the functioning of the machine, therefore, the consumption of chenille effect material is very much greater than the consumption of the other two core threads. On the other hand, since the bobbins of chenille effect material rotate at high speed between the closed contours of the guide tapes or wires, there arise serious functional problems which may greatly reduce the production of the machine. For example, the chenille effect material, which is generally bulky, has to be stored on the head bobbins which, for constructional reasons, must be relatively small and are rapidly depleted due to the high consumption of this material, so that it is necessary to repeatedly shut the machine down in order to replenish the chenille effect bobbins; the mounting and dismounting of such bobbins, which have to be provided with adequate safety devices, is generally toilsome and the high speed of rotation of the head carrying the chenille effect bobbins makes it difficult to adequately control rupture or termination of the associated ends, the result of this being the production of considerable quantities of yarn which terminate defectively, before it is possible to detect any of these circumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to substantially eliminate the disadvantages mentioned and to provide a machine for the production of chenille yarns, in which the bobbins or spools of material affording the chenille effect proper are located, by means of a special arrangement constituting a part of the characteristics of the machine, externally of the head for winding the said material onto the core thread in such manner that it becomes possible to successively knot bobbins of chenille effect material without interrupting the functioning of the machine. The bobbins which remain in closed disposition during the functioning of the machine, supply the inner first core threads onto which the chenille effect material is wound, the capacity thereof being very much higher and the duration between successive insertions being longer for the changing thereof, since they constitute approximately only 15 percent of the composition of the finished thread against approximately percent of chenille effect thread in the finished yarn. The external second core threads are also endless i.e. they may be changed during operation.

The machine according to the present invention comprises, essentially, means for longitudinally guiding at least two inner first core threads from core material bobbins or spools maintained in fixed position relative to the machine, means for rolling at least one chenille effect thread about the core threads and for guiding them from an externally disposed creel while forming a balloon of rotating thread about the core thread bobbins, means for supplying external second core threads laterally of the chenille effect material wound on the first two core threads, means for cutting the winds of the chenille effect thread between the pairs or groups formed by one first core thread and one external second core thread, and independent twisting and rolling means for the at least two chenille yarns formed at the cutting or severing means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine has a chenille-twisting spindle which is tubular and is supported in intermediate bearing devices having means for driving them in rotation, having at least one chenille effect material routing duct for guiding the material from one of the ends to the other, and which debouches onto one of the said ends eccentrically relative to the spindle, at least one thread guide mounted eccentrically on the opposite end of the spindle, a stationary thread guide axially spaced from the preceding one in such manner that a chenille effect thread passing via both guides forms a rotating balloon during the functioning of the machine, a guide spindle, also tubular and entraining at least one first core thread, being mounted within the tubular orifice of the first spindle for rotation relative thereto and being fixed relative to the machine, which guide spindle projects from the twisting spindle at the outlet end of the chenille effect material, thereby affording a mandrel for the windingon of the chenille effect material and at the opposite end a pin-supporting plate for bobbins or spools of first core thread feed means for the external second core threads at the sides of the chenille effect material wound on the mandrel, and severing, twisting and winding-on means.

The guide spindle, disposed for idle rotation within the chenille twisting spindle which rotates about it, may

be supported to be fixed relative to the remainder of the machine by means of support devices located downstream of the severing means for wound chenille, for example by means of an extended portion of the winding mandrel secured to a stationary portion of the machine. The invention also provides a particularly simple means for maintaining the guide spindle stationary relative to the machine, whereby the assembly comprising the guide spindle and the core bobbin carrying plate is maintained fixed relative to the machine by electromagnetic or magnetic means permitting the establishment of an annular space, having no physical connection between assembly and machine, about the said plate and bobbins, and through which the chenille effect material balloon rotates freely. For example, the first core thread or bobbin carrying-plate may be provided with at least one permanent magnet, each one being associated, when magnetic attraction is operative, with a complementary magnet secured to a support which is stationary relative to the machine and separated from the preceding one affording the space for passage of the chenille effect material balloon. The said support, preferably taking the form of a fixed annulus surrounding the plate, may be provided with a tubular member extending about the assembly of the bobbins to afford a guide and means of protection for the balloon, of rotating chenille effect material. On the other hand, in order to prevent contact of the balloon with the bobbins and devices associated therewith, the plate is also provided with a tubular member surrounding the said bobbins and radially separated from the balloon-protecting means, to afford an annular space for passage of the latter.

The supply means for the external second core threads preferably has for each side of the mandrel an endless belt or tape tensioned between a roller connected with means for driving in rotation and a fixed guide applying it against the side of the mandrel against which tape there is applied the first roller of a pair of entrainment rollers for conveying the severed and separated chenille yarns towards the associated twisting and windingon devices. The device may be provided with tensioning means applied against the inlet arm of the endless band and serving at the same time as a guide roller for the external second core thread. On the other hand, the assembly comprising the roller and the guide for the endless band may be mounted to be adjustable for the purpose of varying the operative position thereof relative to the mandrel, for which purpose the first entrainment roller will also be adjustable for maintaining the coupling with the belt-driving roller and the following entrainment roller.

