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(11) | EP 4 386 120 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | YARN HEATER |
| (57) An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption. A first heater 13 is provided with a yarn running groove, and includes: a heating unit configured to heat a yarn running in the yarn running groove; three heat insulating blocks which extend along an extending direction and which are aligned in a base longitudinal direction so as to oppose an open end, i.e., a lower end of the yarn running groove; and closing members 79, side plates 63a, side plates 63b, and central plates 64 each of which are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks in the extending direction. In this regard, gaps between the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 form slits 67 through which the yarn passes when the yarn is inserted into the yarn running groove. When viewed in the extending direction, the slits 67 are provided to oppose paths formed between the adjacent heat insulating blocks. The closing members 79 are movable between a close position where the slits 67 are closed and a retracted position where the slits 67 are not closed. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A known yarn heater is configured to heat a running yarn formed of synthetic fibers in a processor configured to perform various processes such as yarn combining and false twisting. Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-220755) discloses a heater (yarn heater) including: a heating body (heating unit) in which yarn running grooves are formed and which is heated by a heating element; a working-surface heat retaining material (heat insulating block) provided on the side where a working surface of the heating body is provided; and a heat retaining cover provided outside of the heating body, i.e., outside of the working-surface heat retaining material. In this regard, the working surface is provided for yarn threading. The working-surface heat retaining material is provided with grooves (paths) aligned with the yarn running grooves formed at the heating body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The above-described yarn heater is structured so that (i) walls (opposing walls) of the heat retaining cover are provided on both sides of the working-surface heat retaining material in a direction in which the yarn running grooves extend and (ii) slits are formed in the opposing walls. In this regard, when yarns are inserted into the yarn running grooves through the grooves (paths) formed at the working-surface heat retaining material (heat insulating block), the yarns pass through the slits. With this arrangement, when air in the paths provided at the heat insulating block is heated for heating the yarns, the heated air flows out from the slits formed in the opposing walls. This increases consumption of power used for heating the yarns.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a yarn heater capable of reducing power consumption.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a yarn heater is provided with a yarn running groove in which a yarn runs. This yarn heater includes: a yarn heater which extends along a first direction and which is configured to heat the yarn running in the yarn running groove, the yarn running groove extending in the first direction; at least two heat insulating blocks which extend along the first direction, which are provided to oppose an open end of the yarn running groove on one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and which are aligned in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction; at least one closing member provided at least on one of both sides of the at least two heat insulating blocks in the first direction; and at least one opposing wall provided at least on the one of the both sides of the at least two heat insulating blocks in the first direction. In this regard, a gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks forms a path which allows the yarn to be inserted into the yarn running groove, and the at least one opposing wall is provided with a slit through which the yarn passes when the yarn is inserted into the yarn running groove through the path. This slit opposes the path in the first direction. Furthermore, the at least one closing member is movable between a close position where the slit is at least partially closed and a retracted position where the slit is not closed.
[0006] According to this aspect, when air in the path (in the gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks) is heated for heating the yarn, the at least one closing member at the close position suppresses the heated air from flowing out of the slit provided in the at least one opposing wall. It is therefore possible to reduce power consumption. When the yarn is inserted into the yarn running groove through the path (through the gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks), the at least one closing member at the retracted position does not prevent the passing of the yarn.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the first aspect is arranged such that each of closing members and opposing walls are provided on the both sides of the at least two heat insulating blocks in the first direction.
[0008] According to this aspect, when air is heated for heating the yarn, the closing members suppress the heated air from flowing out through slits from both end portions of the path (the gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks) in the first direction. It is therefore possible to reliably reduce the power consumption.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the first or second aspect is arranged such that, when viewed in the first direction, the at least one closing member at the close position is provided to entirely oppose the path.
[0010] According to this aspect, when viewed in the first direction, the at least one closing member entirely seals the path (the gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks). It is therefore possible to reliably suppress the escape of air from the path through the slit, and to further reduce the power consumption.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to third aspects includes: an opening wall which is provided to oppose the yarn running groove over the at least two heat insulating blocks and which is provided with an opening opposing the at least two heat insulating blocks; and a door which is movable between a closed position where the opening is closed and an open position where the opening is open. In this regard, the at least one closing member is movable in sync with the movement of the door so that (i) the at least one closing member is provided at the retracted position when the door is provided at the open position and (ii) the at least one closing member is provided at the close position when the door is provided at the closed position.
[0012] According to this aspect, when the door is provided at the open position, the yarn is inserted into the yarn running groove through (i) the opening of the opening wall and (ii) the path between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks. At this time, because the at least one closing member is provided at the retracted position where the slit is not closed, the yarn passes through the slit. With this arrangement, when the yarn is threaded to the yarn heater while the door is provided at the open position, the at least one closing member does not prevent the passing of the yarn. When the door is provided at the closed position, the at least one closing member is provided at the close position where the slit is at least partially closed. With this arrangement, when the yarn is heated while the door is provided at the closed position, the at least one closing member suppresses the heated air in the path between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks from flowing out of the slit. It is therefore possible to reduce the power consumption.
[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the fourth aspect is arranged such that, as the door presses the at least one closing member upward, the at least one closing member moves from the retracted position to the close position.
[0014] According to this aspect, as the door stops pressing the at least one closing member upward, the at least one closing member moves from the close position to the retracted position by its own weight. It is therefore unnecessary to provide a mechanism for moving the at least one closing member from the close position to the retracted position.
[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to fifth aspects is arranged such that the at least one opposing wall is provided with a yarn running hole through which the running yarn passes and which opposes the yarn running groove in the first direction, and the at least one closing member at the close position partially closes the yarn running hole so that the yarn is able to pass through the yarn running hole.
[0016] According to this aspect, when air is heated for heating the yarn, the at least one closing member suppresses the heated air from flowing out of the open end of the yarn running groove in the first direction. It is therefore possible to further reduce the power consumption.
[0017] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to sixth aspects includes a fixed member whose position is fixed in a moving direction of the at least one closing member. In this regard, the at least one closing member or the fixed member is provided with a guide groove extending along the moving direction of the at least one closing member, and the at least one closing member or the fixed member which is not provided with the guide groove is provided with a protrusion which is able to be placed in the guide groove.
[0018] According to this aspect, the guide groove is used for guiding the movement of the at least one closing member.
[0019] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the seventh aspect is arranges such that three heat insulating blocks are provided, end members are provided on the both sides of central one of the three heat insulating blocks aligned along the third direction in the first direction, the central one of the three heat insulating blocks or each of the end members is the fixed member, and the at least one closing member moves between the close position and the retracted position as the central one of the three heat insulating blocks moves relative to the end members.
[0020] According to this aspect, as the central one of the three heat insulating blocks is moved relative to the end members, the at least one closing member is moved between the close position and the retracted position.
[0021] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the eighth aspect is arranged such that the each of the end members functions as the fixed member, the position of the each of the end members is adjustable in the third direction, and the at least one closing member is attached to the central one of the three heat insulating blocks.
[0022] For example, the at least one closing member may be moved between the close position and the retracted position by using the central one of the three heat insulating blocks as the fixed member and moving the end members in the moving direction of the at least one closing member. In this case, the end members are movable in the moving direction of the at least one closing member in addition to the third direction. When the end members are movable in another direction in addition to the third direction, the accuracy of position adjustment of the end members may be decreased in the third direction. According to this aspect, because the each of the end members is the fixed member whose position is fixed in the moving direction of the at least one closing member, the position adjustment of the end members is accurately performed in the third direction.
