This invention pertains in general to the field of textile manufacture. In particular, it concerns a method and means for supplying weft/binding yarn and beating-up. Such a means comprises a yarn carrier with a reed dent and is especially advantageous for processes like 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing wherein multiple weft/binding yarns are required to be laid horizontally and vertically between the multiple layer warp/axial yarns and beaten-up. By employing such a means, the laying of weft/binding yarns and their beating-up can be achieved simultaneously, and hence the processes rendered efficient. To keep the textile-forming device compact, the yarn carrier is made relatively thinner and wider by arranging the yarn about two axes of rotation. To direct the yarn carrier back and forth in a linear path and yet be able to lay the weft/binding yarn in two different paths relative to a layer of the warp/axial yarns, the yarn carrier is provided with offset tips. Such a yarn carrier could also be useful in other textile processes.
Different types of yarn packages are required for supplying yarns such as bobbins, pirns, cones, cheeses and spools. However, all these packages have one thing in common. The yarn always occurs about one axis of rotation. As a consequence, these packages of yarn happen to be cylindrical/conical and hence their thickness and width are equal when seen axially. However, depending on the functional requirement of a given process, either small or big diameter packages of yarn with suitable height/length are used. For example, a pirn that is used as a weft source in the weaving process is required to be diametrically smaller than the cone/cheese.
Unlike in the conventional 2D weaving process wherein one horizontal weft is picked, in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial type of noobing processes, which have been discussed in detail according to the listed references, multiple horizontal and vertical wefts/binding yarns have to be inserted alternately through the warp/axial yarns. This is because the warp/axial yarns are disposed in rows and columns arrangement and every row and column of yarns requires a corresponding weft/binding yarn. As in these 3D textile-forming processes the use of multiple weft/binding yarn transporting carriers or shuttles is preferable, it becomes necessary to keep the height of each yarn carrier as low as possible to enable simultaneous traversal of as many of them as possible in the limited space that is available to keep things manageable, simple and compact.
Further, in these 3D textile-forming processes it is desirable to maintain the vertical and horizontal layers of warp/axial yarns as closely as possible. Large spacing between the warp/axial yarns is disadvantageous. For example, it causes generation of high tensions in warp/axial yarns, renders a device bulky and hence not space saving, and is not helpful in achieving dense and well-structured 3D textile. Also, a close spacing of warp/axial yarns is desirable to manage easily the simultaneous insertion of a large number of either vertical or horizontal wefts/binding yarns. However, the conventional cylindrical package like the pirn is diametrically too large to be used in the said 3D textile forming processes. A pirn with its carrier, namely the shuttle, becomes even a larger system and will be obviously not preferable. This is also applicable to the type of shuttles and their yarn packages used in narrow or band weaving. If relatively smaller diameter pirns and shuttles are used (to have a low-height) then the cylindrical package will carry lesser amount of yarn. A package with relatively lower amounts of yarn will exhaust quickly necessitating frequent replacement with newer yarn packages. Consequently, a process requiring frequent stoppages for replacing exhausted yarn package with a fresh one will apparently be inefficient. The other disadvantages with the use of conventional yarn packages like the pirn are:
These disadvantages are common for most prior art textile manufacturing methods and machinery, and especially for yarn holders being used therein.
As insertion of multiple wefts/binding yarns are involved in the processes under consideration, it is desirable to traverse the multiple means for yarn insertion in a linear path and under positive control to manage them properly. This will help to keep the textile producing machine compact and simple with as few working parts as possible. However, for these processes the conventional shuttle, including the types used in narrow/band weaving, which has its tips arranged in a linear alignment, is not suitable. This is because their back and forth traversal will have to be done in a rectangular path, and not the same linear path, to lay yarn either above/below or right side/left side of a given warp/axial yarn layer. As a result, the use of such a shuttle would necessitate wider spacing between the warp/axial yarns and consequently a compact, simple and efficient machine cannot be had. Also, it will be nearly impossible to control the multiple shuttles of a given direction if picked simultaneously between the boxes. Accordingly, it will be desirable to traverse the means for yarn insertion under positive control and in a linear path and yet be able to lay the yarn either above/below or right side/left side of a warp/axial yarn layer for rendering the machine simple and the process efficient.