For cutting the turns (spiral structures) of the chenille effect material wound on the first core threads, there is preferably employed a pair of circular knives driven in rotation and operating in a longitudinal cut formed in the end of the mandrel, being mounted in supports the position of which is adjustable relative to the said mandrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, elevation and conventional section of the assembly of a machine within the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the previous one of the mechanisms for actuating the machine, shown in more detailed form;

FIG. 3 is a section in plan, taken in the plane IIIIII of the preceding Figure;

FIG. 4 is an elevational cross section taken in the plane IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the mechanisms for severing and entraining the chenille materials formed;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, of the mechanisms of the previous Figure;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal elevational section of the assembly of the head for winding-on the chenille material and for supplying the core threads;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view corresponding to the previous Figure;

FIG. 9 is a section, in elevation, and also diagrammatic corresponding to the previous Figure, it being assumed that one of the bobbins for core material has been removed;

FIG. 10 is a detail, drawn to a larger scale and in cross section, as an elevation, of the working zone of the machine, it being assumed that all the threads have been withdrawn;

FIG. 11 is a view equivalent to the preceding one, showing solely the first core threads and external second core threads, and

FIG. 12 is a view equivalent to the two preceding ones, showing the second core threads and first core and chenille effect threads.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine shown illustrated is for the production of two chenille yarns 13 each composed of one first core thread and one second core thread twisted to entrap pieces of chenille effect material. The machine has (FIG. 1) a box structure comprised by conventional structural elements affording two independent and superposed compartments 1 and 2 separated by an intermediate plate 3, each one whereof has a front plate 4 and 5 respectively. The upper compartment 1 is closed above by means of a panel 6 and disposed within the box structures are various structural partitions such as 7, 8 and 9. The front plates serve as support means for the working elements of the machine; specifically, the upper plate 4 carries devices for severing and entraining the chenille materials, indicated in general by reference numeral 10, and the head 11 for winding-on the material or chenille effect thread 25, the lower plate 5 carrying two pins or spindles 12 at which the two chenille yarns formed (13 in FIG. 12) are twisted and wound-on in the same manner as in a spinning frame, for example of the ring-spinning type. The upper wall 6 has a central support 14 provided with arms 15 supporting four supports 16, two superposed vertically at each side of the machine, for cones l7 supplying two external second core threads 18 which pass via conventional tensioning and control devices designated by the general reference number 19 and connected by means of arms 20 to a support column 21. A rotary creel support 22 mounted externally at the head 11 at the rear portion of the panel 6 has supports 23 receiving cones 24 supplying the chenille effect thread 25; the latter travels also via tensioning and control devices indicated with the general reference numeral 26 and mounted on an arm 27 which is secured to the support 14.

The general mechanism for operating the machine includes:

l. a mechanism for actuating a chenille effect material winding-on head; 2. mechanisms for actuating devices for severing and entraining the chenille yarns formed; 3. mechanisms for actuating the spindles for twisting and winding the chenille yarns formed; and 4. a mechanism for varying the folding-down of the chenille yarns on the spindles. These four mechanisms will be described separately, briefly and in the order indicated.

1. Actuation of the head The main element of the head for winding-on the chenille effect material includes a rotatable winding-on spindle 28 (FIG. 2) which is supported for rotation by means of bearings 29 on a support 30 secured to the upper end plate 4 and having the shape of a fork in such manner that it is possible to arrange between its arms a drive pulley 31 secured to the spindle 28.

The pulley 31 is connected by means of a drive belt 32 with a further pulley 33 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 34 mounted by means of bearings 35 in a spindle-carrier 36 secured by means of screws 37 to the

intermediate partitions

7, 8. The spindle-carrier 36 projects below the latter partition 8 and the shaft 34 projecting therefrom terminates in a pulley 38. The latter receives a transmission belt 39 passing about a pulley 40 secured to a further vertical shaft 41 supported on the one hand by means of a speed reducer 42 secured to the partition 8 and the purpose of which will be discussed later and at the other to the drive motor 43 mounted on a plate in the lower partition 9.

It will be appreciated that what are concerned here are two transmission systems for stepping-up speed, in such manner that the winding-on spindle may be driven with a number of revolutions sufficiently high to satisfy manufacturing necessities. Preferably, the motor 43 is connected to be driven in the two directions of rotation, so as to permit the employment of chenille effect thread whether s-twisted or z-twisted.

2. Actuation of the devices for severing and entraining chenille effect threads The output of the speed-reducing means 42 (FIG. 2) is constituted by a shaft 44 extending through the plate 3 via bearings 45 and terminating above the latter in a toothed wheel 46. The latter meshes with a complementary wheel 47 secured on a shaft 48 arranged for free rotation in bearings 50 mounted in the

plates

7 and 3 and on which there is keyed for sliding a displaceable train 51 comprising two opposite conical pinions 52 and '53 between which is disposed a complementary pinion 54; the displaceable train 51 may be disposed in the position permitting engagement of any one of its two

pinions

52, 53 with pinion 54, by means of conventional actuating devices (not shown).

The pinion 54 (FIG. 3) is secured to a short shaft 55 arranged to rotate in bearings 56 mounted on a support 57 secured by means of screws 58 to the partion 7; fast on the said shaft is also a cylindrical pinion 59, arranged laterally of the pinion 54, and a sprocket wheel 60 on the side opposite the support. The said support affords a further bearing housing (FIG. 3) in which is mounted, by means of ball bearings 62, a further shaft 63 the axis of which extends parallel to shaft 55 and which is provided with a pinion 64 meshing with pinion 59, and a further sprocket wheel 65.

From each of the

wheels

60 and 65 extends a chain 66 coupled with an associated wheel 67 fast with a shaft 60 supported by means of two ball bearing supports 69 secured to the plate 3 by means of screws 70. The two shafts 68 are arranged parallel to each other on both sides of the

drive device

54 and 65 and extend forwardly where they terminate in front couplings 71 arranged to receive complementary elements 72 and 72a constituting a part of mechanisms described in greater detail later and which are mounted on the inner face of the end plate 4.

