US3674057A

US3674057A - Method and apparatus for preparing filling in shuttleless loom

Info

Publication number: US3674057A
Application number: US61746A
Authority: US
Inventors: Shinichi Hosono; Kazuyoshi Kida
Original assignee: Teijin Ltd
Current assignee: Teijin Ltd
Priority date: 1969-08-09
Filing date: 1970-08-06
Publication date: 1972-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-04
Also published as: DE2039716A1; CH563480A5; DE2039716C3; DE2039716B2; GB1325901A

Abstract

In a shuttleless loom, a length of at least more than one pick of filling is pulled from a supply package located outside the shed continuously and at constant speeds and is partitioned into picks in a coil and advanced continuously toward fillinginserting means, the coil being caused to maintain a given pitch and accumulated on a storage swift. In multi-filling, such storage swifts are disposed in numbers equal to the number of fillings to be selected, and each filling is continuously pulled from supply packages at constant speeds compensating for the use and accumulation of the fillings.

Description

[ July 4, 1972 United States Patent Hosono et al.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FILLING IN SHUTTLELESS LOOM 139/122 ...l39/l22 ...l39/l27 3,131,729 5/1964 Leysinger [72] Inventors: Shinichillosono; Kazuyoshi Kida, both of 3411'548 11/1968 Pfarrwaner--- Komatsu, Japan 3,482,606 12/1969 Mizuno et al. 3,513,882 5/1970 Teijin Limited, Osaka, Japan Aug. 6, 1970 [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [21] Appl. No.: 61,746

ABSTRACT In a shuttleless loom, a length of at least more than one pick of filling is pulled from a supply package located outside the shed continuously and at constant speeds and is partitioned into picks in a coil and advanced continuously toward filling-inserting means, the coil being caused to maintain a given pitch and accumulated on a storage swift. 1n multi-filling, such [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 9, 1969 Japan..................................44/63209 Nov. 4, 1969 Japan...........

'139/122 R storage swifts are disposed in numbers equal to the number of 47/36 fillings to be selected, and each filling is continuously pulled from supply packages at constant speeds compensating for the 139/ 122 R, 127 P; 242/47.l3 use and accumulation of the fillings.

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sum 15 HF 15 I l I (l3) (l2) (ll) (IO) INVENTORS I SHINICHI HOSONOYand KAZUYOSHI KITA BY MM E ATTORNEY S METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FILLING IN SI'IUTTLELESS LOOM The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for measuring filling and inserting it to the shed in a shuttleless loom, wherein the length of the filling is accurately measured under stable, low tension while the filling is being payed out from a supply package. n release from measuring means the filling is inserted in the shed and after insertion it is relaxed such that the degaradation of quality of fabric due to excessive filling tension at the time of beating up is prevented. By means of the measuring means a plurality of types of filling can be selectively inserted into the shed while they are being measured and accumulated.

The features of the present invention are that the filling can be maintained under a consistent, low tension and inserted in the shed accurately and uniformly; since the accumulated filling is not subjected to kinetic friction, the shape deformation of the filling such as fuzzing will not occur; and a wide selective order of filling-inserting'is optionally adopted by a simplified apparatus.

The present invention relates to measuring the length of filling and inserting it into the shed. The feature of measuring the length of the filling to be inserted in the shed per pick is not separate from that of filling-inserting, but both are closely correlated. For instance, the latter feature follows the former feature, or it can be thought of as the former being in anticipation of the latter. Hence, first, the former feature will be described and the explanation of the latter will be made successively. In measuring the length of the filling, the improvement comprises accumulating it and measuring its length, more particularly providing means of accurately measuring the length of the filling continuously pulled out from a package under a stable low tension. On measurement of the length of the filling, it is released from a measuring means and inserted in the shed. Then it is made slack such that it prevents the deterioration of quality of the fabric made thereof as is the l case with excessive filling tension at the time of beating up,

and, if necessary, the length of the filling to be measured is freely controllable. Further in a selective filling insertion, even when the measured filling is needed to be stored as it is, the accumulation of the filling under constant tention is possible.