Another major problem confronting the 3D-weaving and uniaxial type noobing processes is that of beating-up the multiple wefts/binding yarns that are alternately laid vertically and horizontally through the columns and rows of the warp/axial yarns. The beating-up reed and operation employed in the conventional 2D weaving process, including the types used in narrow/band weaving, cannot be applied to the 3D-weaving/uniaxial noobing processes. This is because the conventional beating-up reed is effective in positioning one ‘horizontal’ weft as its dents occur in a perpendicular orientation to the weft and a line contact is sufficient between the dents of the reed and the weft during the beating-up operation. The conventional reed with vertically oriented dents will not be effective in beating-up the wefts/binding yarns that also occur in the vertical direction as these yarns will tend to slip through the space between the dents.
Further, because in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes multiple wefts/binding yarns are inserted alternately in the vertical and horizontal directions, these yarns are required to be beaten-up simultaneously in their respective directions to render the process efficient. Unlike in the conventional 2D-weaving process wherein only one weft is laid in the horizontal direction and the reed can make a line contact to beat it, in the 3D-weaving/uniaxial noobing processes the beating-up dents would be required to make a planar or areal contact as there will be more than one weft/binding yarns in a given direction to be beaten-up at the same time.
It follows now that the main reasons why the conventional shuttle, including the type used in narrow/band weaving, is unsuitable for use in the context of the 3D textile-forming processes are:
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus to at least partly overcome the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art.
This objective is achieved with the invention as defined in the listed claims.
According to a first aspect of the invention a method for manufacturing a textile is provided, wherein at least one yarn insertion means (90; 39; 22) is operated for laying the yarn (45) through the warp/axial yarns (25), characterized in that the said yarn insertion means is also employable to perform a beating-up operation. Important advantages through this aspect will be that the textile manufacturing processes concerned will become efficient, textile manufacturing will be speeded-up, the textile machine will require relatively fewer working parts and the cost of the machine and its maintenance will be reduced.
According to the second aspect of the invention a yarn carrier for use in manufacturing a textile is provided, characterized in that the carrier (90) comprises a yarn carrying belt (15) on which yarn (45) is arranged, said belt (15) being turnable relative to the carrier (90) about at least two axes of rotation (X1 and X2). Important advantages through this aspect will be the availability of a yarn carrier having relatively low height and high width to be able to store sufficiently large amount of yarn, and the textile machine will not be bulky but become compact. Further, the yarn could be encased and thereby the risk of damaging and contaminating it will be reduced, and the warp/axial yarns will be spaced apart relatively closely with reduced tension build-up.
According to the third aspect of the invention a yarn carrier (90; 22) for use in textile production is provided, wherein it is traversed back and forth through layers of warp/axial yarns (25) to place the yarn (45) there between, said carrier (90; 22) comprising rotatable yarn holder on which the yarn (45) is arranged in a way to enable either the yarn's (45) removal from the carrier or winding it into the carrier, wherein the carrier (90; 22) is elongated in the direction of its traversal, and both end portions of the carrier in the said direction of traversal being tapered, characterized in that the tapered end portions are ended in tips (18a, 18b) occurring oppositely displaced to each other relative to the traversal direction of the carrier to render the carrier (90; 22) self-guiding to lay the yarn (45) in two different paths relative to a layer of warp/axial yarn (25) while the carrier (90; 22) traverses back and forth. Important advantages through this aspect will be that the process will be rendered efficient, relatively fewer working parts will be required in machine and the working of the machine will be relatively simplified.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a yarn insertion means such as a yarn carrier (90; 22) or a rapier system (39) is provided for use in textile production, wherein it is traversed back and forth through layers of warp/axial yarns (25) to place the yarn (45) there between, characterized in that it further comprises beating-up reed dent (27; 28′) extending in the direction towards the fabric-fell (29) when the insertion means is traversed and comprising at least one inclined portion (27b; 28b) adjacent to its farthest extended part (27c; 28c). Important advantages through this aspect will be that the yarn laying and beating-up operation can be carried out in one step, the process will be rendered efficient, textile production will be speeded-up, relatively fewer working parts will be required in a machine.
As can be inferred now, it will be desirable to have a yarn package that has relatively low height, but is still able to store sufficiently large amount of yarn. To have a package of low height, the yarn should be made to occur about two parallel axes of rotation so that the yarn is disposed about the space separating the two axes. This way, for a given distance between the two parallel axes, a package of either relatively lower height and greater width or lower width and greater height can be produced. Further, the yarn of specified arrangement can also be encased. A cartridge-like yarn supply source as this can be advantageous in situations and for reasons just stated.
