DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF EFFECT YARN

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a device for producing a fancy yarn constituted of a main yarn and decorative fibers interlaced with the main yarn.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For the purpose of causing decorative effects on fabrics or knits, or for any other purposes, changes such as slubs or loops formed at regular or irregular intervals are often given to yarns. A yarn with such changes is often referred to as a fancy yarn. A variety of fancy yarns had been proposed in the past.

[0003] As no definite production method for fancy yarns exists, one is produced by giving changes during a spinning process and another is produced by further processing a yarn once produced through a spinning process. Even in cases where once produced yarns are further processed to produce fancy yarns, one is produced by processing a single yarn and another is produced through a process where one yarn is interlaced with another yarn.

[0004] WO 2020 / 044493 A1 discloses a related art. Further relevant prior art is described in JP 2008 138350, SU 699 046 A1, BG 44 477 A1 and JP S51 6781 B1.SUMMARY

[0005] According to the art disclosed in WO 2020 / 044493 A1, decorative fibers are supplied sideways onto a running main yarn and further a sub yarn is interlaced with them to produce a fancy yarn in which these three entities are tangled together. Although this art enables effective production of a fancy yarn by a simple device, because the yarns are tangled together merely by a tendency to condense effected by a process such as twisting, its ability for keeping its bundled form has room for improvement.

[0006] The device disclosed hereinafter has been created in view of the above problems.

[0007] In particular, it is provided a production device for producing fancy yarn. This device has the features defined in claim 1. Further preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a device for producing a fancy yarn according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an elevational view schematically illustrating a process by which decorative fibers are tangled with a yarn. FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational sectional view illustrating how a guide is used to tangle the decorative fibers with the yarn. FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a device for producing a fancy yarn according to another embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic drawing showing an aspect just after the yarn and the decorative fibers are tangled together. FIG. 5B is a schematic drawing showing an aspect after the fancy yarn is twisted. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings. In each drawing, yarns are drawn to run generally from the bottom to the top, or from the right to the left, whereas these directions are merely illustrated by an example and any modifications could readily occur by flipping them vertically or horizontally for example. Embodiments where the device is totally or partially tilted may be possible.

[0010] A device according to the present embodiment is preferably applicable to production of a fancy yarn 10 at least including a main yarn 1, 3 and decorative fibers 5c, into which a raw fiber is intermittently cut, interlaced with the main yarn, as shown in FIG. 5B . The fancy yarn 10 may be used in fabrics or knits for example to give decorative effects thereto.

[0011] Referring mainly to FIG. 1 , the device is in general provided with a first bobbin 11 for feeding a first yarn 1, an assembly for feeding the decorative fibers 5c to the first yarn 1, a second bobbin 13 for feeding a second yarn 3, and a winder 31 for taking up the produced fancy yarn 10. As well, to guide the yarns 1, 3, 5 as shown in the drawing, yarn guides such as rings or rollers may be appropriately arranged.

[0012] Around these bobbins 11, 13, respectively the first yarn 1 and the second yarn 3 are wound, and these bobbins are configured to rotate about the respective axes to feed these yarns. To these bobbins 11, 13 applicable are bobbins used in well-known covering machines, which are used in combination with hollow spindles. The hollow spindle is, as will be described later, configured so that a yarn can pass therethrough in its axial direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , however, the hollow spindle is not essential for the first bobbin 11 but instead a solid shaft rotatable along with the bobbin may be substituted. In any case, the hollow spindle or the solid shaft is so structured as to transmit its rotation to the bobbin. Belt drive by a belt connected to a motor, or direct drive by direct connection to the motor, causes the hollow spindle or the shaft to rotate, and the first and second bobbins 11, 13 rotate along therewith, thereby feeding and swirling the first and second yarns 1, 3 about the respective axes.

[0013] The second bobbin 13 is so disposed as to receive the first yarn drawn out of the first bobbin 11 into its hollow spindle. The second bobbin 13 is somewhat axially away from the first bobbin 11, and these bobbins are aligned with a common axis. Moreover, in between the bobbins 11, 13, a centering guide 16 for guiding the first yarn 1 to the center may be disposed. Similarly in regard to the second bobbin 13, a centering guide 18 may be disposed so as to guide the second yarn 3 to the center.

