US3650103A

US3650103A - Process and apparatus for texturizing yarn

Info

Publication number: US3650103A
Application number: US875069A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry C Farrar; Daniel Shichman; Joseph S Wos
Original assignee: Uniroyal Inc
Current assignee: UNIROYAL HOLDING Inc WORLD HEADQUARTERS MIDDLEBURY CONNECTICUT 06749 A CORP OF NEW JERSEY
Priority date: 1969-11-10
Filing date: 1969-11-10
Publication date: 1972-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-21
Also published as: CA923772A; FR2069192A5; NL7016458A; BE758698A; ES385400A1; LU62020A1; DE2055275A1; GB1327273A

Abstract

A process and apparatus for texturizing yarn by false twisting. Means supply yarn to a first novel oven at controlled tension and speed. The yarn is then applied to an air jet twisting assembly having two separate upper and lower bodies with a disc insert with slots to direct and provide a whirling air stream within the twister assembly, thereby providing a false twist to the yarn. An air diffuser is placed between the twisting assembly and the first oven and a second oven is provided after the twisting assembly to heat-relax and remove some of the twist. The tension of the yarn is continuously controlled throughout. Novel means are provided for winding and doffing the texturized yarns as well as for controlling the speed and tension of the yarn throughout.

Description

United States Patent Farrar et a1.

[451 Mar. 21, 1972 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TEXTURIZING YARN Henry C. Farrar, Andover; Daniel Shichman, Cedar Grove; Joseph S. Wos, Ridgefield, all of NJ.

Assignee: Uniroyal Inc., New York, NY.

Filed: Nov. 10, 1969 Appl. No.: 875,069

Inventors:

US. Cl. ..57/34 HS, 28/62, 57/77.3, 57/157 TS, 57/157 MS, 242/147 R, 57/106 T Int. Cl. ..D02j 13/00, D0lh 13/28, D02g l/02 Field ol'Search ..57/34, 36,5l,51.2,55.5, 57/34 HS, 77.3, 77.45, 106, 140, 156, 157; 28/62, 71.3, 72; 242/18 A, 46.2, 46.6, 154, 147

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1924 Bachman ..57/106 X 7/1943 1/1970 9/1942 12/1960 1/1961 Comer et a1. ..57/34 X 3,083,923 4/1963 Taylor ..242/18 UX 3,197,153 7/1965 Davidson ..242/46.6 X 3,204,396 9/1965 Foster et al. ..57/77.3 X 3,296,681 1 1967 Lopatin ..28/62 X 3,337,930 8/1967 Aelion et a1 ..28/71.3 X 3,380,242 4/1968 Richmond et a1 ..57/l40 3,401,895 9/ 1968 l-leitmuller ..242/46.6 X 3,445,995 5/1969 Bell et a1 ..57/77.3 X

Primary ExaminerDona1d E. Watkins A!torney--David B. Miller [5 7] ABSTRACT A process and apparatus for texturizing yarn by false twisting. Means supply yarn to a first novel oven at controlled tension and speed. The yarn is then applied to an air jet twisting assembly having two separate upper and lower bodies with a disc insert with slots to direct and provide a whirling air stream within the twister assembly, thereby providing a false twist to the yarn. An air diffuser is placed between the twisting assembly and the first oven and a second oven is provided after the twisting assembly to heat-relax and remove some of the twist. The tension of the yarn is continuously controlled throughout. Novel means are provided for winding and dofiing the texturized yarns as well as for controlling the speed and tension of the yarn throughout.

50 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDMARZI m2 3,650,103

sum

2 or 9 INVENTORS HENQY CHARLES 542242 F I 2 MAI/5L .S'H/CHMAN BY JOSEPH 5. W05

A T TORIVE Y PATENTED I 9 2 3,650,103

SHEET 3 OF 9 mvzsm'om HENRY CHARLES 42242 DAN/EL S/l/Cf/MAN BY 1055 was FIG. 3

4 TTDQNEY PATENTEDHARN I972 SHEET l 0F 9 1 N VEN TORS PATENTEDMARZI 1912 3,650,105

sum 5 UF 9 IN VEN'TORS I O p W waver mama-s P421242 I w j ww/n smc/mmv BY 1055 a w A TfOAA/E y PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TEXTURIZING YARN FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to synthetic yarn texturizing. More specifically, this invention relates to improvements in apparatus and methods for texturizing yarn utilizing a fluid or airjet twisting nozzle. This invention further relates to improvements to the texturizing apparatus and methods, nozzle and diffuser disclosed in Foster et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,396, for Method for Texturizing Thermoplastic Yarn and Apparatus, Foster et al. Pat. No. 2,515,299 for Apparatus for lmparting False Twist to Strands;" and Shichman US Pat. No. 3,340,684 for Yarn DESCRIPTION Apparatus and Fluid Diffuser Therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR SYSTEMS Continuous multi-filament thermoplastic textile yarns, such as nylon, polyester (e.g., that sold under the trademark Dacron), polypropylene, etc., are textured by highly twisting the yarns, heat-relaxing them in the twisted condition, and thereafter removing part of the initial twist. Commonly, the resultant yarn is used in a ply yarn construction with another yarn that had been twisted in the opposite direction when it was heat-relaxed.

Conventionally, the process is as follows: The untexturized yarn is fed into a first heating area, for a relatively short period of time, where it is softened, to permit the induced twist to set, then the yarn passes through an airjet yarn twister assembly having a nozzle in which a whirling fluid, such as air, is introduced in jets so as to whip the yarn in a circular fashion and thus induce a twist. The twisted yarn then passes through a second heating area in which it is heat-relaxed so as to remove part of the twist so as to provide the desired texture.

The air nozzle twister permits operation at very high twisting speeds, which, in turn, permits high linear yarn speeds through the apparatus for a desired degree of twisting. The air type false twister also achieves rapid cooling of the heat-set yarn before untwisting because the incoming yarn is subjected to the refrigerating effect of the compressed air that is escaping from the nozzle. A circulating air oven is employed in Foster et al. to heat-relax the yarn. With this device, yarn processing speeds of 800 to 1,200 feet per minute have been achieved in which all the fibers in the yarn were well set in the Oven.

In the Shichman patent, a diffuser is interposed between the nozzle and the first oven to direct cool air from the nozzle away from the exit end of the oven. Cool air lowers the temperature at the exit end, in effect, lowering the time that the yarn is exposed to sufficient heat for the softening desired. Increasing the temperature of the oven is accompanied by adverse side effects such as non-uniform yarn texturizing and poor economy of operation. Lowering the speed of the yarn passing through the oven to increase the yarn softening time adversely effects the overall speed of operation and machine efficiency. However, the system disclosed in this patent does not completely eliminate the flow of cool air from the nozzle into the exit end ofthe oven.

Efficient air twist nozzles are disclosed in Foster et al. US Pats. No. 3,204,396 and No. 2,515,299. This twister has a passage for the yarn including a chamber, desirably conical in shape, in which whirling fluid, such as air, acts on the yarn to twist it. A nipple, perferably frusto-conically shaped, points into that chamber opposite the direction of yarn advance, and has a bore centrally therethrough for the yarn to pass through. The air is introduced in jets opposite this nipple. Twisting speeds of over one million revolutions per minute had been achieved with this nozzle without fouling the nozzle.

Further, in such prior art nozzles, a number of circular holes had to be drilled precisely tangential to the inner cavity of the nozzle in order to have the air more rapidly in a circular manner within the inner cavity. Owing to the small size of the holes and the tangential conditions required, this proved to be difficult and expensive.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a number of novel improvements have been made in the elements comprising the apparatus for texturizing yarn.

A basic improvement is made in the entire system as a whole in which specific parts are improved as well as the relationship of the various parts. The yarn feed-in includes controlled tension means and also prevents the run-back of yarn twist and yarn foul up. In this invention, the first oven allows the false twist to set and further includes air bleeds providing downwardly directed wisps of air, that is, downward directed circulatingair, which flow counter to the air currents from the diffuser produced by the twister nozzle which tend to flow up into the oven. This provides for greater uniformity and heat control in the oven.

A further and important improvement lies in the airjet twisting nozzle itself. The present invention obviates the aforesaid problem of drilling precisely tangential holes by separating the nozzle body into two parts, drilling the inlet holes radially in the nozzle body and having a flat disc as an insert into the nozzle body with slots milled tangentially to an inner circular opening in said disc placed within the nozzle. In this manner, the need to drill tangential holes is eliminated as the milled disc directs the airjet to move in a circular path and yarn passing through this area will be rapidly twisted.

