Yarn heater and yarn processor

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to reduce power consumption. The first heating device (13) has two thread travel grooves (56a, 56b) that both extend in the extension direction and are arranged in the length direction of the body. The thread heating device includes: a heating section (50) extending in the extension direction to heat the threads (Ya, Yb) traveling in the thread travel grooves; and a heat insulation body (70) extending in the extension direction and disposed vertically on the side opposite to the side where the thread travel grooves are located, separated by the open ends of the thread travel grooves (56a, 56b). The heat insulation body (70) has a guide passage (74) through which the threads (Ya, Yb) can pass and for inserting the threads (Ya, Yb) into the thread travel grooves (56a, 56b). The guide passage (74) is shared by the thread travel grooves (56a, 56b). The guide wire passage (74) has a narrow portion (74a) whose width (W1) is narrower than the sum of the widths (W3a+W3b) of the two wire travel grooves (56a, 56b).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a wire heating apparatus for heating a wire and a wire processing machine having a wire heating apparatus. Prior technology

[0002] Previously, it was known that there are thread heating devices for heating threads traveling in thread processing machines that implement various processing such as merging processing and dummy processing of threads composed of synthetic fibers. Disclosed in patent literature 1 is a strand heat treatment device (wire heating device), which has a heat transfer body (heating portion) formed with two strand travel slots (wire travel slots) and heated by a heating element, and a heat insulation material (insulation body). This thread heat treatment device heats the threads traveling in the respective thread travel slots.

[0003] Both thread travel slots extend along the 1st direction and are arranged in the 2nd direction orthogonal to the 1st direction. Each thread travel slot opens on the side of the 3rd direction orthogonal to both parties in the 1st direction as well as the 2nd direction. The thermal insulation extends along the 1st direction and is installed on the open end face of the strand travel slot in the heat transfer body. Formation of mutually independent two thread insertion slits (guide pathways) useful for inserting the threads into the two thread travel slots separately on the insulation material. [Previous technical literature] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Literature 1] Bulletin No. 1-183546, Tekaiping, Japan Contents of the invention

[0005] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the aforementioned thread heating apparatus, air enters and exits each thread travel slot through a guide passage separately set with respect to each thread travel slot. Therefore, due to the outflow of hot air as well as the inflow of cold air, the heating part and its vicinity are difficult to be heated, the power consumption used for heating wire increases.

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide a wire heating device and a wire processing machine capable of cutting power consumption. [Means used to solve problems]

[0008] The yarn heating device of the first invention is formed with at least two yarn running grooves for the yarn to run, and the at least two yarn running grooves are arranged in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction in which they extend. Furthermore, the device comprises: a heating portion extending along the first direction to heat the yarn running in the yarn running grooves; and a heat insulator extending along the first direction and arranged across the open ends of the yarn running grooves in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, on the side opposite to the side where the yarn running grooves are located. A wire guide passage is formed in the heat insulator, through which the wire can pass and for inserting the wire into the at least two wire running grooves respectively. At least a portion of the wire guide passage is a common passage shared by the at least two wire running grooves. The wire guide passage comprises: a narrow portion, which forms at least a portion of the common passage, and whose width in the second direction is narrower than the total width of the at least two wire running grooves in the second direction; and an expanded portion, the width in the second direction becomes larger the closer to the wire running groove. The expanded portion is equivalent to a portion closer to the wire running groove side than the narrow portion in the third direction, and the end of the wire running groove side is opposite to all of the at least two wire running grooves. The wire heating device has one or more partitioning members, and the one or more partitioning members are formed by a member having heat insulation properties, extending along the first direction, and dividing the wire guide passage into a separate passage for each of the at least two wire running grooves in the expanded portion of the wire guide passage.

[0009] In the present invention, at least a portion of the wire guide passage is a common passage shared by at least two wire running grooves. Furthermore, the wire guide passage has a narrow portion that forms at least a portion of the common passage and is narrower than the combined width of the at least two wire running grooves. Consequently, compared to a case where separate wire guide passages are provided for the at least two wire running grooves, air flow into and out of the wire running grooves through the wire guide passage can be suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, in the present invention, the wire inserted into the guide wire passage passes through the narrow portion and then through the expanded portion facing all of the at least two wire running grooves, thereby facilitating insertion of the wire into the at least two wire running grooves. Furthermore, in the present invention, the partition member can further suppress the air from entering and exiting the yarn running groove via the yarn guide passage. Therefore, power consumption can be reliably reduced.

[0010] As in the wire heating device of the first invention, in the wire heating device of the second invention, the length of the narrow portion in the wire guide passage along the third direction is 20 mm or more.

[0011] In the present invention, the length of the narrow portion can be sufficiently ensured, thereby suppressing the flow of air through the narrow portion. Consequently, the flow of air into and out of the yarn running groove through the yarn guide passage can be more reliably suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be further reduced.

[0012] As in the yarn heating device of the first or second invention, in the yarn heating device of the third invention, the heat insulator is configured to be detachable.

[0013] At least a portion of the wire guide path is a common path shared by multiple wire running grooves. Therefore, the heat insulator forming the wire guide path becomes an obstruction, making it difficult to remove the wire when a wire breakage occurs. In the present invention, the wire removal operation is facilitated by removing the heat insulator forming the wire guide path.

[0014] As in the thread heating device of any one of the first to third inventions, in the thread heating device of the fourth invention, the heating portion heats the thread in a non-contact manner using heated air.

[0015] In a non-contact heating unit, the heating temperature is relatively high. In the present invention, heat dissipation from the relatively high heating unit to the outside can be suppressed, thereby effectively reducing power consumption.

[0016] According to the fifth invention, the wire heating device of any one of the first to fourth inventions further comprises a guide member disposed on at least one side of the heat insulator in the first direction. Furthermore, the guide member is formed with a slit for guiding the wire as the wire is inserted through the wire guide passage into the at least two wire running grooves. The slit includes an entrance portion shared by the at least two wire running grooves and at least two branching portions that branch from the entrance portion and guide the wire to the at least two wire running grooves.

[0017] In the present invention, the entrance portion of the slit formed in the guide member is shared by at least two thread-traveling grooves. Consequently, the guide member prevents air from flowing through the ends of the thread-traveling passage in the extension direction, reliably preventing air from entering or exiting the thread-traveling grooves. This further reduces power consumption.

[0018] The sixth invention relates to a yarn heating device having at least two yarn running grooves for the yarn to run, the at least two yarn running grooves being arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the yarn runs. The device further comprises: a heating portion extending along the first direction for heating the yarn running in the yarn running grooves; a heat insulator extending along the first direction and arranged on a side opposite to the side where the yarn running grooves are located, across the open ends of the yarn running grooves, in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions; and a guide member arranged on at least one side of the heat insulator closer to the first direction. The heat insulator is provided with a wire guide passage through which wires can pass and for inserting the wires into the at least two wire running grooves. At least a portion of the wire guide passage is a common passage shared by the at least two wire running grooves. The wire guide passage has a narrow portion that forms at least a portion of the common passage, and its width in the second direction is narrower than the total width of the at least two wire running grooves in the second direction. The guide member is provided with a slit for guiding the wires when the wires are inserted into the at least two wire running grooves via the wire guide passage. The slit has an entrance portion shared by the at least two wire running grooves, and at least two branching portions that branch from the entrance portion and guide the wires to the at least two wire running grooves.

