SPUN YARN TAKE-UP APPARATUS

Abstract

 An object of the present invention is to provide a spun yarn take-up apparatus capable of easily performing yarn threading while suppressing damage to yarns.
A spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 includes: yarn feed rollers 12 and 14 configured to feed yarns Y spun out from a spinning apparatus 2; a yarn separation guide 32 which is provided upstream of a yarn feed roller 12 in a yarn running direction and in which regulatory portions 32a configured to regulate the movement of the yarns Y in an axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 are formed; and a yarn separation guide 34 which is provided upstream of a yarn feed roller 14 in the yarn running direction and in which regulatory portions 34a configured to regulate the movement of the yarns Y in an axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14 are formed. In the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1, the yarn separation guides 32 and 34 are respectively provided with bundling guides 42 and 44 in which bundling portions 42a and 44a are formed. The bundling portions 42a and 44a are able to bundle the yarns Y so that the yarns Y are not threaded to the regulatory portions 32a and 34a.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a spun yarn take-up apparatus configured to take up yarns spun out from a spinning apparatus.

[0002] For example, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-187324) discloses a spun yarn take-up apparatus including (i) yarn feed rollers configured to feed yarns and (ii) yarn separation guides provided immediately upstream of the yarn feed rollers in a yarn running direction. In each yarn separation guide, regulatory portions are formed to regulate the movement of the yarns. In this spun yarn take-up apparatus, yarn threading to the yarn feed rollers is performed as described below.

[0003] To begin with, an operator sucks and retains the yarns by using a suction gun and threads a bundle of the yarns to each yarn separation guide and each yarn feed roller in order from the upstream side in the yarn running direction. At this time, a bundle of the yarns is hooked on one of the regulatory portions of each yarn separation guide. After the yarn threading to each yarn separation guide and each yarn feed roller, the suction gun is temporarily put on the floor.

[0004] Subsequently, the operator threads a bundle of the yarns to the regulatory portions of each yarn separation guide by using a yarn threading assisting tool. As a result, the yarns are properly separated from each other so that the yarns Y are fed by each yarn feed roller while being aligned at desired intervals. Because the operator is able to perform an operation by using the yarn threading assisting tool without a need of the suction gun, the yarn threading is facilitated

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The regulatory portions of each yarn separation guide are considerably small in size. It is therefore difficult to hook a bundle of the yarns on one of the regulatory portions. This may cause damage to the yarns and, what is worse, may result in yarn breakage. It is conceivable to hook the yarns on some of the regulatory portions before an operation with the yarn threading assisting tool. In this case, the intervals of the yarns are uneven on the upstream of the yarn separation guides in the yarn running direction. Therefore, it is disadvantageously difficult to capture the yarns by using the yarn threading assisting tool.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a spun yarn take-up apparatus capable of easily performing yarn threading while suppressing damage to a yarn.

[0007] The present invention relates to a spun yarn take-up apparatus comprising: a yarn feed roller configured to feed yarns spun out from a spinning apparatus; and a yarn separation guide which is provided upstream of the yarn feed roller in a yarn running direction and in which regulatory portions configured to regulate the movement of the yarns in an axial direction of the yarn feed roller are formed, the yarn separation guide being provided with a bundling guide in which a bundling portion is formed, the bundling portion being able to bundle the yarns so that the yarns are not threaded to the regulatory portions.

[0008] According to this arrangement, before the yarns are threaded to the yarn separation guide, the yarns are hooked on the bundling portion of the bundling guide. Therefore, the intervals of the yarns on the upstream of the bundling guide in the yarn running direction are substantially equal so as to facilitate operations with use of a yarn threading assisting tool. Furthermore, because a bundle of the yarns does not need to be forcibly threaded to one of the regulatory portions of the yarn separation guide, the damage to the yarns is suppressed. It is therefore possible to easily perform yarn threading while the damage to the yarns is suppressed.

[0009] In the present invention, another yarn feed roller configured to feed the yarns may be provided upstream of the yarn separation guide in the yarn running direction, and a direction in which the yarns are aligned may be changed between the another yarn feed roller and the yarn separation guide.

[0010] In this case, because the direction in which the yarns are aligned is changed between the another yarn feed roller and the yarn separation guide, difficulty in the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool is increased. However, before the yarns are threaded to the yarn separation guide, the yarns are bundled at the bundling guide. This facilitates the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool.

[0011] In the present invention, a yarn regulating guide configured to regulate the movement of the yarns may be provided upstream of the yarn separation guide in the yarn running direction, and a direction in which the yarns are aligned may be changed between the yarn regulating guide and the yarn separation guide.

[0012] In this case, because the direction in which the yarns are aligned is changed between the yarn regulating guide and the yarn separation guide, the difficulty in the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool is increased. However, before the yarns are threaded to the yarn separation guide, the yarns are bundled at the bundling guide. This facilitates the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool.

[0013] In the present invention, the bundling guide is preferably provided upstream of the yarn separation guide in the yarn running direction.

[0014] Alternatively, the bundling guide may be provided between the yarn separation guide and the yarn feed roller in the yarn running direction. In this case, the yarn separation guide is provided in the vicinity of the yarn feed roller. Therefore, it may be difficult to provide the bundling guide between the yarn separation guide and the yarn feed roller. Meanwhile, when the bundling guide is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide in the yarn running direction, there is sufficient room around the yarn bundling guide. It is therefore easy to provide the bundling guide.

[0015] In the present invention, the bundling guide is preferably movable between a yarn threading position where the bundling portion is able to bundle the yarns and a retracted position where the bundling portion does not interfere with the yarns.

[0016] When the bundling guide is movable as described above, the attachment and detachment of the bundling guide are unnecessary. Therefore, the yarn threading is further facilitated.

[0017] In the present invention, the bundling portion is preferably positioned in an area where the regulatory portions are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller.

[0018] This arrangement facilitates the yarn threading because the operations from capturing of the yarns on the upstream of the bundling guide in the yarn running direction by means of the yarn threading assisting tool to the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide are simplified.

