Lubrication apparatus and method of applying a lubricant

A lubrication apparatus for applying to an advancing yarn a lubricant which is composed of at least a first component and a second component, the lubricant apparatus comprising:

• a first container capable of containing the first component;
• a second container capable of containing the second component;
• a first line communicatively connected to the first container and through which the first component is capable of flowing from the first container;
• a second line communicatively connected to the second container and through which the second component is capable of flowing from the second container;
• a feed device comprising an outlet, wherein the feed device is communicatively connected to both the first and second lines, and wherein the feed device is capable of receiving the first component from the first line and the second component from the second line, the feed device being configured for combining the first component received from the first line with the second component received from the second line to form the lubricant, and the feed device being configured for supplying a main flow of the lubricant at the outlet of the feed device;
• and
• a wetting device communicatively connected to the outlet of the feed device and capable of receiving the lubricant from the outlet of the feed device, wherein the wetting device is operable for applying the lubricant to the yarn,
• wherein the feed device comprises a mixing chamber which is configured for receiving the first component and the second component and for combining the first component with the second component, and wherein the mixing chamber comprises mixing means for mixing the first and second components,
• wherein the feed device defines a flow path leading from the first and second lines to the outlet, and wherein the feed device further comprises a lubrication pump positioned in the flow path for metering and delivering the lubricant, and the mixing chamber has a plurality of mixing elements positioned in the flow path, with one of the pump and mixing chamber connected to the first and second lines and the other of the pump and mixing chamber connected to the outlet,
• said lubrication apparatus further comprising a metering device connected in at least one of the first line and the second line, and a controller connected to the pump and to the metering device so that both the flow delivered by the pump and the mixing ratio of the first and second components as determined by the metering device may be adjusted.