In conventional shuttleless weaving machines such as a fluid jet loom and a gripper-shuttle-type loom, the filling is payed out from a package outside of the shed continuously or intermittently and wound onto an appropriate drum or swift to adjust filling tension as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l3'l ,729. This patent illustrates in FIGS. I and 3 that thread (23) pulled from a package is wound spirally in single layer (22) on the outside runs of the four belts (I) forming a tetragonal swift like device. The belts (I) run in the forwarding direction of arrows (4) all at the same speed to forward the spirally wound thread and insert it into the shed. The feature of this patent lies in that the filling is wound in a single layer and spirally on the belts (I) forming a tetragonal swift.

That is, during the inserting, the filling is unwound from said single layer. The spiral winding conditions in the single layer are always constant and filling tension is also constant. In every picking, the conditions given to the filling are the same in contradistinction to those of the filling pulled directly from the conventional package located outside the shed which change those conditions, owing to the changing diameter of the package. I

Another feature of the reference is that a considerable amount of filling can be stored in spirally wound conditions on the swift and the rotation of the swift as well as the unwinding of the filling accompany the interrupted formation of balloon between a place where the filling leaves the swift and a place where the filling is guided to be presented to the filling-inserting means. As a result of the above-described balloon formation, the filling is not subjected to a sudden impact. Assuming that the filling is intermittently pulled from a supply package instead of the accumulating device, it starts moving or stops with an impact, which causes yarn breakages or injuries. Ex-

cessivc unwinding resistance at start-up and overrun of filling at stoppage render the measurement of the length of the filling inaccurate. It is found that these disadvantages have been improved by the reference. However, in the reference there is no partition in the spiral windings. If a filling is pulled from the filling-inserting side, there is no restriction against the pulling. That is, the reference does not disclose a device for detennining the length of filling to be inserted into the shed per pick.

However the present invention provides means for determining the length of the filling. This constitutes a big difference over the reference. According to the present invention, like the belts(I) of U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,729, a plurality of endless belts, which continuously run in substantially the same direction at substantially the same speed, form a swift. The outside runs of the endless belts are adapted to be a means for measuring the length of the filling. Filling is spirally wound around the swift and an appropriate amount of the filling is stored. On measuring runs there are positioned measuring guides at regular intervals. Filling equivalent to the amount to be inserted per pick is wound between two guides. The filling is disengaged from the measuring guide at the leading position of the filling per pick just before the insertion and is pulled out to the guide running direction, that is the filling-inserting side. With the use of the measuring guides a plurality of types of fillings can be selectively conducted to the shed. This multifilling operation will be described later in more detail.

As described above, the present invention has as its object the following:

I. On one or more measuring runs from a plurality of measuring runs running continuously in substantiably the same direction at substantially the same speed are disposed a plurality of measuring guides adapted to have a predetermined interval between them, and over said plurality of measuring runs is spirally wound the filling so that the length of the filling to be inserted in the shed per pick is held between the two guides. The hold of the measuring guide on the filling is released at every pick to pull the filling in the guide travelling direction and insert it into the shed.

2. On at least one measuring run of the endless belts are protruded measuring guides at regular intervals where the filling is wound in a predetermined number of windings, and

the freemovemerlt in the running direction of the wound filling is intercepted by said measuring guide. But when, the measuring guide passes through the inside of a filling trip guide disposed near the forward end of the measuring run so as to face the measuring guide, the filling is made to pass through the outside of the filling trip guide, and inserted into the shed after leaving the measuring means.

3. In inserting a plurality of types of fillings selectively into the shed, 'the fillings are continuously pulled ata constant speed from the package situated outside the shed so that the length of fillings inserted into the shed per unit cycle of multifilling operation is supplemented, and at least the length of filling to be insertedjper pick is measured and accumulated individually at the time of insertion so that filling tension during insertion is substantially equally maintained. The selected filling is directly inserted from the accumulator without disturbing thestorage conditions.