[0019] In the present invention, the bundling portion is preferably a V-shaped concave portion.

[0020] When the bundling portion is the V-shaped concave portion, the bundling portion is widely open. It is therefore easy to hook the yarns on the bundling portion. Furthermore, the bundling portion is narrowed toward an end of the concave bundling portion. Therefore, as the yarns are hooked on the bundling portion, the yarns are naturally bundled.

[0021] In the present invention, an aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion is preferably 10 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.

[0022] When the aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion is too small, the yarns easily get damaged by being disadvantageously hooked on the edge of the bundling portion. Furthermore, when the yarns are disadvantageously hooked on the edge of the bundling portion, the yarns are required to be removed from this edge. Therefore, efficiency of the yarn threading is reduced. Meanwhile, when the aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion is too large, the yarns are easily removed from the V-shaped bundling portion. When the aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion is defined as described above, the yarns are unlikely to be disadvantageously hooked on the edge of the bundling portion and to be removed from the bundling portion.

[0023] In the present invention, the bundling guide is preferably formed of a rod member.

[0024] That is, the bundling guide is formed with a small number of members. This arrangement is effective in terms of cost.

[0025] In the present invention, the rod member preferably has a cross section shaped as a circular the diameter of which is 3 mm or more.

[0026] The surface of this rod member is gently curved. Therefore, even when the yarns make contact with this rod member, the yarns are unlikely to get damaged.

[0027] In the present invention, the regulatory portions from base end portions to tip portions are preferably open and the bundling portion is preferably open in the same manner as the regulatory portions are open with respect to a reference plane passing through the base end portions of the regulatory portions.

[0028] When the bundling portion is open in the opposite manner to the regulatory portions with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions of the regulatory portions, the following problems occur. For example, the yarns hooked on the bundling portion are tensioned in a direction opposite to a direction in which the bundling portion is open. In this state, when the yarns are threaded again to the regulatory portions by the yarn threading assisting tool, the yarns are tensioned in the direction opposite to the direction in which the bundling portion is open, i.e., in a direction in which the regulatory portions are open. As a result, the yarns are removed from the regulatory portions. Meanwhile, when the yarn separation guide is provided so that the yarns are not removed from the regulatory portions, the yarns hooked on the bundling portion are tensioned in a direction opposite to the direction in which the regulatory portions are open, i.e., in the direction in which the bundling portion is open. As a result, the yarns are removed from the bundling portion. To solve the problems above, it is required to additionally provide the regulatory portions or the bundling portion with a drop-off prevention member for preventing drop-off of the yarns. In the present invention, the bundling portion is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions are open with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions of the regulatory portions. With this, when the yarns are threaded again to the regulatory portions after the yarns are hooked on the bundling portion, the yarns are not removed from the bundling portion and the regulatory portions. Therefore, the drop-off prevention member is unnecessary.

[0029] In the present invention, a working space for an operator to perform yarn threading to the yarn feed roller is preferably provided on one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller, and the bundling guide is preferably positioned so that the bundling portion is positioned on the one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller as compared to a halfway point of the axial direction of the yarn feed roller.

[0030]  According to this arrangement, the bundling portion is provided in the vicinity of the working space. Therefore, the operator in the working space easily hooks the yarns on the bundling portion.

[0031] In the present invention, a working space for an operator to perform yarn threading to the yarn feed roller is preferably provided on one side in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the yarn feed roller, and a part of the bundling guide preferably extends toward an end portion of the yarn separation guide in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller.

[0032] According to this arrangement, when the bundling guide is operated in order to thread the yarns to the yarn separation guide, the operator easily avoids the interference with the yarns by operating the part of the bundling guide which extends toward the end portion of the yarn separation guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] 

FIG. 1 is a profile of a spun yarn take-up apparatus of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a take-up unit after completion of yarn threading.

Each of FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b) is a top view of one yarn separation guide and one bundling guide.

Each of FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) is a top view of another yarn separation guide and another bundling guide.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the take-up unit at a start of the yarn threading.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the take-up unit immediately after the yarn threading to a yarn regulating guide.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the take-up unit immediately after a bundle of yarns is threaded.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the take-up unit capturing the yarns with use of a yarn threading assisting tool.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the take-up unit immediately after the yarn threading to the yarn separation guides by using the yarn threading assisting tool.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the take-up unit capturing the yarns with use of the yarn threading assisting tool.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the take-up unit immediately after the yarn threading to the yarn separation guides by using the yarn threading assisting tool.

Each of FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b) is a table showing results of measurement of time required for the yarn threading to each yarn separation guide.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a profile of a spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, synthetic-resin yarns Y which are spun out from a spinning apparatus 2 run downward while making contact with an oil applying guide 3 provided below the spinning apparatus 2. As a result, oil is applied to the yarns Y. The spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 includes a take-up unit 4 configured to take up and draw the yarns Y to which the oil has been applied, and a winding unit 5 configured to wind the yarns Y sent from the take-up unit 4.

[0036] Hereinafter, the leftward direction in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "front", the rightward direction in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "rear", the direction toward the viewer of FIG. 1 will be referred to as "right", and the direction away from the viewer of FIG. 1 will be referred to as "left". The spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to take up thirty-two yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2. However, for simplifying the figures, only eight yarns Y are illustrated in each of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 to FIG. 11. However, the number of yarns Y may be any number in the present invention. Hereinafter, the upstream and downstream in a yarn running direction will be simply referred to as upstream and downstream.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the take-up unit 4 after completion of yarn threading. The take-up unit 4 includes the following members in this order from the upstream side: a yarn regulating guide 11; a yarn feed roller 12; plural (five in the present embodiment) heating rollers 21 to 25 provided in a thermal insulation box 20; yarn feed rollers 13 and 14; an interlacing device 16; and a yarn feed roller 15.