As the constructional design of the conventional shuttle has its tips arranged in a linear alignment, its use in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes becomes unsuitable. This is because they have to be traversed in a rectangular path to lay the yarn either above/below or left/right side of a horizontal or vertical warp layer respectively. Such traversal of the multiple shuttles will be undesirable for reasons mentioned earlier. This problem can be overcome by having the tips of the present carrier arranged oppositely displaced about the longitudinal axis of the yarn carrier. By incorporating such guiding tips or noses the carrier can be rendered self-guiding as it can be directed in the same linear path and yet lay the yarn in two different paths. Further, the traversal and control of the carrier also stand to be simplified.
As in these textile forming processes the two sets of weft/binding yarn carriers are required to be moved alternately in a mutually perpendicular direction, the processes under consideration offer the unique possibility to make use of one set of weft/binding yarn carriers to beat-up the wefts/binding yarns of the other set that have been laid previously. Such a beating-up can be achieved if either all or select cartridge-like yarn carriers can be equipped with a certain beating-up dent. The beating-up operation so carried out will be of an innovative non-reciprocatory type. Through such an approach the picking and beating-up operations can be carried out in one step and thereby uniquely render the 3D textile-forming processes efficient.
On the basis of above discussions the present invention preferably provides one or several of the following features, and preferably all of them in combination:
Other objectives and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the description of the preferred embodiments given below.
For exemplifying purposes, the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to embodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:
a, b, c and d show the features of a wheel, a bearing, their assembly and their relative arrangement in the cartridge.
a and b show the constructional features of a flanged belt and its mounting on wheels.
a, b and c show the constructional features of the guiding nose as viewed from front, its three-dimensional view and its location in relation to the cartridge.
a-7j show the sequence of traversal of the self-guiding yarn carrier in a cycle of the 3D-weaving process.
a-8i show the sequence of traversal of the self-guiding yarn carrier in a cycle of the uniaxial noobing process.
a and b show the inside top views of the self-guiding yarn carrier with the protruding wheel for turning it from outside and with an installed motor for turning the wheel from within.
a, b, c and d show the possibilities of using the guiding nose with yarn spools that have one axis of rotation, wherein the rotational axis of the spool may occur either perpendicular or parallel to the axis of the guiding nose and the spool carrier may carry one or more than one such spools besides the possibility of the guiding nose itself functioning as a carrier of spool.
a, b and c show the basic form of a beating-up dent that can be attached to the cartridge-like yarn carrier, the dent attached to the carrier, and another variant of the dent.
a and b-f show the relative arrangement of various elements in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes and the simultaneous laying of yarn and non-reciprocatory beating-up operation as viewed from top.
a and b-f show the relative arrangement of various elements in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes and the simultaneous laying of yarn and non-reciprocatory beating-up operation as viewed from the side.
a and b show the attachment of a beating-up reed dent to the rapier head and a spool carrier to achieve simultaneous laying of yarn and beating-up operation.
The essential details of the cartridge-like means for supplying yarn and its employment as a yarn carrier and in the beating-up operation according to the present invention will be described now in reference to the
At the end sides of each of the walls (4a-4d) an opening (5a-5h) is provided as shown (openings (5c and 5d) are not shown but is similar to openings (5g and 5h)). Each of these openings (5a-5h) is level with the inner surface of the corresponding case parts (1a and 1d). Similarly, there are openings (6a and 6b) on the back wall (1b) of the case (1a), which however are not visible in the shown view of FIG. 1. This pair of openings (6a and 6b) exists just like the pair of openings (6c and 6d) in the wall (1e) of bottom case (1d) shown in FIG. 1. Each of these openings (6a-6d) has one of its long sides level with the inner surface of the corresponding case parts (1a and 1d) as indicated in FIG. 1. Each of the openings (6a-6d) occur equally about the diameters of the ring-like openings (2a-2d) respectively. Although only the openings (5e-5h and 6c-6d) of the bottom case (1d) will be utilised to accommodate a wheel to be described, similar openings (5a-5d and 6a-6b) on the top case (1a) is provided to allow easy interchange of the two case parts (1a and 1d). Such an interchangeability of parts can be advantageous in its manufacture and replacement.