This invention employs yarn tension and speed control means throughout, before and after the ovens and between the nozzle and the second oven. As stated, the yarn feed-in prevents run-back and foul up of yarn, but also provides tension to predraw the yarn, compensating to some extent any tension change due to the variable nature of the raw materials. In addition, drive means operate at different selected speeds before and after the second oven. Further, a yarn tension compensator means, having a unique extending arm arrangement and drag pins, with different torque producing weights or positions is used to finely control or modulate the functional drag on the yarn before it enters the second oven. The resulting system thereby provides enchanced yarn control throughout, having the capability of varying the yarn tension and speed to accommodate changes in the yarn either because of the yarn nature or the rapid operation of the system.

The resulting apparatus and machine provided is thereby more efficient and reliable.

A further novel improvement resides in the wind-up and doffing means. The wind-up includes a guide pigtail spaced above the two yarn guide eyelets, each of which reciprocates over a respective spool mounted over a winding chuck. The guide pigtail positions the yarn to facilitate the winding of a plurality of border yarns, or tie-in yarns allowing for automatic winding from one spool to the next. While conventional doffing means may be used with the winding means to remove the spool, further novelty resides in the doffing means which utilizes an arm to brake and release the spool having simple construction, ease of operation and utilizes fewer parts.

Further and specific objects of the invention are here set forth.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved method, apparatus and system for texturizing yarn by false twisting.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved, efficient and more easily manufactured twisting nozzle.

Still another object is to provide a twister nozzle having air passages that are more easily machined and can be repeatedly made with precision.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a twister nozzle having the critical disc which provides tangential air flow as a separate and replaceable element.

Another object is to provide an improved oven in which wisps of air are bled into a yarn chamber around the yarn and are directed in a downward direction.

Another object is to provide an improved twister nozzle-diffuser-oven subcombination in a system for texturizing yarn using false twisting techniques in which the air flow from the oven counters the air flow from the diffuser, providing improved oven operation.

A further object is to provide a texturizing system having a fluid nozzle as part of a false twisting system in which the control of the twist runback is provided by means above the input of the circulating oven.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide means for controlling the tension and speed of the yarns which are to be texturized throughout the system.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide yarn tension compensating means.

Still another object is to provide an automatic winding and automatic doffing means with tie-in tail.

Another improvement relates to the automatic wind-up and doffing which cooperates with the entire system to wind the yarn as well as the tension control means. The wind-up and doffing allows quick and reliable wind-up of yarn on separate, removable tubes.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by references to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the sequence of steps carried out in our invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of our invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view, partially in perspective, along 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking downwardly into the top of the first oven;

FIG. 3a is a side view, partially in perspective, along the lines 3a-3a of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the first oven along 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a top sectional view along the lines 4a4a of FIG.

FIG. 4b is a greatly enlarged front view along 4b4b of FIG. 40 showing the position of the spool in the air chamber;

FIG. 4c is a diagram illustrating the temperature control in the oven of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along lines 55 of FIG. 2 illustrating the novel false twister nozzle assembly;

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the upper nozzle element;

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the lower nozzle element;

FIG. 7 is a partially, cut-away perspective top view of the nozzle disc insert;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged view, partly in perspective, illustrating the relationship of the false twister assembly, the tension compensator, the third pair of Godet and separator rolls and the second oven;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the tension compensator along 99 of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9a and 9b are diagrams of the tension compensator illustrating the conditions of no tension and increased tensions, respectively;

FIG. 10 is a top sectional view along 10l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic front view of the winding mechanism for the yarn including the automatic doffing an tie-in tail mechanism;

FIG. 11a is a sectional view along the lines Ila-11a of FIG. 1];

FIG. 1 lb is a diagram illustrating the shift of the pigtail from positions P2 to P3 and the yarn engagement with the guide eyelet;

FIG. 110 is a diagram illustrating the doffing ofa spool;

FIG. 12 is a detailed front sectional view of the automatic doffing and tie-in tail mechanism;

FIG. 12a is a top sectional view along the lines 12a12a of FIG. 12;

1 FIG. 13 is a pneumatic circuit diagram illustrating the control of the mechanisms of FIGS. 1 l and 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternate and preferred embodiment of a doffing mechanism in the drive position; and

FIG. 15 is a similar view of the doffing mechanism of FIG. 14 in the release position.

First Yarn Tension Control Means Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown the system including the overall process and apparatus of the invention. A yarn supply 1 1 provides a yarn 10 to a first yarn tension and control means 12 (FIGS. 3, 3b) which includes drive I having Godet roll 1a and a separator roll lb moving the yarn at a speed v to drive 2 having a Godet roll 2 and a separator roll 2b moving the yarn at a speed v, faster than v,. This differential in velocity between v and v produces a predrawing of the yarn, tending to make the stresses in the raw material more uniform.

The yarn emerges from the drive 2 and is applied over a twist resisting separator bar 14 (FIGS. 2, 3, 3a), resembling a comb and which prevents yarn entaglement. Bar 14 has spaced-apart pins or teeth 14a (FIG. 3) between which the yarn is wrapped a plurality of times along with the wrapping of the yarn over the Godet and separator rolls. The last few wraps of yarn on the second roll are slightly separated from the other wraps by the pins of a separator bar. When the twist runs up the yarn and as far back as a few wraps on the second roll, the yarn tends to move on the roll inwardly towards the first wrap; the separation between the yarn wind-ups prevents entanglement.

The yarn from drive 2 then passes into the first circulating hot air oven 20 (FIG. 30). At the exit end and below is the twister assembly 40.

Circulating Oven I The circulating air oven 20 comprises, in general, a tubular yarn heating chamber, separated radiant heating elements and separated spool chambers having an air bleed to the yarn heating chamber. A plurality of passageways is provided between the heat providing spool chambers to the yarn chamber, thereby allowing wisps of heated air to flow into the yarn heating chamber at a downwardly directed angle (15 vertical angle shown as an example in FIG. 4), but substantially tangent to the yarn chamber (FIG. 4a).

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2, 4, 4a, 4b and 4c, there is shown the oven 20 comprising a heat conductive (preferably aluminum) block. Yarn 10 is allowed to pass into the inlet 22 of the yarn chamber. At start-up, the yarn is laid into a narrow vertical opening 21 or string-up slot which communicates with the larger cylindrical yarn chamber 22through which the ballooned twisted yarn passes after the yarn is in position. Closure plates 29 (FIG. 2) substantially seal the vertical opening 21 allowing only the inlet 22 to remain unsealed.

Separated from the yarn chambers 22 are a plurality of heating element bores 27 (FIGS. 4, 4n), each containing electrical heating cartridges 27a. These heating elements heat the entire oven to desired temperature, which is controlled by conventional temperature control means (FIG. 40) which responds to the output of a thermocouple positioned in the center of heating block. The temperature of oven I is maintained at approximately 600 whereas the temperature of oven II, element 90, is less, i.e., approximately 505.

Heat and circulating air are applied to the yarn heating chamber through air heating chambers 23. These chambers are spaced apart bores containing spools 28 (FIGS. 4a, 4b). In FIGS. 4a, chamber 23 is illustrated without the spool 28 for simplicity, while chamber 23 includes spool 28 and shows the resulting peripheral heated air chamber 23a providing a rapidly heated, film of air.

FIG. 4b is greatly enlarged to illustrate the bore or heat chamber 23, diameter D (as for example 1.000 inches), a spool 28, generally cylindrical, having upper and lower flanges to tightly fit in bore 28 (flange diameter, for example, 099510.002 inches) and the internal body diameter B; being only slightly less than D (for example, 096510.002 inches) leaving a peripheral, thin, film-like, cylindrical opening 23a as the air chamber (for example, the cylinder thickness is 0.03 inch).

In operation, pressurized air is forced into the air chambers 23 (or 23a) through a plurality of air inlet ports 24 in the back of the oven block. A plurality of restricted passageways, each comprising a small bleed hole 25, are drilled at a downwardly directed angle FIG. 4) from a location close to chamber 23 into yarn chamber 22, and a second hole 29 (FIGS. 4, 4a) is drilled horizontally through hole 25 to chamber 23 allowing hole 25 to communicate at passageway 29a, which extends from 29. The unused portions of these holes are plugged up by screws or the like, as suggested by in the cross-hatched areas 25 and 29'. In this way, pressurized air is applied from inlet port 24 into the cylindrical air chamber 2311, conducted radially downwardly and horizontally over passageway 29a and then at a downward angle through passageway 25 and into the restricted or orifice and 25a into yarn chamber 22 essentially in a tangential direction. It will be noted that there are a plurality of vertically spaced, downwardly directed passageways feeding heated air tangentially and downwardly into the yarn chamber and that, on the opposite side of chamber 22, a passageway 26 having orifice end 26a feeds from the left side, also downwardly directed. Passageway 26 is the same as 25 except that it enters from the left. It will also be noted that the

passageways

25 and 26 are substantially diametrically opposed but feed air in a counterclockwise direction.

