Method and apparatus for handling yarn

Claim 2

In a method for handling yarn including the steps of withdrawing yarn from a first process, storing the yarn temporarily by a yarn storage feeder and withdrawing yarn from the yarn storage feeder under a constant tension by a second process, the improvement comprising: a. withdrawing the yarn from the first process at a selected constant rate by the yarn storage feeder, b. driving the yarn storage feeder by and in timed relation to the first process, c. continuously monitoring the quantity of yarn stored by the yarn storage feeder, d. reducing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a pre-determined minimum and e. increasing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a pre-determined maximum.

Claim 3

In apparatus for handling yarn having a first process fRom which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn and a yarn storage feeder for temporarily storing the yarn interposed between the two processes, from which storage feeder the second process withdraws yarn at a constant tension, the improvement comprising a. drive means connected to the for driving the storage feeder to in timed relation to the first process take up yarn at a constant rate from the first process, b. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage and c. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which the second process withdraws yarn from the yarn storage feeder.

Claim 4

In apparatus for handling yarn having a first process fRom which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn and a yarn storage feeder for temporarily storing the yarn interposed between the two processes, from which storage feeder the second process withdraws yarn at a constant tension, the improvement comprising a. drive means connected to the for driving the storage feeder to in timed relation to the first process take up yarn at a constant rate from the first process, b. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage and c. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which the second process withdraws yarn from the yarn storage feeder.

Claim 5

an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,

Claim 6

an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,

Claim 7

an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air and

Claim 8

an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air and

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 2 further including a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.

Claim 10

a valve for the air chamber to vary air pressure in the chamber and b. the speed control actuator means comprises a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the air pressure in the chamber.

Claim 11

a valve for the air chamber to vary air pressure in the chamber and b. the speed control actuator means comprises a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the air pressure in the chamber.

Claim 12

a valve for the air chamber and

Claim 13

a valve for the air chamber and

Claim 14

Apparatus for handling yarn comprising a. a first process from which yarn is delivered at a constant rate, b. a second process which consumes yarn at a constant tension, c. a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes, d. drive means connecting the first process to the yarn storage feeder to drive the yarn storage feeder continuously in timed relation to the first process, e. a variable speed drive for the second process, f. speed control means to regulate the speed of the variable speed drive, g. actuator means for the speed control means, h. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor the quantity of yarn in storage and i. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control actuator means to transmit signals from the yarn sensing means to said actuator means.

Claim 15

Apparatus for handling yarn comprising a. a first process from which yarn is delivered at a constant rate, b. a second process which consumes yarn at a constant tension, c. a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes, d. drive means connecting the first process to the yarn storage feeder to drive the yarn storage feeder continuously in timed relation to the first process, e. a variable speed drive for the second process, f. speed control means to regulate the speed of the variable speed drive, g. actuator means for the speed control means, h. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor the quantity of yarn in storage and i. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control actuator means to transmit signals from the yarn sensing means to said actuator means.

Claim 16

means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum and responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means being operative to permit said valve to close after a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, whereby the amount of air pressure in the air chamber increases to advance the piston relative to said chamber, and d. speed control means responsive to the advance of the piston operative to vary the rate at which the yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means.

Claim 17

means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum and responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means being operative to permit said valve to close after a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, whereby the amount of air pressure in the air chamber increases to advance the piston relative to said chamber, and d. speed control means responsive to the advance of the piston operative to vary the rate at which the yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a. the signal transmission system includes

Claim 19

Apparatus for handling yarn incorporating a first process from which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn at a constant tension and has a variable speed drive, and a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes for taking up yarn from the first process and providing a temporary store of yarn for the second process, said yarn storage feeder having a. a drum about which yarn is wrapped tangentially to form a plurality of yarn turns, b. a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, c. drive means connected to the first process for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, d. speed control means to vary the speed of the variable speed drive and the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum, e. yarn sensing means for monitoring the number of yarn turns on the drum and f. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the number of yarn turns on the drum.

Claim 20

Apparatus for handling yarn incorporating a first process from which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn at a constant tension and has a variable speed drive, and a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes for taking up yarn from the first process and providing a temporary store of yarn for the second process, said yarn storage feeder having a. a drum about which yarn is wrapped tangentially to form a plurality of yarn turns, b. a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, c. drive means connected to the first process for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, d. speed control means to vary the speed of the variable speed drive and the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum, e. yarn sensing means for monitoring the number of yarn turns on the drum and f. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the number of yarn turns on the drum.

Claim 21

In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. yarn sensing means to monitor constantly the amount of yaRn in storage, b. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means and c. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.

Claim 22

In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. yarn sensing means to monitor constantly the amount of yaRn in storage, b. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means and c. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.

Claim 23

In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. a pneumatic system having

Claim 24

In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. a pneumatic system having