[0023] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the ninth aspect is arranged such that the at least one closing member moves from the close position to the retracted position as the central one of the three heat insulating blocks moves in a direction away from the yarn running groove, and the central one of the three heat insulating blocks is trapezoidal in shape and flared in the direction away from the yarn running groove when viewed in the first direction.
[0024] According to this aspect, when the yarn is threaded to the yarn heater while the at least one closing member is provided at the retracted position, the yarn is not easily hooked by the central one of the three heat insulating blocks.
[0025] According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of the tenth aspect is arranged such that, when the at least one closing member is provided at the close position, the central one of the three heat insulating blocks is adjacent to and in contact with remaining two of the three heat insulating blocks.
[0026] According to this aspect, when the yarn is heated, gaps between the three adjacent heat insulating blocks are minimized so as to reduce a space into which heat is radiated from the heating unit. It is therefore possible to further reduce the power consumption.
[0027] According to an twelfth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to eleventh aspect is arranged such that the slit extends along a direction tilted from the moving direction of the at least one closing member, and the at least one closing member includes an edge portion extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which the slit extends.
[0028] According to this aspect, the travel distance of the at least one closing member between the close position and the retracted position is reduced as compared to a case where the slit extends along the moving direction of the at least one closing member.
[0029] According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to twelfth aspect includes a housing body housing the heating unit and the at least two heat insulating blocks. In this regard, the at least one opposing wall is detachably attached to the housing body.
[0030] In the present embodiment, even when (i) the at least one closing member is provided to be close to the at least one opposing wall and (ii) the at least one opposing wall gets damaged by making contact with the at least one closing member, the at least one opposing wall can be detached from the housing body and replaced. With this arrangement, the slit is reliably closed by providing the at least one closing member to be close to the at least one opposing wall.
[0031] According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to thirteenth aspects is arranged such that the yarn running groove is at least partially defined by the heating unit.
[0033] According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, the yarn heater of any one of the first to fourteenth aspects is arranged such that the heating unit adopts contactless heating of the yarn by means of heated air.
[0034] The heating unit with the contactless heating has a relatively-high heating temperature. Therefore, when air is heated for heating the yarn in this heating unit, the heated air has a relatively-high temperature. According to this aspect, when air is heated for heating the yarn, the heated air is suppressed from flowing out of the gap between the adjacent heat insulating blocks at an end portion of the gap in the first direction. As a result, the power consumption is effectively reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a profile of a false-twist texturing machine of an embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the false-twist texturing machine, expanded along paths of yarns.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 shows a first heater.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along a line IV-IV in the first heater shown in FIG. 3.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5(a) is an enlarged view of a heating unit shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross section taken along a line Vb-Vb in FIG. 5(a).
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 shows a door of the first heater shown in FIG. 4, with the door at an open position.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along a line VII-VII in the first heater shown in FIG. 4.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 shows the first heater which is shown in FIG. 3 and which is viewed in an extending direction.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a central plate, a central heat insulating block, and a closing member.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10(a) is used for explaining the positional relationship between (i) gaps between adjacent heat insulating blocks and (ii) the closing member, with the closing member at a close position. FIG. 10(b) is used for a similar explanation, with the closing member at a retracted position.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11(a) is used for explaining the positional relationship between slits formed in a heat retaining box and the closing member, with the closing member at the close position. FIG. 11 (b) is used for a similar explanation, with the closing member at the retracted position.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 (a) is a cross section cut along a surface orthogonal to the extending direction which shows a heating unit of a modification of the embodiment. FIG. 12(b) is a cross section of the same and which is taken along a line XIIb-XIIb in FIG. 12(a).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The following will describe a false-twist texturing machine 1 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 1. A vertical direction to the sheet of FIG. 1 is defined as a base longitudinal direction, and a left-right direction to the sheet is defined as a base width direction. A direction orthogonal to both the base longitudinal direction and the base width direction is defined as an up-down direction in which the gravity acts. In this regard, the base longitudinal direction and the base width direction are substantially in parallel to the horizontal direction.
(Overall Structure of False-Twist Texturing Machine 1)
[0037] The false-twist texturing machine 1 is able to perform false twisting of yarns Y (i.e., to false-twist the yarns Y) made of synthetic fibers such as nylon (polyamide fibers) and polyester. The false-twist texturing machine 1 includes a yarn supplying unit 2 for supplying the yarns Y, a processing part 3 configured to false-twist the yarns Y supplied from the yarn supplying unit 2, and a winding unit 4 configured to wind the yarns Y processed by the processing part 3 onto winding bobbins Bw. Components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing part 3, and the winding unit 4 are aligned to form plural lines in the base longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2). The base longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to a running plane (the sheet of FIG. 1) of the yarns Y, which is formed of the yarn paths extending from the yarn supplying unit 2 to the winding unit 4 via the processing part 3.
[0038] The yarn supplying unit 2 includes a creel stand 5 retaining yarn supply packages Ps. The yarn supplying unit 2 is configured to supply the plural yarns Y to the processing part 3. The processing part 3 is configured to false-twist the yarns Y supplied from the yarn supply packages Ps. In the processing part 3, the following members are placed in this order from the upstream side in a yarn running direction: each first feed roller 11; each twist-stopping guide 12; each first heater 13 (equivalent to a yarn heater of the present invention); each cooler 14; each false-twisting device 15; each second feed roller 16; each interlacing device 17; each third feed roller 18; a second heater 19; and each fourth feed roller 20. The winding unit 4 includes plural winding devices 21. Each winding device 21 is configured to wind a yarn Y false-twisted by the processing part 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw, so as to form a wound package Pw.
[0039] The false-twist texturing machine 1 includes a main frame 8 and a winding base 9 that are spaced apart from each other in the base width direction. The main base 8 and the winding base 9 extend to substantially the same length in the base longitudinal direction. The main base 8 and the winding base 9 oppose each other in the base width direction. An upper part of the main base 8 is connected to an upper part of the winding base 9 by a supporting frame 10. Each device forming the processing part 3 is mainly attached to the main base 8 or the supporting frame 10. Each device forming the winding unit 4 is attached to the winding base 9. The main base 8, the winding base 9, and the supporting frame 10 form a working space A where an operator performs an operation such as yarn threading to each device. The yarn paths are formed so that the yarns Y mainly run around the working space A.
[0040] The false-twist texturing machine 1 includes units termed spans each of which includes a pair of the main base 8 and the winding base 9 provided to oppose each other. In one span, processing units (which are also termed spindles) in which yarn paths are formed to pass the devices forming the processing part 3 are lined up in the base longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, in one span, plural yarns Y running while being aligned in the base longitudinal direction can be simultaneously false-twisted. In the false-twist texturing machine 1, the spans are placed in a left-right symmetrical manner to the sheet, with a center line C in the base width direction of the main base 8 set as a symmetry axis. The main base 8 is shared between the left span and the right span.
(Processing Unit)
[0041] The following will describe the structure of the processing part 3 with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Each first feed roller 11 is configured to unwind a yarn Y from a yarn supply package Ps attached to the yarn supplying unit 2, and to feed the yarn Y to a first heater 13. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first feed roller 11 is configured to feed one yarn Y to the first heater 13. The first feed roller 11 may be able to feed adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. Each twist-stopping guide 12 is provided to prevent the twist of a yarn Y formed by a false-twisting device 15 from being propagated to the upstream side of the twist-stopping guide 12 in the yarn running direction.