The plate 4 has secured to its inner face by means of screws 73, perpendicular thereto and adjacent the lateral walls 74 of the body 2, a plurality of pins or spindles 75 each terminating in abutment heads 76 and mounted to slide freely on supports 77 secured to the said lateral walls. In this manner, once the drive belt 32 has been withdrawn, the plate 4, with all the mechanisms mounted thereon, can be displaced forwardly to render accessible the mechanisms of its rear face; in the working position shown, the plate may be locked in position by means of conventional locking devices (not shown).

Each of the coupling elements 72 and 72a is a tubular member mounted for rotation by means of anti-friction bearings 272 on a pivot 273 secured to the plate 4 by means of screws 274. The member 72 constitutes a toothed wheel 275 for a toothed belt 276 which, through the agency of associated tensioning means 277 (FIG. 4), actuates a complementary wheel 278 secured to a shaft 236 (FIG. 6) for actuating the devices for entraining the formed chenille yarn on the right hand side of the machine (to be described later). The symmetrical elements on the left-hand side and the severing devices are actuated from the member 72a affording two wheels or

pulleys

279 and 280 over which travel flexible transmission or drive elements 281 or 282. The transmission 281 actuates a wheel 283 for the entrainment devices and the transmission 282 actuates a wheel 284 secured to the shaft 221 which is mounted for rotation by means of anti-friction bearings on the support 222. The two toothed or chain belts 281 and 282 are simultaneously tensioned by a tensioning roller 286 mounted to be adjustable by conventional means.

The actuation path extending from the output shaft 44 of the speed-reducing means 42 as far as the mechanisms of the rear portion of the plate 4 will be clearly perceived. Depending on the position of the displaceable arrangement 51 relative to the pinion 54, the latter will be driven in an associated direction, but in practice this reversing device is utilised for actuating the mechanisms for entraining and severing the chenille material always in the same direction, independently of the direction of rotation selected for the motor 43, so as to make it possible to employ threads twisted in the z or s direction.

3. Actuation of the twisting spindles The spindles 12 (FIG. 2) are such as are conventionally employed in spinning frames and there are two thereof for each chenille-forming head, one for each yarn produced, being mounted on supports 78 secured to the end plate 5 and over the pulley 79 thereof extends a drive belt 80 driven from pulley 81 disposed below the partition 9 and constituting a portion of a vertical shaft 82 mounted on an anti-friction bearing support 83 fast with the partition 9 by means of screws 84 and projecting above the same, where it terminates in a pulley 85. The latter is connected by means of a transmission belt 86 with a supplementary pulley 87 sethe same direction at a speed which is a multiple of that of the motor.

The pulley 81 is replaceable, thereby making it possible to vary the speed of the spindles and, consequently, the number of twists per metre of chenille yarn.

For beaming the chenille yarn 13 forming the bobbin or package 88 there is employed a ring-spinning device 89 mounted in conventional manner on a balancing plate 90 which is displaceable by means of bearing sleeves 91 on two vertical guide bars 92 secured to the support 78 and to a plurality of upper support means 93 fixed to the end plate 5.

4. Chenille-beaming mechanism The balance plate 90 (FIG. 2) has articulated to it, by means of a pivot 94, an arm (which has been given the general reference numeral 96) oscillating on the pivot 95 and constituted by three

elements

97, 98, and 99 which are telescopically coupled together. The central portion 98 is fork-shaped, the base of the latter having a guide cap 100 on which slides axially the end portion 97 designed as a cylindrical pin or spindle. The ends of the fork 98 are connected by means of a crossbeam 101 projecting on both sides, to afford two sleeves 102 in which slide two associated pins or spindles articulated in common to the pivot 95 constituting the portion 99 of the oscillating arm. Articulated by means of pins or studs (not shown) between the arms of the fork member 98 is a nut 104 mounted for sliding on a spindle 105 the ends of which are supported by means of bearing housings 106 mounted on the partitions 8 and 9.

Actuation of the spindle is effected from the output shaft 44 of the reducing means 42 through the agency of

pulleys

103 and 107 connected by means of associated transmission belts 108 and 109 with the associated pulleys of an intermediate train 110 fast with a pivot 111 rotating in a bearing housing 112 mounted on the partition 8. This actuation may also be carried into effect from a further speed-reducing means appropriate to the speed of the balancing means (not shown).

A portion of the length of the spindle 105 is formed with a double helical screwthread 113 having opposite windings connected in continuous manner, and the nut 104 has a follower finger" 114 engaging with the groove formed in the said screwthreads, the assembly being a conventional arrangement suitable to produce the result that the said finger changes automatically, and without interruption of continuity, from the one to the other screwthread at the ends thereof.

With this arrangement, the movement of slow rotation of the shaft 44, still further reduced by the transmission systems described, or by an independent reducing means, is transmitted to the spindle 105. The rotation of the spindle produces the vertical alternating displacement of the nut 104, and the latter the oscillation of the arm 96, during which movement the central portion 98 follows the rectilinear displacement of the said nut and the telescopic couplings thereof with the parts 97 and 99 absorb the variations in the distances taking place between the said central portion and the two articulation pivots 94 and 95. Consequently, assuming that the pivot 95 is in the position shown in the Figures,

the balance plate will be displaced in order to cover the entire beaming height of the package 88.