4. Filling coils are formed at regular intervals at constant speeds and the coils to be inserted per pick are unwound and conducted to the shed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1' is a vertical front view showing a rotating filling measuring means.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentaryplan views of FIG. l illustrat- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical front view illustrating driving means for rotating endless belts.

FIG. 9 is a vertical front view illustrating a rotating measuring means.

FIGS. 10 to 19 relates to an apparatus for inserting selectively two types of filling and FIG. 10 is a plan view.

FIGS., ll-a, ll-b, 12-a and 12-b each are fragmentary plan views illustrating the release of the filling from the measuring run to conduct filling in a I X I manner into the shed.

FIGS. 13-a, 13-h, l4-a, l4-b, 15-a and 15-h each are fragmentary plan views showing releasing the filling in a 2 X l manner from the measuring run to insert it into the shed.

FIGS. I6-a, 16-h, 17-a, l7-b, 18-0, l8-b, 19-0, and 19-h are fragmentary plan views showing the release of the filling from the measuring run to insert it in a 2 X 2 manner.

FIGS. 20 and 21 shows timing of the length measurement and accumulation of the filling and the insertion thereof into the shed.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are diagrams showing the timing of the length measurement and the accumulation of both types of filling in a 2 X 2 manner.

The present invention provides the measurement of the length of the filling per pick and the multi-filling operation. Embodiments of the former are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 and those of the latter in FIGS. 10 to 23.

A measuring means will be described below.

In FIGS. I and 2, (T) shows a swift for causing a measuring length of filling to be wound thereon and consists of rotary shaft (I), driving plate 3 and a plurality of measuring runs (M). The rotary shaft (1) is supported by bearing (2), which is attached to frame (F of the weaving machine. The driving plate (3) is secured to the rotary shaft (1) and both rotate together. The measuring runs M are supported on the rotary shaft (1) through loosely fitted bearing (8) at the forward portion of the rotary shaft (on the right side of FIG. 1, and comprise a plurality of endless belts (6). A driving roller (5) and driven roller (7) are attached to each endless belt and arms (11) and (11) support each endless belt. Loosely fitted bearings (8) and (8') support these arms. A plurality of endless belts (6) are extended substantially in parallel with the rotary shaft (1). As for instance in FIG. 2, four endless belts (6) are arranged in radial planes with the center at the rotary shaft (1). In order that each endless belt (6) may be driven, pinions (5') are mounted on driving rollers (5), and a volute groove (4) meshing with said pinions is bored on the front wall of driving plate (3). As seen from the mechanism described above, pinions (5') are rotated by the rotation of driving plate (3), and thereby the plurality of endless belts (6) run in the same direction as arrows A at the same speed.

As described above, the swift (T) of the present invention is made of rotary shaft (1), driving plate (3) and a plurality of measuring runs. Among them, rotary shaft (I) and driving plate (3) are integrated and rotatable, but measuring runs (M) are specially engaged with the rotary members. That is, the measuring runs (M) are supported around the rotary shaft (1), at intervals substantially the same as each other through bearings, and advanced forward by the rotation of driving roller (5). The pinion (5') mounted on the same shaft as that of driving roller (5) is meshed with the volute groove bored on the front wall of the driving plate (3) opposite to pinion (5') and driving roller (5) is rotated by the rotation of the pinion.

Driving roller 5 and driven roller (7) are supported by base (9), and the base and collar (10) of loosely fitted bearing (8) are connected by arms (11) and (11') so that both arms have crossing fulcrum (12). Further to an optional position of slot (13) on base (9) is connected one end of arm (11), and the distance between rotary shaft (1) and measuring runs M can be freely adjusted. In this embodiment, the measuring runs are not rotated despite the rotation of rotary shaft (1).