[0038] The yarn regulating guide 11 is a comb teeth guide in which regulatory portions 11a are aligned in a left-right direction. As the yarns Y are inserted into the respective regulatory portions 11a, the movement of the yarns Y in the left-right direction is regulated.

[0039] The yarn feed roller 12 is a roller onto which the yarns Y, which are about to be inserted into the thermal insulation box 20, are wound. The rotational axis of the yarn feed roller 12 extends in a front-rear direction. The yarn feed roller 13 is a roller onto which the yarns Y, which are immediately after being taken out from the thermal insulation box 20, are wound. The rotational axis of the yarn feed roller 13 extends in the front-rear direction. The yarn feed roller 14 is a roller onto which the yarns Y, which are about to be inserted into the interlacing device 16, are wound. The rotational axis of the yarn feed roller 14 extends in the left-right direction. The yarn feed roller 15 is a roller onto which the yarns Y, which are immediately after being taken out from the interlacing device 16, are wound. The rotational axis of the yarn feed roller 15 extends in the left-right direction. As indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the yarn feed roller 15 is movable to a yarn threading position in the vicinity of the yarn feed roller 14. The yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 are drive rollers which are rotationally driven by the respective motors (not illustrated). However, the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 may not be the drive rollers but be driven rollers.

[0040]  The interlacing device 16 is configured to interlace the yarns Y. There are yarn running spaces (not illustrated) in the interlacing device 16. The yarns Y run in the respective yarn running spaces. As compressed air is ejected into the yarn running spaces, the yarns Y running in the yarn running spaces are interlaced. In this regard, the interlacing device 16 may be provided at a suitable position between the heating roller 25 and the yarn feed roller 15 in the yarn running direction.

[0041] In the yarn running direction, yarn separation guides 32 to 35 (not illustrated in FIG. 1) are fixed and provided immediately upstream of the respective yarn feed rollers 12 to 15. The yarn separation guides 32 to 35 are comb teeth guides in which regulatory portions 32a to 35a are aligned. The regulatory portions 32a of the yarn separation guide 32 are aligned in the front-rear direction which is the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12. As the yarns Y are respectively inserted into the regulatory portions 32a, the movement of the yarns Y in the front-rear direction is regulated. The regulatory portions 33a of the yarn separation guide 33 are aligned in the front-rear direction which is the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 13. As the yarns Y are respectively inserted into the regulatory portions 33a, the movement of the yarns Y in the front-rear direction is regulated. The regulatory portions 34a of the yarn separation guide 34 are aligned in the left-right direction which is the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. As the yarns Y are respectively inserted into the regulatory portions 34a, the movement of the yarns Y in the left-right direction is regulated. The regulatory portions 35a of the yarn separation guide 35 are aligned in the left-right direction which is the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 15. As the yarns Y are respectively inserted into the regulatory portions 35a, the movement of the yarns Y in the left-right direction is regulated. The intervals of the regulatory portions 32a to 35a of the yarn separation guides 32 to 35 are substantially the same. Hereinafter, for example, the yarn separation guide 32 corresponding to the yarn feed roller 12 may be referred to as "the yarn separation guide 32 of the yarn feed roller 12". The yarn separation guides 32 to 35 may not be provided immediately upstream of the respective yarn feed rollers 12 to 15. When the axial direction of each of the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 is in parallel to the axial direction of a yarn feed roller which is provided immediately upstream of that yarn feed roller, a yarn separation guide corresponding to that yarn feed roller may be omitted.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the regulatory portions 32a from base end portions 32a1 toward tip portions 32a2 are open. Similarly, each of the regulatory portions 33a, the regulatory portions 34a, and the regulatory portions 35a from base end portions toward tip portions are open. Each of the regulatory portions 33a, the regulatory portions 34a, and the regulatory portions 35a are not illustrated.

[0043] The heating rollers 21 to 25 are housed in the thermal insulation box 20 made of a heat insulating material. As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal insulation box 20 is provided below the oil applying guide 3 and above front end portions of later-described bobbin holders 52 of the winding unit 5. To the thermal insulation box 20, a door 20a is attached to be openable and closeable and to cover front end surfaces of the heating rollers 21 to 25. As shown in FIG. 2, when the door 20a is open, yarn threading to the heating rollers 21 to 25 is possible from the front side. The door 20a is not illustrated in each of FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 11.

[0044] Each of the heating rollers 21 to 25 is provided so that its rotational axis extends in the front-rear direction. At a lower end portion of a right side surface of the thermal insulation box 20, a slit 20b allowing the yarns Y to be introduced into the thermal insulation box 20 is formed. At an upper end portion of the right side surface of the thermal insulation box 20, a slit 20c allowing the yarns Y to be taken out from the thermal insulation box 20 is formed. The yarns Y introduced into the thermal insulation box 20 through the slot 20b are wound onto the heating rollers 21 to 25 in order from the upstream side, and are taken out form the thermal insulation box 20 through the slit 20c.

[0045] The heating rollers 21 to 25 are rotationally driven by the respective motors (not illustrated). Furthermore, the heating rollers 21 to 25 accommodate the respective heaters (not illustrated) therein. Among the five heating rollers 21 to 25, the most upstream heating roller 21, the second most upstream heating roller 22, and the third most upstream heating roller 23 are configured to heat the yarns Y which are not drawn to at least a glass transition temperature of synthetic resin which is the material of the yarns Y. Furthermore, the rotation speeds of the most downstream heating roller 24 and the second most downstream heating roller 25 are arranged to be higher than the rotation speeds of the most upstream heating roller 21, the second most upstream heating roller 22, and the third most upstream heating roller 23. With a difference between these rotation speeds, the yarns Y heated to at least the glass transition temperature are drawn. The temperatures of the most downstream heating roller 24 and the second most downstream heating roller 25 are arranged to be higher than the temperatures of the most upstream heating roller 21, the second most upstream heating roller 22, and the third most upstream heating roller 23, so as to thermally set the drawn yarns Y.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the winding unit 5 includes a base 51, two bobbin holders 52, traverse guides 53, a contact roller 54, etc. The two bobbin holders 52 extend in the front-rear direction, and bobbins B are attached thereto. The two bobbin holders 52 are supported by a disc-shaped turret 55, which is provided to be rotatable in the base 51, at its rear end portions. The two bobbin holders 52 are rotatably driven by the respective motors (not illustrated). As the bobbin holders 52 rotate, the bobbins B attached to the bobbin holders 52 rotate together with the bobbin holders 52. As the turret 55 supporting the two bobbin holders 52 rotates, the positions of the two bobbin holders 52 are switched between a winding position (upper position in FIG. 1) and a retracted position (lower position in FIG. 1).