[0019] In the present invention, at least a portion of the wire guide passage is a common passage shared by at least two wire running grooves. Furthermore, the wire guide passage has a narrow portion that forms at least a portion of the common passage and is narrower than the combined width of the at least two wire running grooves. Consequently, compared to a case where separate wire guide passages are provided for each of the at least two wire running grooves, air flow into and out of the wire running grooves via the wire guide passage can be suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, in the present invention, the entrance portion of the slit formed in the guide member is shared by at least two yarn running grooves. Consequently, the guide member can prevent air from flowing through the ends of the yarn guide passage in the extension direction, reliably preventing air from entering or exiting the yarn running grooves. This further reduces power consumption.

[0020] As in the wire heating device of the sixth invention, in the wire heating device of the seventh invention, the length of the narrow portion in the wire guide passage along the third direction is 20 mm or more.

[0021] In the present invention, the length of the narrow portion can be sufficiently ensured, thereby suppressing the flow of air through the narrow portion. Consequently, the flow of air into and out of the yarn running groove through the yarn guide passage can be more reliably suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be further reduced.

[0022] As in the yarn heating device of the sixth or seventh invention, in the yarn heating device of the eighth invention, the heat insulator is configured to be detachable.

[0023] At least a portion of the wire guide path is a common path shared by multiple wire running grooves. Therefore, the heat insulator forming the wire guide path becomes an obstruction, making it difficult to remove the wire when a wire breakage occurs. In the present invention, the wire removal operation is facilitated by removing the heat insulator forming the wire guide path.

[0024] Like the wire heating device of any one of the 6th to 8th inventions, in the wire heating device of the 9th invention, the above-mentioned wire guide passage also has an expanded portion whose width in the above-mentioned second direction becomes larger as it approaches the above-mentioned wire traveling groove, and the above-mentioned expanded portion is equivalent to a portion closer to the above-mentioned wire traveling groove side than the above-mentioned narrow portion in the above-mentioned third direction, and the end portion on the above-mentioned wire traveling groove side is opposite to all of the above-mentioned at least two wire traveling grooves.

[0025] In the present invention, the wire inserted into the wire guide passage passes through the narrow portion and then passes through the expanded portion facing all of the at least two wire running grooves, thereby facilitating the insertion of the wire into the at least two wire running grooves.

[0026] Like the wire heating device of the 9th invention, in the wire heating device of the 10th invention, the above-mentioned wire heating device further has one or more partitioning members, and the above-mentioned one or more partitioning members are formed by a member with heat insulation properties, extending along the above-mentioned first direction, and dividing the above-mentioned guide wire passage into a separate passage for each of the above-mentioned at least two wire running grooves in the above-mentioned expanded part of the above-mentioned guide wire passage.

[0027] In the present invention, the partition member can further suppress the air from entering and exiting the yarn running groove via the yarn guide passage. Therefore, power consumption can be reliably reduced.

[0028] As in the thread heating device of any one of the 6th to 10th inventions, in the thread heating device of the 11th invention, the heating portion heats the thread in a non-contact manner by means of heated air.

[0029] In a non-contact heating unit, the heating temperature is relatively high. In the present invention, heat dissipation from the relatively high heating unit to the outside can be suppressed, thereby effectively reducing power consumption.

[0030] The twelfth invention is a wire processing machine for processing wire, comprising: a wire heating device, such as the wire heating device of the fifth to eleventh inventions, having two wire running grooves formed therein; a first wire channel forming member capable of supporting the two wires so that they can run freely, the member being disposed closer to the wire heating device in the first direction; and a second wire channel forming member capable of supporting the two wires so that they can run freely, the member being disposed closer to the wire heating device in the first direction and on the other side opposite to the first side. Furthermore, the two wire channels formed by the first and second wire channel forming members are located on either side of the entrance portion of the slit in the second direction when viewed from the first direction.

[0031] In the present invention, when the threads pass through the slit entrance, they are pulled in the second direction toward the outside of the slit. Consequently, the two threads can be moved in the second direction toward the diverging portions on one side of the respective thread paths. This prevents the two threads from passing through the diverging portions that they should not, and prevents the threads from being guided into the wrong thread-running grooves.

[0032] As in the wire processing machine of the 12th invention, in the wire processing machine of the 13th invention, the guide members are respectively arranged on both sides of the heat insulator in the first direction. Furthermore, the second wire channel forming member is configured to be movable in the third direction and to be movable between a position of the wire channel formed between the second wire channel forming member and the first wire channel forming member in the wire running groove along the first direction, i.e., a heating position, and a position located on the opposite side of the wire running groove across the entrance portion of the slit in the third direction, i.e., a retreat position. Furthermore, the entrance portion formed in the slit of the guide member arranged on the other side of the heat insulator in the first direction includes an extension portion extending in the third direction to the opposite side of the heating portion across the heat insulator, the width of the extension portion in the second direction increasing as it moves away from the heating portion.

[0033] In the present invention, the 2nd yarn channel forming member is moved from the retreat position to the heated position by resorting to the extension, thus, the two strands supported by the 2nd yarn channel forming member are able to be reliably directed to the inlet portion of the slit. Brief explanation of the schema

[0034] [FIG. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of the dummy dick processing machine unfolding along the path of the thread. [Figure 3] is a diagram representing the 1st heating apparatus. [Figure 4] is a cross-sectional view along the lines IV-IV of the 1st heating device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] is a cross-sectional view along the VV line of the heating part shown in Figure 4 . [Figure 6] is a view of the 1st heating device shown in Figure 3 from one side of the extension direction. [Figure 7] is a view of the 1st heating device shown in Figure 3 from the other side of the extension direction. [Figure 8] is a diagram illustrating the steps when thread hanging is performed on the 1st heating device, (a) denotes the state of the stopper thread guide in the retreat position, and (b) denotes the state of the stopper thread guide in the heated position. [Figure 9] is a plot observing the changes in the threads during slinging of the 1st heating device from one side of the extension direction, (a) indicating the condition in which the threads were kept in the gap, [Figure 10] is a plot of the changes in the threads during hanging threading of the 1st heating device observed from the other side of the extension direction, (a) indicating the state of the stopper thread guide at the back-off position and (b) indicating the state of the stop-throw guide midway from the back-off position to the heating position. [Figure 11] indicates the state of the unloaded insulation. [Fig. [Fig. [Fig.14] is a diagram representing the heating part of the 2nd deformation case, (a) a cross-sectional view cut in a plane orthogonal to the extension direction, and (b) a cross-sectional view along the bb line of (a). Implementation

[0035] The dummy dick processing machine 1 of an ideal one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. In addition, set the vertical direction of the paper surface in Figure 1 to the body length direction and the left and right direction of the paper surface to the body width direction. The direction orthogonal to both sides in the direction of the length of the body as well as the direction of the width of the body is set as the up and down direction of the action of gravity. The direction of the body length as well as the direction of the body width is a direction roughly parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0036] (Overall structure of Fake Machine 1) The dummy processing machine 1 is configured, for example, to be able to perform dummy processing on yarn Y constituted of synthetic fibers such as nylon (polyamide-based fibers), polyester, etc. The dummy machining machine 1 has a supply portion 2 for supplying thread Y, a machining portion 3 for dummy processing of wire Y supplied from the feed portion 2, and a winding portion 4 that winds the wire Y processed by the machining unit 3 in the winding cylinder tube Bw. The various constituent elements possessed by the thread supply part 2, the processing part 3 and the winding part 4 are arranged in a plurality in the direction of the body length (refer to Figure 2). The direction of the body length is the direction orthogonal to the traveling surface of thread Y (the paper surface of FIG.