[0042] Each first heater 13 is configured to heat yarns Y fed from some first feed rollers 11 to a predetermined processing temperature. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first heater 13 is able to heat two yarns Y. The first heater 13 will be detailed later.
[0043] Each cooler 14 is configured to cool a yarn Y heated by a first heater 13. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the cooler 14 is configured to cool one yarn Y. The cooler 14 may be able to simultaneously cool plural yarns Y.
[0044] Each false-twisting device 15 is provided downstream of a cooler 14 in the yarn running direction. The false-twisting device 15 is configured to twist a yarn Y. The false-twisting device 15 is, e.g., a so-called disc-friction-type false-twisting device. However, the disclosure is not limited to this.
[0045] Each second feed roller 16 is configured to feed a yarn Y processed by a false-twisting device 15 to an interlacing device 17. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16 is higher than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each first feed roller 11. With this arrangement, the yarn Y is drawn and false-twisted between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16.
[0046] Each interlacing device 17 is configured to interlace a yarn Y. The interlacing device 17 includes, e.g., a known interlace nozzle configured to interlace the yarn Y by means of an airflow.
[0047] Each third feed roller 18 is configured to feed a yarn Y running on the downstream side of an interlacing device 17 in the yarn running direction, to the second heater 19. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the third feed roller 18 is configured to feed one yarn Y to the second heater 19. The third feed roller 18 may be able to feed adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is lower than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each second feed roller 16. The yarn Y is therefore relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18.
[0048] The second heater 19 is configured to heat yarns Y fed from some third feed rollers 18. The second heater 19 extends along the vertical direction, and one second heater 19 is provided in one span.
[0049] Each fourth feed roller 20 is configured to feed a yarn Y heated by the second heater 19 to a winding device 21. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the fourth feed roller 20 is able to feed one yarn Y to the winding device 21. The fourth feed roller 20 may be able to feed adjacent yarns Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. The conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by the fourth feed roller 20 is lower than the conveyance speed of conveying the yarn Y by each third feed roller 18. The yarn Y is therefore relaxed between the third feed roller 18 and the fourth feed roller 20.
[0050] In the processing part 3 arranged as described above, the yarn Y drawn between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false-twisting device 15. The twist formed by the false-twisting device 15 propagates to the twist-stopping guide 12, but does not propagate to the upstream side of the twist-stopping guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The yarn Y which is twisted and drawn is heated by the first heater 13 and thermally set. After that, the yarn Y is cooled by the cooler 14. The yarn Y is untwisted on the downstream side of the false-twisting device 15 in the yarn running direction. However, the yarn Y is maintained to be wavy in shape on account of the thermal setting described above (i.e., the crimp contraction of the yarn Y is maintained).
[0051] The false-twisted yarn Y is interlaced by the interlacing device 17 while being relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18. After that, the yarn Y is guided toward the downstream side in the yarn running direction. Furthermore, the yarn Y is thermally processed by the second heater 19 while being relaxed between the third feed roller 18 and the fourth feed roller 20. Finally, the yarn Y fed from the fourth feed roller 20 is wound by the winding device 21.
(Structure of Winding Unit)
[0052] The following will describe the structure of the winding unit 4 with reference to FIG. 2. The winding unit 4 includes plural winding devices 21. Each winding device 21 is able to wind a yarn Y onto one winding bobbin Bw. The winding device 21 includes a fulcrum guide 41, a traverse device 42, and a cradle 43. The fulcrum guide 41 is a guide functioning as a fulcrum when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse device 42 is able to traverse the yarn Y by means of a traverse guide 45. The cradle 43 is configured to rotatably support the winding bobbin Bw. A contact roller 46 is provided in the vicinity of the cradle 43. The contact roller 46 is configured to make contact with a surface of a wound package Pw so as to apply a contact pressure to the surface of the wound package Pw. In the winding unit 4 arranged as described above, the yarn Y fed from the fourth feed roller 20 described above is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw by each winding device 21 so as to form the wound package Pw.
(First Heater)
[0053] The following will detail the structure of the first heater 13 with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the first heater 13 extends in a predetermined extending direction (equivalent to a "first direction" of the present invention) orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the extending direction is in parallel to the base width direction. The extending direction may be tilted with respect to the base width direction.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the first heater 13 is provided with each yarn running groove 56 extending along the extending direction. The first heater 13 is configured to heat at least one yarn Y running in the yarn running groove 56. In the present embodiment, the first heater 13 is able to heat two yarns Y (yarns Ya and Yb: see FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) .
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the first heater 13 mainly includes a heating unit 50, heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73, closing members 79, and a heat retaining box 60. The heating unit 50 is provided with yarn running grooves 56 (56a, 56b) extending along the extending direction. The arrangement direction of the two yarn running grooves 56a and 56b is the base longitudinal direction. The heating unit 50 is configured to heat the yarns Y (yarn Ya, Yb) running in the yarn running grooves 56 (56a, 56b). The heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are provided below the heating unit 50. The closing members 79 are attached to the heat insulating block 72 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 9). The heat retaining box 60 houses the heating unit 50 and the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. A heat insulating material 70 is provided so as to fill a gap between (i) an inner wall surface of the heat retaining box 60 and (ii) the heating unit 50 and the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 which are housed in the heat retaining box 60. The heat insulating material 70 is made of, e.g., rock wool or ceramic fiber.
[0056] The heating unit 50 extends along the extending direction. The heating unit 50 mainly includes a heat source 51, two heating blocks 52 (52a and 52b) and two yarn contacted portions 54 (54a and 54b). The heat source 51 is, e.g., a sheathed heater. The heat source 51 extends along the extending direction. The heating blocks 52 and the yarn contacted portions 54 are heated by heat generated by the heat source 51. The heating blocks 52 and the yarn contacted portions 54 extend in the extending direction along the heat source 51.
[0057] The heating block 52a and the yarn contacted portion 54a are members for heating the yarn Ya. The heating block 52b and the yarn contacted portion 54b are members for heating the yarn Yb. The members for heating the yarn Ya oppose the members for heating the yarn Yb over the heat source 51 in the base longitudinal direction.
[0058] The following will describe the members for heating the yarn Ya. The heating block 52a is made of a metal material such as yellow copper having a high specific heat. The heating block 52a is provided to be in contact with the heat source 51. The heating block 52a is provided on one side of the heat source 51 in the base longitudinal direction (on the left side in the sheet of FIG. 4). The heating block 52a is provided with a concave portion 53 (53a) extending in the extending direction. The concave portion 53a is open downward. The concave portion 53a houses a yarn contacted portion 54 (54a).
[0059] The yarn contacted portion 54a is a long member made of, e.g., SUS. The yarn contacted portion 54a is fixed to the heating block 52a while being in contact with the heating block 52a. The yarn contacted portion 54a is heated by heat transmitted from the heat source 51 via the heating block 52a, so as to be increased in temperature. The yarn contacted portion 54a includes a yarn contacted surface 55 (55a) for causing a yarn Y to make contact therewith. The yarn contacted surface 55a faces down. As shown in FIG. 5(b), in a cross section orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction, the yarn contacted surface 55a is curved and protrudes downward. As shown in FIG. 5(a), when viewed in the extending direction, the yarn contacted surface 55a is curved and protrudes upward.
