Method and apparatus for forming a yarn web on a conveyor

Apparatus for producing a yarn web comprising yarn supply means for feeding therefrom yarn in a longitudinal direction, an elongated tubular guide member having a hollow interior through which said yarn passes, said tubular guide member including an entry end through which yarn is introduced thereinto and a delivery end from which said yarn is emitted, said tubular guide member being formed from flexible material throughout its length at least between said entry end and said delivery end, means holding said entry end fixed relative to said yarn supply means to enable feeding of yarn therefrom into said entry end, a horizontal planer conveyor moving in a given linear direction beneath said delivery end for having said yarn emitted from said delivery end accumulated thereon to form said yarn web, pneumatic means for injecting compressed air flow through said tubular guide member toward said delivery end for projecting said yarn through said guide member and out of said delivery end, a fixed deflector plate located proximate said delivery end above said horizontal conveyor and arranged to be upstanding therefrom in a generally vertical arrangement, said fixed plate including a central wall extending across said conveyor transversely of said given linear direction of movement and a pair of end walls entending generally parallel to said given direction, and traversing means having said delivery end mounted thereon to direct said yarn emitted therefrom to impinge said fixed deflector plate at an angle extending generally obliquely to said conveyor, said traversing means operating to move said delivery end to reciprocally horizontally vary the direction in which said yarn is emitted therefrom across said conveyor in directions transversely of said given direction of movement to distribute said yarn upon said conveyor.