On the other hand, the pivot constitutes a part of a carriage 115 which is guided on guideways 116 supported by means of supports 117 secured to the partition 9 by screws 118. The said supports 117 constitute bearings in which rotate the ends of a screwthreaded spindle 119 installed in a recess in the slide and with the screwthread of which there is coupled a follower 120 fast with the latter. The rear end of the spindle terminates in an escape wheel 121 with which co-operates a conventional advance pawl device indicated diagrammatically at 122 and which oscillates on the spindle end and is actuated by means of a link rod 123. The latter is articulated to an arm 124 secured to one of the ends of a pivot 125 supported by the supports 126 secured to the partition 9. The opposite end of the said pivot is connected, by means of a further arm 127 and a link rod 128, with a rod 129 vertically guided in an orifice formed in the partition 9 and a lateral projection 130 on the adjacent support 126, the arrangement being such that the upper end thereof remains within range of the crossbeam 101 at the lower end of the oscillation travel path of the arm 96.

Shortening of the travel path of the balance or rocker means is variable, inasmuch as there is provided a mechanism in which it is possible to effect a selection with regard to engagement of one or more teeth of the wheel, to afford withdrawal thereof. This is indispensible for the beaming of various types of chenille which may be coarser or finer, so as to always maintain the same conicity in the package there is also an electric end-of-travel stop means.

In accordance therewith, on every occasion that the balance or rocker plate 90 terminate a travelpath in the downward direction, the rod 129 is urged downwardly (a spring, not shown, urges it upwardly) and produces, via the transmission mechanisms described hereinabove, the advance of the wheel 121 by the amount of one tooth. With successive travel of the balance plate 90, the carriage or slide 115 is displaced towards the right at FIG. 2 for rotation of the spindle 119, in such manner that the pivot 95 is spaced-away progressively from the nut 104 and the rocker plate describes a travel path which is progressively shorter, thereby giving rise to the conventional formation of the package.

In order to return this mechanism to the starting position shown, the machine has a crank 131 at its forward position, connected to a pivot 132 supported for rotation by means of supports 133 and terminating in a sprocket wheel 134 connected, by means of a chain 135 with an associated wheel 136 secured to the end of the spindle 119.

The winding-on head 1 1 constituting the main part of the machine is shown in FIG. 7 et seq. and will now be described in detail.

Secured to the fork 30, at the upper part thereof by means of screws 137, is a member 138 taking the form of a dish or cup open at its front portion and upwardly extended by a cylindrical tube 139.

The spindle 28 is mounted in the housings of the antifriction bearings 29, by means of pairs of external antifriction bearings 140, secured by means of screws 141, and internal anti-friction bearings 142 between which labyrinth seals are formed. Through the said spindle 28 extends axially an orifice 143 extending over the entire length thereof and having two longitudinal apertures 144 extending from a position near the upper end thereof and debouching at the opposite end, being located symmetrically opposite each other in the said spindle, primarily in order to further facilitate passage of the chenille effect thread through if desired each one of the two and, secondarily,'for mechanically balancing the spindle.

Provided near the upper end of the spindle 28 is a flange 145 affording, above, a seat on which is secured, by means of an annular plate 146 and screws 147, a sheet metal dish or cup 148 on the radially turned-over edge of which there are mounted in appropriate orifices, pairs of opposite thread guides 149 located within the annular portion of the member 138. The assembly comprising the winding-on spindle and the plate or dish 148 with the thread guides 149, consequently rotates at the high velocity afforded by the belt 32 and drive pulley 31.

The two ends of the axial orifice 143 are widened to afford seats for anti-friction bearings 150 supporting a tubular guide spindle 151 within the orifice of the spindle 28 for free rotation relative thereto. The spindle 151 is maintained in the axial position against the antifriction bearings 150 by means of an upper widened portion 152 and a hollow nut 153 (FIG. screwed at its lower end, the nut 153 also secures in position the flange 154 of a mandrel-carrying member 155 fitting into a terminal widened portion of the orifice 153 of the guide spindle and formed with two longitudinal opposed grooves 157 communicating above with the interior 156 of spindle 151, the lower end bearing in a single transverse recess 158. Secured in the recess 158 by means of a transverse key or pin 159, is a mandrel (or spike) 160 constituted by a plate widening out from the location from which it extends from the mandrel carrier to form a zone of wedge-shaped (161) followed by a straight and narrower zone 162 formed at its free end with a longitudinal incision or slot 163, perpendicular to the plane of the plate.

It should be noted that the projecting portion of the mandrel-carrier 155 is covered by a cap 164 in prolongation of the ring or annulus 142 from the lower portion of the spindle. The wall of the cap 164 is formed with longitudinal conduits 165 aligned with the conduits 144 in the winding-on spindle and debouching in the immediate proximity of the mandrel.

The widened portion 152 of the upper part of the guide spindle 151 has an intermediate step 166 provided with a keyed pin 167, and a screwthreaded terminal section 168; in the first thereof there is fitted, by means of a spline associated with the said pin, a plate 169 secured in position by the nut 170 coupled to the terminal section 168, the diameter thereof being slightly smaller than the interior of the annular member 138, in such manner that there is between both an annular space 171 at which are disposed opposite each other, underneath, the thread guides 149. The guide spindle 151 and bobbin-carrying plate 169 are held stationary in position relative to the machine. The edge of the plate 169 has a seating 172 in which is engaged a permanent magnet 173, and the edge of the member 138, has at the same level, an external seating 174 in which is secured a further permanent magnet 175, by means of a resilient pressure device 176. The member 138 is made of aluminum, bronze or other nonmagnetic material, and the seating 174 is designed in such manner that the residual wall thickness is small, so

that if the two magnets described are arranged with poles of directed toward each other sign arranged opposite, they will exert between them an attraction force adequate to maintain the plate 169 in the position of radial alignment of the two magnets, despite the small entrainment action of the anti-friction bearings on the guide spindle 151, due to the rotation of the winding-on spindle 28. Naturally, it is possible to provide additional pairs of permanent magnets, if this should be necessary. In this manner, the plate 169 is maintained permanently stationary within the member 138 and relative to the machine, due to the magnetic action between the two magnets described, and the rotating thread guides 149 are able to entrain the chenille effect thread 25, forming a balloon 199 of rotating thread about the plate 169 between the upper thread guides 175a fixed to the column 21 (FIG. 1) and the upper mouth of the duct 144 through which is engaged the forward passage for the thread from guide 149 of the rotary plate 146.