[0047] Above the bobbin holders 52, the traverse guides 53 and fulcrum guides 56 are provided to correspond to the bobbins B. The yarns Y fed from the yarn feed roller 15 are threaded to the respective fulcrum guides 56. Furthermore, the yarns Y are wound onto the respective bobbins B attached to one bobbin holder 52 at the winding position while being traversed about the fulcrum guides 56 in the front-rear direction by the traverse guides 53. As a result, packages P are formed on the bobbins B. The contact roller 54 rotates while applying a predetermined contact pressure to outer circumferential surfaces of the packages P by making contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the packages P. As a result, the shape of each package P is adjusted.

(Bundling Guide)

[0048] While the yarns Y are aligned in the front-rear direction at the yarn separation guide 32, the yarns Y are aligned in the left-right direction at the yarn regulating guide 11. In this regard, the yarns Y are threaded to the yarn regulating guide 11 immediately before the yarn separation guide 32. In other words, yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted immediately upstream of the yarn separation guide 32 by approximately 90 degrees. Similarly, while the yarns Y are aligned in the left-right direction at the yarn separation guide 34, the yarns Y are aligned in the front-rear direction at the yarn feed roller 13. In this regard, the yarns Y are threaded to the yarn feed roller 13 immediately before the yarn separation guide 34. In other words, the yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted immediately upstream of the yarn separation guide 34 by approximately 90 degrees. The yarn threading with use of a yarn threading assisting tool described later is required for the yarn separation guides 32 and 34 where the yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted as described above. Such yarn threading is difficult. Therefore, in the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, bundling guides 42 and 44 are provided for the respective yarn separation guides 32 and 34 to facilitate the yarn threading to the yarn separation guides 32 and 34.

[0049] Each of FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b) is a top view of the yarn separation guide 32 of the yarn feed roller 12 and the bundling guide 42. FIG. 4 is a top view of the yarn separation guide 34 of the yarn feed roller 14 and the bundling guide 44. In the present embodiment, because the bundling guide 44 is structured in a similar manner as the bundling guide 42, the description of the bundling guide 44 is omitted in regard to components having the same structures as those of the bundling guide 42. However, the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be structured differently from each other.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the yarn separation guide 32 of the yarn feed roller 12 is fixed to a supporter 46. The supporter 46 is provided above the yarn feed roller 12, and fixed to the unillustrated frame, etc. of the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1. In the yarn separation guide 32, the regulatory portions 32a which have openings on the right side are aligned in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the yarn feed roller 12 at intervals of 4 mm or less. The yarn separation guide 32 is provided to be parallel to the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12.

[0051] The bundling guide 42 is made by bending a rod member having a cross section shaped as a circle the diameter of which is 3 mm or more. In the bundling guide 42, a bundling portion 42a which is a V-shaped concave portion is formed. An aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion 42a is preferably 10 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less. In the present embodiment, this aperture angle is 60 degrees. However, the aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion 42a may be less than 10 degrees or more than 100 degrees.

[0052] The bundling guide 42 is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 32 (above the yarn separation guide 32 in the present embodiment). Furthermore, the bundling guide 42 is provided so that the bundling portion 42a is positioned in an area in which the regulatory portions 32a are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12. In addition to that, the bundling guide 42 is provided so that the bundling portion 42a is positioned in front of a halfway point of the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12.

[0053] The bundling guide 42 is fixed to a top surface of the supporter 46 by a fixing member 47, to be swingable. The bundling guide 42 is movable between a yarn threading position shown in FIG. 3(a) and a retracted position shown in FIG. 3(b) by swinging about a part of the bundling guide 42, which is fixed by the supporter 46. As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the bundling guide 42 is at the yarn threading position, the bundling portion 42a is positioned to the right of the yarn separation guide 32. Therefore, when a bundle of the yarns Y is hooked on the bundling portion 42a, the yarns Y do not make contact with the yarn separation guide 32. Meanwhile, when the bundling guide 42 is at the retracted position as shown in FIG. 3(b), the bundling guide 42 is supported by the top surface of the supporter 46 so as not to protrude to the right of the yarn separation guide 32. With this arrangement, the yarn separation guide 32 does not interfere with the yarns Y. It is therefore possible to separate the yarns Y from one another by inserting the yarns Y into the regulatory portions 32a formed in the yarn separation guide 32.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42 at the yarn threading position is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions 32a are with respect to a reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a. In the present embodiment, the reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a is a plane which passes through each of the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a and which extends in a direction orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b). In other words, the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42 at the yarn threading position and the regulatory portions 32a have openings which are open on the right side with respect to the above-described reference plane.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), the yarn separation guide 34 of the yarn feed roller 14 is fixed to a supporter 48. The supporter 48 is provided above the yarn feed roller 14, and fixed to the unillustrated frame, etc. of the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1. In the yarn separation guide 34, the regulatory portions 34a which have openings on the front side are aligned in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the yarn feed roller 14 at intervals of 4 mm or less. The yarn separation guide 34 is provided to be slightly inclined from the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. The yarn separation guide 34 is inclined from the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14 in order to minimize the degree of bending of the yarns Y between the yarn feed rollers 13 and 14. However, when the bending of yarns Y does not cause any problem, the yarn separation guide 34 may be provided to be substantially parallel to the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12.