The heated air thus circulates throughout the yarn chamber, enhancing the twisting effect, creating greater uniformity of heat and thereby yarn texturizing and the downwardly directed air stream counteracts the colder air coming up from the diffuser and nozzle to minimize the cooling problem at the exit end. This simplifies the oven control and provides for greater temperature uniformity throughout the oven.

Air Jet False Twisting Means The false twisting 40 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5) means includes a nozzle assembly 42, an assembly holder 43, and an air diffuser 41.

The nozzle assembly comprises an upper nozzle element 400 (FIG. 6), a disc insert 450 and a lower nozzle element 460.

Upper Nozzle Element Referring to FIGS. 6, 6a, 6b primarily, the upper nozzle element 400 comprises a generally cylindrical body having an internal chamber or bore 412 through which the yarn passes and is whirled about primarily from the lower regions of the bore. The body is narrowed at the upper part defining a tubular extension 420 and a top seating platform 411 for the diffuser. The chamber 412 has a narrowed aperture 413, and from this aperture the conical walls 414 of the chamber flare outwardly and downwardly. The flaring stops short of the bottom so that walls 415 are straight. The diameter of the chamber at its bottom is substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the hole 452 in disc 450 and the slots 453 of the disc are substantially tangent to the bottom wall 415 ofchamber 412.

The outer wall 421 of the upper nozzle element has a recess or groove 422 to accommodate O-ring 423. The diameter of the cylindrical nozzle receiving cavity or bore 441 (FIG. 5) of holder 43 defined by the cavity wall 442 is substantially the same as the diameter of the outer wall 421 of the upper nozzle to provide a tight fit and the O-ring 423 perfects the seal.

The bottom of the upper nozzle assembly is undercut at 424 and therefore the sidewall 425 of the bottom is recessed. The recessed wall 425 provides a guiding and mating surface for the upper hollowed, shell-like wall 462 of the bottom nozzle element; the inner diameter of wall 462 is about the same (allowing for tolerances) as the outer diameter of the bottom wall 425 of the upper element.

The upper and lower nozzle elements fit together to provide an internal chamber to receive the pressurized air fed into longitudinal port 490 of the holder 43. The air circulates around the circumferential air space 44 and enters the chamber of the nozzle through the plurality of spaced apart inlet or small openings 464 in the hollowed upper wall 462. These inlets are radial and are easily formed by drilling.

Before discussing the lower nozzle element in detail and the manner by which the nozzle assembly fits together into the holder, the nozzle insert or disc must be considered.

By application of the novel concept utilizing a separate disc insert 450 (FIG. 7), the air from the inlets 464 is rapidly whirled about. Disc 450 is thin, flat, preferably metallic (brass) and very hard. It is preferably circular having easily formed central, circular hole 452 of a diameter equal to the bottom of the internal chamber walls 415 of the upper nozzle element. A plurality of tangentiallyxxtending slots 453, are cut away by a simple milling step. The tips 454 of the slots may be drilled first, providing circular openings terminating short of the outer circumference, that is, the tips 454 are within the periphery of the disc and the slot thereafter milled.

The disc is supported on a central, upper platform 470 of the lower nozzle assembly in special relationship to the inlets 464 as will be described, although other means for supporting the disc to define the plenum chamber communicating with the slots will be within the concept of this invention.

The Lower Nozzle Element The lower nozzle element 460 comprises a generally cylindrical body having a very narrow central vertical bore 480 to allow a yarn to pass, the bore widening at 481 at the lower part of the nozzle body. The outer wall 460 is the same diameter as wall 421 of the upper element and fits within the cavity 442 of the holder. The upper part of wall 460 is slightly recessed and defines recessed wall surface 462. The recess thus formed provides the linking passageway from port 490 to the radial openings 464 in the nozzle assembly. Wall 460 is recessed at 467 to accommodate O-ring 468 to securely seal the lower surface of the circumferential air space 44. It may be noted that a hollowed set screw 495 (FIG. 5) bears against the bottom 460 (FIG. 6) of the lower nozzle body to keep it in secure position in the holder and that air is also sucked up through the hollowed opening.

The upper wall 462 is cylindrical and has a diameter slightly less than wall 421 of the upper element, upper wall 462 defining also the inside of the circumferential air space.

Centrally within wall 462 and extending upwardly from the body itself is a platform 470 and from the platform, a frustoconical nipple-like element 475. The narrowed bore 480 passes through nipple 475. The yarn balloons upwardly from this nipple.

Between the platform 470 and the cylindrical wall 462, an annular recess is formed defining the intake plenum 471. The platform is also grooved or recessed along its base to define a smaller, circumferential air opening 477. This groove is positioned coincident with the part of the disc 453 where the slot meets the center opening, so that air from the plenum passes through the slot and hits the nipple wall; air which becomes downwardly directed flows around the small annular groove. It will be noticed that upper nozzle element is seated on the disc supported on the platform of the lower element. The undercut surface 424 is spaced from the top of shell 464, this space adding to the linking passageway 44 (FIG. 5).

The radial inlets 464 formed in the hollowed upper wall are below the platform 470 and hence below disc 450 so that the pressurized air from inlet 464 passes through the lower nozzle plenum chamber 471, up into tangential slots 453 at the ends 454 to be directed inwardly into the central opening 452 as suggested by the arrows in FIG. 7. This whirling air acts on the yarn from above the nipple and which is central within opening 452 to twist the yarn filaments. The air exits whirling upwardly through

chambers

412, 413; the whirling effect being enhanced by the narrowing of chamber 412 to increase the air pressure as the air moves up. The whirling effect is then diffused in the chamber of the diffuser 41 before exiting upwardly.

Tension Compensator The yarn 10 passes through the twister and is threaded in the tension compensator means 70 just below. Means are shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 and the operation is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. and 9b.

The compensator includes an extending arm 71 to which a weight, such as slug 73 may be supported. A series of slots 72 are provided to allow for variation in the position of the weight, essentially providing for a selectable, variable torque. The arm is pivotally attached to a bracket 74 by horizontally extending pin 75 constituting the main pivot for the compensator system. Another front horizontal pin 76 is attached to the arm around which yarn is first applied.

A disc 77 is pivotally secured to the arm between

pins

75 and 76 and has two horizontal diametrically

opposed pins

78 and 79 about a center point 77. A retaining collar 700 having a slot 701 for pin 79 and a central aperture for pin 75 holds the disc in horizontal position when a set screw 703 is tightened.

Since collar 700 may be rotated, the position of slot 701 can be varied relative thereto, which in turn defines the position of pin 79. Slot 701 is slightly larger than pin 79 to allow it some degree of preferably slidable motion.

The tension compensator is preferably set to run with its arm in the horizontal position in which case the centers of

pins

76, 78, 79, 75 and disc center 77' are horizontally aligned, as suggested in FIGS. 9, 9a. This is controlled by placing the weight 73 at a given point along the arm length as illustrated in FIG. 9. Any change of tension in the length of yarn between Godet rolls 2 and 3 due to uncontrollable conditions in the raw material or any other reason can be compensated for in the compensator. For example, if the tension increases the yarn will lift the compensator arm (FIG. 9b) and thereby change the position of the drag pins 79 and 75 on the compensator; this in turn holds back on yarn going to third roll and thereby decreases the tension. By the same token, if tension decreases in the area between Godet rolls 2 and 3, the compensator arm will be lowered and will in turn lessen the drag on the drag pins. This will permit more yarn to go through to the third roll, thus increasing tension. It will be noted that a frictional force exists as the yarn passes under pin 79 up and around pin 75.

As the arm 71 is pulled up because of increased tension, disc 77 rotates about its center 77', while arm 71 rotates about pin 75. Thus, pin 76 moves upwardly, pin 78 moves upwardly, pin 79, rotating about the disc center, tends to move downwardly and the frictional force of the yarn around pins 76, 78, 79 and 75 is increased.

For purpose of explanation, this increased drag force tends to grip or pinch the yarn; since the yarn is being driven downwardly from roll 2, the tension force is relieved as the yarn may tend to bunch. Essentially, the tension force compensator controls the tension imposed from the lower drive roll 3 by modulating the downward force applied.

It will be seen that the position of the arm determines the yarn tension, and yarn tension is increased by downward arm movements, and the desired tension may be adjustably provided by the variable torque forces from moving the position ofthe weights 73.

The second yarn tension and control means therefor also includes drive 3, similar to

drives

1 and 2, but operating at a speed slower than drive. Other means for controlling the yarn tension could be provided by variably controlling the speed of drive 3, to slow it down when the tension of the yarn is increased.

Oven ll Oven 90 is preferably the same as oven I but operates at a somewhat lower temperature. Other types of ovens could be used in place thereof and its operation is thus conventional. It may be understood, however, that if a high stretch yarn is desired, then the second oven need not be used, or, if used, could be run at substantially lower temperatures.