An opening (7a and 7b) is provided at the front walls (1c and 1f) of the cases (1a and 1d) respectively as shown in FIG. 1. These openings (7a and 7b) occur midway and at the open side of the corresponding walls (1c and 1f). The purpose of these openings (7a and 7b) is to receive a suitable yarn guide through which the yarn would pass either into or out of the cartridge (1). Such an opening could also be provided at another suitable location depending on how and where the cartridge is to be employed. The yarn guide is not indicated.
The longitudinal opening (3a) and the pair of circular openings (2a and 2b) of the case (1a) occur symmetrically about the indicated axis (8a). Similarly, the longitudinal opening (3b) and the pair of circular openings (2c and 2d) of case (1d) occur symmetrically about the indicated axis (8b).
The ends at the sides of each of the case parts (1a and 1d) are tapered in two senses as shown in FIG. 1. The first taper that occurs is in the cases (1a and 1d) width direction because the back walls (1b/1e) are longer than the front walls (1c/1f). The second taper (9a-9d) is in the thickness direction of the case (1a and 1d) as indicated in FIG. 1. These two tapers are provided to aid easy entry of the cartridge (1) between the closely spaced warp/axial yarns and thus render the cartridge (1) suitable for transporting yarn. The two halves (1a and 1d) when joined together will result in a cartridge case (1) and is indicated in FIG. 2. The two parts (1a and 1d) could be joined in many different ways and it is unnecessary to describe them here. The indicated axis (8) may be regarded as the central axis of the carrier (1).
It may be mentioned here that without the tapers in the cartridge case's width and thickness directions, the cartridge (1) will have flat ends (as the front (1c/1f) and back (1b/1e) walls will be of equal length). Such a flat-ended cartridge may not readily gain entry between the closely spaced warp/axial yarns and hence it may not serve as a proper yarn carrier. But it could anyhow be used as a stationary source for supplying warp/axial yarns in processes like 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing and as a moving source for supplying braiding yarns in 2D and 3D-braiding processes.
The purpose of the described constructional details of cartridge case (1) will become clear from the description of the following constituting elements of cartridge (1).
In
Each cartridge (1) will require a pair of wheels (12). Each of these wheels (12) is located between the ring-like circular openings (2a/2d and 2b/2c) of the cases (1a and 1d) described earlier. The rings of these openings (2a/2d and 2b/2c) have a diameter suitable for seating in the opening (11a) of the bearing (11). This way the location of the pair of wheels (12) can be secured in position within the cartridge (1). Prior to mounting the pair of wheels (12) in the said locations, the flange (10b) of one wheel (10) is placed in the openings (5e/5h and 6d) and the flange (10b) of the other wheel (10) is placed in the opening (5f/5g and 6c) of the case (1d). The relative arrangement of the pair of wheel (12) and the bottom case (1d) is shown in
A flanged belt (15) of special construction, as shown in
It suffices to mention here that a construction and function similar to the described flanged belt (15) can be obtained using suitable links in a chain and is unnecessary to detail here. Further, a flanged belt could also be produced in one piece using suitable polymeric materials. Also, it is not necessary for the cross-sectional shape of the flanged belt (15) to be of the -type as shown in
In
Due to tension in the yarn that will be wound on it, the straight sections of the flanged belt (15) can deflect towards each other or buckle inwards. As a consequence, the flanged belt (15) may not run properly. To prevent this inward deflection of the flanged belt (15) and to maintain it in a straight path, the walls (4a -4d) are incorporated in the top and bottom cases (1a and 1d) of carrier (1). These walls will provide the necessary support against the belt's (15) deflection when carrying yarn (45) as can be inferred from FIG. 5. If required, a block can also be incorporated in the openings (3a and 3b) for extra reinforcement.
The assembly of the cartridge case (1), the pair of wheel (12), the belt (15) and yarn (45) may now be referred to as the yarn supplying means or carrier (1x).