[0037] The thread feed portion 2 has a cylinder frame 5 that holds a plurality of feed thread rolls Ps. Thread supply section 2-way machining section 3 supplies multiple threads Y. The machining section 3 performs a dummy on the thread Y supplied from the supply roll Ps. The machining section 3 is configured to be configured sequentially from the upstream side in the direction of travel of the thread with a first feed roller 11, a stop thread guide 12, a first heating device 13 (equivalent to a "wire heating device" of the present invention), a cooling device 14, a dummy device 15, a second feed roller 16, a staggered device 17, a third feeder roller 19, and a second heating device. The winding portion 4 has a plurality of winding devices 21 . Each winding device 21 winds the thread Y processed by the machining section 3 on the winding cylinder tube Bw to form a coiled winding Pw.

[0038] The dummy machine 1 has a main body 8 and a winding stage 9 configured at intervals in the direction of the body width. The main body 8 as well as the winding table 9 extend in the direction of the body length and are set to approximately the same length. The main body 8 as well as the winding stage 9 are configured to face each other in the direction of the body width. The upper part of the main body 8 is linked to the upper part of the winding stage 9 by means of a supporting frame 10 . The various devices constituting the machining section 3 are mainly installed in the main body 8 , the supporting frame 10 . The various devices constituting the winding section 4 are mounted on the winding stage 9 . By means of the main body 8 , the winding table 9 , and the supporting frame 10 , an operating space A is formed for the operator to perform operations such as thread hanging on each device. The thread channel is formed so that the thread Y travels mainly around the operating space A .

[0039] The dummy machine 1 has a set of host bodies 8 comprising a mutually opposed configuration and a unit unit known as a span for the winding table 9 . In a span, processing units (also known as lozenges) that form a wire channel through the various devices constituting the machining section 3 are arranged in a plurality in the body length direction. Thus, in a span it is possible to perform simultaneous pseudo-prong machining for a plurality of threads Y traveling in a state arranged along the length of the body. In the dummy-stitch processing machine 1, the span is configured symmetrically left and right on the paper surface with the centerline C in the direction of the body width of the main body 8 as the axis of symmetry. Main body 8 is shared in left and right spans.

[0040] (Structure of the machining department) The structure of the machining part 3 is explained with reference to FIG. The first feeder roller 11 is configured to transport to the first heating device 13 from the feed reeled Ps backwind wire Y installed in the feed portion 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. The first feeder roller 11 may also be configured to transport adjacent plural threads Y to the downstream side in the direction of the thread travel, respectively. In this embodiment, the stopper thread guide 12 is provided for each thread Y. The stopper thread guide 12 may also be set for every two thread Y. The screw guide 12 is configured so that the cock applied to the wire Y by the dummy device 15 does not propagate to the upstream side than the screw guide 12 closer to the direction of the wire travel.

[0041] The first heating device 13 is a device for heating the thread Y transported from the first feeder roller 11 to a prescribed processing temperature. As shown in FIG. More details of the first heating device 13 are described later.

[0042] The cooling device 14 is configured to cool the wire Y after being heated by the 1st heating device 13 . For example, as shown in FIG. The cooling device 14 may also be configured to be capable of cooling multiple threads Y simultaneously.

[0043] The sham device 15 is configured on the downstream side of the strand travel direction of the cooling device 14 . The fake cock device 15 is constituted to perform the addition of thread Y. Pseudonym devices 15 For example are so-called pseudo-jerk devices for the mode of circular disc friction, but are not limited to this. In this embodiment, the dummy clamp device 15 is configured to clamp a thread Y. The dummy cock device 15 may also be configured to perform a simultaneous addition to two threads Y.

[0044] The second feeder roller 16 is configured to transport the thread Y treated by the dummy jig device 15 to the interleaving device 17 . The transport speed of the 2nd feed roller 16 for yarn Y is faster than that of the 1st feeder roller 11 for yarn Y. Thus, thread Y is stretched dummy between the first feeder roller 11 and the second feeder roller 16 .

[0045] The interleaving device 17 is configured to apply interleaving to the thread Y . The interleaving device 17 has, for example, a well-known interleaving nozzle having interleaving applied to the wire Y by means of an airflow.

[0046] The 3rd feeder roller 18 is configured to transport yarn Y traveling on the downstream side than the staggered device 17 in the direction of strand travel to the 2nd heating device 19 . For example, as shown in FIG. The 3rd feeder roller 18 can also be configured to transport adjacent plural strands Y to the downstream side in the direction of strand travel, respectively. In addition, the transport speed of the 3rd feeder roller 18 to yarn Y is slower than that of the 2nd feeder roller 16 to the yarn Y. Thus, thread Y relaxes between the second feeder roller 16 and the third feeder roller 18 .

[0047] The second heating device 19 is configured to heat the thread Y transported from the third feeder roller 18 . The 2nd heating device 19 extends in the direction of the lead pendant and is provided one of each in a span.

[0048] The fourth feeder roller 20 is configured to transport the heated thread Y from the second heating device 19 to the winding device 21 . As shown in FIG. The 4th feeder roller 20 can also be configured to transport adjacent plural strands Y to the downstream side in the direction of strand travel, respectively. The transport speed of 20 pairs of yarn Y in the 4th feed roller is slower than that of 18 pairs of yarn Y in the 3rd feeder roller. Thus, thread Y relaxes between the third feeder roller 18 and the fourth feeder roller 20 .

[0049] In the machining section 3 as constituted above, the thread Y stretched between the first feeder roller 11 and the second feeder roller 16 is added by the dummy device 15 . The dick formed by the dummy device 15 propagates to the stopper thread guide 12 , but does not propagate upstream than the stopper thread guide 12 closer to the direction of thread travel. The thread Y that is stretched while being pinned is cooled by the cooling device 14 after being heated and thermally set by the 1st heating apparatus 13 . On the side downstream of the direction of thread travel closer than the dummy device 15 the strand Y is receded, but by resorting to the above thermal shaping to maintain the strand Y being dummy in a wavy state (i.e., maintaining the curl of the strand Y).

[0050] The thread Y where the dummy is implemented is applied interleaving by the interleaving device 17 while relaxing between the second feeder roller 16 and the third feeder roller 18, after which it is guided downstream toward the direction of thread travel. Further, the side of the thread Y is heat treated by the second heating device 19 while relaxing between the third feeder roller 18 and the fourth feeder roller 20 . Finally, the thread Y transported from the fourth feed roller 20 is wound by means of a winding device 21 .

[0051] (Structure of the winding part) The structure of the winding part 4 is explained with reference to FIG. The winding portion 4 has a plurality of winding devices 21 . Each winding device 21 is configured to be capable of winding thread Y on 1 winding barrel tube Bw. The winding device 21 has a fulcrum thread guide 31 , a transverse device 32 , and a rocking frame 33 . The fulcrum thread guide 31 is a thread guide that becomes a fulcrum when thread Y is moved horizontally. The horizontal motion device 32 is configured to enable the thread Y to move horizontally by means of a horizontal motion thread guide 34 . The rocker 33 is configured to support the winding barrel tube Bw for free rotation. Contact rollers 35 are provided near the rocker 33 . The contact roller 35 is in contact with the surface of the coiled coil Pw and a contact pressure is applied. In the winding portion 4 as constituted above, the wire Y transported from the above-mentioned fourth feeder roller 20 is wound by each winding device 21 in the winding cylinder tube Bw to form a coiled winding Pw.

