US2258421A - Yarn conditioning and control apparatus for textile machines - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1941. M. RICHTER YARN CONDITIONING AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR- TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

0d; 1941- M. RICHTER 2,258,421

I YARN CONDITIONING AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5,7 ATTORNEY.

M. RICHTER I 2,258,421

YARN CONDITIONING AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Oct. 7, 1941.

5 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24, 1957 IN VEN TOR I Iv a L'I HI I IIEI I II I 3N w I M NM R Mm u I II V I i "Si" -I all I I I a III I I I M. RICHTER 2,258,421

YARN CONDITIONING AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Qct. 7, 1941.

Filed Dec. 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F E F1. 5-- E F.I.E-ll- INVENTOR.

ATTORN Y.

l 3: E. r

Oct. 7, 1941. M.- RlC HTER 2,253,421

YARN CONDITIONING AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheets 11v VENTOR:

Patented Oct. 7, 1941:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE YARN CONDITIONING AND GONTBDL AP-.

PARATUS FORTEXTILE MACHINES Max Richter, West Reading, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 24, 1937, Serial No. 181,639

9 Claims.

to clean them and to refill them. Generally,

cleaning the troughs required unthreading the 1 tension and moistening means therein.

In the prior art tensioning devices the direction and distance of travel of the yarn through the troughs are 1imited,.whereby the degree of regulation which may be effected in the'yarn tension is also limited.

Also, the maintenance of the liquid level in the troughs has been more ,or less troublesome, particularly in individual troughs of a multisection machine having a plurality of these troughs individually associated with the respective machine sections.

' Among the various suggestions for maintaining the levels uniform have been to employ troughs in liquid communicating relation to each other and reservoirs of the inverted bottle type,-in refilling which the bottles are removed from position, carried to sources of liquid supp and returned to position. These operations frequentlyresult in spilling the liquid over various parts of the machine, breaking the bottles, delays in service and inother objectionable features.

An object of my invention is to provide a mois tening trough structure for full-fashioned knitting machines arranged to facilitate the cleaning ,of the troughs.

Another object is to provide a yarn treating device through which yarn is threaded, the device comprising a receptacle for yarn treating liquid and a unit for supporting yarn guiding elements within the receptacle, said unit being so arranged with respect to the receptacle as to facilitate its removal and replacement in the desired position.

Another object is to provide guide means for effecting a combined yarn tensioning and moistening effect.

Another object is to provide novel means for overcoming the above indicatedobjections in yarn treating and tensioning devices, and. in 55 F 9 is a V w Similar to a Portion of Fig. 8,

novel adjustable maintaining the liquid level-and supply thereof. Another object is to provide novel valve means whereby several operations, ordinarily requiring individual attention as with a reservoir of the inverted type above mentioned, may be effected simultaneously. 9

Another object of my invention is to provide a yarn treating device through which yarn is threaded, the device comprising a'receptacle for a yarn treating liquid and a unit for supporting yarn controlling elements in the receptacle, and means whereby the unit and the receptacle can be separated without unthreading the yarn from the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel splash directing and guard means. means for the selective and detachable mounting of yam guides, and other features.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction, and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a multi section full-fashioned knitting machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the structure as viewed in Fig. 1, on a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a view, substantially to the scale of Fig. 2, of the structure of Figs. 1 and 2, as viewed cross-sectionally of the machine from the right end of Fig. 1, parts being omitted, parts being full lines, and parts being in dot-and-dash Fig. 4 is adetail perspective view ofa splash I guard embodied in the invention;

' tially in section along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, parts being in elevation, taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along: the line 8-'-8 of Fig. 7;

drawn to the scale of Fig. 10, parts being broken away;

Fig. 12 is a vertical plane sectional view of a portion of the structure as viewed in Fig. 10, but with certain parts in difierent positions; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the structure of Fig. 8; I

In the drawings and description, only those 'parts necessary to a complete understanding of the invention have been set forth; further information as to the construction and operation of other elements not herein specifically pointed out, but which are usual and well known, being available in the pamphlet entitled Full Fashioned Knitting Machines, copyright 1920, and in the Reading full fashioned knitting machine catalogues, copyright 1929 and 1935, published by theTextile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, and in a pamphlet entitled Knitting Machine Lectures, published in 1935 by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Referring to Fig. 1, the parts of a multi-section fullfashioned knitting machine therein shown are end frames I0, center frames I2, a back rail l8, and a center bed I5. These parts are united as a usual rigid base or framework for supporting the operating parts of the machine. Gallows l8, Figs. 2 and 3, on the center frames I2, are connected longitudinally ofthe machine, as by a bar I9, and support a moistening box unit M, such as shown in Patent No. 2,066,781, issued January 5, 1937, to Henry J anssen.

