US3103097A

US3103097A - Yarn twisting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3103097A
Application number: US68235A
Authority: US
Inventors: Meili Otto; Raschle Joseph
Original assignee: Heberlein Patent Corp
Current assignee: Heberlein Patent Corp
Priority date: 1959-11-28
Filing date: 1960-11-09
Publication date: 1963-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1980-09-10

Description

Sept- 10, 1963 o. MEILI ErAL YARN TWISTING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 9, 1960 2 d 2 m. w. m H M 1.... N C Thr P. wlw m 40,687 WMEP m H [m3 o p 7m l T E a u Aww Y di JY M B m/m m -l l .y 7 2V, ik M 2J( W www M M 66m967 @will United States Patent O 3,103,097 YARN TWISTING APPARATUS Otto Melli, Wattwil, and `oseph Raschle, Butschwil, Switzerland, assignors to Heberlein Patent Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 68,235 Claims priority, application Switzerland Nov. 28, 1959 9 Claims. (Cl. 57--77.4)

This invention is directed to apparatus for twisting textile yarns, and more particularly it relates to an apparatus for false twisting such a yarn.

There are many Well known processes and apparatus for crimping textile yarns, more especially for imparting a high twist to the yarn, in which state it is thermally set and subsequently detwisted. The twisting apparatus is designated a false twister since it twists and untwists the yarn, and generally consists of a tube or hollow spindle which is rotated at high `speed by means of a belt drive or by an individual drive motor. The rotary tube is provided with pins, projections, rollers, or the like which are so arranged that they force the yarn which passes longitudinally through the tube to rotate also. In such a device employing a twisting -tube or spindle the speed of rotation which can be imparted to the yarn is directly related to the speed which can he imparted to the tube, which in turn is a function of the manner in which the tube is supported in the overall apparatus.

In order to overcome limitation upon the speed of rotation which is imposed by the bearings supporting the twisting tube, methods and apparatus have been devised whereby twist is imparted to the yarn by direct frictional contact with rotating surfaces, for example as shown in the apparatus of Tully `U.S. Patent No. 2,923,121, or by passing the yarn between two moving surfaces, for example as described in published British specification No. 821,460. With such `friction twisters, considerably higher rotational speeds can be imparted to the yarn per unit time than with the aforementioned rotating false twisting tubes or spindles.

However, the friction twisters presently available frequently permit a considerable amount of slippage of the yarn between the different working stations of a false twisting machine and also within one and the same working station. As a result, there is often a considerable variation in the number of twists per unit length imparted to the yarn. This of course produces irregularities in the crimped yarn which are not acceptable from a commercial standpoint. `In many instances the yarn is contacted only on opposed sides by the moving friction surfaces, or is not in substantially complete frictional contact about its periphery. ln other friction twisters where the yarn is contacted on three or more sides the moving `or rotating `friction surfaces are very rigid as compared with the yarn, and as a result of this rigidity the yarn is often damaged substantially through abrasion and there is breakage of the yarn filaments, and indeed often the yarn itself is broken.

lt is a primary object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the friction twisters presently available, and to provide a friction twister in which the frictional contact between the yarn and the friction body is suliicient to impart highly etiicient rotation to the yarn with as little slippage as possible, -while at the same time providing an apparatus in which the frictional losses of the yarn passing through -are so small as to avoid breakage of even the individual filaments of the yarn.

The `apparatus of the present invention is adapted primarily for `false twisting synthetic textile yarns, for example, polyamide yarns of poly-hexamethyleneadipamide, or polymers of E-caprolactam or ll-aminoundecanoie acid, or polyester yarns, for example, polyethylene- 3,103,097 Patented Sept 10, 1963 ice glycol teraphthlate, as well as polyvinyl yarns, for instance, poly-acrylonitrile.

