Device for shaping a thread-like material

Abstract

A device for shaping at least one thread-like material (1), which is formed in a forming unit and is deposited on a transporting device (6) for the subsequent thermosetting process, wherein a retaining means (4, 14, 15, 22) and a drivable, curved depositing tube (5) are arranged one after the other in the thread transporting direction.

Claims

1. Device for shaping at least one textile strand material (1), which is formed in a forming unit and is deposited in an untensioned state on a transporting device (6) for a subsequent thermosetting process, characterised in that a retaining means (4, 14, 15, 22) and a drivable, curved depositing tube (5) are arranged one after the other in the strand transporting direction, wherein the device is alternatively switchable between a straight set or frieze production modes.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that a switching element (12) is present at the workstation to select the alternative operating positions to produce straight set or frieze yarn.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining means is configured as at least one pivotable retaining flap (4, 14, 15).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining means is configured as a side wall (22) of the depositing tube (5).

5. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the at least one retaining flap (4, 14, 15) can alternatively be operated as a frieze mechanism or can be locked in a position pivoted back from the strand path.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the depositing tube (5) is alternatively driven or is fixed in an angular position allowing the depositing of the strand material on the transporting device (6).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the depositing tube (5) can be rotatably driven.

8. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the depositing tube (5) can be driven in an oscillating manner.

9. Device according to any claim 1, characterised in that the retaining force of the retaining flap (4, 14, 15), the opening degree of the retaining flap or the speed of the depositing tube (5), can be adjusted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of an embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2a-2d show schematic views of the thread depositing for the combined frieze/straight set mechanism;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 schematically shows the device according to the invention, with which both the frieze and the straight set effect can be achieved.

(7) The thread 1 is conveyed continuously into a compression chamber 3 by means of a delivery mechanism 2 and is pressed at the exit against a spring-loaded retaining flap 4, which closes the exit of the compression chamber 3. By means of the mechanical backup pressure in the compression chamber 3, the thread 1 is three-dimensionally bent and/or kinked (crimped) in a geometrically irregular manner. The forming of the thread 1 can be assisted by hot air or steam flow into the compression chamber 3; for this purpose, the device has a corresponding inlet 7.

(8) The thread sheet crimped in the compression chamber 3, also called a stuffer box, forms a thread plug against the force-loaded retaining flap 4, which plug, as soon as the plug pressure exceeds the counter-force of the retaining flap 4, leaves the compression chamber 3 again. The level of the retaining force resistance determines here the intensity of the three-dimensional forming formed in the plug, i.e. the intensity of the frieze character. The frieze character is influenced by means of changing the retaining flap force. By means of an adjusting device, e.g., a wheel with a scale to activate a torsional spring the axis of the retaining flap 4 can be acted upon to loads the retaining flap 4 in the opposite direction.

(9) The depositing tube 5 ensures the controlled depositing on a conveyor belt 6. In other words, from the compression chamber 3, the thread 1 runs through a depositing tube 5, the outlet opening of which is fixed and points in the direction of the conveyor belt 6. The frieze yarn formed slides down under its own weight and as a result of the continuous replenishment in the interior of the depositing tube 5 and is placed on the conveyor belt 6.

(10) When producing straight set yarn, by actuating a switching element 12, which may comprise a lever, the retaining flap 4 is locked, for example by means of a magnet, on the inner wall of the compression chamber 3. At the same time, the lever switches the stepping motor 8 of the depositing tube 5 on. Thus, the retaining flap 4, which is attached by a joint on the wall of the compression chamber 3, is locked in the rear position and remains there for the entire production time. The compression chamber 3 has thus become a guide without an obstacle for the thread 1 that is running through. At the same time, the depositing tube 5 is rotatably driven. The thread 1 is thus hurled outwardly, coming from the delivery mechanism 2, by means of the centrifugal force effect being produced and runs drawn within the compression chamber 3. With the combination of centrifugal force and the thread 1's own weight, the thread 1 is deposited on the conveyor belt 6 arranged in an arc of a circle shape.

(11) As can be seen from FIG. 2a, the formed thread sheet is deposited in an unordered state on the conveyor belt 6 in the case of frieze yarn production with an upright depositing tube 5.

(12) If the depositing tube 5 is, on the other hand, driven in an oscillating manner during the frieze yarn production, the thread deposit as shown in FIG. 2b is produced.

(13) FIG. 2c shows an arc of a circle deposit, as takes place in the case of the straight set yarn production with a rotating depositing tube 5. The depositing radius, which is influenced by the level of the centrifugal force, the threads 1's own weight and the conveyor belt speed, is adjusted to be so great that the arc of a circle characteristic is still represented as virtually straight in the yarn tufts of the finished carpet.

(14) If the depositing tube 5 is driven in an oscillating manner instead of a rotatable manner during the straight set yarn production, the thread depositing takes place as depicted in FIG. 2d.

(15) FIGS. 3 and 4 show different embodiments of the device according to the invention. As the basic principles are the same in the different embodiments and in order to avoid repetition, things are only dealt with at this point where the embodiments differ.

(16) In FIG. 3, two retaining flaps 14, 15 are attached on the compression chamber. Coming from the delivery mechanism 2, the thread 1 arrives in the compression chamber 3. In the frieze yarn production, the thread 1 piles up on the two retaining flaps 14, 15. To produce straight set yarn, the two retaining flaps 14, 15 are adjusted into an open position, locked and the depositing tube is driven in an oscillating manner.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a compression chamber 3 without a retaining flap. Nevertheless, the frieze effect can also be produced using this embodiment according to the invention of the device. For this purpose, the compression chamber 3 is configured in such a way that it reaches into the depositing tube 5. The thread 1 piles up on the side wall 22 or on the base of the depositing tube 5. As soon as the frictional resistance has been overcome, the yarn plug slides out of the depositing tube 5 onto the conveyor belt. To produce the straight set effect, the depositing tube 5 is driven and the thread 1 coming from the delivery mechanism 2 is deposited in arcs on the transporting device.

(18) The present invention has been herein described in relation to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention. However, it will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art that the present invention is susceptible of a broader utility and application. Accordingly, it is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not to be construed as limited to the embodiments, features and aspects herein described, but only according to the appended claims.