The plate 169 has, secured to its upper face, a cylindrical protective plate 176a extending upwardly to form, on the one hand, a receptacle within which are disposed two core thread (177) bobbins 178 and, on the other hand, a protective means preventing the chenille effect thread balloon 199 from engaging the said thread bobbins 178. The two bobbins 178 are mounted in identical bobbin-carriers, one of which is described hereinbelow.

For each bobbin-carrier, the plate 169 has a seating 179, open at the lower face of the plate and in which is fitted an anti-friction bearing 180 mounted on a spindle pivot 181 by means of a retaining ring 182. The two anti-friction bearings are maintained in position, above by plates 183 and below by an annular plate 184 which, simultaneously seals the said seating; these elements are secured together, through the plate 169, through the agency of screws 185. The spindle pivot 181 has, immediately above the plate 183, a flange 186 and disposed between these two elements is a friction washer 187. On the other hand, the said spindle has formed axially through it an orifice 188 provided with an upper widened portion 189 through which fits a pin 190 having an actuating head 191 formed with a threaded end 192 engaging in a corresponding tapped orifice formed in the annular plate 184; disposed between the head 191 of the pin and the bottom or end face of the widened portion 189 is a helical compression spring ensuring adequate deceleration of the bobbin.

The two first core threads 177 extending from the bobbins 178 are taken up by an entrance 194 formed at the free end of a tube 195 secured to the end of the section 168, in such manner that it constitutes a continuation of the conduit 156. The said entrance 194 is lo cated halfway up the two bobbins and, in order to smooth the changes in direction of the thread leaving each one thereof, the same is returned to travel about a guide rod 196 secured to the plate 169 and provided with two abutment flanges 197, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

For a better understanding, a description will now be given of the mode of functioning of this part of the machine i.e. the winding-on head which has been given the general reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1.

Two first core threads 177, travelling from the bobbins 178, mounted on the spindle pivots 181 at the upper portion of the containers 139 and 176a, are

threaded through the entrance 194, the tube 195, the conduit 156 and each one thereof is threaded through one of the grooves 157 formed in the mandrel-carrier 155. Subsequently, they extend parallel at the end thereof and travel along the edges of the mandrel or guage 160 (FIG. 11). To facilitate description, the functioning is restricted to this point.

The chenille effect thread or material 25, proceeding from the high-capacity cones 24 knotted in endless form, travelling through the devices 26, travels via the fixed thread-guide 175a, the inner portion of the container 139, the annular space 171, the rotatable threadguide 149, the conduit 144 and the conduit 165, whereupon it emerges through the end of the cap or sleeve 164 (FIG. 7).

On setting the machine in motion, the belt 32 drives the pulley 31 and rotates, at high speed, the winding-on spindle 28 and the dish 148 having the thread guides 149. Nevertheless, the assembly constituted by the guide spindle 151 and the plate 169 with all the elements mounted thereon, and which is totally free within the winding-on spindle 28, through intermediary of the anti-friction bearings 150, is maintained stationary due to the mutual attraction exerted between the permanent magnets 173 and 175. Consequently, the portion of thread 25 comprised between the upper fixed thread guide 175a and the upper mouth of the duct 144 is driven in rotation about the entire structure supported by the winding-on spindle 28, and the high rotational velocity produces a balloon 199 of thread rotating about the said structure along the annular space 171.

At the outlet of the winding-on spindle 28 (FIG. 12) the chenille effect thread turns 198 are wound-on about the wedge-shaped portion 161 of the mandrel 160 and the two first core threads 177 which are displaced downwardly in positions adjacent the edges of the mandrel. It will be recalled that the mandrel 160 is rigidly secured to the guide tube 151 and that, consequently, it is fixed relative to the machine, whereas the winding-on cap or sleeve 64 rotates about it. The chenille thread turns 198 forming about the mandrel under predetermined tension derived from winding-on are entrained downwardly due to the continuous displacement of bands 250, in such manner that the tension is immediately relieved when the turns reach the narrower zone 162, starting from which the threads are subjected to the subsequent entrainment and severing operations the result of which is the obtaining of the final chenille yarns.

It should be noted that the chenille effect thread 25, which is consumed to the greater extent in the formation of the final yarn, both because, generally speaking what is concerned is a bulky thread and also because the unwinding thereof per unit length of final product is much greater than in the case of the core threads, thereby constituting the most frequent cause of shutdown in the known machine, for the replenishment of the supply bobbin 24, proceeds in the present machine from the exterior of the winding-on head 11 and can be supplied in continuous form by cones such as the cones 24 which are large-capacity cones and the ends of which may be successively knotted, in such manner that it is no longer necessary that there should be any shutting down for the replacement of the bobbins 24 of the chenille effect material.

On the other hand, those core thread bobbins 178 which are not accessible from the exterior of the head 11 during the functioning of the machine, since they are surrounded by the chenille effect thread balloon 199 are relatively fine and the consumption thereof is practically equal to the production of final chenille yarn so that the bobbins 178 although they are relatively smaller, have sufficient capacity for a plurality of final product packages and do not require frequent changing.