[0052] (Heating Device 1) The more specific structure of the first heating device 13 is then illustrated with reference to Figs. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the extension direction is parallel to the body width direction. In the following statement, the side configured with the dummy jib device 15 in the extension direction relative to the first heating device 13 will be referred to as a "side". Furthermore, the side configured with a stopper thread guide 12 in the extension direction relative to the first heating device 13 will be referred to as the "other side". The extension direction can also be tilted relative to the body width direction.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 5 , at the first heating device 13 , there is a thread travel slot 56 extending along the extension direction is formed. The 1st heating device 13 is configured to heat a thread Y traveling from the other side of the extension direction toward one side in the thread travel slot 56 . In this embodiment, the first heating device 13 is configured to be capable of heating two threads Y (strands Ya, Yb: refer to FIG. 4 ).

[0054] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the first heating device 13 mainly includes a heating unit 50, a housing 61, an insulator 70, and guide members 81 and 85. The heating unit 50 is formed with two wire running grooves 56 (56a, 56b) extending along the extension direction. The two wire running grooves 56 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the machine body (equivalent to the "second direction" of the present invention). The heating unit 50 heats the wires Y (wires Ya, Yb) running in the wire running grooves 56 (56a, 56b). The insulator 70 is positioned below the heating unit 50 (wire running grooves 56). The housing 61 houses the heating unit 50 and the insulator 70. The guide members 81 and 85 are attached to the housing 61.

[0055] The heating unit 50 primarily comprises a heat source 51, two heating blocks 52 (52a, 52b), and two wire contact portions 54 (54a, 54b). The heating unit 50 extends along the extension direction. The heat source 51 is, for example, a sheath heater. The heat source 51 extends along the extension direction. The heating blocks 52 and the wire contact portions 54 are configured to be heated by the heat generated by the heat source 51. The heating blocks 52 and the wire contact portions 54 extend along the heat source 51 in the extension direction.

[0056] The heating block 52a and the wire contact portion 54a are components for heating the wire Ya. The heating block 52b and the wire contact portion 54b are components for heating the wire Yb. The components for heating the wire Ya and the components for heating the wire Yb are arranged on opposite sides of each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine body, with the heat source 51 between them.

[0057] The components for heating the wire Ya are described. The heating block 52a is made of a metal material with a large specific heat, such as brass. The heating block 52a is configured to contact the heat source 51. The heating block 52a is configured on one side of the heat source 51 in the longitudinal direction of the body (the left side of the paper in Figure 4). A wire running groove 56a extending along the extension direction is formed in the heating block 52a. In this embodiment, the wire running groove 56a is entirely defined by the heating block 52a. The wire running groove 56a is open at the end face (lower surface) on the lower side of the heating block 52a. That is, the lower end of the wire running groove 56a becomes an open end. The wire contact portion 54a is accommodated in the wire running groove 56a.

[0058] The wire contact portion 54a is, for example, a long strip of SUS. The wire contact portion 54a is fixed to the heating block 52a while in contact with the heating block 52a. The wire contact portion 54a is heated by the heat transferred from the heat source 51 via the heating block 52a. The wire contact portion 54a has a wire contact surface 55 (55a) for the wire Y to contact. The wire contact surface 55a faces downward. As shown in Figure 5, the wire contact surface 55a is bent into a roughly U-shaped shape that bulges downward in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body. As shown in Figure 4, the wire contact surface 55a is bent into an inverted U-shaped shape that bulges upward when viewed from the extension direction.

[0059] In addition, the components for heating the wire Yb are described. The heating block 52b is arranged on the other side of the heat source 51 in the longitudinal direction of the machine body (on the right side of the paper in Figure 4). The heating block 52b is in contact with the heat source 51. The heating block 52b is formed with a wire running groove 56b having the same shape as the wire running groove 56a. The wire running groove 56b contains a wire contact portion 54b having the same structure as the wire contact portion 54a. The wire contact portion 54b has a wire contact surface 55b having the same shape as the wire contact surface 55a. Further details are omitted.

[0060] The yarns Y (Ya, Yb) fed into the first heating device 13 travel in the yarn feed grooves 56 (56a, 56b) while contacting the yarn contact surfaces 55 (55a, 55b). Consequently, the yarns Y (Ya, Yb) are heated by receiving heat from the heating blocks 52 (52a, 52b) via the yarn contact surfaces 55 (55a, 55b). By appropriately setting the type of yarn Y, the size (thickness) of the yarn Y, the travel speed of the yarn Y, and the heating temperature, the temperature of the yarn Y can be optimized for processing.

[0061] The housing 61 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, extending in its longitudinal direction. As described above, the housing 61 houses the heating unit 50 and the insulator 70. As shown in FIG4 , a heat insulating material 90 is disposed between the inner wall of the housing 61 and the heating unit 50 and the insulator 70 housed within the housing 61. The heat insulating material 90 is made of, for example, asbestos or ceramic fiber.

[0062] An opening 68 is formed in the lower wall 61a of the box body 61. Opening 68 extends along the entire length of the box body 61 in the direction in which it extends. As shown in Figures 6 and 7 , openings 69 are formed in the side walls 61b and 61c on both sides of the box body 61 in the direction in which it extends. The lower side of opening 69 is open.

[0063] The insulation 70 is composed of two insulation blocks 71 and 72. The insulation blocks 71 and 72 are made of, for example, gypsum boards. Both insulation blocks 71 and 72 extend along the extension direction. They are arranged along the length of the housing. The insulation blocks 71 and 72 are removably mounted to the housing 61.

[0064] The heat-insulating blocks 71 and 72 are arranged on the side opposite to the side where the wire running grooves 56a and 56b are located, across the open ends, i.e., the lower ends, of the wire running grooves 56a and 56b in the vertical direction (equivalent to the "third direction" of the present invention). The heat-insulating block 71 is arranged below the wire running groove 56a. The heat-insulating block 72 is arranged below the wire running groove 56b. The heat-insulating blocks 71 and 72 are arranged in a region that is opposite to the opening 68 formed in the lower wall 61a of the box body 61 in the vertical direction. The heat-insulating blocks 71 and 72 are arranged in a region that is opposite to the opening 69 formed in the side walls 61b and 61c of the box body 61 in the extension direction.

[0065] The heat-insulating blocks 71 and 72 are arranged with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the machine body. The gap between the heat-insulating blocks 71 and 72 constitutes a wire guide passage 74. The wires Ya and Yb can pass through the wire guide passage 74. The wire guide passage 74 is a passage for inserting the wires Ya and Yb into the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b respectively when hanging the wire on the first heating device 13. In this embodiment, the entire wire guide passage 74 becomes a common passage shared by the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b. That is, the wires Ya and Yb respectively inserted into the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b pass from one end (the lower end) of the wire guide passage 74 to the other end (the upper end).

[0066] The guide wire passage 74 includes a narrow portion 74a and an expanded portion 74b. The narrow portion 74a extends upward from the lower end of the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72. The expanded portion 74b corresponds to a portion closer to the wire running groove 56 side than the narrow portion 74a in the vertical direction (closer to the top than the narrow portion 74a).

[0067] The width W1 of the narrow portion 74a (the width in the longitudinal direction of the machine body) is constant in the vertical direction. The width W1 of the narrow portion 74a is narrower than the total width (W3a + W3b) of the thread-traveling groove 56a (the width in the longitudinal direction of the machine body) and the width W3b of the thread-traveling groove 56b (the width in the longitudinal direction of the machine body). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the widths of both thread-traveling grooves 56a and 56b are constant in the vertical direction. If the widths of the thread-traveling grooves 56a and 56b are not constant in the vertical direction, the width W3a of the thread-traveling groove 56a is the width of the opening (lower end) of the thread-traveling groove 56a, and the width W3b of the thread-traveling groove 56b is the width of the opening (lower end) of the thread-traveling groove 56b. The vertical length of the narrow portion 74a is at least 20 mm.