As multiple yarn supply sources have to be traversed simultaneously between either the rows or the columns of warp/axial yarns in the 3D textile-forming processes under consideration, it becomes desirable to keep their back and forth traversal linear in the same path. This is because the linear traversal of multiple yarn carriers allows to maintain the shortest possible distance between the layers of the warp/axial yarns and to have a simple mechanism for driving and managing the multiplicity of weft/binding yarn carriers under positive control. Also, it is desirable that the carriers gain easy and direct entry between the closely spaced warp/axial yarns and that it also deflects the warp/axial yarns laterally to move without hindrance. Such actions by the carriers are important to save space (and hence the over all sizes of the machine and the floor area requirement at the site of textile production) and to keep the traversal and related control mechanisms relatively simple.
Although the linear traversal of the yarn carrier in the same path is desirable for reasons just explained, it is also necessary at the same time that the yarn is laid in two different paths during the carrier's back and forth traversal. This is because in the 3D-weaving process the weft yarns have to be laid in the left/right sheds of the vertical direction and the upper/lower sheds of the horizontal direction during the carrier's corresponding back and forth traversal respectively. Similarly, in the case of the uniaxial noobing process, the yarn has to be laid at the left/right sides of the vertical layers and the top/bottom sides of the horizontal layers of the axial yarns respectively. If the weft/binding yarns are not laid in the two different paths of the respective directions mentioned, then the yarn that is laid by the carrier moving in one direction will be either pulled out or wrongly laid when the carrier moves in the opposite direction. As a consequence, the production of 3D textile will fail or an undesirable structure will result. It is therefore necessary that the yarn carrier while travelling linearly in the same path is able to guide itself directly into the required upper/lower/left/right sheds or top/bottom/left/right sides of the axial yarn layers. To achieve this, another pair of tapers, described next, is integrated to case (1). Such a pair of tapers, acts as a guiding nose to readily direct case (1) into either of the two required paths of the respective directions (horizontal/vertical) concerned during the carrier's (1x) linear back and forth traversal.
In
It will be noticed in
The manner in which the offset tips (18a, 18b) direct the carrier (1x) to traverse in the same linear path and yet capable of laying the yarn (45) in two different paths relative to a layer of the multiple layer warp/axial yarns in the 3D-weaving and noobing processes is sequentially shown in
In
It will now be observed that although the carrier (1y) moves in the same linear path back and forth, the special construction of its guiding nose (18) directs the carrier (1y) to guide itself in the upper and lower sheds. This way the weft yarn is laid in two different sides of the warp layer's level position. Also, the shed opening does not have to be more than what is just necessary because the carrier (1y) itself deflects the warp yarns laterally by the minimum distance required. Also, as the carrier (1y) passes through the shed, the warp yarns immediately revert to their assigned positions. They do not have to be maintained highly separated until the carrier (1y) has completely emerged out of the shed. The weft, which has been shown to be discontinuous, will in practice be a continuous length.
The above description fully applies to the traversal of the carrier (1y) in the vertical direction. The only difference will be that the warp ends would be forming right side shed (
In connection with the uniaxial noobing process,
It is the characteristic of the uniaxial noobing process that the binding yarns occur straight between the corresponding adjacent horizontal and vertical layers of the axial yarns. There is no shedding operation in this process and therefore there is no interlacing of the involved yarns. The indicated laid binding yarn will in practice occur as a continuous loop around the row of axial yarns.
It will now be observed that although the carrier (1y) moves linearly in the same path in its back and forth traversal every cycle, the special construction of its guiding nose (18) directs the carrier (1y) to guide itself above and below the row of axial yarns. This way the binding yarn is laid in two different sides of the row of axial yarns. Also, the lateral deflection of the axial yarns is just that is necessary because the carrier (1y) itself displaces the axial yarns laterally by the required distance. Also, as the carrier (1y) passes over and below the row of axial yarns, these yarns immediately revert to their assigned positions. They do not have to be kept deflected until the carrier (1y) has fully traversed.