Drive 4 Drive 4 is similar to drive 3 except much slower. This tends to avoid imposing any tension in the yarn between

drives

3 and 4 as the yarn passes through oven II. The third roll may run, for example, at 850 f.p.m. and receives seven wraps of yarn. The fourth runs at 725 f.p.m. and a minimum of six wraps are put on it. The yarn is overfed approximately I25 f.p.m. into oven 11 and shrinkage of the yarn removes a portion of the stretch. The yarn is now taken from the fourth roll and guided by pigtail guides and idler rolls to the winding section. The winding section preferably includes the automatic winding and doffing means shown in FIGS. 11, 11a, 11b and 11c. How ever, it will be understood that other types of take-off means or other machines may be used to take up the yarn and may thus be considered within the winding means.

Winding and Doffing I I There is shown in FIGS. 11, 11a, 11b and 11c an automatic winding and doffing means comprising

rotating spools

102, 103 around which yarn 10 is wound to provide the yarn package 110. These

spools

102, 103 are supported on drive chucks, also referred to as sleeves or

cores

104, 105. These chucks are supported by a biased clutching arrangement so as to frictionally engage a rotating drive member 101.

There is shown in FIGS. 11 and 11a a brake handle 108 and a release handle 109. When brake handle 108 is actuated, the winding chuck is braked and when the release handle 109 is actuated, the spool is released. The winding chucks 104, are each supported between a pair of conventional metallic sleeve ends, one such end, 104, being shown in FIGS. 11a and 11c. The sleeve ends are supported for rotation about a shaft mechanism, not shown, which is journalled in block 111. The chuck is conventionally a sleeve, made of phenolic, for example, having a plurality of longitudinal slots, to facilitate chuck or sleeve expansion. When the spool is supported for rotation on the chuck, the chuck 104 is expanded by the motion of one sleeve and to the other, thereby gripping the spool 102. When release handle 109 is moved, the sleeve ends are released, the chuck collapses, and the spool may be doffed as illustrated in FIG. 110.

When the two

handles

108, 109 are squeezed, the brake is actuated first, stopping rotation. The entire winding mechanism may then be pulled out and upon further squeezing the chuck or core is compressed, releasing the spool. This doffing mechanism is otherwise conventional.

The block 111 is mounted on a horizontally movable bar 112. Bar 112 is biased rearwardly by a tension device including a pulley 113 and a weight 114. Bar 112 has an extension 112 which is fastened to a cord wound over pulley 113. Bar 112 is supported for horizontal movement within a linear motion bearing 117 housed in a cylindrical block 116 anchored to the machine. Thus,'the bar 112 can be moved outwardly by pulling on a handle attached thereto or on the brake and release handles. Obviously, when pulled out, there is no contact with the drive roller.

The winding mechanism is novel and includes standard traversing

yarn guide elements

120, 121 which reciprocate back and forth above the top surface of the rotating spools so that the yarn is wrapped thereover. The guides 120, 121 (FIG. 11c) have an arcuate or angled front section with a central slot and eye through which the yarn falls and is held in place, guided for back and forth movement, to build up the package 110.

Guides

120, 121 are moved by providing a cam follower 123 mounted for engagement in a rotating cam 124 having criss-crossing diagonal, circumferential cam grooves providing reciprocating motion to the follower.

There is provided a pigtail or second yarn guide which may assume four positions, P preferably being between the left end and the center, and as illustrated, at the extreme left end; P, a position to the right of center at approximately 100 from P,, which is just over the left end of spool 102; P corresponding to the right of P preferably between the middle and right end of spool 102; and P, a position 100 from P and just over the beginning or right end of spool 103.

Before describing the operation of the winding mechanism and the relative movements of the first and second yarn guides 120, 130, and the resulting provision of a core border comprising a predetermined number of yarn windings, we will first describe the mechanism of FIGS. 12, 12a and 13, which control the movement of guide 130 to the sequence of positions l P21 P3) P4 Schematic Description There is shown a pneumatic circuit in FIG. 13 comprising a four-way valve 210 and control buttons 211, 212 or respective three-way valves.

Pushing the left hand button 211 on the three-way valve and holding it allows air from the supply line 300 to pass through the valve over line 301 to a pressure actuator 213 that activates a four-way valve 210. The four-way valve now being actuated allows air from the supply to flow over

lines

303, 304 through to a double acting air cylinder 215 also flowing over line 305 through a directional tee 216, flow control valve 217, volume chamber 218 and into a pressure actuator 220. The pressure actuator then opens a three-way valve 221 allowing air from the supply line to flow through a single acting cylinder 222 over line 306. Actuating of this cylinder is delayed somewhat over the double acting cylinder because of the flow control valve feeding the volume chamber. This delay allows the double acting cylinder to advance a rack 230 until the rod end of the spring loaded single, acting cylinder 222 plunges into a notch 231 and stops the movement of the rack. This initial movement of the rack drives gear 235 and constitutes the first 100 swing of the pigtail. When the flow control valve allows enough air to enter the volume chamber to actuate the pressure actuator, which in turn opens the three-way valve, permitting air from the supply to flow through to single acting cylinder and withdrawing plunger, the rack then is free to travel to completion of its stroke thereby producing a full 180 rotation of the pigtail.

The operation of the winding mechanism may now be understood by referring to FIG. 11. The winding of package 110 on spool 102 will be considered, although the packages on the other spools are formed in the same manner.

Yarn is passed through the pigtail 130 which we may assume is at P,. This is actually the ending position of the package winding on spool 103. The pigtail moves from P to P where the yarn begins to wind around spool 102. However, the yarn has not been picked up by guide 120. When the yarn is in the P position, the yarn will not ever be picked up by guide 120 and thus the yarn dwells at the position P forming a core border that is used for the tie-in tail. After a short pause, the pigtail is moved to P;,, a position in the path of traverse guide 120. and the yarn is picked up by guide 120. This guide then reciprocates back and forth for a relatively long period of time building up package 110.

When package 110 has been completed, the operator pushes the respective button of three-way valve 212, to swing the pigtail 100 to P where a tie-in tail is wound on spool 103. When the pigtail moves to P,, the yarn is picked up by guide 121 and package build-up begins. When the second package is built up, the operator may press the other button 211 to begin the process anew.

It is within the principles of this invention to provide for complete automatic operation by the use ofa pressure switch, spaced from the respective spools, to control the three-way valve. Other means for providing automatic control of the three-way valves will occur to those skilled in the art.

Thus, there has been described a surface driven winder having the automatic doffing and the ability to put 9 tie-in tail on the finished package. This allows for high speed winding and doffing, consistent with the improved operation of the entire system.

Preferred Doffing Mechanism Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown the preferred and novel embodiment of the doffing mechanism. There is shown a rotatable handle 404, fixedly coupled by a screw 500 to central rod 412, and by another screw 501 to a cam plate 403. The cam surface is three-dimensional and has a first, planar surface 510 transverse to the center line of the mechanism, a second transverse planar, or flat surface 512 parallel to surface 510 and laterally spaced therefrom towards the handle, and a connecting inclined surface 511 therebetween. Each surface occupies a portion, approximately one-third of the exposed end of the cam plate.

Rod 412 is longitudinally movable within sleeve 411 which extends through the mechanism. Coupled to sleeve 411 by a carrier assembly 406 is a fixed support rod 405. Carrier 406 is essentially a hollow block through which the sleeve passes and is held by pins 407. It will be noted that rod 412 is longitudinally movable in sleeve 411, but for a limited distance as will be discussed later.

The left face of the block also has a three

sectional cam surface

520, 521, 522 (FIG. 15). Cam surfaces 520 and 522 are parallel, planar, and transverse, with surface 522 laterally spaced from 520 towards the handle.

Surfaces

510 and 520, 511 and 521, 512 and 522 are mating surfaces, Further, surfaces 510 and 522 are mating surfaces as illustrated in FIG. 15. These surfaces define three positions of operation: (I) When cam surface 510 engages surface 520 (FIG. 14), the mechanism is engaged for rotation and spool 103 is frictionally engaged as will be explained; (2) When cam surface 510 engages surface 521, the inclined portion, the mechanism is braked, but the spool 103 is frictionally engaged and as cam surface 510 approaches cam surface 522, the spool is frictionally released (FIG. 15); and (3) When cam surface 510 engages cam surface 522, handle 404 is locked in position and the spool and package may be doffed.

In operation, the operator rotates handle 404 to the second position to brake the mechanism. Then, by gripping the handle, the entire mechanism may be pulled outwardly, the bar 112 of FIG. being slidable in the linear motion bearings 117. Subsequently, the operator rotates handle 404 to the third position and the package may be doffed.

