Device for generating a false twist at a strand

Abstract

Systems for controlling the movement of threads in systems for treating threads for carpets. Disclosed is a device for guiding a strand of at least two threads on a transporter structure, characterized in that the device employs a mechanism for generating false twists between the at least two threads of the strand.

Claims

1. A system for treating threads for carpets comprising: a guiding device configured to guide at least two threads of a strand onto a transporter structure, wherein the guiding device comprises a false twisting device configured to generate false twists between the at least two threads of the strand, and wherein the guiding device is positioned upstream of a mechanism for depositing the strand in loops on the transporter structure, wherein the transporter structure is configured to move the loops in a longitudinal direction, and wherein on the guiding device, a tension of the at least two threads of the strand at the false twisting device is lower than the tension of the at least two threads of the strand upstream of the false twisting device.

2. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 1, wherein the false twisting device comprises: a disk having perforations through it so that different threads of the strand are able to pass through the disk at a level of respective perforations, the disk being adapted to perform a rotary pendulum movement about an axis perpendicular to a plane of the disk.

3. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 2, wherein the false twisting device further comprises: a support structure supporting the disk, wherein the support structure is associated with a frame and adapted to support the disk at a level of at least a portion of its periphery, the disk being rotatable relative to the support structure about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and a motor for actuating the rotary pendulum movement of the disk.

4. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support structure surrounds the disk over an entirety of its periphery and the disk is rotatably mounted on the support structure by way of a ball bearing.

5. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one drive belt drives transmission of the rotary pendulum movement between the motor and the disk.

6. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor for actuating the rotary pendulum movement of the disk generates pendulum rotations of at least one quarter-turn of the disk in opposite directions.

7. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor for actuating the rotary pendulum movement of the disk generates pendulum rotations of at least one half-turn of the disk in opposite directions.

8. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor for actuating the rotary pendulum movement of the disk generates pendulum rotations of at least one complete turn of the disk in opposite directions.

9. The system for treating threads for carpets claimed in claim 1, wherein the false twisting device comprises: a pair of belts rubbing against each other and between which the threads of the strand are moved, the pair of belts being driven with a pendulum movement in opposite directions, and at least one motor for pendulum actuation of at least one of the pair of belts.

10. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 1, wherein the false twisting device comprises: an axial structure adapted for axial pendulum rotation positioned perpendicularly to an axis of movement of the strand and around which the strand effects at least one twist as the strand is moved by the false twisting device.

11. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding device is positioned between a mechanism for feeding the strand with at least two threads and the mechanism for depositing the strand on the transporter structure.

12. A method of guiding at least two threads of a strand onto a transporter structure, the method comprising: generating at least one false twist of the strand between at least two threads of the strand, wherein a tension of the strand when the at least one false twist is generated is lower than the tension of the strand before the false twist is generated; depositing the strand in loops on the transporter structure; and moving the loops in a longitudinal direction via the transporter structure.

13. The system for treating threads for carpets as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one drive belt is notched.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of threads on a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention with no threads,

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The present invention relates to a device for guiding a strand 1 of at least two threads on a transporter structure, characterized in that the device employs a mechanism 2 for generating false twists between the at least two threads of the strand 1. Generating false twists between the threads of the strand 1 enables modification along the strand 1 of the position of these threads within a section of the strand 1. This change of position of the threads thanks to these successive false twists makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous distribution of each of the threads within the strand 1. Accordingly, the same thread will be positioned successively and cyclically at different positions in the strand 1 during the formation of this strand 1 of threads from a feed mechanism including a plurality of spools of thread.

(6) Thanks to this respective homogenized distribution of each of the threads along the strand 1, the variations in the length of each of the threads because of their respective positions in the strand 1 when this strand 1 is deposited in loops onto a moving structure such as a conveyor belt are reduced or even eliminated. In fact, during the formation of the strand 1 by grouping a plurality of threads coming from a feed mechanism with a plurality of spools, each of the threads is fed and guided, thanks to a plurality of false twists, so as to be positioned successively and alternately at different positions within or at the periphery of the strand 1.

(7) This homogeneous distribution of the structure of each of the threads within a strand 1 during the formation of the latter makes it possible to homogenize the rate of deposition of these threads within the strand 1 on the moving structure and therefore the feeding and the taking up of each of these threads, respectively on the upstream side and on the downstream side of a treatment system.

(8) In accordance with a preferred mode of construction that is not limiting on the invention, the mechanism 2 for generating false twists is positioned at the level of a portion of the threads of the strand 1 that has an axial tension sufficiently low for a twist to be applicable to its structure. In fact, in the event of too high an axial tension, twisting of the strand 1 could lead to a risk of one or more threads of the strand 1 breaking

(9) In accordance with one non-limiting implementation feature of the invention, the mechanism 2 for generating false twists is positioned on the downstream side of a mechanism for regulating the tension in the threads feeding the strand 1. Because of this, the tension of the threads is situated on the upstream side of the tension regulating mechanism, between the feed spools and this regulating mechanism which pulls the threads from their spools on the upstream side to feed the formation of the strand 1 on the downstream side.

