Incremental modular creel system

A creeling system comprising:

• a plurality of creel modules, each module having one or a plurality of yarn package-receiving creel pins associated therewith, formed in at least one row;
• means for loading yarn packages onto said creel pins at a loading station;
• means for conveying said modules to and from said loading station;
• a stationary creel frame for receipt of a plurality of said modules;
• means for transferring said modules from said conveying means to said stationary creel frame, and from said creel frame to said conveying means;
• and
• cooperating mounting means on each of said modules and said creel frame for holding said modules in position on said creel frame for removal of yarn from the yarn packages received by said modules.

A method of continuously taking off yarn from yarn packages at a predetermined stationary creeling position, utilizing first and second creel modules at a single take-off position, each of the modules comprising first and second distinct rows of yarn package-receiving positions, comprising the steps of sequentially:

• (a) a start-up, providing at least a first creel module at the creeling position, both rows of the first module being loaded with yarn packages;
• (b) taking off yarn from the yarn packages in the first row of the first module;
• (c) providing a second module at the creeling position, the second module being loaded with yarn packages;
• (d) attaching a transfer tail of each yarn package of the first module first row to a running end of a yarn package of the second module first row;
• (e) after exhausting the yarn from the yarn packages in the first module first row, taking off the yarn from the yarn packages of the second module first row, while attaching a transfer tail from each yarn package of the second module first row to a running end of a yarn package of the first module second row;
• (f) after exhausting the yarn from the yarn packages of the second module first row, taking off the yarn from the yarn packages of the first module second row, while attaching a transfer tail of each yarn package of the first module second row to a running end of a yarn package of the second module second row;
• (g) after exhausting the yarn from the yarn packages of the first module second row, taking off the yarn from the yarn packages of the second module second row;
• (h) while practicing step (e), replacing the first module with another, first, loaded module, and attaching the running end of each yarn package of the replaced first module first row to a transfer tail of a yarn package of the second module second row;
• (i) after exhausting the yarn from the yarn packages of the second module second row, replacing the second module with another, loaded, second module;
• and then
• (j) continuously repeating steps (b) through (i).