[0068] The width W2 of the expanded portion 74b (the width in the longitudinal direction of the machine body) increases as it approaches the thread-traveling groove 56 (the closer it gets to the top). The end (upper end) of the expanded portion 74b on the thread-traveling groove 56 side faces both thread-traveling grooves 56a and 56b. More specifically, the end of the expanded portion 74b on the thread-traveling groove 56 side faces the entire open end of each thread-traveling groove 56a and 56b.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6 , the guide member 81 is attached to the side wall 61b on one side of the housing 61 in the direction of extension. As shown in Figure 7 , the guide member 85 is attached to the side wall 61c on the other side of the housing 61 in the direction of extension. In other words, the guide members 81 and 85 are respectively arranged on both sides of the heat insulator 70 in the direction of extension.

[0070] As shown in FIG6 , a slit 82 is formed in the guide member 81. The slit 82 guides the wires Y when the wires Ya and Yb are inserted into the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b respectively through the wire guide passage 74. The slit 82 has an entrance portion 83 and two branching portions 84a and 84b.

[0071] The entrance portion 83 is shared by the two wire running grooves 56a, 56b. The entrance portion 83 extends in the up-down direction. The entrance portion 83 is arranged at a position opposite to the narrow portion 74a in the guide wire passage 74 in the extending direction. The entrance portion 83 guides the wire Y passing through the narrow portion 74a in the guide wire passage 74.

[0072] Two branching portions 84a and 84b branch off from the upper end of the inlet portion 83 to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the machine body. The branching portion 84a guides the yarn Ya to the yarn running groove 56a, and the branching portion 84b guides the yarn Yb to the yarn running groove 56b.

[0073] The guide member 81 is composed of two side panels 81a and 81b, and a central panel 81c. The side panel 81a is attached to a portion of the side wall 61b of the housing 61 on one side of the opening 69 (the left side of the drawing in FIG6 ) in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The side panel 81b is attached to a portion of the side wall 61b of the housing 61 on the other side of the opening 69 (the right side of the drawing in FIG6 ) in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The side panels 81a and 81b are each configured to partially block the opening 69. The side panels 81a and 81b are separated in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The central panel 81c is attached to a portion above the opening 69 in the side wall 61b of the housing 61. The central panel 81c is configured to partially block the opening 69. The central panel 81c is disposed between the upper portions of the side panels 81a and 81b in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The central panel 81c is separated from the side panels 81a and 81b in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0074] The gap between the lower portions of the side plates 81a and 81b forms the entrance portion 83 of the slit 82. The gap between the upper portion of the side plate 81a and the central plate 81c forms the diverging portion 84a of the slit 82. The gap between the upper portion of the side plate 81b and the central plate 81c forms the diverging portion 84b of the slit 82.

[0075] The side panels 81a and 81b extend below the lower end of the insulator 70. Specifically, the inlet portion 83 formed by the gap between the side panels 81a and 81b extends below the lower end of the insulator 70. Notches 81a1 and 81b1 are formed at the lower ends of the side panels 81a and 81b, respectively. These notches 81a1 and 81b1 are located on either side of the inlet portion 83 of the slit 82 in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7, the guide member 85 also has a slit 86, equivalent to the slit 82 of the guide member 81. Specifically, the slit 86 has an entrance portion 87 and two branching portions 88a and 88b. The entrance portion 87 is shared by both thread-running grooves 56a and 56b. The two branching portions 88a and 88b guide the threads Ya and Yb to the thread-running grooves 56a and 56b, respectively.

[0077] The guide member 85 is identical to the guide member 81 and consists of two side plates 85a , 85b as well as a central plate 85c . The gap between the lower portion of the siding 85a , 85b becomes the entrance portion 87 of the slit 86 . The gap between the upper portion of the side plates 85a , 85b and the central plate 85c becomes the divergence portions 88a , 88b of slits 86 .

[0078] Side plates 85a , 85b are identical to side plates 81a , 81b , extending closer to below than the lower end portion of the insulator 70 . The inlet portion 87 of the slit 86 has an extension 87a extending in an up-and-down direction to the side opposite to the heating portion 50 across the insulation 70 . The width W4 in the direction of the body length of the extension 87a becomes wider the further away from the heating portion 50 (the closer to the bottom).

[0079] (threading steps) Secondly, the thread hanging step of the 1st heating device 13 is further illustrated with reference to Figures 8 to 10 . When threading the 1st heating device 13 , first, as shown in (a) of FIG. 8 , two threads Ya, Yb hooks, provided in the 1st heating device 13, are hung on a pair of stoppers thread guides 12 as well as a pair of dummy clamp devices 15 . At this time, the stopper thread guide 12 is located in the retreat position described later.

[0080] Here, a pair of dummy clutch devices 15 for hooking two threads Ya, Yb is equivalent to the "1st thread channel forming member" of the present invention. That is, a pair of dummy cock devices 15 are able to support two threads Y for traveling freely. In addition, in a situation where the dummy clamp device 15 is capable of simultaneous addition of strands Y, a dummy clamp device 15 is equivalent to the "1st strand channel forming member" of the invention. In addition, a pair of stopper thread guides 12 of hook hanging two threads Ya, Yb corresponds to the "second thread channel forming member" of the present invention. That is, a pair of stopper thread guides 12 is capable of supporting two threads Y for free travel. In addition, in the case where the stopper thread guide 12 is provided for every two thread Y, a stopper thread guide 12 is equivalent to the "2nd thread channel forming member" of the invention.

[0081] A prosthetic device 15 configured in the extended direction on a side closer to the 1st heating device 13 (left side of the paper face of FIG. 8 ) supports the thread Y in the up-down direction at a position closer to the upper than the lower end portion of the 1st heating device 13 . On the other hand, a stopper thread guide 12 configured in the extended direction on the other side closer than the first heating device 13 (right side of the paper face of FIG. 8 ) is configured to be able to move in an up and down direction by recourse to the drive mechanism (not illustrated). By moving in an up and down direction, the stopper thread guide 12 is capable of moving between the position at heating (the position shown in (b) of FIG. 8 ) and the retreat position (the position shown in (a) of FIG. 8 , (a) of FIG. 10 ).

[0082] When the stopper thread guide 12 is in the position at heating, the thread channel formed between it and the dummy device 15 is substantially along the extension direction in the thread travel slot 56 . The stopper thread guide 12 moves to the retreat position by descending from the position at heating. that is, the retreat position is closer to the lower than the position during heating. As shown in (a) of Fig. 10 , the retreat position is located on the opposite side to the thread travel slot 56 in an up-and-down direction separated from the inlet portion 87 of the slit 86 formed in the guide member 85 .

[0083] The thread channels of two threads Ya, Yb formed by a pair of stopper thread guides 12 as well as a pair of dummy devices 15 The thread channels of Ya, Yb are located on both sides of the inlet portion 83 formed in the slit 82 of the guide member 81 in the length direction of the body when viewed from the extended direction. Further, the thread channels of two threads Ya , Yb formed by a pair of stopper thread guides 12 located in the retreat position as well as a pair of dummy thread devices 15 pass through gaps 81a 1 , 81b1 formed at the lower ends of side plates 81a , 81b , respectively, constituting the guide member 81 . Thus, as shown in (a) of Fig. 9 , the two threads Ya, Yb of the hook hanging on a pair of stop-stitch thread guides 12 located in the retreat position as well as a pair of dummy-stitch devices 15 are held in gaps 81a 1 , 81b 1 , respectively.