-In its broadest aspect, the false twisting device of the present invention comprises a driven endless belt so arranged on at least three rollers, at least one of which is driven, that at least three belt courses intersect to define a channel with .at least three sides, each consisting of one of the belt courses, through whichthe yarn passes in frictional contact with said belt courses. The aforementioned channel is substantially normal to the axes of the belt courses which `define it. The endless belt, or a plurality of such belts, is of course .so arranged on said rollers as to impart unidirectional rotation to the yarn passing through the channel defined by the intersecting courses. The belt courses defining the channel thus impart a unidirectional torque to the moving yarn by reason of the higher coefficient of friction of the belt as compared with that of the yarn.

ln one embodiment of the present apparatus, three rollers are employed and` -they are arranged in triangular relationship. Accordingly, where the three or more belt courses intersect between the three rollers the y-arn channel thus defined is of triangular cross-section, when viewed from one end. The rollers are so arranged or the intersecting belt courses are so yguided that the diameter of the circle which can be inscribed in the triangular channel is substantially equ-al to that of the yarn being false twisted. The yarn passing through the channel is thus in contact with at least three moving belt courses. `In a preyfeared embodiment the intersecting belt courses defining the channel comprise the sides of an equilateral triangle, so that the yarn is in uniform frictional contact with the belts. i,

Adjustable guide -means are preferably provided for contacting the intersecting belt courses and for displacing said courses to control the cross-sectional ldimensions fof the yarn passage channel, to thereby permit easy threading of the apparatus and also to enable the yfalse twisting of Ivarious size yarns. The adjustable guide means also serve to control the amount of pressure applied to the yarn by the intersecting belt courses as the yarn passes through the channel, thus serving to prevent the application of excessive frictional forces upon the yarn.

Having thus described the apparatus of the present invention in general terms, there will now be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a plan of the same apparatus as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows of the line 2-2 of FIG. yl.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be noted that the device includes a support member or plate 1, illustrated as having a circular configuration, which is arranged in the complete yarn treating machine between yarn feeding means and a yarn take-up device, neither of which are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2 the support plate 1, or the means at its center, is provided with a central opening 1a for passage of the yarn Y. Three

rollers

2, 3 and 4, of the same diameter are rotatably mounted on

hubs

2a, 3a and 4a, respectively, on the same side of support member 1, with the respective axes of the rollers positioned relative one to the other as the apices of an equilateral triangle. The peripheral edge of each of the rollers is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 6 of equal size arranged one alongside the other at equally spaced intervals, which serve to receive one or a plurality of endless belts, which are preferably of a curvilinear cross-section and corresponding to the configuration of grooves 6.

In the embodiment illustrated, five endless belts, 7-11 are employed. They are of circular or oval cross-section, and consist of elastic material having a high coefficient of friction, preferably with a wire `or coil spring core to somewhat restrict their elasticity and improve their wearing qualities.

The roller 2 is positively driven by means not shown and rollers 3 and 4 are driven by the endless belts. Belt 7 is threaded about driven roller 2 and idler roller 3, while the latter is joined to roller 4 by means of belt 8. Belt 9 joins rollers 2 and 4. Belt 1G` parallels belt 7 joining

rollers

2 and 3 and belt 11, like belt 8, is threaded about rollers 3 and 4. If desired, another belt might parallel belt 9 in the empty innermost grooves of rollers 2 and 4.

The diameter of the endless belts and the dimensions and spacing of the grooves 6 of the rollers are so chosen andV arranged that the inner belt courses, three of which are illustrated in FIG. 1,'namely, 7, 8 and 9, intersect between the three rollers. The inner belt courses in a normaltaut position will of course intersect with their respective axes passing through the central axis O (FIG. l) of the support plate 1 since the rollers are arranged in equilateral triangular relationship. However, the inner belt courses are so guided, as shown in FIG. l, that in operation of the device they intersect so as to define a channel for passage of the yarn Y normally of the belt courses, which intersection affords the channel a triangular cross-sectional'configuration, the inscribed circle of which is adapted to the cross-section of the yarn to be false twisted. In operation the yarn is guided along the axis O of the central opening 1a of .the supporting plate 1 thence through the channel `def-ined by the intersecting belt courses. The yarn is advanced at a predetermined speed and within the channel is in frictional contact with the intersecting belt courses. The belts are all driven at a predetermined speed and exert a corresponding unidirectional rotation or torque upon the yarn.