With this aim it is necessary that a weight (not shown) be attached below the measuring runs, or a mechanism as shown in FIG. 5 (will be later described) or various mechanisms of well known types be provided.

Next, the supply course of the filling will be described.

As shown in FIG. I, filling 16) is supplied from the left side of rotary shaft (1), passes through filling guide path l4) and goes outside via filling guide path (14') of driving plate (3). Then it enters winding guide (15), a small hole bored on the outside of the driving plate and reaches the periphery of measuring runs (M). During the stoppage of swift (T), the machine is threaded as described above and the tip of the filling is caused to temporarily stay on one periphery of the endless belts (6). Then by the rotation of rotary shaft (1 the filling is wound on the periphery of measuring runs (M). Further as the outer run of each endless belt (6) advances in the direction of arrow (A) at the same speed, the filling thus wound makes a coil with a given pitch. The spiral filling is discharged forward at a constant speed. Such filling feeding device is well known. In the present invention, the following improvements have been made on the measuring runs:

That is, a plurality of protuberances (17) are mounted at regular intervals on the measuring run of at least one endless belt (6). The protuberances are hereinafter called measuring guides. A predetermined number of windings of the filling are positioned between measuring guides. In winding, the filling (16) is wound three times in one space between the measuring guides continuously, in a coil laterally of the belt running direction.

Filling trip guide (18) is arranged so that it faces the end of the measuring runs (M). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, filling (l6) wound on the measuring runs reaches measuring guide 17) at the third winding and here changes its direction to be extended in the running direction of the endless belt. At this time, the filling is adapted to pass through the outside of filling trip guide (18) and to premit measuring guide (17) to pass through the inside thereof numberal (19) is an unwinding guide mounted in front of the running end of the measuring means. This guide is to prevent the ballooning of the filling from being caught by any corners at the tips of the endless belts when the filling is disengaged from measuring guide (17) to be pulled in the belt running direction. That is, as seen from the side of pulling the filling, said unwinding guide (19) is adapted to cover all the tips of the belts and have its outer edge of any easy grade.

Such is the mechanism of the measuring means. The winding of the filling, the measurement of the length of filling and filling inserting will be described below.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, rotary shaft (1) of the measuring means rotates three times per operation of the loom. That is, driving plate (3) continues a given rotation and winds filling (16) on measuring run (M) of the plurality of endless belts. Filling (16) travels together with the measuring runs (M) while being wound three times in a space between measuring guides (17), and near the end of measuring runs (M) leaves the measuring guide by means of filling trip guide (18). Here the length measurement of the three windings of the filling is finished and they are transferred to the filling inserting operation from the restraint of the measuring means. Filling guide (20) is located on the way. The winding and length measurement of the next filling to be inserted as the next pick into the shed are finished by the time of the subsequent inserting operation, and the succeeding measuring guide passes under the filling trip guide (18) and the filling (16) is released from the measuring means. By the repetition of the operation described above, the measurement of the length of the filling per pick and the filling insertion operation are carried out. Since each comer of the outside run of belt (6) is covered with unwinding guide (19), the filling (16), even if the ballooning is comparatively small, glides on the gently sloping outer rim of unwinding guide (19) and will never be entangled with the comer of the belt. Thus filling inserting is conducted under a uniform, small tension.

Filling (16) which is wound on the measuring runs with three windings in one space between the measuring guides 17) and the length of which is measured, is unwound at the head of measuring runs (M) and inserted, during which time the measuring runs travel and the succeeding measuring guide (17) moves to the position near the filling trip guide (18). The filling is caught by the succeeding measuring guide (17), changes its direction, and is extended in the selvage direction. The measuring guide moves below filling trip guide (18) and filling (16) is released from the hold of the guide (17); then the subsequent insertion to the shed begins. While it is forming a ballooning, filling (16) is inserted to the shed.