[0084] The operator then inserts into the thread travel slots 56a, 56b, respectively, via the guidewire pathway 74, while the two threads Ya, Yb, held in gaps 81a1, 81b1, are guided by slit 82 guidance. Here, as mentioned above, the thread channels of the two threads Ya, Yb are located on both sides of the inlet portion 83 in the slit 82 in the direction of the body length. Thus, as shown in (b) of FIG. 9 , when the thread Ya passes through the inlet portion 83 of the slit 82 , the thread Ya becomes a state of being pulled toward the outer side of the slit 82 (the side in the direction of the body length: the left side of the paper surface). Moreover, the thread Ya is guided to the thread travel slot 56a through the divergence portion 84a after passing through the inlet portion 83 . Furthermore, as shown in (c) of Fig. 9 , when thread Yb passes through the inlet portion 83 of the slit 82 , the thread Yb becomes in a state where it is pulled toward the outer side of the slit 82 (the other side in the length direction of the body: the right side of the paper surface). Moreover, the thread Yb is guided to the thread travel slot 56b through the divergence portion 84b after passing through the inlet portion 83 .

[0085] As described above, after directing the threads Ya, Yb to the thread travel slots 56a, 56b by means of slits 82 formed on a guide member 81 configured on one side of the insulation 70 in the extended direction, as shown in (b) of FIG. Here, the extension 87a of the slit 86 of the guide member 85 configured on the other side of the insulator 70 in the extension direction is located on the trajectory through which the two threads Ya, Yb supported by a pair of the stem guides 12 ascend from the back-off position to the position at heating when the stopper thread guide 12 rises in the extension direction on the other side of the insulation 70 . Thus, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10 , midway through the rise of the stopper thread guide 12 from the retreat position to the position at heating, the threads Ya, Yb and the edges of the extension 87a are in contact and are guided to the inlet portion 87 of the slit 86 .

[0086] (Thread Removal Operation) As described above, the insulator 70 is configured to be able to be removed from the box body 61 . Thus, when a broken thread is generated, as shown in Figure 11 , the operation of removing the thread Y from the first heating device 13 is able to be carried out in the state of removing the insulation 70 from the box body 61 .

[0087] (comparative trial) The inventors of this case conducted comparative tests when the length of the narrow portion of the guidewire passage in the vertical direction was set to 7 mm (comparative example) and when it was set to 20 mm, 35 mm, and 50 mm (embodiment). Figure 12 is a graph showing the power consumption when the guidewire passages of the comparative example and the embodiment are used and the set temperature of the heating unit is set to 250°C. As can be seen from the graph of Figure 12, the longer the narrow portion, the lower the power consumption. In addition, when the length of the narrow portion is 7 mm, the power consumption is significantly increased compared to other cases. Therefore, from the perspective of reducing power consumption, it can be seen that the length of the narrow portion is ideally 20 mm or longer.

[0088] (Features of the embodiment) As described above, the first heating device 13 of this embodiment is formed with two wire running grooves 56a and 56b, both extending along the extension direction and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the machine body. It also includes: a heating unit 50 extending along the extension direction to heat the wires Ya and Yb running in the wire running grooves 56a and 56b; and a heat insulator 70 extending along the extension direction and positioned on the side opposite the wire running grooves 56a and 56b, vertically across the open ends of the wire running grooves 56a and 56b. The heat insulator 70 is formed with a wire guide passage 74 through which the wires Ya and Yb can pass and for inserting the wires Ya and Yb into the wire running grooves 56a and 56b, respectively. The entire wire guide passage 74 constitutes a common passage shared by the wire running grooves 56a and 56b. The guide wire passage 74 has a narrow portion 74a formed as a part of the common passage, and a width W1 thereof is narrower than the total width (W3a+W3b) of the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b.

[0089] With this configuration, the wire guide passage 74 serves as a common passage shared by the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b. Furthermore, the wire guide passage 74 includes a narrow portion 74a that is narrower than the combined width of the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b. Consequently, compared to a case where separate wire guide passages 74 are provided for the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b, air flow into and out of the wire running grooves 56a and 56b via the wire guide passage 74 is suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, in the first heating device 13 of this embodiment, the vertical length of the narrow portion 74a in the wire guide passage 74 is 20 mm or greater. This ensures a sufficient length for the narrow portion 74a, thereby suppressing the flow of air through the narrow portion 74a. Consequently, the flow of air into and out of the wire running grooves 56a and 56b through the wire guide passage 74 can be more reliably suppressed. Consequently, power consumption can be further reduced.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first heating device 13 of this embodiment, the heat insulator 70 is configured to be removable from the housing 61. The wire guide passage 74 serves as a common passage shared by the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b. Therefore, the heat insulator 70 with the wire guide passage 74 forms an obstruction, making it difficult to remove the wire Y when a wire breakage occurs. In this configuration, removing the heat insulator 70 with the wire guide passage 74 facilitates the removal of the wire Y.

[0092] In the first heating device 13 of this embodiment, the wire guide passage 74 further includes an expanded portion 74b, whose width W2 increases as it approaches the wire running grooves 56a and 56b. The expanded portion 74b corresponds to a portion closer to the wire running grooves 56a and 56b than the narrow portion 74a in the vertical direction. The ends of the wire running grooves 56a and 56b face both wire running grooves 56a and 56b. Therefore, after passing through the narrow portion 74a, the wire Y inserted into the wire guide passage 74 passes through the expanded portion 74b, which faces both wire running grooves 56a and 56b. This facilitates insertion of the wires Ya and Yb into the wire running grooves 56a and 56b, respectively.

[0093] Moreover, in the first heating device 13 of this embodiment, there are also guide members 81 , 85 configured on both sides of the insulation 70 in the extension direction. Slits 82 , 86 , respectively, are formed at the guide members 81 , 85 , which guide the slits Ya , Yb , respectively, when the threads Ya and Yb are inserted into the two thread travel slots 56a , 56b , respectively, through the guide thread pathways 74 . The slit 82 has an inlet portion 83 common to two thread travel slots 56a , 56b , and two divergence portions 84a , 84b that diverge from the entrance portion 83 and direct the threads Ya , Yb , respectively, to the two thread travel slots 56a , 56b . Slit 86 has an inlet portion 87 common to two thread travel slots 56a , 56b , and two divergence portions 88a , 88b that diverge from the entrance portion 87 and direct the threads Ya , Yb , respectively, to the two thread travel slots 56a , 56b . According to this constitution, the entrance portions 83, 87 of the slits 82, 86 formed in the guide members 81 , 85 are shared by two thread travel slots 56a , 56b . Thus, by resorting to guide members 81 , 85 , the flow of air through the end of the guide wire pathway 74 in the extension direction is able to be inhibited and the entry and exit of air relative to the wire travel slots 56a , 56b can be reliably inhibited. Therefore, it is able to cut more power consumption.