[0056] The bundling guide 44 is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 34 (above the yarn separation guide 34). Furthermore, the bundling guide 44 is provided so that the bundling portion 44a is positioned in an area in which the regulatory portions 34a are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. A part of the bundling guide 44 extends toward a right end portion of the yarn separation guide 34 in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14.

[0057] The bundling guide 44 is fixed to a top surface of the supporter 48 by a fixing member 49, to be swingable. The bundling guide 44 is movable between a yarn threading position shown in FIG. 4(a) and a retracted position shown in FIG. 4(b) by swinging about a part of the bundling guide 44, which is fixed by the supporter 48. As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the bundling guide 44 is at the yarn threading position, the bundling portion 44a is positioned in front of the yarn separation guide 34. Therefore, when a bundle of the yarns Y is hooked on the bundling portion 44a, the yarns Y do not make contact with the yarn separation guide 34. Meanwhile, when the bundling guide 44 is at the retracted position as shown in FIG. 4(b), the bundling guide 44 is supported by the top surface of the supporter 48 so as not to protrude forward from the yarn separation guide 34. With this arrangement, the yarn separation guide 34 does not interfere with the yarns Y. It is therefore possible to separate the yarns Y from one another by inserting the yarns Y into the regulatory portions 34a formed in the yarn separation guide 34.

[0058] In the present embodiment, not bundling guides, but bar guides 31, 43, and 45 (see FIG. 5) are provided for the yarn regulating guide 11 and the yarn separation guides 33 and 35. Unlike the cases of the yarn separation guides 32 and 34, the yarn paths of the yarns Y are not distorted immediately upstream of each of the yarn regulating guide 11 and yarn separation guides 33 and 35. With this arrangement, by hooking the yarns Y on the bar guides 31, 43, and 45, the yarns Y are naturally aligned at substantially equal intervals in accordance with the yarn paths of the yarns Y on the upstream of the yarn regulating guide 11 and yarn separation guides 33 and 35. As a result, the yarn threading to the yarn regulating guide 11 and yarn separation guides 33 and 35 is facilitated. The bar guides 31, 43, and 45 are movable between yarn threading positions where the bar guides 31, 43, and 45 hook the yarns Y in the yarn threading and retracted positions where the bar guides 31, 43, and 45 do not interfere with the yarns Y.

[0059] In FIG. 5 to FIG. 11 illustrating how the yarn threading is performed, only the bundling guides 42 and 44 and bar guides 31, 43, and 45 at the yarn threading positions are illustrated. Meanwhile, the bundling guides 42 and 44 and bar guides 31, 43, and 45 at the retracted positions are not illustrated. The bundling guides 42 and 44 and bar guides 31, 43, and 45 are preferably configured to be locked at the yarn threading positions and the retracted positions, by unillustrated locking mechanisms.

(Yarn Threading)

[0060] The following will describe how the yarn threading to the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 and heating rollers 21 to 25 is performed, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 11. In the yarn threading, an operator in front of the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 performs operations. That is, a working space 100 provided for the operator to perform the yarn threading is provided in front of the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The operator performs the yarn threading the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 and heating rollers 21 to 25 from the front side.

[0061] At a start of the yarn threading, the bundling guides 42 and 44 and the bar guides 31, 43, and 45 are moved to the respective yarn threading positions as shown in FIG. 5. The yarn feed roller 15 is also moved to the yarn threading position in the vicinity of the yarn feed roller 14. To begin with, the operator sucks and retains the yarns Y by using a suction gun S and hooks the yarns Y on the bar guide 31 at the yarn threading position in front of the yarn regulating guide 11.

[0062] Subsequently, the operator moves the suction gun S to a position where the intervals of the yarns Y at the bar guide 31 are identical with the intervals of the regulatory portions 11a of the yarn regulating guide 11. At such a position, a positioning portion may be provided in advance. After that, as the bar guide 31 is moved to the retracted position behind the yarn regulating guide 11, the yarns Y are threaded to the regulatory portions 11a as shown in FIG. 6.

[0063] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator uses the suction gun S and ceaselessly threads the yarns Y to the bundling guide 42, the yarn feed roller 12, the heating rollers 21 to 25, the bar guide 43, the yarn feed roller 13, the bundling guide 44, the yarn feed roller 14, the bar guide 45, and the yarn feed roller 15 in order. After that, the operator puts the suction gun S on the floor. At this time, the yarn threading is not performed to the yarn separation guides 32 to 35. That is, because the yarns Y are bundled at the bundling portions 42a and 44a of the bundling guides 42 and 44, the yarn threading to the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 and heating rollers 21 to 25 is performed while the yarns Y are bundled.

