Yarn processing apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for processing yarn in one continuous operation without allowing the yarn to cool to ambient temperature comprising: a first means for heating the yarn comprising a first heated roll and a second heated roll operated at a higher peripheral speed as compared to the first heated roll so that the yarn is heated and drawn, a crimping means positioned to receive the drawn and heated yarn and to crimp the yarn and form a yarn plug comprising a fluid jet portion and a chamber containing a plurality of stacked members, a tube positioned for receiving the yarn plug from the crimping means and a means for supplying a fluid to said tube in a direction counter-current to the direction of movement of the yarn plug in the tube, a yarn plug control means for sensing the length of the yarn plug in the tube and adjusting the temperature of the second heated roll of the first heating means to control the length of the yarn plug, an entangling means positioned for receiving and entangling the crimped yarn, a second means positioned for receiving and increasing the temperature and tension of the heated, crimped and entangled yarn to produce a straightened, crimped and entangled yarn comprising a longitudinal chamber having a yarn inlet and a yarn outlet and a source of heating fluid attached to said chamber, and a winder positioned for winding the straightened, crimped and entangled yarn.