Braking The brake comprises a brake disc 414 on a brake shoe 415 fixedly coupled to rod 412 by a pin 416 which also extends through a longitudinal slot 550 formed in sleeve 411. Thus, the rod can move in the sleeve, carrying pin 416 along with it for a distance limited by the ends of the slot.

There are shown sleeve ends 408 and 420 which support outer sleeve body 418. Cylindrical springs, that is, circular, toroidal coils of wire, 419a and 419b, are supported between the spool ends and outer sleeve respectively for expansion. FIG. 14, these springs are shown in the expanded condition and frictionally engage spool 103. In FIG. 15, the springs are in the collapsed state and are separated from spool 103 so that the spool may be easily doffed by pulling the spool off to the right.

The left sleeve end 408 is supported on the inner sleeve 411 on

bearings

413a, 413a so that it may rotate along with spool 103 and outer sleeve 418 when the package engages the drive roll. When the brake 414 engages in the inner face 555 of the spool end, braking occurs since sleeve 411 and rod 412 are not rotatable. It will be noted that a compression spring 410 bears against the

bearings

413a, 413a to retain the left sleeve end 408 in position. More specifically, a shoulder 556 is provided on the inner surface of the end wall 553 which provides a seat for bearing 413a. The right end of sleeve 408 has a transverse wall 553 and a central aperture through which sleeve 411 passes.

Bearing 413a is held in place by engagement with the right end of the carrier assembly 406 which is stationary throughout the entire operation of the mechanism. The right sleeve end 420 has a shoulder 560 to retain bearing 413b in position. Sleeve 411 has an outwardly directed shoulder 561 which defines the other retainer for the bearing. Sleeve end 420, therefore, rotates along with sleeve end 408.

A tension spring 417 is centrally positioned within sleeve 411 and is connected on its left end to pin 416 and its right end to a pin 421 which fits within a slot formed in the sleeve 411 on its right end. Spring 417 thus urges the brake disc and shoe to the right and out of engagement with the free sleeve end 408. It will be noted that when rod 412 is pulled to the left, which occurs when handle 404 is rotated, that pin 416, moving in slot 550, pushes the brake disc and shoe against the brake surface 555 and also pulls on spring 417. In the position of FIG. 15, handle 404 has been moved so that the cam surfaces 510 and 522 are seated against each other, the brake has been locked, compression spring 410 has been compressed and sleeve end 408 has been moved to the left a sufficient all W.

amount to release the coil springs 419a, 419b. As the handle 404 is moved back to the brake and the drive position, spring 410 pushes against the bearing 413a which in turn pushes against the shoulder 556 of the sleeve end to expand the coil springs.

The right sleeve end 420 has a flat top surface over which spool 103 may slidably pass. Sleeve end 408 has a similar, flat top surface 560 over which the spool 103 may slidably pass, but also an enlarged flange end 561' 'defining a stop for the spool 103. A spring receiving groove 571 is formed between a inclined wall 572 of the carrier assembly and the opposing end wall 573 of the outer wall of sleeve 418. Wall 573 comprises upper and lower angled surfaces. Walls 572 and 573 form an angle and they are movable relative thereto. As these walls come together, that is, when the sleeve end 408 is moved to the right, wall 572 and wall 573 act as complementary wedges against the underside of the spring 419a, forcing it to expand and engage spool 103.

The right sleeve end 420 also has an inclined sleeve 575 which cooperates with an inclined surface 576 of the outer sleeve to define a receptacle for the spring 41%.

More specifically, the upper wall surface cooperating with the wall of the sleeve end to provide a wedge and the lower wall surface cooperating with the wall of the sleeve to transmit movement from the sleeve end through the sleeve body to the other wall of the sleeve body and thus to the other sleeve end to provide expansion force to the respective spring between said other sleeve end and sleeve body.

As the handle 404 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 14, the left sleeve end 408 is pulled to the right by the action of compression spring 410 until the inclined walls 572 and 573 touch, at which time the continued movement of wall 572 against the outer sleeve 418 pushes the sleeve 418 to the right to wedge against spring 41% and expand it upwardly.

In the non-brake position of FIG. 14, the brake disc 414 is spaced from the brake surface of drum surface 555 by a distance which is less than the space S (FIG. which is the lateral distance between the parallel cam surfaces. It is important to recognize that within the distance S, there are in fact two cam positions, that is, the cam position which provides for braking first and then at some position beyond the braking position, the release of the

coil springs

419a, 41% occurs because of the leftward movement of the sleeve end 408.

In comparison with prior doffing mechanisms, the parts used herein are by and large standard parts or parts easily made. Further, fewer parts are used than the other doffing mechanisms and the operation is simple. The operator merely grips the support 405 while rotating the handle 404. Support 405 may also be used to pull the doffing mechanism out. Handle 404 is used for both braking and spool release.

EXAMPLES The following are examples of speeds given for various rolls, and temperatures for several heaters.

Example I A ISO-denier, Du Pont Dacron polyester yarn, 34 filaments per yarn was crimped in the apparatus. The false twister pressure ranged from 64 p.s.i. to 70 p.s.i. The supply yarn had 85 to 95 grams tension on it as it was fed to the first Godet roll. The roll speeds for

rolls

1, 2, 3 and 4 were respectively 845, 855, 850 and 725 feet per minute. The take up speed of the wind-up means was 770 feet per minute. The first heater temperature was set for 600 F; the actual temperature measured by thermocouple in the center of the first oven was 500 F. The second heater temperature was 490 F. The finished crimped yarn had 22 crimps per inch. The tension compensator was used throughout the run and enough weight was added to the arm to keep the arm from touching the top and bottom limit of travel.

Example 2 A 70-denier, Du Pont nylon yarn, 34 filaments, with onehalf 2 twist was crimped. The roll speeds and heater temperatures were the same as the above example with the exception that the second oven was not used. 11 grams of tension was used on the supply yarn. The twister pressure was 74 pounds per square inch.

Example 3 A IOO-denier nylon yarn, 34 filaments, one-half z twist was crimped in false twist apparatus. The roll speeds on

rolls

1, 2, 3 and 4 were respectively 845, 855, 843 and 725 feet per minute. The take-up speed was 770 feet per minute. The first oven heater was 560 F. The second heater was not used. There was 50 grams of tension on the supply package. The air pressure to the nozzle was varied from 68 psi. to 78 p.s.i. with excepta'ble crimp within that range.

Example 4 A ISO-denier nylon was crimped with the first heater temperature at a 650 setting, the actual temperature being 603 F. The nozzle pressure was 84 p.s.i. The yarn supply was maintained at 50 grams tension. Roll speeds were 845, 855, 850 and 725 per minute for

rolls

1, 2, 3, and 4. The take-up speed was 770 feet per minute.

Example 5 A ISO-denier Kodel polyester yarn, 32 filaments per yarn was crimped in the false twist apparatus. The supply yarn had 70 to grams of tension on it. The false twist nozzle was supplied with 80 p.s.i. air. The first oven was set at 635 F., the second oven was set at 535 F. The roll speeds for

rolls

1, 2, 3 and 4 were respectively 818, 835, 825 and 690 feet per minute. The take-up speed was 750 feet per minute.

While the foregoing description sets forth the principles of the invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention as set forth in the objects thereofand in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for texturizing yarn for filamentary thermoplastic strand material comprising:

means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed;

a first heating oven including a yarn heating chamber having inlet means for receiving said yarn from said supply means, and including yarn outlet means to allow the yarn to pass out of the oven;

an airjet yarn false twisting means having a nozzle assembly, said assembly having an upper yarn receiving element. a lower element and a disc in between said elements having slots therein to direct the air stream providing a whirling stream to induce twist in said yarn;

an air diffuser having yarn inlet and outlet orifice means, coupled directly to said upper nozzle element, whereby yarn ballooning in said diffuser may occur;

second yarn tension and speed control means coupled to the lower nozzle element to control the tension and speed of the yarn passing out of the said lower nozzle element;

a second oven coupled to said second yarn tension and speed control means to heat said yarn to heat-relax the yarns and remove at least some of said induced twist and winding means to receive the yarn from the second oven to wind up said yarn on a spool.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the false twisting means includes a holder to receive the nozzle assembly and to receive and support the diffuser, the holder including a passageway for pressurized air;

the upper nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body having an internal bore, and an undercut at the peripheral edge of the bottom surface defining a peripheral recess and a central contact surface for said disc whereby the lower nozzle may be received;

the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn;

the body having a recess in the upper part defining a shelllike wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically oriented passageway;

an intake air chamber being defined between the platform and the shell-like wall, said intake air chamber being generally below said platform;

a disc, said disc supported on said platform, and thereby above said intake air chamber;

a plurality of radial air intake openings in said shell-like wall communicating directly with said intake air chamber;

said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air and to cause the air to move in a rapidly whirling stream, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber. 3. The system of claim 1 in which the yarn inlet to said diffuser is positioned relatively close to the outlet means of said heating oven whereby some of the whirling air stream from the diffuser tends to pass into said oven through the yarn outlet means of said oven;

said first heating oven including means to apply heated air into said yarn heating chamber at an angle extending downwardly from horizontal, whereby the heated air circulates throughout said yarn heating chamber and about the yarn, and whereby the downwardly directed heated air counteracts the cooling effect of the relatively cooler air stream from the diffuser. 4. A yarn false twisting means including a holder to receive a nozzle assembly and to receive and support a diffuser, the holder including a passageway for pressurized air;-

said nozzle assembly including upper and lower nozzle elements and a disc, the upper nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body having an internal bore, and an undercut at the peripheral edge of the bottom surface defining a peripheral recess and a central contact surface for said disc whereby the lower nozzle body may be received; the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn;

the body of the lower nozzle element having a recess in the upper part defining a shell-like wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically-oriented passageway;

a disc, said disc supported on said platform and thereby above said intake air chamber;

said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber.