In comparing an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with US. Pat. No. 3,131,729, the swift of the former does not rotate but that of the latter rotates. In the case of the former, since filling is supplied through the center of the rotational axis, twist is inserted in the running direction of driving plate (3) while it is wound on the measuring runs and then when it is unwound the same amount of twist is inserted in the opposite direction. There is no increase nor decrease in twist. However, in the case of the latter, twist is inserted only when the filling is unwound. There occurs an increase or decrease in the amount of twist by the twist inserted. Sometimes twist insertion becomes undesirable for the final product and in this case the apparatus of the patent cannot be employed.

Further when in conventional shuttleless looms, beating up is performed after completion of the filling insertion, and the filling is made to travel by the reed in the shed. With this advance the filling tension increases, which in turn brings a partial inconsistency to the fabric because the filling is nipped outside the selvage of the inserting side and the filling between the nip and the selvage is tensioned. This increase in tension spreads to other portions of the filling in the shed. However with the measuring means of the present invention, the filling is directly extended into the shed from guide (17) for arresting the filling and said guide continues to travel after the conclusion of insertion; consequently said tension increase is cancelled and no inconsistency offabric occurs.

FIG. 5 shows a modified embodiment of the present invention. Gear (21) is fixed to frame (F of the loom coaxially of the rotation axis of rotary shaft (1) and gear (22) meshing with said gear (21) is mounted on one end of shaft (23). Shaft (23) is rotatably supported on bearing (23) fixed to driving plate (3) and passes through driving plate (3) is parallel with rotary shaft (1) and gear (24) is attached to the other end of shaft (23) and adapted to mesh with gear (25) fixed to loosely fitted bearing (8). The gear ratio is (21 )/(22) (25)}(24). Hence even if rotary shaft (1) and driving plate (3) rotate gear (24) rotates around the periphery of gear (25). Consequently, loosely fitted bearing (8) and the measuring means do not rotate.

Further referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of a nonrotatable measuring means will be described.

One end of adjusting rod (33) is mounted on arm (32) fixed to the frame and on the other end is rotatably mounted roller (31). As shown in FIG. 7, when driving plate (3) rotates in the direction of arrow (B), the rotation of the whole measuring means is rendered impossible by pressing the edge of measuring run (M) from the outside to the inside obliquely and rotatably in the rotational direction of driving plate (3).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order that endless belts (6) may be driven, pinion (5) meshes with the volute groove bored on the front wall of driving plate (3), and driving roller (5) is rotated with the rotation of pinion (5). However said driving roller (5) may be rotated by another method; e.g., in FIG. 1 teeth may be formed on the inner surface of a cylinder projected in front of driving plate (3) to mesh with pinion (5), or as shown in FIG. 8, worm gear (5") rotatable with rotary shaft (1) may mesh with pinion (5') to permit driving roller (5) to rotate.

Such is the explanation of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. In the embodiments, the measuring means, particularly the swift, is stationary and each endless belt forming measuring run (M) is movable, and the filling is spirally wound onto measuring run (M) with the use of another driving source. In FIG. 9 a measuring means is rotated and the filling is fed from a stationary guide. The measuring means is the same as in FIG. 75

'1. Equivalent parts are designated by like numerals in FIGS. 1 and 9. Loosely fit member (8) is fixed to rotary shaft (1) and the measuring means is rotated together by another motive power and the filling (16) is supplied to the measuring means from stationary filling guide (15). Thus the filling is wound in a coil onto measuring runs (M). On at least one measuring run are mounted measuring guides (17) with filling trip guide (18) fixed to the swift frame in the same way as in FIG. 1. This invention is similar to US. Pat. No. 3,131,729 in the rotation of guides (17) are mounted on measuring runs (M) to play an important role in either single filling insertion or multi-filling insertion.

