Defective weft thread removal for an as-spun weft thread supply
AssigneePicanol N.V.
InventorHenry Shaw
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for weaving with non-cleaned or as-spun thread uses a cleaning or irregularity removing system between the yarn supply and the pick insertion device of the weaving machine. The cleaning system cooperates with the pick insertion device so that substantially continuous weaving can be maintained, and includes a thread joining device so that weft thread supply can be maintained following removal of an irregularity in the weft supply. Removal of an irregularity is carried out by removing the section of weft yarn containing the irregularity.
Claims20
A method of weaving a textile formed by warp and weft threads wherein weft threads are inserted into a shed by a pick insertion device comprising:
- providing a yarn supply consisting of packages of non-cleaned, as-spun thread, including irregularities;
- drawing the weft thread directly from the yarn packages and threading same to the pick insertion device for use during weaving;
- detecting irregularities in the weft thread supplied during weaving before the irregularities reach the pick insertion device;
- cleaning the weft thread of said detected irregularities by removing the section of thread containing the irregularities between the yarn supply and the pick insertion device while leaving a thread portion in the pick insertion device;
- and
- joining the thread ends remaining after the aforementioned removal step by joining a thread end from a yarn supply to a thread end available from the pick insertion device;
- whereby only cleaned thread without as-spun irregularities is inserted into the shed by the pick insertion device.
In a weaving machine having a weft supply mechanism including a yarn supply means adapted to use as-spun, non-cleaned weft thread and a pick insertion device, the improvement comprising:
- a detector for detecting as-spun weft thread irregularities in the weft thread while the weft thread is extended between the yarn supply means and the pick insertion device and while a section of weft thread containing an irregularity is disposed between a portion of weft thread extending from the section to the yarn supply and another portion extending from the section to the pick insertion device;
- means for severing the section of weft thread containing the irregularity from the weft thread portion extending from the yarn supply and from the portion of weft thread extending to the pick insertion device at least while said portion extending to the pick insertion device is maintained so extended in response to the detection of an irregularity;
- and
- means for removal of the severed section from the portion of weft thread extending from the yarn supply and from the portion of the weft thread extending to the pick insertion device;
- and
- means for joining the severed ends of the weft thread portions extending from the yarn supply and to the pick insertion device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.