5. The system of claim 2 in which the disc is substantially circular and the slots thereof terminate within the disc and substantially tangentially oriented.

6. The false twisting means of claim 4 in which the disc is substantially circular and the slots thereof terminate within the disc and are substantially tangentially oriented.

7. The system of claim 1 in which said winding means includes:

two separate rotating chucks,

spools for each chuck,

driving means releaseably movable into drive engagement with said spools,

first yarn guide means including a pair of reciprocable guide means one for each spool to position said yarn for windup relative to said spools,

means to control the position of a second yarn guide above said first guide means, said means including a plurality of positions, said yarn engaging said guide means when the positioning means is in the two outer positions.

8. Yarn winding means including:

two separate rotating chucks;

spools for each chuck;

rotating driving means releaseably linearly movable into drive engagement with said spool;

first yarn guide means including a pair of reciprocable guide means, one for each spool to position said yarn for windup relative to said spools,

means to control the position of a second yarn guide, above said first yarn guide, said means including a plurality of fixed positions, said means being adapted to position said second yarn guide in said fixed positions, said yarn engaging said guide means when the positioning means is in the two outer positions.

9. The system of claim 1 in which said means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speeds includes means for predrawing the yarn including first and second Godet rolls operating at different speeds, and means to limit the backward twist and prevent yarn entanglement including spaced apart guide elements between which the yarn is unwrapped in conjunction with the second rolls.

10. Means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speeds includes means for predrawing the yarn including first and second pairs of Godet rolls operating at different speeds, and means to limit the backward twist and prevent yarn entanglement including spaced apart guide elements between which the yarn is unwrapped in a plurality of loops which extend about both said guide element and said second roll.

11. The system of claim 1 in which said oven includes an air chamber separate from said yarn heating chamber, means to supply pressurized air to said chamber, means to heat the air in said heating chamber, and a plurality of narrow restricted passageways coupling said air chamber to said yarn heating chamber and creating thereby wisps of air around said yams.

12. An oven including a yarn heating chamber and an air chamber separate from said yarn heating chamber. means to supply pressurized air to said chamber, means to heat the air in said heating chamber, and a plurality of narrow restricted passageways coupling said air chamber to said yarn heating chamber terminating in bleed holes which create thereby only wisps of air around said yarns.

13. The system of claim 11 in which said passageways are substantially tangential to the surface of said yarn chamber and extending downwardly at an angle.

14. the oven of claim 12 in which said passageways are substantially tangential to the surface of said yarn chamber and extending downwardly at an angle.

15. The system of claim 1 in which the means for supplying yarn at controlled tension includes first and a second of Godet rolls and separator rolls the second Godet roll moving the yarn at a speed greater than that of the first, thereby predrawing the raw yarn to make yarn stresses more uniform.

16. The system of claim 3 in which said means to apply heated air at an angle extending downwardly includes at least one downwardly directed air passageway communicating with said yarn heating chamber, and means to apply heated air through said air passageway.

17. The system of claim 16 in which said oven includes an air chamber means including means adapted to receive air and an outlet port communicating with said air passageway, said oven having heating means heating the air in said air chamber means.

18. An oven comprising a heat conductive block having at least three separate chambers including:

a yarn heating chamber;

an air chamber bore;

a heat providing chamber;

at least one downwardly directed passageway extending from the air chamber to said yarn heating chamber.

19. The oven in claim 18 in which said air chamber includes a spool having a slightly recessed outer wall, the resulting air chamber being between the spool wall and the walls of the air chamber bore;

a plurality of vertically spaced, downwardly directed passageways extending through said block from ports in the air chamber bore into said yarn chamber;

means to apply air to the air chamber;

a plurality of heat providing chambers, and heating elements positioned in said heat providing chambers.

20. The oven of claim 19, in which said spool has top and bottom flanges closely fitting into said air chamber bore;

a peripheral recess being defined between the top and bottom flanges, the inner wall of the air chamber bore and the spool outer wall, said recess being the peripheral air chamber;

air supply ports coupled to said peripheral air chamber.

21. A nozzle body assembly for use in connection with a false twisting yarn means,

said nozzle body assembly comprising upper and lower body elements,

each body element having a vertically extending yarn passageway,

said body elements having internal recesses along their mating surfaces,

a disc element having circular central aperture and a plurality of slots, terminating within the disc, said slots being spaced apart and arranged substantially along tangents of the aperture,

said body elements including means to support said disc element with the space provided by the said internal recesses;

said body elements having a plurality of air intake openings,

said body elements comprising passageways communicating said intake openings with said slots, said passageways being below the disc surface.

22. The nozzle body assembly of claim 21 in which said lower nozzle body is centrally recessed in the upper surface defining a shell-like wall,

said intake openings comprising a plurality of spaced radial holes in said wall,

a platform extending from the bottom of said recess upwardly whereby said disc may be supported thereon,

a nipple extending from said platform upwardly and having a narrow yarn passageway,

said lower nozzle body defining an annular groove between the shell-like wall and the platform, said groove communicating with the outer portion of said slot and said radial holes,

said holes being located below the platform, thereby being under said disc.

23, The nozzle body assembly of claim 22 having a second annular groove adjacent said nipple and platform and communicating with the inner portion of said slot, wall adjacent said second annular groove being the conical surface of said nipple.

24. The nozzle body assembly of claim 23 in which the outer cylindrical wall is recessed to define a vertical air chamber, whereby when said nozzle elements are inserted in a holder, a peripheral air chamber is provided,

said recessed cylindrical wall communicating with said radial holes.

25. The nozzle body assembly of claim 24, in which the upper nozzle element fits over said lower nozzle body and defines a chamber to receive whirling air from the lower nozzle body and disc.

26. The nozzle body assembly of claim 25 in which the bore of the upper nozzle body flares outwardly downwardly, and communicating with the central aperture of said disc.

27. The system of claim 1 in which the means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed includes a first drive means receiving said yarn, including a drive Godet roll and a separator roll, driving said yarn at a speed v and a second, successive drive means driving said yarn at a speed v and in which said second yarn tension and speed control means includes a drive roll at a speed v said speeds v,, v v being related, v, being slower than v v being slower than v 28. The system of claim 27 in which said second yarn tension and speed control means includes yarn tension compensator means, to modulate the frictional drag imposed on said yarn.

29. The system of claim 27 in which said yarn compensator includes:

an arm having a plurality of different and selectable torque producing means, and first an second extending pins,

pivot means for pivoting said am about said second pin,

a disc having extending third and fourth pins, said disc being pivotally mounted at the center thereof to said am;

said yarn passing over and under the respective series of pins.

30. The system of claim 29 in which said pivot means includes means to rotatably support the said fourth pin,

the center of rotation of said second and fourth pins being offset.

31. The system of claim 30 in which said pivot means includes a collar having a central aperture to receive pin 2 and a peripheral aperture to receive pin (4), and means to adjustably fix the position of said collar, thereby adjustably fixing the positions of pins (2) and (4) and thereby providing initial control of the yarn tension.

32. A yarn tension compensator means including an arm having a plurality of different and selectable torque producing means, and first and second extending pins,

pivot means for pivoting said arm about said second pin,

a disc having extending third and fourth pins, said disc being pivotally mounted at the center thereof and intermediate said first and second pins to said arm;

said yarn passing over and under the respective series of pins.

33. The system of claim 32 in which said pivot means includes means to rotatably support the said fourth pin,

the center of rotation of said second and fourth pins being offset.

34. The system of claim 33 in which said pivot means includes a collar having a central aperture to receive pin 2 and a peripheral aperture to receive pin (4), and means to adjustably fix the position of said collar, thereby adjustably fixing the positions of pins (2) and (4) and thereby providing initial control of the yarn tension.