US. Pat. No. 3,131,729 does not disclose such guides. The measuring means of the present invention serves as a tension controlling device as well as a measuring means. Filling is pulled from a storage package and wound continuously on measuring runs (M), which carry forward the wound filling at substantially constant speed. In this case there are two methods. First while a swift (i.e. measuring means) consisting of a plurality of endless belts is being rotated, the filling is conducted from a stationary guide located at a given position over the measuring runs and wound onto the measuring runs (hereinafter called S method). Second, the filling is led from a guide rotating over the surface of the stationary swift and wound (hereinafter called T method). The element of the present invention is, as described above, to mount measuring guides (17 on measuring runs (M) at regular intervals and to provide filling trip guide (18) near the end of the endless belts forming the measuring runs. These two types of guides are applicable to either the S method or the T method. An embodiment of application to the T method is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of application of the S method. In FIGS. 1 and 2, two such types of guides are employed in the nonrotatable measuring means with the use of belts and with filling guides rotatable around the measuring means. It is noted that such system is novel and unprecedented. The combination of a nonrotatable measuring means and driving means for filling supply is one feature. As shown in FIG. 5, it is another feature to hold the swift consisting of measuring runs (M) in the nonrotating state. It is still another feature to regulate appropriately the distance from the rotation axis of rotary shaft (1) to the measuring runs of the plurality of endless belts by a regulating means such as arms (11)(11) and their related parts. That is, to alter the length of the filling comprising one winding is another feature.

The present invention includes a great many secondary feature as indicated above and its primary element as repeatedly indicated is to provide measuring guides on the measuring runs (M) and a filling trip guide and to thereby keep the filling under consistent low tension and accurately and uniformly determine the length of the filling per pick and insert it into the shed. Further the length of a plurality of types of fillings are measured and they are stored and selectively inserted into the shed.

The multi-filling operation will be described in detail below.

Many procedures have been proposed heretofore for selectively inserting a plurality of types of fillings in a shuttleless loom, but fully satisfactory results have not been obtained. Various couses of those poor results are listed below.

a. Generally speaking, it has so far been impossible to accumulatethe large amount of filling covering sufficient many picks; owing to the shortage of the amount of storage it has been impossible to pull the filling from the supply package outside of the shed continuously, at constant speed and to intermittently insert the filling into the shed. For this reason, the filling is pulled intermittently instead of continuously, which results in shocking tension variations, filling breakages, increase in deformation, fuzzing, entanglement, etc.

b. When the filling is accumulated in a suction pipe in loops, during the time from the beginning of accumulation to the conclusion of the filling insertion, filling tension is difficult to maintain constantly among each pick and within a pick. As a result, twisting or entanglement occurs. Hence accurate filling insertion is impossible.

c. When filling is accumulated on a drum, etc., the filling becomes fuzzy by kinetic friction with a solid.

(I. With a simplified apparatus, a variety of the multi filling operations are impossible.

The present invention can avoid the aforementioned disadvantages to facilitate the multi-filling operation.

I. At the time of the filling insertion, at least the length of the filling per pick is measured and stored so that resistance when the filling is unwound from the coil is substantially constant and the filling selected without disturbing said storing conditions is inserted into the shed directly from the storing conditions.

2. In picking at time intervals dependent upon the order of selection, measuring guides for partitioning are positioned to separate each filling pitch. The filling is disengaged from a mooring guide to unwind and insert the coil nearest to the shed. The filling comprising the coil in the subsequent filling pitch is engaged on the shed side of the coil with the measur; ing guide which has changed in function from a partitioning guide to a mooring guide and which travels in the same direction and speed as the measuring runs and is bent is the shed direction and connected to the picking means. The coils are formed under conditions to correspond with the beating; up interval. Thereby the coils of the filling to be inserted per pick are unwound and picked at each picking interval, equal or unequal according to the order of filling selection.