[0064] Subsequently, the yarn threading is performed to the yarn separation guides 32 to 35 in order from the most upstream one of the yarn separation guides 32 to 35. As shown in FIG. 8, the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide 32 is performed by using a yarn threading assisting tool T. The yarn threading assisting tool T is a comb member in which grooves Ta provided for retaining the yarns Y are provided. The intervals of the grooves Ta of the yarn threading assisting tool T are substantially the same as those of each of the regulatory portions 32a to 35a of the yarn separation guides 32 to 35.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, by means of the grooves Ta of the yarn threading assisting tool T, the operator captures the yarns Y aligned in the left-right direction between the yarn regulating guide 11 and the yarn separation guide 32. Subsequently, as the yarn threading assisting tool T is moved so that the grooves Ta of the yarn threading assisting tool T are aligned in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 9, the yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted by approximately 90 degrees so that the yarns Y are aligned in the front-rear direction. After that, the bundling guide 42 is moved to the retracted position, and then the yarn threading assisting tool T is moved so that the yarns Y are threaded to the regulatory portions 32a of the yarn separation guide 32. By doing this, the yarns Y are separated from one another at the yarn separation guide 32.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the yarns Y passing through the yarn regulating guide 11 are bundled by the regulatory portion 42a of the bundling guide 42. Therefore, the yarns Y which are not captured by the yarn threading assisting tool T are kept aligned at substantially equal intervals while the intervals are gradually narrowed between the regulatory portions 11a of the yarn regulating guide 11 and the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42. This makes it easy to capture the yarns Y by using the yarn threading assisting tool T. Therefore, time required for the yarn threading is reduced. Unlike the case of the regulatory portions 32a of the yarn separation guide 32, the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42 does not need to be small in size. It is therefore possible to bundle the yarns Y at the bundling portion 42a while damage to the yarns Y is suppressed.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 9, when the yarns Y are separated from one another by the yarn separation guide 32, the intervals of the yarns Y at each of the yarn feed roller 12, heating rollers 21 to 25, bar guide 43, and yarn feed roller 13 which are provided downstream of the yarn separation guide 32 are regulated to the intervals of the yarns Y at the yarn separation guide 32. However, the yarns Y are bundled at the bundling guide 44. As the bar guide 43 is moved to the retracted position, the yarns Y hooked on the bar guide 43 are threaded to the regulatory portions 33a of the yarn separation guide 33 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0068] Subsequently, the operator performs the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide 34 by using the yarn threading assisting tool T. As shown in FIG. 10, by means of the grooves Ta of the yarn threading assisting tool T, the operator captures the yarns Y aligned in the front-rear direction between the yarn feed roller 13 and the yarn separation guide 34. Subsequently, as the yarn threading assisting tool T is moved so that the grooves Ta of the yarn threading assisting tool T are aligned in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 11, the yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted by approximately 90 degrees so that the yarns Y are aligned in the left-right direction. After that, the bundling guide 44 is moved to the retracted position. Subsequently, the yarn threading assisting tool T is moved so that the yarns Y are threaded to the regulatory portions 34a of the yarn separation guide 34. By doing this, the yarns Y are separated from one another at the yarn separation guide 34. Being similar to the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide 32, the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide 34 is performed by using the bundling guide 44 so that (i) the time required for the yarn threading is reduced and (ii) the damage to the yarns Y is suppressed.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 11, as the yarns Y are separated from one another by the yarn separation guide 34, the intervals of the yarns Y at each of the yarn feed roller 14, bar guide 45, and yarn feed roller 15 which are provided downstream of the yarn separation guide 34 are regulated to the intervals of the yarns Y at the yarn separation guide 34. As the bar guide 45 is moved to the retracted position, the yarns Y hooked on the bar guide 45 are threaded to the regulatory portions 35a of the yarn separation guide 35 as shown in FIG. 2. In this regard, the yarn threading to the interlacing device 16 is performed by using an unillustrated bar guide. However, the details of this yarn threading are omitted.

[0070]  When the yarn threading to the yarn feed rollers 12 to 15 and heating rollers 21 to 25 is completed as described above, the operator then performs the yarn threading to the winding unit 5. The description of the yarn threading to the winding unit 5 is omitted.

(Effects)

[0071] In the present embodiment, the bundling guides 42 and 44 in which the bundling portions 42a and 44a are formed are provided for the yarn separation guides 32 and 34. The bundling portions 42a and 44a are able to bundle the yarns Y so that the yarns Y are not threaded to the regulatory portions 32a and 34a. Before the yarns Y are threaded to the yarn separation guides 32 and 34, the yarns Y are hooked on the bundling portions 42a and 44a of the bundling guides 42 and 44. With this, the intervals of the yarns Y on the upstream of the bundling guides 42 and 44 are substantially equal so as to facilitate the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool T. Furthermore, because a bundle of the yarns Y does not need to be forcibly hooked on one of the regulatory portions 32a of the yarn separation guide 32 and one of the regulatory portions 34a of the yarn separation guide 34, the damage to the yarns Y is suppressed. It is therefore possible to easily perform the yarn threading while the damage to the yarns Y is suppressed.

[0072] FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b) are tables showing results of measurement of the time required for the yarn threading to the yarn separation guides 32 and 34. FIG. 12(a) shows the results of measurement regarding the yarn separation guide 32, and FIG. 12(b) shows the results of measurement regarding the yarn separation guide 34. The measurement was carried out to find how the time required for the yarn threading varied because of the existence of the bundling guides 42 and 44. In this regard, each of an unskilled operator, an experienced operator, and a skilled operator performed the yarn threading. It is assumed that, when the bundling guides 42 and 44 are not provided, the yarns Y are temporarily hooked on some of the regulatory portions 32a of the yarn separation guide 32 and some of the regulatory portions 34a of the yarn separation guide 34. According to the measurement results, it was found that the time required for the yarn threading was reduced by providing the bundling guides 42 and 44. Especially, the time required for the yarn threading performed by the unskilled operator was considerably reduced. This shows that the provision of the bundling guides 42 and 44 facilitates the yarn threading.

[0073]  In the present embodiment, the yarn feed roller 13 configured to feed the yarns Y is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 34. Between the yarn feed roller 13 and the yarn separation guide 34, a direction in which the yarns Y are aligned is changed. In this case, because the direction in which the yarns Y are aligned is changed between the yarn feed roller 13 and the yarn separation guide 34, difficulty in the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool T is increased. However, before the yarns Y are threaded to the yarn separation guide 34, the yarns Y are bundled at the bundling guide 44. With this, the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool T are facilitated.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the yarn regulating guide 11 configured to regulate the movement of the yarns Y is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 32. The direction in which the yarns Y are aligned is changed between the yarn regulating guide 11 and the yarn separation guide 32. In this case, because the direction in which the yarns Y are aligned is changed between the yarn regulating guide 11 and the yarn separation guide 32, the difficulty in the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool T is increased. However, before the yarns Y are threaded to the yarn separation guide 32, the yarns Y are bundled at the bundling guide 42. With this, the operations with use of the yarn threading assisting tool T are facilitated.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the bundling guides 42 and 44 are respectively provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 32 and upstream of the yarn separation guide 34. The bundling guides 42 and 44 may be respectively provided between the yarn separation guide 32 and the yarn feed roller 12 and between the yarn separation guide 34 and the yarn feed roller 14. In this case, the yarn separation guides 32 and 34 are respectively provided in the vicinity of the yarn feed roller 12 and in the vicinity of the yarn feed roller 14. Therefore, it may be difficult to provide the bundling guide 42 between the yarn separation guide 32 and the yarn feed roller 12 and to provide the bundling guide 44 between the yarn separation guide 34 and the yarn feed roller 14. Meanwhile, when the bundling guides 42 and 44 are respectively provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 32 and upstream of the yarn separation guide 34, there is sufficient room around the yarn bundling guides 42 and 44. It is therefore easy to provide the bundling guides 42 and 44.