A further important feature which it is necessary to take into account resides in the fact that this machine lacks large centrifugal masses operating at high rotational speed, as in the case of those known machines in which a plurality of bobbins of chenille effect thread rotate about the core threads. Neither does the replenishment of the bobbins which are inaccessible during functioning (the core thread bobbins 178 in the present machine) make it necessary to dismount any part of the machine or to cut the material undergoing formation, as occurs in the known machines when the chenille effect material is supplied from large-capacity bobbins through the interior of the core of which the core threads are inserted, as also the associated guide devices therefor.

To the chenille effect material wound onto the core threads 177 as described above are added two external second core threads 18, one on each side to form two pairs of one first and one second core thread, guided by thread guides 200 (FIGS. 10-12) secured to both sides of the lower arm of the fork 30, and when the material reaches the incision 163 of the gauge 160, it is cut, by devices to be described later, in such manner that each turn of chenille effect material is converted to two segments, each one of which is retained, at an associated side of the cutting devices between the inner core thread 177 and the external core thread 18 of each of the two pairs. The two spun yarns formed in this manner are separated and stretched by the devices described later and are fed to the twisting and winding-on devices which have been given the general reference numeral 201; each pair of first and second core threads is mutually twisted retaining between them the segments of chenille effect material.

Referring to FIG. 5, general reference numeral 202 designates the assembly of the cutting device and general reference numeral 203 designates each one of the separating and entrainment devices, which are identical and are symmetrical relative to a median longitudinal plane extending through the axis of the winding-on head 11.

Arranged for vertical sliding on a slideway 204, secured on the end plate 5 in such manner that its axis is vertical, is a carriage or slide 205 the vertical position of which may be varied by means of a conventional threaded spindle device 206 provided with an actuating knot 207 and rotating on the slideway, being furthermore coupled with a nut fast with the carriage or slide. The front portion of the slide 205 affords a horizontal and transverse slideway 208 (FIG. 2) on which is adapted to slide a second carriage or slide 209 the transverse position of which is adjustable by means similar to those previously described and whereof there is shown in HG. 5 only the actuating knob 210. From the front face of the slide 209 projects a slideway having a horizontal longitudinal base 211 and on which is mounted, in the same manner, to be capable of sliding and to be adjustable by means of the knob 212, the support shown at 213. The latter has a large central incision 214 in which is articulated to a vertical plane, by means of a pivot 215 (FIG. 2) an arm 216 which is cranked upwardly and at the end of which there is mounted for rotation on a pivot 217 a circular knife 218.

The arm 216 has a working position which can be fixed by means of conventional locking devices and is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to which the knife 218 is introduced to a slight degree into the slot 163 in the gauge 160. The said arm may, however, be designed to oscillate forwardly in such manner that the knife is spaced away from the gauge, in order for example to replace the latter.

A similar knife 219 is associated with the knife 218 described hereinabove, in such manner as to afford a pair of severing means within the slot 163. The said knife 219 is mounted on a block 220 secured to the end plate (FIG. 2). The two knives are actuated via transmission arrangements (to be described later) from the shaft 221 mounted for rotation in an anti-friction bearing arrangement 222 secured by means of screws 223 to the end plate 4 (FIG. 3).

Each one of the stretching or drawing devices 203 includes a base block 224 secured by means of screwing (not shown) to the front face of the plate 4 and on which is secured a plate 225 (FIG. 6) constituting a dovetail slideway (or equivalent) for a block 226 which is longitudinally displaceable, for which purpose the free end thereof has a seating in which is mounted to be retained against axial displacement the end of an adjustment screw 228 engaged by a screwthread in a support 229 secured to the block 224.

The rear face of the block 226 has a longitudinal cavity 231 and two end orifices establishing communication between the cavity and the outer face thereof, thereby forming housings for

anti-friction bearings

232 and 233 maintained in position by means of a cover plate 234. The anti-friction bearings 233 support for rotation the shaft 236 and the anti-friction bearings 232 support for rotation a further shaft 235; both shafts carry, within the cavity, a plurality of chain pinions 237 and 238 which are connected for rotation by means of a chain 239. The shaft 236 extends along a neck 242 extending from the rear face of the block 226 and extending through the plate 225, the block 224 and the end plate 4, in aligned, wide orifices, reaching the interior of the machine housing where they terminate in the

wheels

278 and 283 described hereinabove.

The outer ends of the

shafts

235 and 236 carry, secured by means of screws 243, a plurality of

rollers

244 and 245 Mounted for free oscillation on the pivot of each one of the rollers 244, nearest the centre of the machine, is a plate 246 (FIG. 5 and 10) provided with two diametrally

opposite arms

247 and 248, the first one thereof being curved downwardly and forming a shoe 249 by means of which there is conveyed an endless, flexible band 250 passing about the roller, in the position adjacent the constricted portion 162 of the gauge 160, whereby the said shoe has a surface portion 251 which is straight and is located opposite the gauge. The further arm 248 has a slide orifice 252 in which moves a screw 253 engaged in a tapped orifice in the cover plate 234. This device permits adjustment of the shoe in the desired form relative to the gauge, for example on replacing the latter by another of different width for the production of a chenille yarn of different volume. A stud 254, secured to the arm 247, bears against the upper run of the endless belt 250 for imparting tension thereto and, simultaneously serves as guide means for the introduction of the external second core threads 18, as will be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. If desired, the belt 250 may be formed with a fine longitudinal groove (not shown) in the face receiving the said thread, the purpose thereof being to provide for the guiding thereof, over the entire travel path thereof, in contact therewith.

An intermediate roller 255, provided with a rim of rubber 256 or other resilient material, is mounted for idling on a pivot 257 fast with a carriage or slide 258 adapted to be displaced in a slideway 259 secured to the cover 234 (FIG. 5) in such manner that it is able to penetrate to a greater or lesser degree between the

rollers

244 and 245, to adjust itself with the latter as a function of the entrainment of the woven chenille yarn 13 which is taken between the rollers, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 5.