[0094] Furthermore, the dummy processing machine 1 of this embodiment has a dummy device 15 configured in the extended direction on a side closer than the first heating device 13 , and a stopper thread guide 12 configured in the extended direction on the other side closer than the first heating device 13 . The two strand channels formed by a pair of dummy clamp devices 15 and the choke guides 12 are respectively located on both sides of the inlet portion 83 formed in the slit 82 of the guide member 81 in the length direction of the body when viewed from the extended direction. According to the present configuration, when the threads Ya and Yb pass through the inlet portion 83 of the slit 82 , the threads Ya and Yb become in a state where they are pulled toward the outside of the slit 82 in the direction of the length of the body. Therefore, it is possible to make the two threads Ya and Yb move in the direction of the length of the body and tend towards the divergence portions 84a , 84b on one side of the respective thread channel, respectively. Thus, being able to prevent the two threads Ya and Yb from passing through the divergence portions 84a, 84b on the side that should not pass, respectively, is able to prevent each thread Ya, Yb from being directed to the wrong thread travel slots 56a, 56b.

[0095] Further, in the dummy machine 1 of this embodiment, the stopper thread guide 12 is configured to be able to move between the position at heating and the retreat position. The position at heating is the position of the thread channel formed between the thread stopper guide 12 and the dummy device 15 along the extension direction in the thread travel slots 56a, 56b. The retreat position is a position on the opposite side to the thread travel slots 56a , 56b , separated from the entrance portion 87 of the slit 86 formed in the guide member 85 in an up-and-down direction. Further, the inlet portion 87 formed in the slit 86 of the guide member 85 includes an extension 87a extending in an up-and-down direction to the side opposite the heating portion 50 separated from the insulation 70 . The width W4 in the direction of the body length of the extension 87a becomes wider the further away from the heating portion 50 . According to this constitution, the stopper thread guide 12 is moved from the retreat position to the heated position by means of the extension 87a , thereby being able to reliably guide the two threads Ya, Yb supporting the stopper thread guide 12 to the inlet portion 87 of the slit 86 .

[0096] Above, embodiments of the present invention have been described in accordance with the diagrams, but it should be understood that the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the invention is indicated not by the description of the above embodiments but by the scope of the applied patent, which in turn includes implications equivalent to the scope of the application of the patent and all changes within the scope.

[0097] In the above embodiments, a first heating device 13 forming with two thread travel slots 56 is described, but not limited to this. The thread travel slot 56 may be formed as long as at least two and more than three may be formed.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the situation in which the insulation body 70 is constituted by two insulation blocks 71 , 72 is described, but is not limited to this. The insulation 70 may also be composed of 3 or more insulation blocks. However, in the case where the insulator 70 is composed of 3 or more insulating blocks, the gap between two of the insulating blocks constitutes a guidewire pathway 74 comprising a common pathway shared by at least two wire travel slots 56 .

[0099] Further, in the foregoing embodiments, the situation in which a common pathway (guide pathway 74) is shared by two thread travel slots 56 is described, but not limited to this. The shared pathway may also be shared by 3 or more thread travel slots 56 .

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the situations in which the insulation 70 is configured to be capable of being unloaded are described, but are not limited to this. The insulation 70 can be removed but not necessarily.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the guide wire passage 74 has an expanded portion 74b whose width increases as it approaches the wire running groove 56, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the guide wire passage 74 may have a constant width in the vertical direction.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the end of the expanded portion 74b on the wire running groove 56 side of the guide wire passage 74 is described as facing the entire open ends of both wire running grooves 56, but the present invention is not limited to this. The end of the expanded portion 74b on the wire running groove 56 side may face only one of the two wire running grooves 56. Furthermore, the wire running groove 56 facing the end of the expanded portion 74b on the wire running groove 56 side may have only a portion of its open end facing the end of the expanded portion 74b on the wire running groove 56 side.

[0103] Here, referring to FIG13 , the first heating device 113 of the first modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described. The first heating device 113 includes a partition member 173 that divides the guide wire passage 74 into separate passages 175a and 175b, respectively, within the expanded portion 74b of the guide wire passage 74. The partition member 173 is formed from a heat-insulating member. For example, the partition member 173 may be made of gypsum board. The partition member 173 extends along the extension direction. The expanded portion 74b is divided by the partition member 173 into separate passages 175a and 175b. Separate passage 175a serves as a passage for the wire Ya to enter the wire running groove 56a. Separate passage 175b serves as a passage for the wire Yb to enter the wire running groove 56b.

[0104] In this variation, the narrowed portion 74a of the guide wire passage 74 functions as a common passage shared by the two wire running grooves 56a and 56b. While the above embodiment described a case where a portion of the common passage constituted the narrowed portion 74a, in this variation, the entire common passage constitutes the narrowed portion 74a. While the above embodiment described a case where the entire guide wire passage 74 constituted the common passage, as in this variation, at least a portion of the guide wire passage 74 serves as the common passage.

[0105] In the first modified example described above, the partitioning member 173 can further suppress the flow of air into and out of the thread running groove 56 via the thread guide passage 74. This reliably reduces power consumption. Furthermore, if the common passage (narrow portion 74a) is shared by three or more thread running grooves 56, the expanded portion 74b can be divided into three or more thread running grooves 56 using two or more partitioning members 173.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the entire wire running groove 56 is defined by the heating block 52 of the heating unit 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the wire running groove 56 is formed in the heating unit 50. For example, while the bottom surface of the wire running groove 56 is defined by the heating block 52, the side surfaces of the wire running groove 56 may be defined by a member other than the heating block 52 (a member other than the member constituting the heating unit 50).

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the yarn Y receives heat from the heating block 52 via the yarn contact surface 55 by contacting the yarn contact surface 55, but this is not limiting. Specifically, as shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b), in the heating unit 250 of the second modified example of the above embodiment, a plurality of yarn guides 254 are arranged along the yarn running groove 256 along its extension direction. More specifically, a plurality of yarn guides 254a are arranged within the yarn running groove 256a. A plurality of yarn guides 254b are arranged within the yarn running groove 256b. The yarns Y (Ya, Yb), guided by the yarn guides 254 (254a, 254b) while running within the yarn running groove 256 (256a, 256b), receive heat from the air heated by the heating blocks 252 (252a, 252b). Specifically, the heating unit 250 uses a non-contact method to heat the yarn Y using heated air. In a non-contact heating unit 250, the heating temperature is relatively high. Specifically, while the heating unit 50 in the aforementioned embodiment heats at approximately 350°C, the heating unit 250 in this modified example heats at approximately 600°C. This configuration prevents the air heated by the relatively high heating temperature of the heating unit 250 from being released to the outside, effectively reducing power consumption.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the heating unit 50 is described as including a heat source 51 and a heating block 52 heated by the heat source 51, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the heating unit may be configured to circulate a heat medium such as a Dow heat carrier within a hollow member.

[0109] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, situations in which guide members 81 , 85 are configured on both sides of the insulation 70 in the extension direction are described, but not limited to this. Guide members 81 , 85 may also be configured on only one side of the insulation 70 in the extension direction. In addition, guide members 81 , 85 may not be configured.

[0110] Further, in the foregoing embodiments, slits 82, 86 formed in guide members 81, 85 have, but are not limited to, direct thread Y to two divergence portions 84a, 84b, 88a, 88b of two thread travel slots 56 . Slits 82, 86 may also have more than 3 divergence parts.

[0111] Moreover, in the foregoing embodiments, the situation where two thread channels formed by a pair of dummy devices 15 and a stopper thread guide 12 are respectively located on both sides of the inlet portion 83 formed in the slit 82 of the guide member 81 in the length direction of the body from the extended direction are illustrated, but not limited to this. The two thread channels formed by a pair of dummy jig devices 15 and the stopper thread guide 12 may also be located on the inner side of the inlet portion 83 , respectively, in the body length direction when viewed from the extension direction. Furthermore, the members forming the two thread channels located on the outside of the inlet portion 83 in the length direction of the body viewed from the extended direction are not limited to a pair of dummy jib devices 15 as well as a stopper thread guide 12 . Such thread channels can be formed as long as they are both capable of supporting both threads Y to travel freely, a member configured on one side closer to the first heating device 13 in the extended direction, and on the other side closer to the first heating device 13 in the extended direction.