[0076]  In the present embodiment, the bundling guides 42 and 44 are movable between the respective yarn threading positions where the bundling portions 42a and 44a are able to bundle the yarns Y and the respective retracted positions where the bundling portions 42a and 44a do not interfere with the yarns Y. When the bundling guides 42 and 44 are movable as described above, the attachment and detachment of the bundling guides 42 and 44 are unnecessary. Therefore, the yarn threading is further facilitated.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the bundling portions 42a and 44a are respectively provided in the area where the regulatory portions 32a are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 and in the area where the regulatory portions 34a are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. This arrangement further facilitates the yarn threading because the operations from capturing of the yarns Y on the upstream of the bundling guide 42 or 44 by means of the yarn threading assisting tool T to the yarn threading to the yarn separation guide 32 or 34 are simplified.

[0078] In the present embodiment, each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a is a V-shaped concave portion. When each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a is a V-shaped concave portion, the bundling portions 42a and 44a are widely open. It is therefore easy to hook the yarns Y on the bundling portions 42a and 44a. Furthermore, the bundling portions 42a and 44a are respectively narrowed toward the fixing member 47 and toward the fixing member 49. Therefore, as the yarns Y are hooked on the bundling portions 42a and 44a, the yarns Y are naturally bundled.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the aperture angle of each of the V-shaped bundling portions 42a and 44a is 10 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less. When the aperture angle of each of the V-shaped bundling portions 42a and 44a is too small, the yarns Y easily get damaged by being disadvantageously hooked on the edge of each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a. Furthermore, when the yarns Y are disadvantageously hooked on the edge of each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a, the yarns Y are required to be removed from this edge. Therefore, efficiency of the yarn threading is reduced. Meanwhile, when the aperture angle of each of the V-shaped bundling portions 42a and 44a is too large, the yarns Y are easily removed from each of the V-shaped bundling portions 42a and 44a. When the aperture angle of each of the V-shaped bundling portions 42a and 44a is defined as described above, the yarns Y are unlikely to be disadvantageously hooked on the edge of each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a and to be removed from each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a.

[0080] In the present embodiment, each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 is formed of a rod member. That is, each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 is formed with a small number of members. This arrangement is effective in terms of cost.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the rod member forming each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 has a cross section shaped as a circle the diameter of which is 3 mm or more. The surface of this rod member is gently curved. Therefore, even when the yarns Y make contact with this rod member, the yarns Y are unlikely to get damaged.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the regulatory portions 32a from the base end portions 32a1 toward the tip portions 32a2 are open. The bundling portion 42a is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions 32a are open with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a. When the bundling portion 42a is open in the opposite manner to the regulatory portions 32a with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a, the following problems occur. For example, the yarns Y hooked on the bundling portion 42a are tensioned in a direction opposite to the direction in which the bundling portion 42a is open. In this state, when the yarns Y are threaded again to the regulatory portions 32a by the yarn threading assisting tool T, the yarns Y are tensioned in the direction opposite to the direction in which the bundling portion 42a is open, i.e., in a direction in which the regulatory portions 32a are open. As a result, the yarns Y are removed from the regulatory portions 32a. Meanwhile, when the yarn separation guide 32 is provided so that the yarns Y are not removed from the regulatory portions 32a, the yarns Y hooked on the bundling portion 42a are tensioned in a direction opposite to the direction in which the regulatory portions 32a are open, i.e., in the direction in which the bundling portion 42a is open. As a result, the yarns Y are removed from the bundling portion 42a. To solve the problems above, it is required to additionally provide the regulatory portions 32a or the bundling portion 42a with a drop-off prevention member for preventing drop-off of the yarns Y. In the present embodiment, the bundling portion 42a is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions 32a are open with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a. With this arrangement, when the yarns Y are threaded again to the regulatory portions 32a after the yarns Y are hooked on the bundling portion 42a, the yarns Y are not removed from the bundling portion 42a and the regulatory portions 32a. Therefore, the drop-off prevention member is unnecessary.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the working space 100 provided for the operator to perform the yarn threading to the yarn feed roller 12 is provided on one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 (on the front side). Furthermore, the bundling guide 42 is provided so that the bundling portion 42a is positioned on one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 as compared to the halfway point of the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12. With this arrangement, the bundling portion 42a is provided in the vicinity of the working space 100. Therefore, the operator in the working space 100 easily hooks the yarns Y on the bundling portion 42a.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the working space 100 provided for the operator to perform the yarn threading to the yarn feed roller 14 is provided on one side in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14 (on the front side). Furthermore, a part of the bundling guide 44 extends toward one end portion of the yarn separation guide 34 in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. With this arrangement, when the bundling guide 44 is operated in order to thread the yarns Y to the yarn separation guide 34, the operator easily avoids the interference with the yarns Y by operating the part of the bundling guide 44 which extends toward one end portion of the yarn separation guide 34.

(Other Embodiments)

[0085] The following describes modifications of the present invention.

[0086] In the embodiment above, the bundling guides 42 and 44 are respectively provided for the yarn separation guides 32 and 34. The yarn paths of the yarns Y are distorted immediately upstream of each of the yarn separation guides 32 and 34. Furthermore, the bar guides 43 and 45 are respectively provided for the yarn separation guides 33 and 35. The yarn paths of the yarns Y are not distorted immediately upstream of each of the yarn separation guides 33 and 35. However, instead of the bar guides 43 and 45, bundling guides may be provided for the yarn separation guides 33 and 35 where the yarn paths of the yarns Y are not distorted as described above.