35. A yarn winding system comprising windup and doffing means including two spaced apart spools positioned on a common axis on which the yarn may be wound, frictional drive means for engaging the spool surfaces, means to selectively move each of the spools out of the drive position whereby the wound package may be removed, chuck means, each of said spools being positioned over respective drive chuck means, each chuck means including a sleeve to support said spools, said chucks having expanding means to expand radially within the spool and frictionally engage said spool and control means for releaseably actuating said expanding means, a rotatable handle, a cam plate fixed to said handle, and a cam surface against which said cam plate bears to control the expansion of said expanding means.

36. The system of claim 35 in which the expansion means comprises a circular coil spring and said sleeve ends and spool center have walls which are at and angle to each other and define a spring receiving receptacle, whereby the movement of the sleeve ends towards each other acts as a wedge to provide radial expansion forces to said springs.

37. A yarn winding system comprising windup and doffing means including two spaced apart spools positioned on a common axis on which the yarn may be wound, frictional drive means for engaging the spool surfaces, means to selectively move each of the spools out of the drive position whereby the wound package may be removed, chuck means, each of said spools being positioned over respective drive chuck means, each chuck means including a sleeve to support said spools, each said sleeve having a central section and two movable sleeve ends, each said chuck having expansion means positioned between respective sleeve ends and the sleeve body to expand radially within the spool and frictionally engage said spool, means to control the expansion of said expansion means in accordance with the movement of said sleeve ends towards and away from each other, whereby when said sleeve ends are close together said expansion means is expanded to engage the windup spool, and control means for releaseably actuating said expanding means, said expansion means comprises a circular coil spring and said sleeve ends and spool center have walls which are at an angle to each other an define a spring receiving receptacle, whereby the movement of the sleeve ends towards each other acts as a wedge to provide radial expansion forces to said springs.

38. The system of claim 37 in which said rod extends throughout a predetermined distance less than the entire length of said shaft, a spring coupled to said rod and to the other end of said shaft by coupling means, said coupling means also controlling the position of a brake element.

39. The system of claim 37 in which the cam surfaces define three positions of operation l) nonbraking and spool engagement, (2) braking and spool release, and (3) braking, spool release and locking.

40. The system of claim 39 in which said coupling means includes a pin, said pin being fastened to a brake shoe having a brake disc on the surface thereof, one of said sleeve ends having a transverse, apertured wall through which said shaft passes, said wall defining the braking surface against which said brake disc may bear against, said shaft having a longitudinal slot to accommodate limited movement of said pin.

41. The system of claim 40 including spring means coupled between the carrier assembly of the stationary rod to urge said sleeve end to the closed position to bear against the central sleeve portion.

42. The system of claim 41 in which the wall surface of the sleeve end and the opposing wall surface of the central sleeve body are at an angle to each other, the wall surface of the sleeve body comprising upper and lower angled surfaces and the upper wall surface cooperating with the wall of the sleeve end to provide a wedge and the lower wall surface cooperating with the wall of the sleeve to transmit movement from the sleeve end through the sleeve body to the other wall of the sleeve body and thus to the other sleeve end to provide expansion force to the respective spring between said other sleeve end and sleeve body.

43. The system of claim 7 in which said winding means includes:

plural windup and doffing means including two spaced apart spools positioned on a common axis on which the yarn may be wound, frictional drive means for-engaging the spool surfaces, means to selectively move each of the spools out of the drive position whereby the wound package may be removed, chuck means, each of said spools being positioned over respective drive chuck means, each chuck means including a sleeve to support said spools, said chucks having expanding means to expand radially within the spool and frictionally engage said spool and control means for releaseably actuating said expanding means.

44. The system of claim 27, in which said winding means includes plural windup and doffing means including two spaced apart spools positioned on a common axis on which the yarn may be wound, frictional drive means for engaging the spool surfaces, means to selectively move each of the spools out of the drive position whereby the wound package may be removed, chuck means, each of said spools being positioned over respective drive chuck means, each chuck means including a sleeve to support said spools, said chucks having expanding means to expand radially within the spool and frictionally engage said spool and control means for releaseably actuating said expanding means.

45. A system for texturing yarn for filamentary thermoplastic strand material comprising:

means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed;

a first heating oven including a yarn heating chamber having inlet means for receiving said yarn from said supplying means, and including yarn outlet means to allow the yarn to pass out of the oven;

an airjet yarn false twisting means having a nozzle assembly,

said assembly having an upper yarn receiving element, a lower element and a disc in between said elements having slots therein to direct the air stream providing a whirling stream to induce twist in said yarn;

an air diffuser having yarn inlet and outlet orifice means,

coupled directly to said upper nozzle element, whereby yarn ballooning in said diffuser may occur;

and second yarn tension and speed control means coupled to the lower nozzle element to control the tension and speed of the yarn passing out of the said lower nozzle element.

46. The system of claim 45 including winding means to receive the yarn from the second yarn tension and speed control means and to wind up said yarn on a spool.

47. The system of claim 45 in which the false twisting means includes a holder to receive the nozzle assembly and to receive and support the diffuser, the holder including a passageway for pressurized air;

the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn; the body having a recess in the upper part defining a shelllike wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically oriented passageway; an intake air chamber being defined between the platform and the shell-like wall, said intake air chamber being generally below said platform;

said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air and to cause the air to move in a rapidly whirling stream, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber.

48. The system of claim 45 in which the yarn inlet to said diffuser is positioned relatively close to the outlet means of said heating oven whereby some of the whirling air stream from the diffuser tends to pass into said oven through the yarn outlet means of said oven;

said first heating oven including means to apply heated air into said yarn heating chamber at an angle extending downwardly from horizontal, whereby the heated air circulates throughout said yarn heating chamber and about the yarn, and whereby the downwardly directed heated air counteracts the cooling effect of the relatively cooler air stream from the diffuser.

49. The system of claim 46 in which said winding means includes:

two separate rotating chucks,

spools for each chuck,

driving means releasably movable into drive engagement with said spool,

Claims

1. A system for texturizing yarn for filamentary thermoplastic strand material comprising: means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed; a first heating oven including a yarn heating chamber having inlet means for receiving said yarn from said supply means, and including yarn outlet means to allow the yarn to pass out of the oven; an airjet yarn false twisting means having a nozzle assembly, said assembly having an upper yarn receiving element, a lower element and a disc in between said elements having slots therein to direct the air stream providing a whirling stream to induce twist in said yarn; an air diffuser having yarn inlet and outlet orifice means, coupled directly to said upper nozzle element, whereby yarn ballooning in said diffuser may occur; second yarn tension and speed control means coupled to the lower nozzle element to control the tension and speed of the yarn passing out of the said lower nozzle element; a second oven coupled to said second yarn tension and speed control means to heat said yarn to heat-relax the yarns and remove at least some of said induced twist and winding means to receive the yarn from the second oven to wind up said yarn on a spool.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the false twisting means includes a holder to receive the nozzle assembly and to receive and support the diffuser, the holder including a pAssageway for pressurized air; the upper nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body having an internal bore, and an undercut at the peripheral edge of the bottom surface defining a peripheral recess and a central contact surface for said disc whereby the lower nozzle may be received; the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn; the body having a recess in the upper part defining a shell-like wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically oriented passageway; an intake air chamber being defined between the platform and the shell-like wall, said intake air chamber being generally below said platform; a disc, said disc supported on said platform, and thereby above said intake air chamber; a plurality of radial air intake openings in said shell-like wall communicating directly with said intake air chamber; said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air and to cause the air to move in a rapidly whirling stream, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the yarn inlet to said diffuser is positioned relatively close to the outlet means of said heating oven whereby some of the whirling air stream from the diffuser tends to pass into said oven through the yarn outlet means of said oven; said first heating oven including means to apply heated air into said yarn heating chamber at an angle extending downwardly from horizontal, whereby the heated air circulates throughout said yarn heating chamber and about the yarn, and whereby the downwardly directed heated air counteracts the cooling effect of the relatively cooler air stream from the diffuser.

4. A yarn false twisting means including a holder to receive a nozzle assembly and to receive and support a diffuser, the holder including a passageway for pressurized air; said nozzle assembly including upper and lower nozzle elements and a disc, the upper nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body having an internal bore, and an undercut at the peripheral edge of the bottom surface defining a peripheral recess and a central contact surface for said disc whereby the lower nozzle body may be received; the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn; the body of the lower nozzle element having a recess in the upper part defining a shell-like wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically-oriented passageway; an intake air chamber being defined between the platform and the shell-like wall, said intake air chamber being generally below said platform; a disc, said disc supported on said platform and thereby above said intake air chamber; a plurality of radial air intake openings in said shell-like wall communicating directly with said intake air chamber; said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber.