The slide 258 has a slot 260 in which is operative a screw 261 by means of which it is possible to establish the desired position of adjustment. The said roller 255 may also be pressed against the

rollers

244 and 245 by means of a spring, thereby always applying the necessary pressure.

The mode of functioning of this part of the machine will not require explanation. The two chenille yarns 13 formed are supplied to the twisting and winding-on devices 201 in the conventional manner, directly from the nip afforded by the

rollers

245 and 255 or through intermediary of a balloon-limiting thread guide (not shown).

The machine may be completed with conventional optional accessory devices.

For example, FIG. 1 shows that there is secured to column 21 a support 262 on which is secured an arm 263 extending upwardly and terminating in a ball-joint 264. Mounted on the ball-joint 264 is a mirror 265 adapted to be orientated in such manner that the machine operator is able to see the charging state of the bobbins 178 from the front of the machine. A lever 266, secured to the said ball-joint, serves for raising the mirror in order to make the interior of the receptacle 176a accessible, when it is necessary to replenish any of the said bobbins and, at the same time, to lift a protector 267 preventing the introduction of the hands during operation. As a safety measure, the arm 263 is articulated to the support 262 with a degree of resistance less than the force necessary for actuating the ball-joint 264, so that, on proceeding to the raising of the mirror and of the protector, the arm oscillates towards the right-hand side in the Figure and actuates a microswitch 268 connected in the control circuits of the drive motor 43, in such manner that functioning of the machine is halted, there being simultaneously introduced 139 and 176a a stud locking the said members in order to prevent that, on changing the inner bobbins, the arrangement 176a rotates undesirably on its pivot.

It is also possible to provide standard or conventional control arrangement for interrupting functioning of the machine in the event of rupture of any of the threads, for example detectors 269, 270 for the retaining core and chenille effect threads respectively and similar controls for the internal core threads. Reference numeral 271 designates a pilot light indicating at a distance when the machine has been shut down in consequence of the action of any of these control arrangements.

As an alternative to the magnetic device 173, 175 for maintaining the guide spindle 151 and plate 169 stationary relative to the machine there may be provided an extension of the guide spindle at its lower end to below the severing devices 218 and to secure this to a lower part of the machine. This extension may be the two parts of the mandrel 160 at each side of the slot 163 in which the severing knife 218 acts.

The machine may be modified to supply more than two first and second core threads.

The invention in its broader aspect is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described but changes may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for the manufacture of chenille yarn comprising a. at least two core thread bobbins;

b. means for longitudinally supplying at least two first core threads from the core thread bobbins;

c. a supply creel for chenille effect thread, said supply creel being situated remote from said bobbins at a freely accessible location;

d. winding-on means for conveying the chenille effect thread from the supply creel, forming a balloon of rotating chenille effect thread about the core thread bobbins and winding the rotating chenille effect thread around the longitudinally supplied first core threads;

e. feed means for supplying at least two external second core threads laterally to the wound-on chenille effect thread around the said first core threads to form at least two two pairs of core threads composed of one first and one second core thread;

f. means for severing the turns of the chenille effect material between the pairs of core threads; and

g. twisting and winding-on means for twisting each pair of core threads into a chenille yarn.

2. A machine for the manufacture of chenille yarn comprising a. at least two core thread bobbins maintained in a fixed position;

c. a supply creel for chenille effect thread;

e. feed means for supplying at least two external second core threads laterally to the wound-on chenille effect thread around the said first core threads to form at least two pairs of core threads composed of one first and one second core thread;

g. twisting and winding-on means for twisting each pair of core threads into a chenille yarn,

the winding-on means comprising a tubular rotatable winding-on spindle, bearing devices supporting the Winding-on spindle for for rotation, and drive means for driving the winding-on spindle in rotation;

at least one duct in the winding-on spindle debouching at one end of the said spindle eccentrically of the said spindle;

at least one first thread guide mounted eccentrically at an opposite end of the said winding-on spindle and laterally of the core thread bobbins so that a chenille effect thread guided through the first thread guide and through the said duct is rotated about the core thread bobbins by rotation of the winding-on spindle;

a fixed second thread guide axially situated spaced from the first thread guide so that a chenille effect thread guided through the fixed second thread guide to the laterally disposed rotatable first thread guide will form a balloon shape on rotation of the first thread guide around the core thread bobbins;

a tubular guide spindle for the first core threads mounted in the tubular winding-on spindle to be relatively rotatable thereto;

means for maintaining the tubular guide spindle stationary relative to the machine on rotation of the winding-on spindle;

a mandrel on one end of the guide spindle projecting from the tubular winding-on spindle at the end debouching the chenille effect material so that first core threads guided through the tubular guide spindle lay against the mandrel and debouching chenille effect thread is wound by the rotation of the winding-on spindle around the mandrel and the first core threads;

a core-carrying plate mounted on an opposite end of the spindle for the first core thread bobbins; and

feed means for supplying the said second core threads to the mandrel laterally of the wound-on chenille effect thread.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein the guide spindle is mounted for idling within the winding-on spindle.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein the guide spindle is prolonged upstream of the wound-on chenille effect thread affording means for securing to a stationary part of the machine.

5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein the means for securing the guide spindle are constituted by prolongation of the mandrel for winding-on the chenille effect thread.