[0087] In the embodiment above, the bundling guide 42 is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 32, and the bundling guide 44 is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide 34. However, the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be respectively provided between the yarn separation guide 32 and the yarn feed roller 12 and between the yarn separation guide 34 and the yarn feed roller 14.

[0088] In the embodiment above, the bundling guides 42 and 44 are movable between the yarn threading positions and the retracted positions by being swung. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be slid in an appropriate direction, instead of being swung. The bundling guides 42 and 44 may not be manually moved. The bundling guides 42 and 44 may be moved by motors, air cylinders, or the like. The bundling guides 42 and 44 may not be movable but be detachably attached to the respective supporters 46 and 48. In this case, when the bundling guides 42 and 44 are unnecessary, the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be detached from the respective supporters 46 and 48.

[0089] The specific arrangement of each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be different from that in the embodiment above. For example, instead of the above-described rod member having a cross section shaped as a circular, each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 may be formed of a rod member having a cross section shaped as an oval or a polygon. When each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 is formed of the polygon rod member, chamfering or the r process is preferably performed for the polygon rod member so as to suppress the damage to the yarns Y. Each of the bundling guides 42 and 44 may not be formed of a rod member but be formed of a plate member. In this case, a cutout provided at a part of the plate member may be used as a bundling portion. When the plate member is used, the chamfering or the r process is preferably performed for the edge of the plate member so as to suppress the damage to the yarns Y. The shape of each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a of the bundling guides 42 and 44 is not limited to a V-shaped concave portion. Each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a of the bundling guides 42 and 44 may have any shape as long as the yarns Y can be bundled. To be more specific, each of the bundling portions 42a and 44a may be a U-shaped concave portion, a C-shaped concave portion, or a rectangular concave portion.

[0090] In the embodiment above, the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42 at the yarn threading position is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions 32a are open with respect to a reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a. However, the bundling portion 42a may be open in the opposite manner to the regulatory portions 32a with respect to the reference plane passing through the base end portions 32a1 of the regulatory portions 32a. In other words, for example, the bundling portion 42a of the bundling guide 42 at the yarn threading position may have an opening which is open on the left side with respect to the reference plane. Furthermore, the regulatory portions 32a may have an opening which is open on the right side with respect to the reference plane.

[0091] In the embodiment above, the direction in which the regulatory portions 11a of the yarn regulating guide 11 are aligned is orthogonal to the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12. That is, an angle between the direction in which the regulatory portions 11a are aligned and the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 is 90 degrees. However, the angle between the direction in which the regulatory portions 11a are aligned and the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 12 may not be 90 degrees but be 45, 30, or 15 degrees. In the embodiment above, the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 13 is orthogonal to the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14. That is, an angle between the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 13 and the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14 is 90 degrees. However, the angle between the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 13 and the axial direction of the yarn feed roller 14 may not be 90 degrees but be 45, 30, or 15 degrees.

Claims

1. A spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) comprising: a yarn feed roller (12 to 15) configured to feed yarns (Y) spun out from a spinning apparatus (2); and

a yarn separation guide (32 to 35) which is provided upstream of the yarn feed roller (12 to 15) in a yarn running direction and in which regulatory portions (32a to 35a) configured to regulate the movement of the yarns (Y) in an axial direction of the yarn feed roller (12 to 15) are formed,

the yarn separation guide (32 to 35) being provided with a bundling guide (42, 44) in which a bundling portion (42a, 44a) is formed, the bundling portion (42a, 44a) being able to bundle the yarns (Y) so that the yarns (Y) are not threaded to the regulatory portions (32a to 35a).

2. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, another yarn feed roller (13) configured to feed the yarns (Y) is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide (34) in the yarn running direction, and
a direction in which the yarns (Y) are aligned is changed between the another yarn feed roller (13) and the yarn separation guide (34).

3. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, a yarn regulating guide (11) configured to regulate the movement of the yarns (Y) is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide (32) in the yarn running direction, and
a direction in which the yarns (Y) are aligned is changed between the yarn regulating guide (11) and the yarn separation guide (32).

4. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the bundling guide (42, 44) is provided upstream of the yarn separation guide (32, 34) in the yarn running direction.

5. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the bundling guide (42, 44) is movable between a yarn threading position where the bundling portion (42a, 44a) is able to bundle the yarns (Y) and a retracted position where the bundling portion (42a, 44a) does not interfere with the yarns (Y).

6. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the bundling portion (42a, 44a) is positioned in an area where the regulatory portions (32a, 34a) are aligned along the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (12, 14).

7. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the bundling portion (42a, 44a) is a V-shaped concave portion.

8. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein, an aperture angle of the V-shaped bundling portion (42a, 44a) is 10 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.

9. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, the bundling guide (42, 44) is formed of a rod member.

10. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein, the rod member has a cross section shaped as a circular the diameter of which is 3 mm or more.

11. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, the regulatory portions (32a) from base end portions (32a1) to tip portions (32a2) are open, and
the bundling portion (42a) is open in the same manner as the regulatory portions (32a) are open with respect to a reference plane passing through the base end portions (32a1) of the regulatory portions (32a).

12. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, a working space (100) for an operator to perform yarn threading to the yarn feed roller (12 to 15) is provided on one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (12), and
the bundling guide (42) is positioned so that the bundling portion (42a) is positioned on the one side in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (12) as compared to a halfway point of the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (12).

13. The spun yarn take-up apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, a working space (100) for an operator to perform yarn threading to the yarn feed roller (12 to 15) is provided on one side in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (14), and
a part of the bundling guide (44) extends toward an end portion of the yarn separation guide (34) in the axial direction of the yarn feed roller (14).

Drawing