[0060] The yarn running groove 56 (56a) is defined by wall surfaces defining the concave portion 53a of the heating block 52a and the yarn contacted surface 55a of the yarn contacted portion 54a. In the present embodiment, the entire yarn running groove 56 (56a) is defined in the heating unit 50. The yarn running groove 56 (56a) is open downward. That is, an end portion of the yarn running groove 56 (56a) on a lower side (equivalent to "one side in a second direction" of the present invention) is an open end (i.e., a mouth of the groove).
[0061] The following will describe the members for heating the yarn Yb. The heating block 52b is provided on the other side of the heat source 51 in the base longitudinal direction (on the right side in the sheet of FIG. 4). The heating block 52b is in contact with the heat source 51. The heating block 52b is provided with a concave portion 53b which is identical in shape with the concave portion 53a. The concave portion 53b houses the yarn contacted portion 54b structured in the same manner as the yarn contacted portion 54a. The yarn contacted portion 54b includes a yarn contacted surface 55b which is identical in shape with the yarn contacted surface 55a. The yarn running groove 56b is defined by wall surfaces defining the concave portion 53b of the heating block 52b and the yarn contacted surface 55b of the yarn contacted portion 54b. The details of the members for heating the yarn Yb will be omitted.
[0062] A yarn Y (Ya, Yb) sent into the first heater 13 runs in a yarn running groove 56 (56a, 56b) while making contact with a yarn contacted surface 55 (55a, 55b). Because of this, the yarn Y (Ya, Yb) receives heat from a heating block 52 (52a, 52b) via the yarn contacted surface 55 (55a, 55b) and is heated. The temperature of the yarn Y is increased to an appropriate processing temperature by properly setting the type, brand (thickness), and running speed of the yarn Y and the heating temperature of the first heater 13.
[0063] The heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are formed of, e.g., gypsum boards. Each of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 extends along the extending direction. The heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are aligned along the base longitudinal direction (equivalent to a "third direction" of the present invention) between the heating unit 50 and a later-described lower wall 61a of the heat retaining box 60.
[0064] The heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are aligned in this order from one side to the other side in the base longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 6, gaps are formed between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 so as to function as paths which allows the yarns Y to be inserted into the yarn running grooves 56 and threaded to the first heater 13. A gap between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71 and 72 forms a path which allows the yarn Ya to be inserted into the yarn running groove 56a. A gap between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 72 and 73 forms a path which allows the yarn Yb to be inserted into the yarn running groove 56b.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, among the three heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 aligned in the base longitudinal direction, the central heat insulating block 72 is substantially trapezoidal in shape and is flared toward the lower side in the up-down direction (in a direction away from the yarn running grooves 56) when viewed in the extending direction. Both side surfaces 72a and 72b of the heat insulating block 72 in the base longitudinal direction are tilted with respect to a virtual vertical plane orthogonal to the base longitudinal direction. The surface 72a of the heat insulating block 72 is provided on one side in the base longitudinal direction (on the left side in the sheet of FIG. 4), and is tilted so that its upper end is provided on the other side of its lower end in the base longitudinal direction. The surface 72b of the heat insulating block 72 is provided on the other side in the base longitudinal direction (on the right side in the sheet of FIG. 4), and is tilted so that its upper end is provided on one side of its lower end in the base longitudinal direction.
[0066] A surface 71a of the heat insulating block 71 on the other side in the base longitudinal direction (the right side in the sheet of FIG. 4) is substantially in parallel to the surface 72a of the heat insulating block 72 on one side in the base longitudinal direction (the left side in the sheet of FIG. 4). A surface 73a of the heat insulating block 73 on one side in the base longitudinal direction (the left side in the sheet of FIG. 4) is substantially in parallel to the surface 72b of the heat insulating block 72 on the other side in the base longitudinal direction (the right side in the sheet of FIG. 4).
[0067] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the closing members 79 are attached to the central heat insulating block 72 on both sides in the extending direction. Each closing member 79 is a plate-shaped member. Each closing member 79 is attached to the heat insulating block 72 so that its thickness direction is parallel to the extending direction.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the heat retaining box 60 mainly includes a housing body 61, a door 62, side plates 63a, side plates 63b, and central plates 64. The heat retaining box 60 is provided with gates 66 for the yarns Y into the heat retaining box 60. In the heat retaining box 60, gates 66 are provided so as to oppose both end portions of each yarn running groove 56 in the extending direction. Each running yarn Y passes through the gates 66. That is, the gates 66 are equivalent to "yarn running holes" of the present invention. The heat retaining box 60 is provided with slits 67 which are connected to the gates 66 at their one ends and open at their the other ends.
[0069] The housing body 61 is a hollow member which is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape and which is long in the extending direction. The housing member 61 houses the heating unit 50 and the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower wall 61a of the housing body 61 is provided with an opening 68. The lower wall 61a opposes the yarn running grooves 56 over the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. That is, the lower wall 61a is equivalent to an "opening wall" of the present invention. The opening 68 is provided in the lower wall 61a so as to oppose the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. The opening 68 is provided along the entire length of the housing body 61 in the extending direction.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, both side walls 61b of the housing body 61 in the extending direction are respectively provided with openings 69. Each opening 69 is provided at the center of a corresponding side wall 61b in the base longitudinal direction. Each opening 69 is open downward. The side walls 61b are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction.
[0071] The door 62 is a plate-shaped member extending along the extending direction. The door 62 is attached to a lower surface of the lower wall 61a of the housing body 61. The door 62 is able to swing about a shaft 62a extending along the extending direction. The shaft 62a is attached to an end portion of the door 62 on the other side in the base longitudinal direction (the right side in the sheet of FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the door 62 at a closed position closes the opening 68 of the housing body 61. When the door 62 at the closed position swings downward about the shaft 62a (swings counterclockwise in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) so that the door 62 is provided at an open position shown in FIG. 6, the opening 68 of the housing body 61 is open. That is, the door 62 is movable between the closed position (see FIG. 4) where the opening 68 of the housing body 61 is closed and the open position (see FIG. 6) where the opening 68 is open.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, a spring 65 is fixed to the housing body 61 at its one end and fixed to the door 62 at its the other end. The door 62 is biased in a direction from the open position toward the closed position by the spring 65. The door 62 at the closed position is biased upward by the spring 65.
[0073] Three plates formed of a side plate 63a, a side plate 63b, and a central plate 64 are detachably attached to an outer surface of a side wall 61b of the housing body 61 on each side in the extending direction. The side plates 63a, side plates 63b, and central plates 64 are equivalent to "opposing walls" of the present invention. The central plates 64 are respectively provided on both sides of the heat insulating block 72 in the extending direction. That is, the central plates 64 are also equivalent to "end members" of the present invention.
[0074] The side plates 63a are attached to the side walls 61b of the housing body 61 on one side of the opening 69 in the base longitudinal direction (the left side in the sheet of FIG. 8). The side plates 63b are attached to the side walls 61b of the housing body 61 on the other side of the opening 69 in the base longitudinal direction (the right side in the sheet of FIG. 8). The side plates 63a and the side plates 63b are detachably attached to the housing body 61 by screws, etc. The side plates 63a and the side plates 63b are provided to partially close the openings 69. The side plates 63a and the side plates 63b are distanced from each other in the base longitudinal direction. The central plates 64 are detachably attached to the side walls 61b of the housing body 61 by bolts 82 so as to be above the openings 69. The central plates 64 are provided to partially close the openings 69. The central plates 64 are provided between the side plates 63a and the side plates 63b in the base longitudinal direction. The central plates 64 are distanced from the side plates 63a and the side plates 63b in the base longitudinal direction.
