Unwind and feed system for elastomeric thread

Thread capture apparatus adapted to capture a thread being drawn from a source, said thread capture apparatus comprising a plurality of thread capture elements which are collectively effective to capture such thread, each said thread capture element defining at least one thread engaging surface, such thread engaging surfaces being adapted to move in directions corresponding to longitudinal directions of movement of such thread across the respective said thread capture elements,

• said thread capture apparatus comprising,
• as a first said thread capture element, a first rolling capture element comprising a first elongate roller having a first said thread engaging surface, said first elongate roller being adapted and positioned to serve as an initial contact element for such thread being drawn from such package of thread, said first thread capture element having a first axis of rotation generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of movement of such thread across said first thread capture element,
• as a second said thread capture element, a second rolling capture element proximately downstream from said first rolling capture element, said second rolling capture element having a second said thread engaging surface and a second axis of rotation transverse to the first axis of rotation of said first thread capture element,
• as a third said thread capture element, a third rolling capture element, said third thread capture element having a third said thread engaging surface and a third axis of rotation transverse to the first axis of rotation of said first thread capture element, and
• said second rolling capture element being between said third rolling capture element and said first rolling capture element, said thread capture apparatus being adapted to receive a thread advancing from such thread package at one of said plurality of thread capture elements, such that such thread subsequently encounters said second rolling capture element, and after encountering said second rolling capture element, encounters said third rolling capture element.

Thread capture apparatus adapted to capture loping thread being drawn off a package of such thread, said thread capture apparatus comprising a plurality of thread capture elements collectively effective to capture such loping thread and to substantially eliminate such loping action in such thread downstream of said thread capture apparatus, each said thread capture element defining at least one thread engaging surface, such thread engaging surfaces being adapted to move in directions corresponding to longitudinal directions of movement of such thread across the respective said thread capture elements,

• said thread capture apparatus comprising,
• as a first thread capture element, a first rolling capture element comprising a first elongate roller having a first said thread engaging surface, said first elongate roller being adapted and positioned to serve as an initial contact for such thread being drawn from such package of thread, said first thread capture element having a first axis of rotation generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of movement of such thread across said first thread capture element,
• as a second said thread capture element, a second rolling capture element proximately downstream from said first rolling capture element, and along a path of travel of such thread, said second rolling capture element having a second said thread engaging surface and a second axis of rotation transverse to the first axis of rotation of said first thread capture element, and transverse to such path of travel of such thread, and
• a rolling thread guide positioned relative to said first and second thread capture elements, and downstream along such thread path from said second thread capture element,
• said first and second thread capture elements, and said rolling thread guide being so positioned and oriented that such thread, when drawn along such thread path by a force exerted at said rolling thread guide, approaches said first thread capture element from a first direction, wraps about said first thread capture element and leaves said first thread capture element in a second different direction directed toward said second thread capture element, wraps about said second thread capture element at least 90 degrees, and leaves said second thread capture element in a third different direction directed toward said rolling thread guide, and traverses thence along such third direction to said rolling thread guide.