[0014] The assembly 12 for feeding the decorative fibers 5c is provided with a feeding creel 15 for feeding the decorative yarn 5, an ejection nozzle 19 for guiding an airflow A1, and a cutter 21. The feeding assembly 12 is so disposed as to feed the decorative fibers 5c to a range where the first yarn 1 swirls. More preferably, the decorative fibers 5c are fed to around a vertex of the swirl of the first yarn 1, or immediately above or below the centering guide 16 if any. The decorative yarn 5 fed from the feeding creel 15 is made to pass through the ejection nozzle 19, intermittently cut by the cutter 21 into the decorative fibers 5c, and then put on the airflow A1 and expelled, thereby forming a confluent flow with the first yarn 1.

[0015] The ejection nozzle 19 is for example an elongated hollow tube, one end of which is connected to an air-blast device such as a blower and the other end of which is opened toward the swirling first yarn 1. When the device is in operation, generally the air flow A1 by the air-blast device steadily flows through the ejection nozzle 19 from the one end to the other. The decorative yarn 5 is drawn out of the decorative yarn creel 15, introduced through an opening opened on the side face of the ejection nozzle 19 into its interior, rides on the airflow A1, and is then expelled from the other end.

[0016] The cutter 21 is disposed for example downstream from the ejection nozzle 19. In more detail, the cutter 21 is disposed between the yarn 1 drawn out of the first bobbin 11 and running to the second bobbin 13, or a guide 17 as described later if the guide 17 is available, and the ejection nozzle 19. The cutter 21 is for example an edged hook. Although the cutter 21 is drawn to be disposed outside the ejection nozzle 19, alternatively it may be inside the ejection nozzle 19. The decorative yarn 5 is steadily given tension by the airflow A1 and is, when touching the cutter 21, readily cut off.

[0017] To promote cutting, the decorative yarn 5 may be intermittently fed and, for this purpose, the decorative yarn creel 15 may be provided with a servomotor. Alternatively, the roller guiding the decorative yarn 5 may be provided with a servomotor. Still alternatively, an intermittently working clamp may be used. The clamp may be disposed outside the ejection nozzle 19 or built in the ejection nozzle 19. The running decorative yarn 5, when being halted by these means, touches the cutter 21 and is thereby cut.

[0018] The cutter 21 may be alternatively scissors or clippers instead of the edged hook, and may be provided with a driver device such as a motor or a solenoid mechanism for driving them. Still alternatively, any thermal means or a laser may be used to cut the decorative yarn 5.

[0019] Moreover, nearer the first yarn 1 relative to the cutter 21, the device may be provided with a clamp for temporarily holding the decorative fibers 5c. According to this construction, the decorative fibers 5c cut in advance get ready there and are, as this clamp releases them, the decorative fibers 5 fed to the first yarn 1 in sequence.

[0020] Furthermore, the device for cutting the decorative yarn 5 may be disposed between the feeding creel 15 and the ejection nozzle 19.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2 in combination with FIG. 1 , the cut off decorative fibers 5c ride on the airflow A1 and fly toward the first yarn 1. The orientation of the ejection nozzle 19, i.e., the orientation of the airflow A1, may be perpendicular to the axis around which the first yarn 1 swirls but this is not essential and may be oblique. In a case where the bobbins 11, 13 are aligned vertically for example, the orientation of the ejection nozzle 19 is horizontal but may be oblique. As the first yarn 1 not only runs in the axial direction but also swirls around the axis, it catches and tangles with the flowing decorative fibers 5c. The first yarn 1 along with the decorative fibers 5c runs toward the second bobbin 13.

[0022] Although the above description is given about an example where the device has only one set of the feeding assembly 12, the device may be provided with a plurality of such sets. In a case where the device is provided with the plural feeding assemblies, they may respectively feed mutually distinct kinds of yarns in terms of colors, thickness or any other properties.

[0023] Although the decorative fibers 5c may tangle with the first yarn 1 in an open space, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , a guide 17 may be used for ensuring entanglement of the decorative fibers 5c with the first yarn 1.

[0024] The guide 17 is generally a hollow tube for example and its interior forms a cavity 17h elongated in the axial direction. On its side faces on the upper and lower sides for example, openings 17t are opened, and the first yarn 1 is guided through the openings 17t to the second bobbin 13. The cavity 17h is so structured as to allow the decorative fibers 5c fed from the ejection nozzle 19 to pass therethrough. The guide 17 is connected to, or forms a unitary body with, the ejection nozzle 19.