[0075] Each gate 66 (66a, 66b) for a yarn Y (Ya, Yb) into the heat retaining box 60 is formed by a gap between a side plate 63a and a central plate 64 or a gap between a side plate 63b and a central plate 64. Each gate 66a is formed by a gap between a side plate 63a and a central plate 64 so as to oppose an end portion of the yarn running groove 56a in the extending direction. Each gate 66b is formed by a gap between a side plate 63b and a central plate 64 so as to oppose an end portion of the yarn running groove 56b in the extending direction.
[0076] Each slit 67 (67a, 67b) is formed by a gap between a side plate 63a and a central plate 64 or a gap between a side plate 63b and a central plate 64. The two kinds of slits, i.e., the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend on a plane orthogonal to the extending direction. The slits 67a and the slits 67b are tilted with respect to the up-down direction. The slits 67a are tilted so that their upper ends are provided on the other side of their lower ends in the base longitudinal direction (on the right side in the sheet of FIG. 8). The slits 67b are tilted so that their upper ends are provided on one side of their lower ends in the base longitudinal direction (on the left side in the sheet of FIG. 8). The slits 67a are connected to the gates 66a at their upper ends, and open at their lower ends. The slits 67b are connected to the gates 66b at their upper ends, and open at their lower ends.
[0077] Each slit 67a is formed by a gap between a side plate 63a and a central plate 64 so as to oppose, in the extending direction, a gap between the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72. Each slit 67b is formed by a gap between a side plate 63b and a central plate 64 so as to oppose, in the extending direction, a gap between the heat insulating blocks 72 and 73.
[0078] Each central plate 64 is provided with two holes 64a into which the bolts 82 are inserted. The two holes 64a are aligned along the base longitudinal direction. Each hole 64a is elliptical in shape and long in the base longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, the central plate 64 is slidable in the base longitudinal direction by loosening a bolt 82 inserted into each hole 64a. The central plate 64 is configured to slide in the base longitudinal direction while its position is fixed in the up-down direction of the housing body 61. That is, the central plate 64 is equivalent to a "fixed member" of the present invention.
[0079] In each central plate 64, the part closing an opening 69 is provided with an opening 64b extending along the up-down direction. In each opening 64b, a later-described protrusion 78 of a closing member 79 is placed. The opening 64b is provided for guiding the movement of the closing member 79 in the up-down direction. That is, the opening 64b is equivalent to a "guide groove" of the present invention.
[0080] The following will describe the function and movement of each closing member 79 with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Each of FIGs. 10(a) and 10(b) is used for explaining the positional relationship between (i) gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 and (ii) the closing member 79. Each of FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b) is used for explaining the positional relationship between the slits 67 formed in the heat retaining box 60 and the closing member 79. The closing member 79 is illustrated by dotted lines in FIGs. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b).
[0081] As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11(b), when viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 is substantially trapezoidal in shape and flared toward the lower side in the up-down direction. The closing member 79 includes edge portions 79a and 79b which are tilted with respect to the up-down direction. The edge portion 79a is tilted so that its upper end is provided on the other side of its lower end in the base longitudinal direction (on the right side in the sheet of FIGs. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b)). The edge portion 79a extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which each slit 67a provided in the heat retaining box 60 extends. The edge portion 79b is tilted so that its upper end is provided on one side of its lower end in the base longitudinal direction (on the left side in the sheet of FIGs. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b)). The edge portion 79b extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which each slit 67b provided in the heat retaining box 60 extends.
[0082] The closing member 79 is movable in the up-down direction. The closing member 79 is movable between a close position shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 11(a) and a retracted position shown in FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 11(b) by moving up and down.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 10(a), when viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the close position is provided so as to entirely oppose the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. When the closing member 79 is provided at the close position and viewed in the extending direction, the edge portion 79a of the closing member 79 opposes the gap between the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72. When the closing member 79 is provided at the close position and viewed in the extending direction, the edge portion 79b of the closing member 79 opposes the gap between the heat insulating blocks 72 and 73.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 10(b), when viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the retracted position does not oppose, in the base longitudinal direction, at least parts of the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. When viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the retracted position opposes the heat insulating block 72 and does not oppose the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73. In the present embodiment, when viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the retracted position opposes, in the base longitudinal direction, the parts of the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. When viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the retracted position may not oppose the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 at all.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the closing member 79 at the close position closes slits 67a and 67b by means of the edge portions 79a and 79b. To be more specific, the edge portion 79a closes the slit 67a, and the edge portion 79b closes the slit 67b. The slits 67a and 67b are closed by the closing member 79 except at their lower end portions. When viewed in the extending direction, the closing member 79 at the close position partially closes gates 66 so that yarns Y can pass through the gates 66. As shown in FIG. 11(b), the closing member 79 at the retracted position does not close the slits 67a and 67b.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, one surface of the closing member 79 is provided on the side opposite to the heat insulating block 72 in the extending direction, and the protrusion 78 is provided on this surface. The protrusion 78 extends along the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 78 is provided in an opening 64b of a central plate 64. In this regard, the closing member 79 is in contact with the central plate 64 in the extending direction. That is, the above-described surface of the closing member 79 is provided on the side opposite to the heat insulating block 72 in the extending direction, one surface of the central plate 64 is provided on the heat-insulating block 72 side is provided in the extending direction, and these surfaces are in contact with each other.
[0087] Each side surface 78a of the protrusion 78 provided in the opening 64b makes contact with an edge portion of the opening 64b, which extends along the up-down direction. As the central plate 64 is slid in the base longitudinal direction, the heat insulating block 72 is also moved in the base longitudinal direction along with the closing member 79 in which the protrusion 78 is provided. With this arrangement, the position of the heat insulating block 72 is adjustable in the base longitudinal direction by sliding the central plate 64 in the base longitudinal direction. The protrusion 78 is slidable in the up-down direction of the opening 64b.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the door 62 at the closed position presses the heat insulating block 72 upward. As the door 62 is moved from the closed position to the open position as shown in FIG. 6, the heat insulating block 72 is released from being pressed upward. Because of this, the heat insulating block 72 and the closing member 79 move downward by their own weight. As the door 62 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the heat insulating block 72 is pressed upward again by the door 62. Because of this, the heat insulating block 72 and the closing member 79 are moved upward.