In the apparatus illustrated there is provided a simple adjustable guide means for displacing .the intersecting belt courses to Vary the dimensions of |the yarn channel. The guide means consists of a disc 12 with a hollow cyclindrical extension 13 which passes through supporting plate 1 and is secured thereto by locking means indicated at 14. The disc 12 is freely rotatable and supported about the axis O of the support plate. The central opening 1a in support plate 1 is in fact the channel through the center of cylindrical extension 13 of the disc 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The central opening 1a has been described as in the support plate 1 for the reason .that guiding means other than those illustrated in the drawing may obviously be employed, but in any event a central opening 1a between the rollers must be provided for passage of the yarn.

Returning to the guiding means illustrated, it will be observed that three axially projecting pins 16', 17 and 18, which are preferably rotatable, are mounted upon rotatable disc 12. These pins cooperate with the intersecting belt courses in such a manner that upon rotation of the disc 12 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, the intersecting belt courses are displaced in such a manner as to widen or greatly increase the internal dimensions or area of the yarn channel.

The disc 12 is rotated by means of a lever arm 19 mounted thereon, which can be locked in different positions to impart different degrees of rotation to the disc 12 with respect to the support plate 1 and

rollers

2, 3 and 4. Locking means are provided at the outer end of lever arm 19, which consists of a clamping member 21, a projection of which engages the edge of the support plate 1, and which can be clamped fast with respect to thel supporting plate by means of a screw 22 which extends through Ithe lever arm 19 and is seated in the threaded bore of the clamping member 21. Upon loosening ofthe screw 22, the lever arm 19 and thus the rotatable disc 12 can be adjusted as necessary and then locked in the proper position by retightening screw 22. j

In the position shown in FIG. l, as indicated by the solid lines defining

projecting guide pins

16, 17 and 18, the adjustable guide means is in operating position. The axis of set screw 22 is at point X1 and with the disc 12 in this position the guide pins deflect the intersecting belts silghtly; guide pin 16 presses against belt 9, pin 17 against belts 7 and 1t) and guide pin 18 against belts 8 and 11. In this position the intersecting belt courses pass tangentially to the moving textile yarn Y so that rotation is imparted to the yarn, but the pressure of frictional contact between the belts, which are 'themselves flexible, and the yarn is not sufficient to abrade or in fact in any way degrade or adversely affect the moving yarn.

In order to introduce the textile yarn into the yarn channel formed by the intersecting belt courses, the disc 12 is rotated by means of the lever arm 19 through the angle A so that the axis of the set screw 22 is located at the point X2, for example. The guide pins 16, 17 and 18 then assume the position shown by their dotted outlines in FIG. l and in this position deflect the intersecting belt courses so that at the point where they cross there is produced a much larger yarn channel, as indicated by the dotted line belt courses. In this position the textile yarn can easily be threaded through the larger triangular channel. Thereupon the disc 12 is again brought into operating position and the set screw 22 secured at position X1.

In the apparatus illustrated and described five endless belts have been employed, and tests with the device have proved its effectiveness and flexibility. Yarn rotational speeds of one million revolutions per minute have been achieved Without yarn breakage. It is not essential that five belts be employed, and good results have been o-btained with four, six and even three belts. It is essential only that there be at least three belt courses intersecting to define the yarn channel, as shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the apparatus illustrated may be operated with but one long endless belt which is threaded over the rollers so as to provide at least three intersecting courses o-r, for example, to provide five such courses replacing the five individual belts illustrated and described.

From the labove it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention is considerably more flexible than one employing comparatively rigid friction surfaces, which may be spaced about the moving yarn as in Tully U.S. Patent No. 2,923,121, for example. In the present apparatus the degree of frictional contact between each of the flexible belts and the moving yarn can easily be controlled by adjustment of the yarn guiding means, and yarns of widely diverse cross-section can be processed.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail it is obvious that many modifications may be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is only essential that the apparatus provide at least three intersecting belt courses which define a yarn channel wherein unidirectional torque is imparted to the yarn. Clearly the three rollers illustrated might be arranged in a triangular relationship which is not an equilateral triangle. Likewise, four or more rollers might be employed so as to permit the belt courses to intersect and contact the yarn from more than three sides.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for false twisting textile yarns comprising at least one driven endless flexible belt, having a high coefhcient of friction as compared with that of the yarn to be false twisted, so arranged on at least three spaced rollers that at least three belt courses intersect intermediate said rollers to define a channel for passage of the yarn substantially normal to the belt courses adjacent said channel, said belt further being so Iarranged on said rollers as to impart unidirectional rotary movement to yarn passing through said channel and in contact with the intersecting belt courses, and guide means so arranged as to contact and displace the belt courses deiining said channel to thereby vary the internal dimensions of the channel.

