Apparatus for delivering individual packages or groups thereof to a package transport system

Yarn package transfer apparatus including:

• means for removing hollow yarn package adapter devices from downwardly and generally vertically-extending package holders movably and serially-mounted on an overhead conveying system, for inserting such hollow adapter devices into the hollow tubes of a desired number of yarn packages positioned in a generally horizontal position in a package supply assembly and for transferring such packages of yarn from the package supply assembly and mounting the hollow adapter devices and yarn packages carried thereby onto the vertically-extending package holder of the overhead conveying system for conveying of the yarn packages, each of the hollow yarn package adapter device includes an entrance opening in the outside surface at an upper end thereof which protrudes beyond the yarn packages carried thereby, a yarn channel extending at one end from the entrance opening generally circumferentially through the wall of the adapter device and an exit opening communicating with the other end of the yarn channel, said means comprising a generally vertically oriented stationary column and slide means mounted thereon for upward and downward movement, a knob means mounted on said slide means for movement therewith and for rotating movement with respect thereto, and a cylinder and lifting element mans mounted thereon for advancing and retracting movement and being carried by said knob means for rotating movement between a generally vertically-oriented position and a generally horizontally-oriented position and having carrier means comprising a mandrel on an outer end of said lifting element means for removably receiving and carrying the adapter device;
• and
• means for positioning the loose ends of yarn from the yarn packages on the adapter device through the yarn channel and out of the exit opening in the upper end of the adapter device, said yarn end positioning means including first means for grasping and holding the loose yarn ends from the yarn packages on the adapter device which comprises means for rotating said package adapter device carrier means for desired positioning of the yarn package on the adapter device and suction means positioned with respect to said package adapter carrier device when said cylinder and lifting element means are in the generally vertically-oriented position for grasping and holding the loose ends of yarn from the yarn packages which have been positioned by said rotating means, second means for transferring the held yarn ends from said suction means of said first means to the entrance opening at the upper end of the adapter device and comprising entrainment means for carrying the yarn from said suction means of said first means and clamp means for receiving the yarn from said entrainment means, clamping said yarn and carrying the yarn ends from said suction means of said first means to the entrance opening of the yarn channel at the upper end of the adapter device, and third means for threading of the loose ends of yarn through the yarn channel and out of the exit opening and comprising movable suction nozzle means adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the exit opening of the yarn channel in the adapter device for applying a suction through the yarn channel and the yarn entrance opening for threading of the yarn ends therethrough.