[0089] The heat insulating block 72 is configured to move up and down with respect to the central plate 64 in sync with the movement of the door 62. As the heat insulating block 72 moves up and down, the protrusion 78 slides in the up-down direction of the opening 64b formed in the central plate 64. The opening 64b is provided for guiding the movement of the heat insulating block 72 and the closing member 79 in the up-down direction.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 10(a), when the door 62 is provided at the closed position, the closing member 79 is provided at the close position. At this time, the closing member 79 closes the slits 67a and 67b by means of the edge portions 79a and 79b as shown in FIG. 11(a). As shown in FIG. 10(b), when the door 62 is provided at the open position, the closing member 79 is provided at the retracted position. At this time, the closing member 79 does not close the slits 67a and 67b as shown in FIG. 11 (b). As such, the closing member 79 is movable between the close position and the retracted position in sync with the movement of the door 62.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 4, when the door 62 is provided at the closed position (when the closing member 79 is provided at the close position), the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73. To be more specific, the surface 72a of the heat insulating block 72 is in contact with the surface 71a of the heat insulating block 71. The surface 72b of the heat insulating block 72 is in contact with the surface 73a of the heat insulating block 73. Even when the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73, there are differences between the surfaces 71a and 72a of the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72 and between the surfaces 72b and 73a of the heat insulating blocks 72 and 73 in regard to parallelism, flatness, etc. Because of this, small gaps are provided between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. In this regard, however, the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are minimized.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 6, when the door 62 is provided at the open position (when the closing member 79 is provided at the retracted position), the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and not in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73. At this time, gaps are provided between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 so as to reliably function as the paths which allow the yarns Y to be inserted into the yarn running grooves 56.
(Steps of Threading Yarns Y)
[0093] The following will describe steps of threading the yarns Y into the first heater 13. To begin with, an operator moves the door 62 from the closed position to the open position. Because of this, the opening 68 of the housing body 61 is open as shown in FIG. 6. As the door 62 is moved to the open position, the heat insulating block 72 and each closing member 79 are moved downward. At this time, the closing member 79 is moved from the close position to the retracted position. That is, the closing member 79 does not close slits 67a and 67b formed at the heat retaining box 60 as shown in FIG. 11(b). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the gaps are formed between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 so as to function as the paths of the yarns Y.
[0094] Subsequently, the operator moves the yarns Y provided below the heat retaining box 60 upward so as to insert the yarns Y into the heat retaining box 60 through the opening 68. At this time, the yarns Y are inserted into the yarn running grooves 56 from its open ends (lower ends) through the slits 67 formed at the heat retaining box 60 and through the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. In this regard, the closing member 79 is provided at the retracted position so as not to close the slits 67. Therefore, the closing member 79 does not prevent the yarns Y from passing through the slits 67.
[0095] Finally, the operator moves the door 62 from the open position to the closed position. Because of this, the opening 68 of the housing body 61 is closed as shown in FIG. 4. As the door 62 is moved to the closed position, the heat insulating block 72 and the closing member 79 are moved upward. At this time, the closing member 79 is moved from the retracted position to the close position. That is, the closing member 79 closes the slits 67a and 67b formed at the heat retaining box 60 as shown in FIG. 11(a). In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73.
[0096] After the above-described yarn threading, the first heater 13 heats the yarns Y. That is, when the first heater 13 heats the yarns Y, the closing member 79 viewed in the extending direction is provided so as to entirely oppose the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. At this time, the closing member 79 closes the slits 67a and 67b formed at the heat retaining box 60. Furthermore, the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are minimized.
(Characteristics of Embodiment)
[0097] As described above, the first heater 13 of the present embodiment is provided with the yarn running grooves 56 extending along the extending direction and includes: the heating unit 50 configured to heat the yarns Y running in the yarn running grooves 56; the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 which extend along the extending direction and which are aligned in the base longitudinal direction so as to oppose the open ends, i.e., the lower ends of the yarn running grooves 56; and the closing members 79, the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 each of which are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction. The gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 form the paths which allow the yarns Y to be inserted into the yarn running grooves 56. The gaps between the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 form the slits 67 through which the yarns Y pass when being inserted into the yarn running grooves 56. When viewed in the extending direction, the slits 67 are provided to oppose the paths formed between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. The closing members 79 are movable between the close position where the slits 67 are closed and the retracted position where the slits 67 are not closed.
[0098] With the above-described arrangement, when air in the gaps (paths) between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 is heated for heating the yarns Y, the closing members 79 at the close position suppress escape of the heated air from the slits 67. It is therefore possible to reduce power consumption. When the yarns Y are inserted into the yarn running grooves 56 through the gaps (paths) between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73, the closing members 79 at the retracted position do not prevent the passing of the yarns Y.
[0099] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, each of the closing members 79, the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction. With this arrangement, when air is heated for heating the yarns Y, the closing members 79 suppress the heated air from flowing out of both end portions of the paths (the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73) in the extending direction through the slits 67. It is therefore possible to reliably reduce power consumption.
[0100] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, when viewed in the extending direction, the closing members 79 at the close position entirely oppose the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. With this arrangement, the closing members 79 entirely seal the gaps (paths) between the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in regard to the base longitudinal direction and the up-down direction. It is therefore possible to reliably suppress the escape of air from these gaps, and to further reduce the power consumption.
[0101] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the opening 68 is provided in the lower wall 61a of the heat retaining box 60 housing the heating unit 50 and the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 so that the opening 68 opposes the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. The door 62 of the heat retaining box 60 is movable between the closed position where the opening 68 is closed and the open position where the opening 68 is open. The closing member 79 is movable in sync with the movement of the door 62. When the door 62 is provided at the open position, the closing members 79 are provided at the retracted position. When the door 62 is provided at the closed position, the closing members 79 are provided at the close position.
[0102] With the above-described arrangement, when the door 62 is provided at the open position, the yarns Y are inserted into the yarn running grooves 56 from the open ends of the yarn running grooves 56 by inserting the yarns Y into the heat retaining box 60 through the opening 68. At this time, because the closing members 79 are provided at the retracted position where the slits 67 are not closed, the yarns Y pass through the slits 67. With this arrangement, when the yarns Y are threaded to the first heater 13, the closing members 79 do not prevent the passing of the yarns Y. When the door 62 is provided at the closed position, the closing members 79 are provided at the close position where the slits 67 are closed. With this arrangement, when the yarns Y are heated, the closing members 79 suppress the heated air in the gaps (paths) between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 from flowing out of the slits 67. It is therefore possible to reduce power consumption.
[0103] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, as the door 62 presses the closing members 79 upward, the closing members 79 move from the retracted position to the close position. With this arrangement, as the door 62 stops pressing the closing members 79 upward, the closing members 79 move from the close position to the retracted position by their own weight. It is therefore unnecessary to provide a mechanism for moving the closing members 79 from the close position to the retracted position.
[0104] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the gaps between the side plates 63a and the central plates 64 and the gaps between the central plates 64 and the side plates 63b form the gates 66 through which the running yarns Y pass. The gates 66 are provided to oppose the yarn running grooves 56 in the extending direction. The closing members 79 at the close position partially close the gates 66 so that the yarns Y can pass through the gates 66. With this arrangement, when air is heated for heating the yarns Y, the heated air is suppressed from flowing out of both ends of the yarn running grooves 56 in the extending direction. It is therefore possible to further reduce power consumption.
[0105] The first heater 13 of the present embodiment includes the central plates 64 whose positions are fixed in the up-down direction (a moving direction of the closing members 79). Each central plate 64 is provided with an opening 64b extending along the up-down direction. Each closing member 79 is provided with a protrusion 78 which can be placed at the opening 64b provided in the central plate 64. With this arrangement, the movement of the closing member 79 in the up-down direction is guided by the opening 64b.
[0106] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the central plates 64 are provided on both sides of the central heat insulating block 72 in the extending direction among the three heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 aligned along the base longitudinal direction. The closing members 79 are attached to the heat insulating block 72. As the heat insulating block 72 moves up and down with respect to the central plates 64, the closing members 79 move between the close position and the retracted position. With this arrangement, as the heat insulating block 72 is moved with respect to the central plates 64, the closing members 79 are moved between the close position and the retracted position.