The multi filling operation of the present invention will be described by one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2;}. In FIG. 3, filling (16) forms three coils (a,b,c) between guides (l7)(17'), and coil (d) is formed behind guide (17'). Measur; ing runs (M) make uniform motions and thereby each coil is wound at a constant pitch. In this case, distance (P,) between the center of coil (a) and coil (b) and the center of coil (b) and coil (c) is called the filling pitch and the pitch between the guides, that is a pitch three times as great as filling pitch (P is called filling pitch (P Filling (16) of one filling pitch (P is equivalent to the filling per pick. As in this embodiment, when guides (17), (17') are fixed on the measuring runs, and there are two or more filling pitches (P stored just before the time of conducting the filling into the shed, there should be a parti; tioning guide protruded between the filling pitches (P This guide is called a partitioning guide and is designated by 17' in FIG. The headmost coil of filling (a) nearest to the shed in filling pitch (P is moored on guide (17) to follow the previous pick and bent in the shed direction and, on disengagement from guide (17), is instantly inserted into the shed. The guide which secures the filling in this position is called a mooring guide and designated by 17 in FIG. 3. As clearly seen in the Figure, the measuring guide is made to be a partitioning guide when it divides one picking interval from another succeeding interval and a mooring guide when on advancement it bends the headmost coil (a) of the filling.

In FIG. I, rotary shaft (1) is set to rotate three times during one operation of the loom. Filling (16) is passed through winding guide via filling guide paths (l4),(14') and led onto a plurality of measuring runs (M) making up the measur; ing means. Said plurality of measuring runs (M) combine to form a swift and each measuring run (M) gradually advances. Said swift is nonrotatably supported. Driving plate 3) to feed the filling rotates in a given direction and filling (l6) pulled from winding guide (15) is wound onto said swift. Each mea; suring run (M) making up the swift advances in the direction of arrow (A), and filling (16) is continuously wound laterally of the belt running direction in coils comprising three windings between two partitioning guides making up one picking interval of time. Then the filling (16) is as shown in FIG. Q and travels in the direction of arrow (A) to the position shown in FIG. 4. The filling travels further in the same direction and mooring guide (17) passes inside of filling trip guide (18). At this time filling (16) is extended outside of filling trip guide (18), and consequently disengages from mooring guide (l7).

At that time the picking means, for instance a fluid injection nozzle (not shown) operates and filling (16) is rapidly picked into the shed via guide (20) while it is forming a balloon. As a result the filling in the picking interval of time consisting of coils (a), (b) and (c) is conducted to the shed and guide (17') changes in function from partitioning to mooring. Coil is engaged with guide (17') and starts to be bent. Guide (17') travels and passes inside of filling trip guide (18); then the filling after the subsequent picking interval of time is picked into the shed. This operation is repeated. Such is the single: filling operation.

In FIG. 10, two types of fillings (16A)( 16B) are selectively inserted into the shed and the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to Z is applied to the respective type of filling. According to the present invention a wide variety of orders of selection are possible; for instance, two types of filling are alternately in; serted, one by one (1 X I), one to every two (I X 2), or two by two (2 X 2) or, three or more types of filling can be freely combined. During insertion of the filling the loom has a con; stant beating up interval of time. In the case of 2 X l, the in sertion of the filling is carried out to insert one type of filling every two picks and the other type of filling every pick within a beating;up interval of time. In this case a cycle unit (2 l 3) is formed and called a cycle unit.

a. l X I Referring to FIGS. ll a, b and 1?; a,b three coils of filling make up one the length of filling per pick and two different types of filling are alternately picked into the shed. Filling (16A), (16B) is respectively wound on each of two units of measuring runs (M), of the measuring means which move at the same speed each other, at the rate that three coils are wounded up per two rotations of the loom. The insertion is alternately carried out per operation of the loom. That is, in FIGS. 11:0 and ll:b, filling (16A) is on the verge of being in; serted into the shed since mooring guide (17A) is engaged with filling trip guide (18A) and filling (16B) is secured in position with mooring guide (173), which advances behind filling trip guide (18B). After the conclusion of inserting filling (16A) and one operation of the loom, filling (16B) is about to be picked into the shed by the engagement of mooring guide (17B) with filling trip guide (18B) as shown in FIGS. 12 a and 12:11. Filling (16A) is kept in custody with mooring guide (17A). In short, FIG. 11 a corresponds to FIG. l l b and FIG. 11: corresponds to FIG. 12 a. After the insertion of filling (16A), filling (B) is picked into the shed. The above men; tioned operations are repeated.

b. l X 2 In this case, unlike I X l, filling (16A) and/or (16B) differ in the picking intervals of time and special care must be taken. The picking interval of time means an intermission from one picking to the subsequent picking. For better understanding of the present invention, the definitions of pitch will be sum; marized below.