The above description of the carrier's (1y) traversal in horizontal direction fully applies to the traversal of the carriers (1y) in the vertical direction. The only difference will be that the axial yarns would be deflected to the left side (
It was indicated earlier in reference to
In certain situations it may be desirable and advantageous to positively let off highly tensioned yarn and take up slack yarn that is arranged on the flanged belt (15). To achieve this, a suitable electric motor (20) can be installed in the opening (3a and 3b) of the case parts (1a and 1d) as shown in
It may be mentioned here that, unlike in the conventional 2D weaving process where the shuttle is propelled negatively (i.e. by throwing it), in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes the employed multiple carriers (1y) have to be traversed under positive control. This is necessary to manage reliably the large number of the carriers (1y) that will be involved in the process and also to avoid any mishap that might arise under the influence of gravity, especially with the carriers (1y) of the vertical set. The reliable traversal of multiple carriers in a given direction gains even more importance when two or more carriers are to be traversed in the same path, either in the same direction or opposite, such as during the production of cross-sectional profiles like H, E, B etc. in separate parts. Accordingly, the guiding nose (18) could be used for the positive traversal of the yarn supply source (1x). To achieve this, the rear side of the guiding nose (18) could have either teeth or perforations so that it could function as a rack that could be engaged with a pinion or a suitable wheel for moving. There could also be provided a profiled groove, such as ‘T’, for guiding it on matching tracks so that the carrier (1y) can move in a linear guided path and does not come off from the support during traversal. Alternatively, the guiding nose (18) could be of a material that can adhere magnetically to an electromagnet attached to, for example, a telescopic arm that can traverse the yarn carrier (1y) from one side of the warp to the opposite. In yet another way, the guiding nose (18) could have a suitable profile, for example, it could be of H cross-section or even a box beam. The rib of the H profiled beam could be used for holding mechanically the carrier (1y) during transportation. The mechanical gripping could be done even pneumatically. Another possibility could be that of having either a mechanical or an electromechanical arrangement within the guiding nose (18) that can be engaged with and disengaged from, for example, the carrier driving arm. Alternatively, a motor can be installed to drive the carrier (1y).
Apparently, the use of such a guiding nose (18) could also be suitably extended to transport conventional yarn spools that have one axis of rotation, Y. For example, in
As in the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes the two sets of weft/binding yarn carriers are required to be moved alternately in a mutually perpendicular direction, either each or some of these carriers (1y) of the two sets could be equipped with a special form of dent for carrying out the beating-up operation. Thus, the set of weft/binding yarns that has been laid by the carriers (1y) of one set could be subsequently beaten-up by the dent carrying carriers (1y) of the other set. This way the picking and beating-up operations could be combined in one step and thereby render the 3D textile forming processes efficient.
To achieve the said beating-up, a basic form of the dent (27) is indicated in
In
Depending on the requirements of the textile-forming process, the dent (27) could be modified to be relatively stiffer and more stable as exemplified by dent (28) in
An assembly of the yarn carrier (1x) carrying yarn (45), guiding nose (18) and the dent (27) is illustrated in
The method of simultaneously carrying out the picking and beating-up operations employing the means (90) is shown schematically in
In
In
As just described in the foregoing,
Similar to the earlier described working, in
As can be observed, in such 3D textile forming processes the picking and beating-up operations can be carried out simultaneously. Thus, as the set of horizontal carriers (90h) move from one side to the opposite, they beat-up the previously laid set of vertical weft/binding yarns (45v) at the plane of fabric-fell (29) and simultaneously lay the horizontal set of weft/binding yarns (45h) through the warp/axial yarns (25). Similarly, as the set of vertical carriers (90v) move from one side to the opposite, they beat-up the previously laid set of horizontal weft/binding yarns (45h) at the plane of fabric-fell (29) and simultaneously lay the vertical set of weft/binding yarns (45v) through the warp/axial yarns (25).
It will be noticed through the
Nonetheless, if required, it is possible to carry out the conventional reciprocatory beating-up method too. To achieve this, the carriers (90) could be halted midway, if required, when traversing through the warp/axial yarns (25) and subjected to a forward and backward motion in the direction of the axis (30) by reciprocating the plate (25a) that supports the warp/axial yarns through a suitable working arrangement. This is possible because the carriers (90) are driven under positive control and can be halted at any predetermined point. Alternatively, the dent (27/28) could be placed in the carrier under spring pressure and partly emerging from the rear side of the carrier (1x) so that it gets reciprocated when passing over specified raised points on the plate (25a).
