Method and apparatus for joining broken ends

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1 including the step of withdrawing and returning to said chamber said thread at the same speed.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2 including the step of arresting the spinning and feeding of fibers in response to the first signal and recommencing the spinning and feeding thereof in response to said second signal.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 2 including the step of timing said impulses so that the distance said thread reverses from the production of said second signal to said spinning chamber equals the time required to spin said fibers in said chamber into a cohesive thread.

Claim 6

A spindless spinning machine comprising a chamber, means for feeding fibers to said chamber, a rotating turbine located in said chamber, for spinning said fibers into thread and means for withdrawing said thread, means for sensing said withdrawn thread, means for producing a first signal responsive to the sensing of a break therein, means responsive to said first signal to sequentially stop said withdrawing means, means for cutting a portion from the end of said thread and means for causing said withdrawing means to reverse and return said cut thread to said chamber for joining with said spinning fibers, said cut thread being moved past said sensing means, means for producing a second signal in response to the reverse movement of said cut thread past said sensing means, said sensing means producing a predetermined number of impulses in response to said second signal, and said withdrawing means being responsive to the last of said predetermined number of impulses to again reverse said withdrawing means to recommence withdrawl of said joined thread from said chamber.

Claim 7

A spindless spinning machine comprising a chamber, means for feeding fibers to said chamber, a rotating turbine located in said chamber, for spinning said fibers into thread and means for withdrawing said thread, means for sensing said withdrawn thread, means for producing a first signal responsive to the sensing of a break therein, means responsive to said first signal to sequentially stop said withdrawing means, means for cutting a portion from the end of said thread and means for causing said withdrawing means to reverse and return said cut thread to said chamber for joining with said spinning fibers, said cut thread being moved past said sensing means, means for producing a second signal in response to the reverse movement of said cut thread past said sensing means, said sensing means producing a predetermined number of impulses in response to said second signal, and said withdrawing means being responsive to the last of said predetermined number of impulses to again reverse said withdrawing means to recommence withdrawl of said joined thread from said chamber.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for withdrawing a returning said thread comprises a pair of rollers each mounted on a lever resiliently biased against each other to hold the thread therebetween, said rollers having the same diameter, a drive roller continuously rotating in one direction, and means normally maintaining one roller in sole contact with said drive roller for selectively withdrawing said thread and shifting the other roller into sole contact with said drive roller for reversing said thread.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6 including an impulse generator mechanically connected to said drive means for producing a steady stream of reference impulses.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 6 including a control circuit responsive to said first signal, a control actuator for moving said levers, said circuit providing a signal for said actuator.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 6 including a thread take-up spool and a thread guide drum interposed between said rollers and said thread take-up spool, said spool resting on said guide drum and being driven thereby, and transmission means connecting said guide drum with said rollers for conjoint rotation.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 9 including a dancer arm for taking-up thread responsive to the pull on said thread, located between said rollers and said guide drum.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said cutting means is located a predetermined distance from said spinning chamber and said impulse generator is caused to produce a number of impulses conforming to said distance in time.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for sensing said thread is located at a predetermined distance from said cutting means and said counting of said impulses is initiated at the moment said cut thread passes said sensing means.