[0112] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, situations where the stopper thread guide 12 is configured to be capable of moving in an up and down direction are described, but not limited to this. The stopper thread guide 12 may also be fixed in an up and down orientation. With the stopper thread guide 12 fixed, threading to the stopper thread guide 12 is performed by means of a hanging rod.

[0113] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, the situation where the inlet portion 87 formed in the slit 86 of the guide member 85 includes an extension 87a whose width is wider the further away from the heating portion 50 , is described, but not limited to this. That is, the entrance portion 87 in the slit 86 may also exclude the extension 87a .

[0114] Further, in the foregoing embodiments, the situation where the thread heating apparatus of the present invention is applied to, but is not limited to, a dummy machining machine 1 that performs dummy machining of strand Y is described, but not limited to this. The yarn heating apparatus of the present invention is not limited to dummy pinch processing, but may also be applied to a processing machine that implements various processing such as merging processing on yarns composed of synthetic fibers.

[0115] 1: Fake Machine Processing Machine (Wire Processing Machine) 12: Stopper thread guide (2nd thread channel forming member) 13,113: Heating Device 1 (Wire Heating Device) 15: Fake cock device (1st thread channel forming member) 50,250: Heating section 56, 256: thread march slot 70: Thermal insulation 71, 72: Insulation block 74: Guide wire pathway (shared pathway) 74a: narrow part 74b: Expanded part 81,85: Guided members 82, 86: Slit 83,87: Entrance part 84a,84b,88a,88b: Different parts 87a: Extension 173: Separating members 175a, 175b: separate pathway Y: Thread

Claims

1. A wire heating device comprising at least two wire travel grooves for wire travel, the at least two wire travel grooves being arranged in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction, the first direction being the direction in which the wire travel grooves extend, the wire heating device being characterized by comprising: a heating section extending along the first direction for heating wires traveling in the wire travel grooves; and a heat insulation body extending along the first direction and disposed in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions, on a side opposite to the side where the wire travel grooves are located, separated by an open end of the wire travel grooves, wherein the heat insulation body has a wire guide passage through which wires can pass and for inserting wires into the at least two wire travel grooves respectively, at least a portion of the wire guide passage being a common passage shared by the at least two wire travel grooves, the wire guide passage having: The narrow portion forms at least a part of the aforementioned common passage, and its width in the second direction is narrower than the sum of the widths in the second direction of the at least two wire travel grooves; and the enlarged portion becomes larger in the second direction closer to the wire travel groove, the enlarged portion being equivalent to the portion in the third direction closer to the wire travel groove side than the narrow portion, the end of the wire travel groove side being completely opposite to the at least two wire travel grooves, the wire heating device having one or more partition members formed of heat-insulating members extending along the first direction, dividing the wire guide passage into separate passages for each of the at least two wire travel grooves in the enlarged portion of the wire guide passage.

2. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The length of the narrow portion in the guidewire passage along the third direction is 20 mm or more.

3. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned insulation is designed to be removable.

4. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The aforementioned insulation is designed to be removable.

5. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

6. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

7. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

8. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

9. The wire heating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The aforementioned wire heating device further includes a guide member disposed on at least one side closer to the first direction than the aforementioned heat insulation body. The guide member has a slit formed therein to guide the wire when the wire is inserted into the at least two wire travel slots via the aforementioned wire guide passage. The slit has: an inlet portion shared by the at least two wire travel slots; and at least two branch portions that branch from the inlet portion to guide the wire to the at least two wire travel slots respectively.

10. A thread heating device comprising at least two thread travel grooves for thread travel, the at least two thread travel grooves being arranged in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction, the first direction being the direction in which the thread travel grooves extend, the thread heating device being characterized by comprising: a heating section extending along the first direction for heating the thread traveling in the thread travel grooves; a heat insulation body extending along the first direction and disposed in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions, across the open end of the thread travel grooves, on a side opposite to the side where the thread travel grooves are located; and a guide member disposed on at least one side closer to the first direction than the heat insulation body, wherein the heat insulation body has a guide passage through which the thread can pass and for inserting the thread into the at least two thread travel grooves respectively, at least a portion of the guide passage being a common passage shared by the at least two thread travel grooves. The aforementioned guide wire passage has a narrow portion that forms at least part of the aforementioned common passage, and its width in the second direction is narrower than the total width in the second direction of the aforementioned at least two wire travel grooves. The guiding member has a slit that guides the wire when the wire is inserted into the aforementioned at least two wire travel grooves via the aforementioned guide wire passage. The slit has: an entrance portion shared by the aforementioned at least two wire travel grooves; and at least two branch portions that branch from the entrance portion to guide the wire to the aforementioned at least two wire travel grooves respectively.

11. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The length of the narrow portion in the guidewire passage along the third direction is 20 mm or more.

12. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The aforementioned insulation is designed to be removable.

13. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The aforementioned insulation is designed to be removable.

14. The wire heating device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The aforementioned guide wire passage also has an enlarged portion whose width in the second direction increases as it gets closer to the aforementioned wire travel groove. The enlarged portion corresponds to the portion in the third direction that is closer to the side of the aforementioned wire travel groove than the aforementioned narrow portion. The end of the side of the aforementioned wire travel groove is completely opposite to the aforementioned at least two wire travel grooves.

15. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The aforementioned wire heating device further comprises one or more dividing members, which are formed of heat-insulating members and extend along the first direction, dividing the wire guide passage into separate passages for each of the at least two wire travel grooves in the enlarged portion of the wire guide passage.

16. The wire heating apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

17. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

18. The wire heating device as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The heating element described above heats the thread in a non-contact manner by using heated air.

19. A wire processing machine for processing wires, characterized by comprising: a wire heating device, as described in any one of claims 9 to 18, having two wire travel grooves; a first wire channel forming member capable of supporting two wires for free travel, disposed in the first direction closer to the side of the wire heating device; and a second wire channel forming member capable of supporting two wires for free travel, disposed in the first direction closer to the side opposite to the side of the wire heating device, wherein the two wire channels formed by the first wire channel forming member and the second wire channel forming member are respectively located on both sides of the entrance portion in the slit in the second direction when viewed from the first direction.

20. The wire processing machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein, The aforementioned guide members are respectively disposed on both sides of the aforementioned heat insulation body in the aforementioned first direction. The aforementioned second filament channel forming member is configured to be movable in the aforementioned third direction and to be movable between the position of the filament channel formed between the aforementioned first filament channel forming member and the position of the filament channel in the aforementioned filament travel groove along the aforementioned first direction (i.e., the heating position) and the position of the filament channel in the aforementioned third direction, which is located on the opposite side of the aforementioned filament travel groove (i.e., the retraction position) separated by the aforementioned slit of the aforementioned guide member disposed on the other side of the aforementioned heat insulation body closer to the aforementioned first direction. The aforementioned slit of the aforementioned guide member disposed on the other side of the aforementioned first direction includes an extension portion extending in the aforementioned third direction to the side opposite to the aforementioned heating part separated by the aforementioned heat insulation body. The width of the aforementioned extension portion in the aforementioned second direction becomes wider the further away from the aforementioned heating part.

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