[0107] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the positions of the central plates 64 are adjustable in the base longitudinal direction. Alternatively, for example, the slits 67 may be closed by fixing the position of the heat insulating block 72 in the up-down direction and moving the central plates 64 in the up-down direction. In this case, the central plates 64 are movable in the up-down direction in addition to the base longitudinal direction. When the central plates 64 are movable in another direction in addition to the base longitudinal direction, the accuracy of position adjustment of the central plates 64 may be decreased in the base longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, because the positions of the central plates 64 are fixed in the up-down direction, the position adjustment of the central plates 64 is accurately performed in the base longitudinal direction.
[0108] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the closing members 79 are configured to move from the close position to the retracted position by moving downward. When viewed in the extending direction, the heat insulating block 72 is trapezoidal in shape and flared toward the lower side in the up-down direction. With this arrangement, when the yarns Y are threaded to the first heater 13 while the closing members 79 are provided at the retracted position, the yarns Y are not easily hooked by an upper end portion of the heat insulating block 72.
[0109] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, when the closing members 79 are provided at the close position, the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73. With this arrangement, when the yarns Y are heated, the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are minimized so as to reduce a space into which heat is radiated from the heating unit 50. It is therefore possible to further reduce power consumption.
[0110] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend in a direction tilted from the up-down direction. The closing members 79 include the edge portions 79a and the edge portions 79b which extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend. This reduces the travel distance of the closing members 79 between the close position and the retracted position as compared to a case where the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend along the moving direction of the closing members 79 (up-down direction).
[0111] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 are detachably attached to the housing body 61 housing the heating unit 50 and the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73. In the present embodiment, even when (i) the closing members 79 are provided to be close to the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 and (ii) the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 get damaged by making contact with the closing members 79, the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 can be detached from the housing body 61 and replaced. With this arrangement, the slits 67 are reliably closed by providing the closing members 79 to be close to the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64.
[0112] In the first heater 13 of the present embodiment, the entire yarn running grooves 56 are defined in the heating unit 50. With this arrangement, the yarns Y are efficiently heated.
[0113] The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinabove. However, the specific structure of the present invention shall not be interpreted as to be limited to the above described embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above embodiments but by claims set forth below, and shall encompass the equivalents in the meaning of the claims and every modification within the scope of the claims.
[0114] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 at the close position close the slits 67 except the lower end portions of the slits 67. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The closing members 79 may be differently arranged as long as the closing members 79 at the close position at least partially close the slits 67. The closing members 79 at the close position may entirely close the slits 67.
[0115] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The closing members 79 may be differently arranged as long as one closing member 79 is provided at least on one of both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction.
[0116] In the embodiment above, each of the side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 are provided on both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The side plates 63a, the side plates 63b, and the central plates 64 may be differently arranged as long as one side plate 63a, one side plate 63b, and one central plate 64 are provided at least on one of both sides of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 in the extending direction.
[0117] In the embodiment above, when viewed in the extending direction, the closing members 79 at the close position entirely oppose gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72 (heat insulating blocks 72 and 73). However, the disclosure is not limited to this. When viewed in the extending direction, the closing members 79 at the close position may oppose only parts of the gaps between the heat insulating blocks 71 and 72 (heat insulating blocks 72 and 73) .
[0118] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 at the close position partially close the gates 66. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The closing members 79 at the close position may not partially close the gates 66.
[0119] In the embodiment above, three plates (a side plate 63a, a side plate 63b, and a central plate 64b) are detachably attached to the housing body 61 on each side in the extending direction, and gaps between the three plates form (i) a gate 66a and a gate 66b for the yarns Y into the heat retaining box 60 and (ii) a slit 67a and a slit 67b. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the gates 66a, the gates 66b, the slits 67a, and the slits 67b may be formed by openings formed in one kind of plates (opposing walls) which are detachably attached to the housing body 61. Alternatively, the gates 66a, the gates 66b, the slits 67a, and the slits 67b may be formed by openings formed in the housing body 61 of the heat retaining box 60 itself.
[0120] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 are movable in sync with the movement of the door 62. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the closing members 79 may be provided with holding portions so that the operator can move the closing members 79 by holding the holding portions.
[0121] In the embodiment above, as the door 62 presses the closing members 79 upward, the closing members 79 move from the retracted position to the close position. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the closing members 79 may be configured to move from the retracted position to the close position by being pressed downward. In this case, a biasing mechanism, etc. is preferably provided for moving the closing members 79 back to the retracted position from the close position. Instead of the biasing mechanism, etc., the operator may manually move the closing members 79 back to the retracted position from the close position.
[0122] In the embodiment above, the protrusions 78 formed at the closing members 79 are respectively placed in the openings 64b formed in the central plates 64, and the openings 64b function as the guide grooves used for guiding the movement of the closing members 79. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the guide grooves may be concave portions instead of the openings. The guide grooves may be formed in the closing members 79 and the central plates 64 may be provided with protrusions which can be placed in the guide grooves.
[0123] In the embodiment above, the two yarn running grooves 56 are provided in the heating unit 50. However, the number of yarn running grooves 56 provided in the heating unit 50 is not limited to this. The number of the yarn running grooves 56 may be one. The number of the yarn running grooves 56 may be three or more.
[0124] In the embodiment above, the three heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 are provided. However, the number of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 is not limited to this. The number of the heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 may be differently arranged as long as at least two of those are provided.
[0125] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 are attached to the heat insulating block 72, and the closing members 79 move between the close position and the retracted position as the heat insulating block 72 moves up and down with respect to the central plates 64. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the position of the heat insulating block 72 may be fixed in the up-down direction and the closing members 79 may be attached to end members which are provided on both sides of the heat insulating block 72 in the extending direction and which are movable in the up-down direction. Alternatively, these end members may be attached to the housing body 61 so as to be movable in the up-down direction.
[0126] In the embodiment above, the positions of the central plates 64 are adjustable in the base longitudinal direction. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the central plates 64 may be immovable in the base longitudinal direction.
[0127] In the embodiment above, when viewed in the extending direction, the heat insulating block 72 is trapezoidal in shape and flared toward the lower side in the up-down direction. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when viewed in the extending direction, the heat insulating block 72 may be rectangular in shape.
[0128] In the embodiment above, when the closing members 79 are provided at the close position, the heat insulating block 72 is adjacent to and in contact with the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. That is, when the closing members 79 are provided at the close position, the heat insulating block 72 may be adjacent to and distanced from the heat insulating blocks 71 and 73.
[0129] In the embodiment above, the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend along a direction tilted from the up-down direction. Furthermore, the closing members 79 include the edge portions 79a and 79b extending in a direction parallel to the direction in which the slits 67a and the slits 67b extend. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the slits 67a and the slits 67b may extend along the up-down direction. In this case, the closing members 79 are preferably movable along the base longitudinal direction in order to reduce the travel distance of the closing members 79 between the close position and the retracted position.
[0130] In the embodiment above, the closing members 79 are attached to the heat insulating block 72. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The closing members 79 may be attached to members, which are movable in the up-down direction with respect to the housing body 61 of the heat retaining box 60, so as to be movable in sync with the movement of the door 62 in the same manner as the heat insulating block 72. The closing members 79 may be attached directly to the housing body 61. Alternatively, the closing members 79 may be attached to the door 62. In this case, the closing members 79 are movable between the close position and the retracted position in sync with the movement of the door 62.
