Parallel Multi-Pick Weft Insertion for High Thread Count Weaving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cotton-synthetic blends in textiles face limitations in thread count due to fine synthetic weft yarns breaking in loom apparatuses, leading to low quality and comfort, with manufacturers resorting to deceptive practices like counting twisted yarns to inflate thread counts.

Innovation Solution

A method of simultaneously inserting multiple adjacent parallel polyester weft yarns during a single pick insertion event in a loom apparatus, using a multi-pick yarn package, to increase thread count while maintaining yarn adjacency and durability, employing air jet or rapier pick insertion apparatuses with specific yarn deniers and angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fine synthetic weft yarns are used to increase thread count, then thread count increases, but the yarns break in the loom apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread countVSAvoidyarn durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fine synthetic weft yarns (e.g., two or more 20-30 denier yarns) into a single bundled structure that is inserted together as one unit through the loom apparatus. This merging approach allows the use of fine yarns that would individually break, while the bundled structure provides sufficient strength for loom operation. The yarns are wound in parallel on the yarn package and inserted simultaneously, achieving both high thread count and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If twisted yarns are used to inflate thread count, then advertised thread count increases, but the actual textile quality and consumer satisfaction decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertised thread countVSAvoidtextile quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of twisting yarns together to falsely inflate thread count, the patent segments the weft insertion into multiple independent parallel yarns that are inserted simultaneously but remain distinct and separate throughout the weaving process. Each yarn is counted individually in the final thread count, providing honest advertising while maintaining actual textile quality. The parallel insertion method ensures each yarn contributes to the true thread count without deceptive twisting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If multiple yarns are inserted simultaneously, then thread count and productivity increase, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread countVSAvoidloom apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing multi-functional capability of modern loom apparatuses that can already handle multiple yarn packages and insertion mechanisms. The invention adapts these existing multi-functional features to simultaneously insert multiple parallel weft yarns from a single yarn package, increasing thread count without requiring fundamentally new complex equipment. The loom's existing rapier or air jet insertion systems are used in a novel configuration to achieve multiple simultaneous insertions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9481950B2Proliferated thread count of a woven textile by simultaneous insertion within a single pick insertion event of a loom apparatus multiple adjacent parallel yarns drawn from a multi-pick yarn package
Publication Date: 2016.11.01 AAVN
  • US9481950B2 patent drawing
  • US9481950B2 patent drawing
  • US9481950B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, a device and/or a system of proliferating a thread count of a woven textile by simultaneous insertion within a single pick insertion event of a loom apparatus multiple adjacent parallel yarns drawn from a multi-pick yarn package. In one or more embodiments, multiple texturized polyester weft yarns of denier between 15 and 65 are wound on a single bobbin in a parallel adjacent fashion such that they may be fed into an air jet pick insertion apparatus and/or a rapier pick insertion apparatus of an air jet loom to weave a textile that has between 90 to 235 ends per inch cotton warp yarns and between 100 and 965 polyester weft yarns.