Troughs T, provided one for each knitting section of the machine, are connected in liquid communicating series relation to each other by conduits 22, and suspended, as by brackets, 23

from another rod 24 on the gallows I8.

At the right hand end of the machine, as viewed from the rear in Figs. 1 and 2, brackets 21 and 28 (Fig. 3) secured to the adjacent gallows I8, vertically adjustably support a rod 28 on which is mounted a reservoir device B.

As viewed in Fig. 3, the structure further comprises a front rail 32, a cam shaft 33, a front bed 34, a needle lifting lever 38 on a shaft'38, a bracket 42 pivotally mounted on the lifting lever 38 supporting a needlebar assembly N, a sinker head assembly S, carrier rods R mounted in brackets, such as the bracket 43 on the center bed l5, yarn carriers or guide fingers 48 and 45,

and yarn cones or supply packages and 48 in the moistening boxes M.

'The cone 41 supplies yarn 49, such' as cotton yarn, to the carrier 45, which is a plating carrier, through an eyelet in the top of the unit M in which it is disposed. past a yarn guide rod 52 on portions 53 f gallows I8, through the trough T as hereinafter set forth, through a tension ring 51 vertically floatingly disposed on the yarn around one of a plurality of guides 58 that is supported on bracket arm portions 58 of the gallows I8, through a usual snapper 62, through an eyelet in a receptacle 66, to be hereinafter more particularly pointed out, and past a yarn guide rod 63 on a bracketGQ.

Yarn 61 is fed, at high speed, through an eyelet in the top of the box M, past a guide rod 68 on the bracket 53, through the trough T, constituting part of the invention, through a tension ring 69 on another of the guides 58, through a snapper 72, through an eyelet H in the receptacle 88, and past a guide rod 13 in the bracket 64 to the carrier t l.

Referring further to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13, each trough T comprises a plain oblong box-like receptacle 16, as of sheet metal, for the reception of a liquid, such as water. for maintenance at a level L, by the reservoir device B, through nipples E5, the conduits 22, and a conduit 56.

As better seen in Fig. 13, a unit U, for readily removable direct contact telescopic fitting relation to the receptacle 18 in the upper part of the latter, is generally of elongated rectangular substantially c-shape fitting the plan contour of the receptacle 7% having end members "I1 fitting the short inner sides {of the receptacle ends, and an intermediate lengthwise member 18 extending parallel to one of the long sides of the receptacle I in slightly spaced relation'thereto. Each of the members I1 is of substantially L-section (Fig. 7) having an upright portion 19 and a horizontal portion 88 having end brace portions 90 (Fig..13). The end members Tl each have clip portions 8| arranged so that, when the unit U is lowered into the receptacle 18, the clip portions 8! will embrace the top edges of the receptacle It, and hold the unit in place with its bottom above the bottom of the receptacle. Vertical sheet metal members 82 of channel section are welded, or otherwise secured, to the upright portions 19 of the members I7, and spaced from each other byv distances substantially equal to the widths of the channels, whereby not only to provide a channel between the walls of each member 82, but also to provide similar channels between certain of the members 82 for the selective reception of one or more cylindrical float elements 83, parallel to the longitudinal box sides, each of itself being floatable and having its ends in channels formed by the members 82 at opposite ends of the trough. The floats 83, as shown, are constructed from cylindrical glass tubes each having both ends sealed, and at least one end 85 of polygonal cross section, or otherwise constructed, whereby the tube can float vertically in its end channels, but cannot have rotative movement by reason of the relation o the polygonal or otherwise constructed fiat end or ends 85 to the channel members 82. Being disposed over the horizontal portions 80,

when the unit U is lifted from the receptacle 14,

the floats are lifted with it.

Sheet metal strips 84 of substantially Z-section (Fig. 7), secured to the end members 11 across the tops of the channel members 82, have fingers 86 providing notches for the reception of yarn I guide rods 88. The fingers 86 have side projections 8'! (Figs. 8 and 9) constituting, slight constrictions against placing the rods 88 into, or removing them from, the notches, the fingers being of such resiliency, and the projections being so with a substantially snap action past the projections Bl. However, the feature operates such that the rods 88 cannot readily be accidentally jarred or otherwise removed from positions in the notches, or a rod cannot be lifted out of position A sloping platform as (Figs. as and 13) is provided on the intermediate member 18 for the optional reception of a felt or felts 92, along the top surface of one of which or between two of which the yarn 61 can pass for the removal of water from the yarn, or felt can be omitted and the yarn guided through space above the platform, as controlled by a guide rod 93 and one of a battery of eyelets 94. The rod 93 is supported on a ledge 91 (Fig. 13) of the platform 89 between a portion 98 and a side wall (Fig. 8) of the next adjacent channel member 82,. The felt 92 has ends 95 depending over the ends of the platform'89 to positions either above or below the liquid level, and is held in place by. lugs 96 projecting upwardly from the intermediate mem ber 18.