As it is possible to employ multiple rapiers in place of carriers (1y) in the vertical and horizontal directions of the 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes, the dent (27/28) could be similarly attached to the head/band (36/37) of the rapier system (39) as shown in FIG. 15. The non-reciprocatory beating-up action would remain as before. It may be mentioned here that the indicated rapier head (36) in
Similarly and as can be imagined now, simultaneous beating-up and laying of yarn (45) between the warp/axial yarns (25) could also be achieved by attaching the dent (27/28) to the different types of carriers (22a-22d), which can carry one or more yarn spools (23) of the type having one axis of rotation Y, described earlier in reference to FIG. 10. In
It would be also apparent that the described non-reciprocatory beating-up method could be applied even if there was no yarn in the means (90). This approach of beating-up can be useful in those instances of 3D textile production where certain weft/binding yarns of either horizontal or vertical set are not required to be laid but beating-up of the weft/binding yarns of the other set that have been laid should be carried out. For example, in the production of tubular and ‘H’, ‘T’ etc. profiled 3D textiles.
It may be mentioned here that the indicated dents (27/28) in
As mentioned earlier, the described yarn supplying means (1x) should not be considered as a weft/binding yarn carrier for 3D-weaving and uniaxial noobing processes only. Such a cartridge (1x) could also find use in textile processes where space requirements may impose restrictions on using large cylindrical packages. For example, a carrier (1x) of the described characteristics could be used in braiding process with suitable modifications and in place of bulky creels that feed yarns to certain 2D and 3D textile-forming processes. In the braiding process the modified carrier (1x) could be traversed in an upright or standing manner such that its axis (8) occurs perpendicular to its traversal direction. The added advantage of using such a yarn carrier (1x) will be the possibility to control the tension of the yarn supplied by suitably energising the installed electric motor (20). Of course in such applications there will be no need to attach the guiding nose (18) to the means (1x).
The term yarn used above, and which could be handled by the various indicated yarn carriers, should be interpreted broadly, and may e.g. comprise tapes, without deviating from the invention as claimed. The tapes so used could be composed of, for example, fibrous material, metallic foils, polymeric material etc.
Further, if necessary, the basic construction of the yarn carrier (1x) could be modified to suit a particular application by way of having the yarn about more than two parallel axes of rotation. One such construction is exemplified in
It may be mentioned here that in the described means (1x) the yarn (45) wound on the flanged belt (15) would not be drawn off axially (i.e. in the direction of the axes X1 and X2), but in the tangential sense (i.e. in the plane perpendicular to the axes X1 and X2). As a result, no twist will be imparted to the yarn during its withdrawal. Also, because the yarn will be enclosed in the cases (1a/1d), the risk of contaminating and damaging it is virtually eliminated. These points will also be applicable to the yarn supplying means (50).
For satisfactory practical utilisation of the carrier (1x), some improvements could be carried out. For example, a window could be provided at a suitable location on the case part (1a or 1d) to know the yarn material type and amount contained on the flanged belt (15) at any given time. This window could also be helpful in accessing the leading tip of the yarn, which enters through the yarn guide, for engaging the yarn to the flanged belt (15) so that it could be latched for winding. Through this window it is also possible to monitor electronically the amount of yarn remaining on the belt (15). Another improvement could be to install pins at suitable points inside the carrier (1x) to guide the yarn through the desired path. Yet another improvement could be to include an electronic system within the carrier (1x) to indicate whether it is full/empty, running/stopped etc. for visual attention. Further, pressure-sensitive pins could be considered for incorporation so that the motor (20) can be activated according to the obtaining needs of the yarn tension. For easy and quick assembly and dismantling of the carrier (1x), spring clips could be used in conjunction with suitable slits on case (1). There could be provided openings on the front walls (1c and 1f) of the carrier (1x), similar to the openings (6a-6d) indicated in
From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be clear that all of the objectives set earlier are realizable.
It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to alter or modify the various details of this invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Therefore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustrating the basic idea of this invention and it does not limit the claims that are listed below.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
0000721 | Mar 2000 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCTSE01/00476 | 3/6/2001 | WO | 00 | 12/16/2002 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO0166840 | 9/13/2001 | WO | A |
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1038048 | Widmer et al. | Sep 1912 | A |
3788360 | Guallo | Jan 1974 | A |
3955602 | King | May 1976 | A |
4038440 | King | Jul 1977 | A |
5076330 | Kimbara et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5228481 | Kimbara et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5394906 | Farley | Mar 1995 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0 484 541 | Apr 1991 | EP |
906-639 | Feb 1982 | SU |
927-827 | May 1982 | SU |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20030116218 A1 | Jun 2003 | US |