6. A machine according to claim 3 wherein the guide spindle is maintained stationary by magnetic or electromagnetic means exerting a force between the assembly of the guide spindle and the core-carrying plate, and a part fixed to the machine which surrounds the said assembly for maintaining the latter stationary, there being a continuous annular space thereabout, through which annular space the chenille effect material balloon rotates freely.

7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein the corecarrying plate is provided with at least one permanent magnet, associated, when magnetic attraction takes place, with a complementary magnet secured to the fixed part surrounding the assembly.

8. A machine according to claim 7 wherein the fixed part surrounding the core-carrying plate assembly is in the form of an annular body.

9. A machine according to claim 8 wherein the annular body surrounding the core-carrying plate is prolonged upwardly to afford a protective tube and guide for the balloon.

10. A machine according to claim 9 wherein the core-carrying plate has a tubular body surrounding the core bobbins and radially separated from the balloonguiding tube, forming with the said guide tube an annular space for passage of the rotating balloon.

11. A machine according to claim 2 wherein feed means for the external second core threads is, at each side of the wind-on mandrel, an endless belt maintained under tension between a roller connected with means for driving in rotation and a fixed guide guiding it adjacent the side of the mandrel, against which belt there is applied a first roller of a pair of drive rollers for entraining the severed and separated chenille yarns to the associated twisting devices.

12. A machine according to claim 11 which includes tensioning means applied against the inlet run of the belt at the guide, and which forms conveying means for the external second core thread.

13. A machine according to claim 11 wherein the assembly of the roller and endless belt guide is mounted to be adjustable for varying the working position of the belt guide relative to the mandrel.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the first roller of the drive pair is also adjustable for maintaining the coupling thereof with the roller for actuating the belt and the second roller of the drive pair.

15. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the means for severing the chenille effect material are a pair of circular knives, mutually associated and driven in rotation, and which are operative in a longitudinal slot formed in the end of the mandrel, being mounted in supports the position of which is adjustable relative thereto.

16. A method of manufacturing chenille yarn which includes supplying at least two first core threads from bobbins, supplying at least one chenille effect thread from a freely accessible fixed bobbin situated remote from the core thread bobbins, causing the chenille effect thread to rotate around the core thread bobbins in a balloon-like manner and applying the rotating thread around the two first core threads to form a spiral, supplying at least two second core threads to the outer surface of the spiral so as to form at least two pair of core threads comprising one first thread and one second thread, severing the spiral chenille effect thread between the two pairs of core threads and twisting the pairs of core threads to form two chenille yarns.

Claims

1. A machine for the manufacture of chenille yarn comprising a. at least two core thread bobbins; b. means for longitudinally supplying at least two first core threads from the core thread bobbins; c. a supply creel for chenille effect thread, said supply creel being situated remote from said bobbins at a freely accessible location; d. winding-on means for conveying the chenille effect thread from the supply creel, forming a balloon of rotating chenille effect thread about the core thread bobbins and winding the rotating chenille effect thread around the longitudinally supplied first core threads; e. feed means for supplying at least two external second core threads laterally to the wound-on chenille effect thread around the said first core threads to form at least two two pairs of core threads composed of one first and one second core thread; f. means for severing the turns of the chenille effect material between the pairs of core threads; and g. twisting and winding-on means for twisting each pair of core threads into a chenille yarn.

2. A machine for the manufacture of chenille yarn comprising a. at least two core thread bobbins maintained in a fixed position; b. means for longitudinally supplying at least two first core threads from the core thread bobbins; c. a supply creel for chenille effect thread; d. winding-on means for conveying the chenille effect thread from the supply creeL, forming a balloon of rotating chenille effect thread about the core thread bobbins and winding the rotating chenille effect thread around the longitudinally supplied first core threads; e. feed means for supplying at least two external second core threads laterally to the wound-on chenille effect thread around the said first core threads to form at least two pairs of core threads composed of one first and one second core thread; f. means for severing the turns of the chenille effect material between the pairs of core threads; and g. twisting and winding-on means for twisting each pair of core threads into a chenille yarn, the winding-on means comprising a tubular rotatable winding-on spindle, bearing devices supporting the winding-on spindle for for rotation, and drive means for driving the winding-on spindle in rotation; at least one duct in the winding-on spindle debouching at one end of the said spindle eccentrically of the said spindle; at least one first thread guide mounted eccentrically at an opposite end of the said winding-on spindle and laterally of the core thread bobbins so that a chenille effect thread guided through the first thread guide and through the said duct is rotated about the core thread bobbins by rotation of the winding-on spindle; a fixed second thread guide axially situated spaced from the first thread guide so that a chenille effect thread guided through the fixed second thread guide to the laterally disposed rotatable first thread guide will form a balloon shape on rotation of the first thread guide around the core thread bobbins; a tubular guide spindle for the first core threads mounted in the tubular winding-on spindle to be relatively rotatable thereto; means for maintaining the tubular guide spindle stationary relative to the machine on rotation of the winding-on spindle; a mandrel on one end of the guide spindle projecting from the tubular winding-on spindle at the end debouching the chenille effect material so that first core threads guided through the tubular guide spindle lay against the mandrel and debouching chenille effect thread is wound by the rotation of the winding-on spindle around the mandrel and the first core threads; a core-carrying plate mounted on an opposite end of the spindle for the first core thread bobbins; and feed means for supplying the said second core threads to the mandrel laterally of the wound-on chenille effect thread.

7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein the core-carrying plate is provided with at least one permanent magnet, associated, when magnetic attraction takes place, with a complementary magnet secured to the fixed part surrounding the assembly.

10. A machine according to claim 9 wherein the core-carRying plate has a tubular body surrounding the core bobbins and radially separated from the balloon-guiding tube, forming with the said guide tube an annular space for passage of the rotating balloon.