The eyelets 94, and similar eyelets 99, are mounted on metal strips I02 and I03, respectively, the eyelets 99 being for leading yarns into the trough T, and the eyelets 94 for leading the yarns out of the trough. Theseeyelets, although producible from any of various materials, are, in this instance, of vitreous material, such as porcelain or glass. Each strip I02 and I03 is indicated' in this instance, as adapted to support ten of its respective eyelets, although here also, the' number may be varied for different applications. Further, the strips I02 and I03 are provided, adjacent to their ends, with spring clips I01 for readily removably embracing the top margins of the upright front and back walls of the receptacle 14, this arrangement being more rigid, permanent and effective than a former structure in which a single clip is used for each eyelet. A splash guard I08 (Figs. 4, 6, '7 and 8), of metal having some resiliency and provided with return bent or crimped reinforced edges I09, is bowed or sprung in place, as shown, over the high speed yarn or yarns which may be passed through the trough, and which throw off spray. The guard I08 is only of sufiicient width to adequately cover the high speed yarns, and may be adjusted or shifted along the receptacle to provide for placing these yarns in any desired positions.

In the operation of any of the troughs T, one or more of the rods 88 are adjusted parallel to the liquid level in any suitable arrangement in the notches 81, and one or more of the floats 83 are adjusted parallel to the liquid level by being placed in any selected of the channels formed by th members 82, whereby to obtain any one of various yarn tension values, in combination with the yarn treating or moistening effect which the yarn receives-as it passes under the float or floats 83 and engages the latter in the liquid, which combined effect is maintained substantially constant by maintaining the level L substantially constant. course, would lower the float or floats and vary the yamtension- In the arrangement of Fig. 9, the last float 83 and the last guide rod 88, to the right .of the Substantial lowering of this level, of

figure, are so arranged as to throw a length of the yarn backwardly on itself near its position of final departure from the liquid whereby to reduce, or prevent the extension of splash in the direction of departure of the yarn from the trough. r

The device B, see particularly'Figs. 10, 11 and I2, for maintaining the liquid'level L and the yarn tension constant, comprises a reservoir II2 of th inverted bottle type held in place at the top, which is its inverted bottom, by a bracket II4 secured to the rod 29 as by a set screw, and

having branches or arms II1 over the reservoir, and fingers II8 depending from the out'erends of the arms II1 about the periphery of the reservoir or bottle bottom to hold the reservoir: laterally in place. Springs H9 in recesses of the arms II1 act as yieldable cushions and binding j means, assisting in preventing damage to. the

reservoir, when it is of glass, as shown, andtending to hold it in place. A valve attachment V comprises a, metal body having a cup-like portion I 22 for the reception of the mouth end I23 of the neck I2'4 of the bottle, or reservoir II2, a gasket I21, of rubber, cork felt, or other yielding material being provided between the cup I22 and the mouth I23, as a cushion and seal for the latter. A tube I28, constituting a continuation of an air passage I29, is held in place in an upright tubular projection I32 at the bottom of the cup I I22. A tubular element I33, depending from the cup I22, provides a liquid feed passageway between the reservoir H2 and a receptacle I34, and is, in effect, an extension, of reduced diameter, of the mouth I23 at approximately the level L of the liquid in the receptacle I34, which is connected to the troughs T by the conduit 16; A

passageway I31 extends downwardly through the bottom of the cup I22 and laterally to a liquid supply pipe I38 to which it is connected by a in the position of Fig. 12, to'simultaneously connect the reservoir II2 to the supply line I38, open the air passageway I29, and close the feed passageway I33, and, at another time, when the handle I43 is in the position of Figs. 10 and 11, to simultaneously disconnect the reservoir II2 from the supply line I38, close the air passageway I29, and open the feed passageway I33. When the handle I43 is in the position of Fig. 12,- the structure allows air to escape from the bottle, and prevents liquid from feeding therefrom to the receptacle I34, when the bottle is being refilled through the supply passage I31. When the handle is in the position of Figs. l0 and 11, the reservoir operates as an ordinary bottle, which, since its effective mouth at the lower end of the element I33 is sealed by the liquidin the receptacle I34, will not allow the liquid to flow from the bottle until the level L recedesv from the mouthto admit air. When the level L is as indicated in Fig. 10, the pressure of the'liquid in the reservoir and the atmospheric pressure on uid in a uniform manner,-irrespective of minor changes in the liquid level, since irrespective of this level, substantially the same length of yarn about the float is immersed at all times. In

- simple movement of the handle "I43.

other words, with the liquid level constant, the

perpendicular distance, between each float 83 and v the. guide rods 88, is maintained constant. This condition ensures engagement of unvarying lengths of. the yarn on the peripheries of the floats, and thereby unvarying lengths below the liquid level, nd also maintains unvarying lengths of the yarn on the peripheries of the rods 88, so that the reservoir device B, in maintaining the liquid level constant, thus has a definite and direct yarn tension function, in addition to its yarn treating and other functions.