[0131] In the embodiment above, the entire yarn running grooves 56 are defined in the heating unit 50. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. In this regard, the yarn running grooves 56 may be differently arranged as long as those are at least partially defined by the heating unit 50. For example, the bottom surfaces of the yarn running grooves 56 may be defined by the heating unit 50 and the side surfaces of the yarn running grooves 56 may be defined by a member which is not the heating unit 50.
[0132] In the embodiment above, the yarns Y receive heat from the heating blocks 52 via the yarn contacted surfaces 55 by making contact with the yarn contacted surfaces 55. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGs. 12(a) and 12(b), a heating unit 150 of a modification of the embodiment above is structured so that plural yarn guides 154 are aligned along the extending direction in each yarn running groove 156. To be more specific, plural yarn guides 154a are provided in a yarn running groove 156a. Furthermore, plural yarn guides 154b are provided in a yarn running groove 156b. The yarns Y (Ya, Yb) run in the yarn running grooves 156 (156a, 156b) while being guided by the yarn guides 154 (154a, 154b), and receive heat from air heated by heating blocks 152 (152a, 152b). That is, the heating unit 150 adopts a contactless manner of heating the yarns Y by means of heated air. The heating unit 150 with a contactless manner has a relatively-high heating temperature. To be more specific, the heating temperature of the heating unit 50 of the embodiment above is about 350 °C, and that of the heating unit 150 of the present modification is about 600 °C. With this arrangement, when air is heated for heating the yarns Y in the heating unit 150 with a contactless manner, the heated air has a relatively-high temperature. In the present modification, when air is heated for heating the yarns Y, the heated air is suppressed from flowing out of the gaps between the adjacent heat insulating blocks 71, 72, and 73 at both end portions of the gaps in the extending direction. As a result, power consumption is effectively reduced.
[0133] In the embodiment above, the heating unit 50 includes the heat source 51 and the heating blocks 52 heated by the heat source 51. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the heating unit may be structured so that a heating medium such as DOWTHERM circulates in a hollow member.
[0134] In the embodiment above, the yarn heater of the present invention is applied to the false-twist texturing machine 1 configured to false-twist the yarns Y. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The yarn heater of the present invention is applicable to a processor configured to perform various processes such as yarn combining in addition to false twisting, for yarns formed of synthetic fibers.
1. A yarn heater (13) provided with a yarn running groove (56, 156) in which a yarn (Y)
runs, the yarn heater (13) comprising:
a yarn heater (50, 150) which extends along a first direction and which is configured to heat the yarn (Y) running in the yarn running groove (56, 156), the yarn running groove (56, 156) extending in the first direction;
at least two heat insulating blocks (71-73) which extend along the first direction, which are provided to oppose an open end of the yarn running groove (56, 156) on one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and which are aligned in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction;
at least one closing member (79) provided at least on one of both sides of the at least two heat insulating blocks (71-73) in the first direction; and
at least one opposing wall (63a, 63, 64) provided at least on the one of the both sides of the at least two heat insulating blocks (71-73) in the first direction,
a gap between the at least two adjacent heat insulating blocks (71-73) forming a path which allows the yarn (Y) to be inserted into the yarn running groove (56, 156),
the at least one opposing wall (63a, 63, 64) being provided with a slit (67) through which the yarn (Y) passes when the yarn (Y) is inserted into the yarn running groove (56, 156) through the path, the slit (67) opposing the path in the first direction, and
the at least one closing member (79) being movable between a close position where the slit (67) is at least partially closed and a retracted position where the slit (67) is not closed.
2. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 1, wherein, each of closing members (79) and
opposing walls (63a, 63, 64) are provided on the both sides of the at least two heat
insulating blocks (71-73) in the first direction.
3. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when viewed in the first
direction, the at least one closing member (79) at the close position is provided
to entirely oppose the path.
4. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: an opening
wall (61a) which is provided to oppose the yarn running groove (56, 156) over the
at least two heat insulating blocks (71-73) and which is provided with an opening
(68) opposing the at least two heat insulating blocks (71-73); and
a door (62) which is movable between a closed position where the opening (68) is closed and an open position where the opening (68) is open, wherein,
the at least one closing member (79) is movable in sync with the movement of the door (62) so that (i) the at least one closing member (79) is provided at the retracted position when the door (62) is provided at the open position and (ii) the at least one closing member (79) is provided at the close position when the door (62) is provided at the closed position.
5. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 4, wherein, as the door (62) presses the at
least one closing member (79) upward, the at least one closing member (79) moves from
the retracted position to the close position.
6. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the at least
one opposing wall (63a, 63, 64) is provided with a yarn running hole (66) through
which the running yarn (Y) passes and which opposes the yarn running groove (56, 156)
in the first direction, and
the at least one closing member (79) at the close position partially closes the yarn running hole (66) so that the yarn (Y) is able to pass through the yarn running hole (66) .
the at least one closing member (79) at the close position partially closes the yarn running hole (66) so that the yarn (Y) is able to pass through the yarn running hole (66) .
7. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: a fixed member
(64) whose position is fixed in a moving direction of the at least one closing member
(79), wherein,
the at least one closing member (79) or the fixed member (64) is provided with a guide groove (64a) extending along the moving direction of the at least one closing member (79), and
the at least one closing member (79) or the fixed member (64) which is not provided with the guide groove (64a) is provided with a protrusion (78) which is able to be placed in the guide groove (64a).
8. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 7, wherein, three heat insulating blocks (71-73)
are provided,
end members (64) are provided on the both sides of central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) aligned along the third direction in the first direction,
the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) or each of the end members (64) is the fixed member, and the at least one closing member (79) moves between the close position and the retracted position as the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) moves relative to the end members (64).
9. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 8, wherein, the each of the end members (64)
functions as the fixed member, the position of the each of the end members (64) is
adjustable in the third direction, and
the at least one closing member (79) is attached to the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73).
the at least one closing member (79) is attached to the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73).
10. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 9, wherein, the at least one closing member
(79) moves from the close position to the retracted position as the central one (72)
of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) moves in a direction away from the yarn
running groove (56, 156), and
the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) is trapezoidal in shape and flared in the direction away from the yarn running groove (56, 156) when viewed in the first direction.
the central one (72) of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73) is trapezoidal in shape and flared in the direction away from the yarn running groove (56, 156) when viewed in the first direction.
11. The yarn heater (13) according to claim 10, wherein, when the at least one closing
member (79) is provided at the close position, the central one (72) of the three heat
insulating blocks (71-73) is adjacent to and in contact with remaining two (71, 73)
of the three heat insulating blocks (71-73).
12. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, the slit (67)
extends along a direction tilted from the moving direction of the at least one closing
member (79), and
the at least one closing member (79) includes an edge portion (79a, 79b) extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which the slit (67) extends.
the at least one closing member (79) includes an edge portion (79a, 79b) extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which the slit (67) extends.
13. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a housing
body (61) housing the heating unit (50, 150) and the at least two heat insulating
blocks (71-73), wherein,
the at least one opposing wall (63a, 63, 64) is detachably attached to the housing body (61).
the at least one opposing wall (63a, 63, 64) is detachably attached to the housing body (61).
14. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, the yarn running
groove (56, 156) is at least partially defined by the heating unit (50, 150).
15. The yarn heater (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, the heating
unit (150) adopts contactless heating of the yarn (Y) by means of heated air.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description