7. The system of claim 1 in which said winding means includes: twO separate rotating chucks, spools for each chuck, driving means releaseably movable into drive engagement with said spools, first yarn guide means including a pair of reciprocable guide means one for each spool to position said yarn for windup relative to said spools, means to control the position of a second yarn guide above said first guide means, said means including a plurality of positions, said yarn engaging said guide means when the positioning means is in the two outer positions.

8. Yarn winding means including: two separate rotating chucks; spools for each chuck; rotating driving means releaseably linearly movable into drive engagement with said spool; first yarn guide means including a pair of reciprocable guide means, one for each spool to position said yarn for windup relative to said spools, means to control the position of a second yarn guide, above said first yarn guide, said means including a plurality of fixed positions, said means being adapted to position said second yarn guide in said fixed positions, said yarn engaging said guide means when the positioning means is in the two outer positions.

11. The system of claim 1 in which said oven includes an air chamber separate from said yarn heating chamber, means to supply pressurized air to said chamber, means to heat the air in said heating chamber, and a plurality of narrow restricted passageways coupling said air chamber to said yarn heating chamber and creating thereby wisps of air around said yarns.

12. An oven including a yarn heating chamber and an air chamber separate from said yarn heating chamber, means to supply pressurized air to said chamber, means to heat the air in said heating chamber, and a plurality of narrow restricted passageways coupling said air chamber to said yarn heating chamber terminating in bleed holes which create thereby only wisps of air around said yarns.

18. An oven comprising a heat conductive block having at least three separate chambers including: a yarn heating chamber; an air chamber bore; a heat pRoviding chamber; at least one downwardly directed passageway extending from the air chamber to said yarn heating chamber.

19. The oven in claim 18 in which said air chamber includes a spool having a slightly recessed outer wall, the resulting air chamber being between the spool wall and the walls of the air chamber bore; a plurality of vertically spaced, downwardly directed passageways extending through said block from ports in the air chamber bore into said yarn chamber; means to apply air to the air chamber; a plurality of heat providing chambers, and heating elements positioned in said heat providing chambers.

20. The oven of claim 19, in which said spool has top and bottom flanges closely fitting into said air chamber bore; a peripheral recess being defined between the top and bottom flanges, the inner wall of the air chamber bore and the spool outer wall, said recess being the peripheral air chamber; air supply ports coupled to said peripheral air chamber.

21. A nozzle body assembly for use in connection with a false twisting yarn means, said nozzle body assembly comprising upper and lower body elements, each body element having a vertically extending yarn passageway, said body elements having internal recesses along their mating surfaces, a disc element having circular central aperture and a plurality of slots, terminating within the disc, said slots being spaced apart and arranged substantially along tangents of the aperture, said body elements including means to support said disc element with the space provided by the said internal recesses; said body elements having a plurality of air intake openings, said body elements comprising passageways communicating said intake openings with said slots, said passageways being below the disc surface.

22. The nozzle body assembly of claim 21 in which said lower nozzle body is centrally recessed in the upper surface defining a shell-like wall, said intake openings comprising a plurality of spaced radial holes in said wall, a platform extending from the bottom of said recess upwardly whereby said disc may be supported thereon, a nipple extending from said platform upwardly and having a narrow yarn passageway, said lower nozzle body defining an annular groove between the shell-like wall and the platform, said groove communicating with the outer portion of said slot and said radial holes, said holes being located below the platform, thereby being under said disc.

23. The nozzle body assembly of claim 22 having a second annular groove adjacent said nipple and platform and communicating with the inner portion of said slot, wall adjacent said second annular groove being the conical surface of said nipple.

24. The nozzle body assembly of claim 23 in which the outer cylindrical wall is recessed to define a vertical air chamber, whereby when said nozzle elements are inserted in a holder, a peripheral air chamber is provided, said recessed cylindrical wall communicating with said radial holes.

27. The system of claim 1 in which the means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed includes a first drive means receiving said yarn, including a drive Godet roll and a separator roll, driving said yarn at a speed v1, and a second, successive drive means driving said yarn at a speed v2, and in which said second yarn tension and speed control means includes a drive roll at a speed v3, said speeds v1, v2, v3, being related, v1 being slower than v2, v3 beinG slower than v2.

28. The system of claim 27 in which said second yarn tension and speed control means includes yarn tension compensator means, to modulate the frictional drag imposed on said yarn.

29. The system of claim 27 in which said yarn compensator includes: an arm having a plurality of different and selectable torque producing means, and first an second extending pins, pivot means for pivoting said arm about said second pin, a disc having extending third and fourth pins, said disc being pivotally mounted at the center thereof to said arm; said yarn passing over and under the respective series of pins.

30. The system of claim 29 in which said pivot means includes means to rotatably support the said fourth pin, the center of rotation of said second and fourth pins being offset.

32. A yarn tension compensator means including an arm having a plurality of different and selectable torque producing means, and first and second extending pins, pivot means for pivoting said arm about said second pin, a disc having extending third and fourth pins, said disc being pivotally mounted at the center thereof and intermediate said first and second pins to said arm; said yarn passing over and under the respective series of pins.

33. The system of claim 32 in which said pivot means includes means to rotatably support the said fourth pin, the center of rotation of said second and fourth pins being offset.

39. The system of claim 37 in which the cam surfaces define three positions of operation (1) nonbraking and spool engagement, (2) braking and spool release, and (3) braking, spool release and locking.

43. The system of claim 7 in which said winding means includes: plural windup and doffing means including two spaced apart spools positioned on a common axis on which the yarn may be wound, frictional drive means for engaging the spool surfaces, means to selectively move each of the spools out of the drive position whereby the wound package may be removed, chuck means, each of said spools being positioned over respective drive chuck means, each chuck means including a sleeve to support said spools, said chucks having expanding means to expand radially within the spool and frictionally engage said spool and control means for releaseably actuating said expanding means.

45. A system for texturing yarn for filamentary thermoplastic strand material comprising: means for supplying yarn at controlled tension and speed; a first heating oven including a yarn heating chamber having inlet means for receiving said yarn from said supplying means, and including Yarn outlet means to allow the yarn to pass out of the oven; an airjet yarn false twisting means having a nozzle assembly, said assembly having an upper yarn receiving element, a lower element and a disc in between said elements having slots therein to direct the air stream providing a whirling stream to induce twist in said yarn; an air diffuser having yarn inlet and outlet orifice means, coupled directly to said upper nozzle element, whereby yarn ballooning in said diffuser may occur; and second yarn tension and speed control means coupled to the lower nozzle element to control the tension and speed of the yarn passing out of the said lower nozzle element.

47. The system of claim 45 in which the false twisting means includes a holder to receive the nozzle assembly and to receive and support the diffuser, the holder including a passageway for pressurized air; the upper nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body having an internal bore, and an undercut at the peripheral edge of the bottom surface defining a peripheral recess and a central contact surface for said disc whereby the lower nozzle may be received; the lower nozzle element comprising a generally cylindrical body and having a first narrow vertically oriented passageway defining the guide passageway for said yarn; the body having a recess in the upper part defining a shell-like wall fitting into said peripheral recess of the upper nozzle element, the bottom of said recess having a central, upwardly extending platform and a nipple extending centrally up from said platform, the nipple including the extending first narrow-vertically oriented passageway; an intake air chamber being defined between the platform and the shell-like wall, said intake air chamber being generally below said platform; a disc, said disc supported on said platform, and thereby above said intake air chamber; a plurality of radial air intake openings in said shell-like wall communicating directly with said intake air chamber; said disc having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein to direct the intake air and to cause the air to move in a rapidly whirling stream, the ends of said slots communicating with said intake chamber.

48. The system of claim 45 in which the yarn inlet to said diffuser is positioned relatively close to the outlet means of said heating oven whereby some of the whirling air stream from the diffuser tends to pass into said oven through the yarn outlet means of said oven; said first heating oven including means to apply heated air into said yarn heating chamber at an angle extending downwardly from horizontal, whereby the heated air circulates throughout said yarn heating chamber and about the yarn, and whereby the downwardly directed heated air counteracts the cooling effect of the relatively cooler air stream from the diffuser.

49. The system of claim 46 in which said winding means includes: two separate rotating chucks, spools for each chuck, driving means releasably movable into drive engagement with said spool, first yarn guide means including a pair of reciprocable guide means one for each spool to position said yarn for windup relative to said spools, means to control the position of a second yarn guide above said first guide means, said means including a plurality of positions, said yarn engaging said guide means when the positioning means is in the two outer positions.

50. The system of claim 45 in which the means for supplying yarn at controlled tension includes first and a second of Godet rolls and separator rolls, the second Godet roll moving the yarn at a speed greater than that of the first, thereby predrawing the raw yarn to make yarn stresses more uniform.