Since the reservoir holds a substantial amount of liquid, which is visible at all times, it is easy for an operator to operate the device when necessary or at times to suit his convenience, by a This feature avoids stopping the machine; disassembling any parts, spilling .the liquid or breaking the reservoir.

As a precaution, not likely to be called upon to operate, an overflow pipe I50 (Figs. 5, '7 and 1-3) is provided in each trough T, such that, if for any reason, a continuous supply of liquid should flow from the supply line I38, through the reservoir B, and into the troughs T, it will flow through the pipes I50 into the receptacle 66 (Figs. 3 and 5). The receptacle 66, one of which is provided for each machine section, is suspended from the gallows I8, as by hooks I52, and extends upwardly and forwardly of the'machi-ne under paths of the yarn and above certain of the machine mechanism over which the yarn extends. This arrangement protects the mechanismagainst excess inoisturefrom the yarn.

The eyelets or yarn guides 65 and H, through which the yarns 49 and 67 pass, respectively, thereby constitute the receptacle 66 both as yarn guide means and as means for collecting excess moisture. A conduit I54, shown as of V-section and suspended from the gallows I8, as by a connector I55, extends along the machine to carry off excess moisture which it receives from an opening or openings I56 in each receptacle 66, and discharges through a drain conduit I5'I.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above re sults, can be changed and modified in various 'ways'without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination in a yarn treating device, a receptacle for a yarn treating liquid, a plurality of elements in the receptacle for guiding and affecting the yarn in'said treatment, and means whereby the receptacle may be readily entirely separated from said elements without requiring rethreading of the yarn relative to the device, comprising a unit for supporting said elements, said unit having a portion substantially telescopically fitting innersides of the receptacle providing for the removal of the unit and said elements from the receptacle.

2. In a yarn moistening device for a full fashioned knitting machine, in combination, a rectangular container for a liquid yarn wetting agent, a rectangular unit supported by said container comprising a frame arranged to telescopically extend into the container and having yarn guidingelements detachabiy connected therewith, and means carried by said unit for supporting a plurality of longitudinally extending floats-within said container for guiding yarns through said liquid. 7

. 3. The combination with a yarn working steam means of an arrangement for moistening yam going to said working means comprising container means for a moistening liquid,a group of parallel members movable from one operative position /to another and arranged to guide said yarn beneath said moistenin'g liquid, a second group of parallel members movable from one operative position to another arranged above said moistening liquid to receive the yarn from the members of said first group, and means for holding said members in operative position in use providing more recesses for the ends of said members than there are members, whereby said members may be shifted from one operating position to another to change the tension on the yarn.

4. In combination in a yarn conditioning device, trough structure providing for the reception of yarn and the passage of yarn from the trough, means in the trough for controlling tension of the yarn and treatment of the yarn by a liquid.

including tension means and float means afiect ing the yarn, a reservoir, passageway means for liquid feeding from the reservoir to the trough, means for connecting the reservoir to a supply pipe line from aliquid source, air passageway means providing for escape of air while supplying the reservoir with liquid, and valve means for, at one time, connecting the reservoir to the supply line, opening the air passageway and closing the feed passageway, and, at another time, disconnecting the reservoir from the supply line, closing the air passageway and opening the feed passageway.

5. In combination in a yarn conditioning device, trough structure providing for the reception of yarn and the passage of the yarn from the trough, means in the trough for controlling tension of the yarn and immersion of the yarn in a liquid including adjustable tension means and float means adjustable for operation in selected positions, a reservoir, passageway means for liquid feeding from, the reservoir to the trough, means for connecting the reservoir to a liquid supply pipe line, air passageway means providing for escape of. air while supplying the reservoir with liquid, and a three-way valve for, at one time, connecting the reservoir to the supply line, opening the air passageway and closing the feed passageway, and at another time, disconnecting the reservoir from the supply line, closing the air passageway and opening the feed passageway.

6. A yarn conditioning device comprising in combination, a reservoir, a structure for exposing yarn to a liquid to effect treatment thereby, a passageway from the reservoir to the structure, means for connecting the reservoir to a liquid supply line, air passageway means providing for escape of air while supplying the reservoir with liquid, and a three-wayvalve for, at one time,

1 connecting the reservoir to the supply line, opening the air passageway and closing the passageway from the reservoir to the structure, and,

8. In combination in a yarn conditioning device, a receptacle, means providing a plurality of paths for yarns through a liquid in the receptacle, and

' a splash guard means mounted for movement between positions over certain of said paths independent of others.

9. In combination in a knitting machine having loop forming mechanism and yarn supply supporting means, of yarn moistening means.

MAX RICHTER.

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