2. Apparatus for false twisting textile yarns comprising at least one endless flexible belt, having a curvilinear crossfsection and a high coeliicient of friction as compared with that of the yarn to be false twisted, so arranged on at least three spaced rollers, at least one of which is driven, that at least three belt courses intersect intermediate said rollers, adjustable guide means so arranged as to contact and displace the intersecting belt courses to define a channel for passage of the yarn substantially normal to the intersecting belt courses, said channel as viewed from one end having at least three sides, the degree of displacement of said intersecting belt courses defining the area of said channel, said intersecting belt courses being so arranged on said rollers as to impart unidirectional rotary movement to yarn passing through said channel land in contact with said courses therein.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the rollers upon which the intersecting belt courses are arranged are such that the speeds of the belt courses deli-ning the yarn channel are substantially equal.

4. Apparatus for false twisting textile yarns comprising three rotatable rollers mounted in triangular relationship, at least one of said rollers being driven, at least one endless iiexible belt, having a high coeiiicient of `friction as compared with that of the yarn to be false twisted, so arranged on said rollers that `at least three belt courses intersect intermediate the rollers to deiine a channel of triangular cross-section, as viewed from one end, for passage of the yarn therethrough substantially normal `to and in contact with the intersecting belt courses, and guide means so larranged as to contact and displace at least one belt course defining said channel to thereby vary the cross-sectional area of said channel.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein one of the three rollers is driven and at least three endless belts are employed, one from the driven roller to each of the other rollers and one between said other rollers.

6. Apparatus for false twisting textile yarns comprising three rollers, at least one of which is driven, rotatably mounted at the apices of an equilateral triangle, at least one endless flexible belt, having a high coeiiicient of fricbelt courses would normally intersect, with the taxis otV each passing through the center of the triangle, adjustable guide means so arranged as to Contact and. displace said belt courses to define a triangular channel for passage of the yarn substantially normal to the belt courses.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the belt courses which intersect are so arranged on the three rollers as to impart unidirectional rotary movement to yarn passing through the triangular channel.

8. Apparatus for false twisting textile yarns comprising three rollers, at least one of which is driven, rotatably mounted at the apices of `a substantially equilateral triangle, at least one endless flexible belt, having a high coefficient of :friction as compared with that of the yarn to be false twisted, so arranged on said rollers that at `least three belt courses would normally intersect with the axis of each passing through the center of the triangle, `at least three adjustable guides, one in contact with each of the intersecting belt courses, mounted lfor simultaneous arcuate displacement with respect to the normal intersection of said belt courses to thereby deflect said courses and define a triangular channel for passage of the yarn substantially normal to the belt courses, and means for so displacing said guides as to vary the cross-sectional dimensions of said triangular channel.

9. Apparatus as iset 'forth in claim S wherein one of the three rollers is driven and at least three endless ilem'ble belts are employed, one from the driven roller to each of the other rollers Iand one between said other rollers,

. with the belts so arranged as to impart unidirectional rotary movement to yarn passing through the triangular channel.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hammond et yal. May 22, 1962

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR FALSE TWISTING TEXTILE YARNS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DRIVEN ENDLESS FLEXIBLE BELT, HAVING A HIGH COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE YARN TO BE FALSE TWISTED, SO ARRANGED ON AT LEAST THREE SPACED ROLLERS THAT AT LEAST THREE BELT COURSES INTERSECT INTERMEDIATE SAID ROLLERS TO DEFINE A CHANNEL FOR PASSAGE OF THE YARN SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE BELT COURSES ADJACENT SAID CHANNEL, SAID BELT FURTHER BEING SO ARRANGED ON SAID ROLLERS AS TO IMPART UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTARY MOVEMENT TO YARN PASSING THROUGH SAID CHANNEL AND IN CONTACT WITH THE INTERSECTING BELT COURSES, AND GUIDE MEANS SO ARRANGED AS TO CONTACT AND DISPLACE THE BELT COURSES DEFINING SAID CHANNEL TO THEREBY VARY THE INTERNAL DIMENSIONS OF THE CHANNEL.