P Coil pitch.....Distance between two coils of filling P Filling pitch.....Distance between coils necessary for one pick, in the case of the embodiment, three coils.

p Picking interval of time from one picking to the sub;

sequent picking p Winding time for filling (time period required for winding filling per pick) p Time of winding one coil (time required for winding one winding of filling) p Time interval between beatings up FIGS. 20 and 21 show the alternate picking of one insertion of filling 16A) and successive two insertions of filling (16B), their time interval and coil formation. In FIG. 20, arrow (T,,) in the upper diagram stands for the time when filling (16A) is inserted (In other words the positions of the partitioning and mooring guides). The distance between the adjacent two ar; rows (T shows the picking interval of time (p,,). T,, in the lower diagram shows the position of the filling (16B). In the upper diagram for filling (16A) three coils of filling per pick are prepared to be delivered in picking interval of time (p That is, in picking intermission (p;,), or the time period for

Claims

1. A method of operating a measuring and supplying means to deliver a predetermined length of filling from a filling supply package to a loom, said predetermined length of filling to be supplied to said loom in synchronization with the intermittent operation thereof, said method comprising winding through a winding guide mounted about a longitudinal axis said predetermined length of filling in single layer coil form around a plurality of endless belts arranged to form a polygonal crosssection between pairs of measuring guides protruding from the outer surfaces of said belts, causing said belts to convey said coiled filling in a given direction at a uniform speed, extending the forward end of said filling around a first of said measuring guides in said given direction, causing said first measuring guide to release said filling upon commencement of said intermittent operation of said loom, and picking said predetermined length of filling from said belts during said intermittent operation of said loom.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further compRising rotating said winding guide about said axis while maintaining said plurality of belts free from rotation about said axis.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising rotating said plurality of belts about said axis while maintaining said winding guide free from rotation about said axis.

4. A method for measuring and supplying in a predetermined order a plurality of said fillings in the manner set forth in claim 1, providing a plurality of measuring and supplying means, adjusting the speed of conveying of said belts of each of said fillings, and alternating the order of picking of said predetermined lengths of said fillings between said means in synchronization with the operation of said loom to supply said fillings to said loom.

5. An apparatus for measuring and supplying a predetermined length of filling from a filling supply package to a loom in synchronization with the intermittent operation of said loom, said apparatus comprising a winding guide mounted about a longitudinal axis, a plurality of endless belts arranged to form a polygonal cross-section and positioned adjacent said winding guide, a plurality of measuring guides equally spaced on and protruding from the outer surface of at least one of said belts, said winding guide operable to wind said predetermined length of said filling in single layer coil form around said plurality of belts between said measuring guides, means to impart movement of said plurality of belts to cause said belts to convey said coiled filling toward a first end of said belts at a uniform speed, a first of said measuring guides controlling the forward end of said filling during said conveying, and means positioned adjacent said first end for releasing said filling from said first of said measuring guides upon commencement of said intermittent operation of said loom, whereby said predetermined length of said filling may be picked from said belts during said intermittent operation.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the radial position of said outer surfaces of said belts.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said winding guide is rotatable about said axis and said plurality of belts are nonrotatable about said axis.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said winding guide is nonrotatable about said axis and said plurality of belts are rotatable about said axis.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for releasing comprises a filling trip guide positioned to remove said end of said coiled filling from said first measuring guide.