(10) In accordance with one constructional feature, this tension regulating mechanism is formed by one or more rollers mounted to rotate about their respective axes. The threads that feed the strand 1 are then disposed on all or part of the periphery of these rollers to be driven in movement by these rollers. The axis of these rollers is therefore positioned substantially perpendicularly to the axis of movement of the different threads feeding the strand 1. The rollers of the tension regulating mechanism also participate in driving the threads intended to form the strand 1, and tension is then exerted on these threads only on the upstream side of this mechanism during emptying of the feed spools; this tension being released on the downstream side of these rollers at the level of the mechanism 2 for generating false twists.

(11) In accordance with a first embodiment the mechanism 2 for generating false twists includes: a disk 3 with perforations 3a through it, such that different threads of the strand 1 are able to pass through the disk 3 via respective perforations, the disk 3 being adapted to effect a rotary pendulum movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk 3.

(12) In accordance with this first embodiment, the number of perforations in the disk 3 is of the same order of magnitude as the number of threads that constitute the strand 1. A thread or a group of threads is then disposed so as to pass through a respective perforation that will guide this thread or this group of threads to position it within the strand 1 being formed. The pendulum rotation of the disk 3 therefore enables the regular generation of false twists along the strand 1.

(13) In accordance with one implementation feature of this first embodiment, the mechanism 2 for generating false twists also includes: a structure 4 supporting the disk 3 associated with a frame and adapted to support the disk 3 at the level of at least a portion of its periphery, the disk 3 being mounted so that it can rotate relative to the support structure 4 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk 3, a motor 5 for actuating the pendulum rotation of the disk 3.

(14) The support structure 4 of the disk 3 can therefore be formed by an annular structure that surrounds the whole of the disk 3.

(15) In accordance with one implementation feature of this mode of construction, the disk 3 is rotatably mounted on the support structure 4 by way of a ball bearing 6. This bearing 6 therefore has the advantage of optimizing the reduction of friction between the disk 3 and the annular structure 4 that supports the disk 3.

(16) Alternatively, the structure 4 that supports the disk 3 merely includes a circular arc portion intended to interact with the peripheral edge of the disk 3. In this alternative embodiment, the peripheral edge of the disk 3 is then slidably mounted at the level of this circular arc portion whilst enabling positioning of the disk 3 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of the strand 2.

(17) In accordance with one feature of the actuation of the pendulum rotation of the disk 3, the transmission of the pendulum rotation movement between the actuator motor 5 and the rotary disk 3 employs at least one drive belt, which may be notched. At least a portion of this drive belt is therefore positioned over at least a portion of the periphery of the disk 3; another portion of this belt being driven by an element actuated by the actuator motor 5.

(18) In accordance with an alternative way of actuating the pendulum rotation of the disk 3, the transmission of the pendulum rotation movement between the actuator motor 5 and the rotary disk 3 employs at least one pinion-type gear cooperating with a toothed structure disposed on the periphery of the rotary disk 3.

(19) In accordance with one particular mode of construction, the actuator motor 5 is associated with control means enabling management of the amplitude and/or the speed of the pendulum rotation of the rotary disk 3.

(20) In accordance with a first embodiment of the motor 5 for actuating the rotation of the disk 3, the motor generates pendulum rotations of at least one quarter-turn of the disk 3 in opposite directions.

(21) In accordance with a second embodiment of the motor 5 for actuating the rotation of the disk 3, the motor generates pendulum rotations of at least one half-turn of the disk 3 in opposite directions.

(22) In accordance with a third embodiment of the motor 5 for actuating the rotation of the disk 3, the motor generates pendulum rotations of at least one complete turn of the disk 3 in opposite directions.

(23) In accordance with an alternative second embodiment of the mechanism 2 for generating false twists, the latter includes: a pair of belts 7 rubbing against each other and between which the strand 1 of threads is moved, the belts being driven in a pendulum movement in opposite directions, at least one motor 5b is for pendulum actuation of at least one of the belts.

(24) In accordance with this alternative embodiment of the mechanism for generating false twists, the twists applied to the strand 1 of threads are the result of friction and of deformation of the whole of the strand 1 already formed rather than of modification of the distribution of the threads during the step of deforming the strand 1.

(25) In accordance with an alternative third embodiment of the mechanism for generating false twists, the latter includes: an axial structure adapted for axial pendulum rotation positioned perpendicularly to the axis of movement of the strand 1 and around which the moving strand 1 effects at least one twist.

(26) In accordance with this alternative embodiment of the mechanism for generating false twists, the twists applied to the strand 1 of threads are also, as in the alternative second embodiment, the result of friction and of a deformation of the whole of the strand 1 already formed.

(27) The invention also relates to a system for treating threads for carpets, characterized in that the system includes a device according to the invention for guiding a strand 1 of at least one thread on a transporter structure, this device for guiding a strand 1 being positioned between a mechanism for feeding the strand 1 with threads and a mechanism for depositing the strand 1 on a transporter structure.

(28) The invention further relates to a method of guiding a strand 1 of at least two threads on a transporter structure, characterized in that it includes at least one step of generating at least one false twist of the strand 1 before the step of placing the strand 1 on the transporter structure.

(29) Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and represented in the appended drawings. Modifications remain possible, notably from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or substitution of technical equivalents, without this departing from the scope of protection of the invention.