[0025] The cavity 17h is so dimensioned as to allow the first yarn 1 to swirl around the axis in its interior. The first yarn 1 swirling just below the guide 17 can, even when passing through the lower opening 17t, still keep swirling in the cavity 17h. The decorative fibers 5c are, as being taken in the swirl, assured to tangle with the yarn.

[0026] In the embodiment as described above, the device is so configured as to feed the decorative fibers 5c sideways onto the first yarn 1, whereas the decorative yarns 5c may be fed in a direction identical to that of the first yarn 1. The device illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of such a device. In this case, the first bobbin 11 is also provided with a hollow spindle and uses it to feed the decorative fibers 5c.

[0027] More specifically, the feeding assembly 12 for feeding the decorative fibers 5c has a structure identical to that described already, aside from its orientation, and the ejection nozzle 19 is oriented to the hollow spindle of the first bobbin 11. The decorative fibers 5c fed from the feeding assembly 12 pass through the hollow spindle and then reach the first yarn 1. Preferably, respective elements are so adjusted that the fibers reach around the vertex of the swirl and around the center of the swirling axis. To deliver the decorative fibers 5c to around the vertex of the swirl, a long and thin guide tube passing and elongated through the hollow spindle may be used. The decorative fibers 5c there tangle with the first yarn 1 and are, along with the first yarn 1, fed to the second bobbin 13.

[0028] In any of these devices, the first yarn 1 along with the decorative fibers 5c passes through the hollow spindle of the second bobbin 13. Then the decorative fibers 5c may merely tangle with the first yarn 1 as shown in FIG. 5A. From the second bobbin 13, the second yarn 3 is fed and swirls around its axis. The second yarn 3 keeps swirling and then forms a confluent flow with, and wraps itself around, the first yarn 1 along with the decorative fibers 5c so that these yarns and fibers form a united twisted yarn. Then the decorative fibers 5c are, as shown in FIG. 5B , wrapped and secured in the real-twist structure constituted of the first and second yarns 1, 3 and its entirety constitutes a single fancy yarn 10. As the decorative fibers 5c are firmly secured in the fancy yarn 10, they do not fall off like as naps. The fancy yarn 10 along with the decorative fibers 5c is taken to the winder 31.

[0029] The magnitude of the structure formed by the decorative fibers can be arbitrarily changed depending on the length of cutting the decorative yarn and intervals between adjacent structures can be arbitrarily changed by changing intervals of cutting the decorative yarn. Needless to say, each structure may have each modified magnitude and modified interval. Moreover, as described already, as two or more decorative yarns can be used, distinct colors could be given to the respective structures.

[0030] According to the present embodiment, the structural stability is improved as the decorative fibers are firmly caught in the real-twisted yarn.

[0031] Although certain embodiments have been described above, modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0032] A production device is provided, which provides a new option for the art of fancy yarns.

Claims

1. A production device for producing a fancy yarn (10) at least including first and second yarns (1, 3) and decorative fibers (5c) tangled in the yarns (1, 3), the device comprising: a first bobbin (11) rotating about an axis to feed and swirl the first yarn (1); an ejection nozzle (19) so oriented as to feed the decorative fibers (5c) sideways or in a direction identical to the axis to a range where the first yarn (1) swirls; and a second bobbin (13) including a hollow spindle so aligned with the axis that the first yarn (1) with the decorative fibers (5c) passes through the hollow spindle and rotating about the axis to feed and swirl the second yarn (3) so as to wrap the second yarn (3) around the first yarn (1) with the decorative fibers (5c).

2. The production device of claim 1, further comprising: a guide (17) disposed between the first bobbin (11) and the second bobbin (13) and having a cavity (17h) to guide the first yarn (1) through the cavity (17h) to the hollow spindle, wherein the ejection nozzle (19) is oriented to feed the decorative fibers (5c) into the cavity (17h).

3. The production device of claim 1, wherein the first bobbin (1) comprises a hollow core through which the decorative fibers (5c) pass and the ejection nozzle (19) is so disposed as to feed the decorative fibers (5c) through the hollow core of the first bobbin (1).

4. The production device of any of claims 1 through 3, wherein the ejection nozzle (19) comprises a cutter (21) to cut a decorative yarn (5) into decorative fibers (5c) and is configured to eject an airflow (A1) to put the decorative fibers (5c) on the airflow (A1).