Feeding system for a core yarn ring spinning machine, core yarn ring spinning machine comprising said system and procedure of spinning core yarn by means of said machine

Abstract

 Feeding system (1) for a core spun yarn (3a, 3b) ring-spinning machine (2) comprising first means (11) configured to feed a first continuous filament (9) of elastane from a primary bobbin (10) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding and second means configured to feed a second continuous filament (4) other than elastane from secondary bobbins (7) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding. Said second means comprises a first device (8) for actuating the movement of a first secondary bobbin (7) and for feeding a filament (4b) to a first spinning position (30), and a second device (26) for actuating the movement of a second secondary bobbin (7) and feeding a filament (4b) to a second spinning position (31) adjacent to the first. Said second means further comprises an accessory tool (15) configured to drive the simultaneous dragging of two different continuous filaments (4a) when the first or second secondary bobbin (7) is not present, these different filaments (4a) coming from third bobbins (5) located on a creel (6) of the frame (16) of the spinning machine (2), said accessory tool (15) making it possible to feed said two filaments (4a) to said two adjacent spinning positions (30, 31) with only one of the devices (8), so that the other device (26) is left free to optionally actuate the unwinding of a third continuous filament (29).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeding system for a "Core Spun" yarn ring-spinning machine, a "Core Spun" yarn ring-spinning machine which comprises said system and a method for spinning "Core Spun" yarn using said system. In particular, the present invention relates to a feeding system adapted to continuously spin "Core Spun" yarn combining one, two or more continuous filaments of a given elasticity with coating fibres.

Background of the invention

[0002] The production of rigid "Core Spun" yarn by continuous spinning process is already known. In particular, the production of the so-called "Duo Core Spun" yarn that combines two continuous filaments with different elastic properties on a single spindle with the coating of the fibres from a cotton or similar roving. Feeding the two continuous filaments into the drafting train of the spinning machine is performed in positive and with different drafting ratios.

[0003] The continuous filaments of the core of the "Duo Core spun" yarn have different modulus of elasticity, so that those with lower elasticity retain those with greater elasticity, facilitating recovery of the fabric made with this yarn. As a result, "Duo Core" yarn allows the production of fabric with high recovery and high dimensional stability (garments do not lose their shape with use) which are highly appreciated by consumers. In addition, the fabric made with "Duo Core" yarn has a finishing of cotton fibres or the like which allows for more aggressive finishings (holes, special rinsing) than those tolerated by traditional elastic articles.

[0004] To manufacture "Duo Core" yarn, it is common to use a continuous filament of elastomeric material of elastane or spandex, Lycra^® Brand, combined with a non-elastane continuous filament of polyester or polyamide, the latter having less elasticity to facilitate fabric recovery.

[0005] In the market sector working with high-elasticity fabric, the elastomeric filament of Lycra^® elastane fibre is combined with a semi-elastic continuous filament of bi-component polyester T-400^® brand by INVISTA to obtain high quality "Duo Core Spun" yarn. This continuous T-400^® filament by INVISTA is a filament of the generic elastomultiester fibre that is obtained by extrusion from the combination of different polymers (Directive 2006/3/CE, OJ L 5, 10.1.2006 , p.14, added this new elastomultiester fibre to the list of generic names of fibres). Elastomultiester fibre filaments have the advantage that they can be used directly after the extrusion without being subjected to a texturing process, but the disadvantage is that the winding process subsequent to extrusion determines and limits the supply of these filaments to a very specific bobbin format.

[0006] Currently, the continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre is supplied in tube format bobbins less than 150 mm long, allowing this filament to be unwound "in déroulé". Thus, "Duo Core" yarn spinning machines that use the continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre do not require installing a creel to support these bobbins and also the "déroulé" unwinding ensures a highly appropriate filament output tension that is much appreciated by yarn manufacturers.

[0007] In other market segments, the elastomultiester fibre filament is replaced by an elasticized continuous filament of textured polyester. This filament can be used to manufacture "Duo Core Spun" yarn, but has the disadvantage of being supplied in bobbins whose format differs from that for elastomultiester fibre filament. This different format bobbin requires the installation of a creel at the top of the machine ("overhead creel") from which the filament must be unwound "in defilé". This overhead creel enables a distance between spinning positions (spindles) of less than 80 mm to prevent the machine from losing yarn production output, but it requires the presence of a specific feeder device configured to positively feed, with controlled drafting, the filaments unwound "in défilé". This device is not suitable for the "déroulé" unwinding of filaments from elastomultiester fibre bobbins.

[0008] In practice, a "Duo Core Spun" or "Core spun" yarn spinning machine with a continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre unwound "in déroulé" cannot be used to work with elasticized continuous filament of textured polyester, or vice versa, without first being modified. The need for a more versatile machine is therefore evident. Furthermore, existing "Core Spun" yarn spinning machines are not suitable to produce a yarn with a core combining more than two continuous filaments on the same spindle.

Description of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a feeding system for a "Core spun" yarn ring-spinning machine, which has the advantages described below.

[0010] According to a first aspect the present invention provides a feeding system for a "Core Spun" yarn ring-spinning machine, comprising;

• first means configured for feeding a first continuous filament of elastane (for example, a filament of elastane or spandex fibre, Lycra^® Brand) from bobbins arranged for "déroulé" unwinding
• second means for feeding a second continuous filament other than elastane (for example, a continuous elastomultiester fibre filament) from bobbins arranged for "déroulé" unwinding;

and it is characterized by the fact that;

• said second means comprise a first device to actuate the movement of a first bobbin and to feed a filament to a first spinning position, and a second device located in an upper position to actuate the movement of a second bobbin and to feed a filament to a second spinning position adjacent to the first,

and by the fact that;

• said second means include an accessory tool configured to operate the simultaneous dragging of two different continuous filaments when the first or second bobbin is not present, said different filaments (e.g. continuous elastic filaments of textured polyester) coming from different bobbins located in a creel of the machine frame, said accessory tool making it possible to feed the filaments to two adjacent spinning positions with only one of the devices, so that the other device is free to optionally actuate the unwinding of a third continuous filament of "Core Spun" yarn.

[0011] The feeding system claimed has the advantage of adapting to different continuous filaments, supplied on different format bobbins, so that a single machine can be used without being modified to produce "Core Spun" yarn with continuous elastomultiester fibre filament, or alternatively, to produce "Core Spun" yarn using elasticized continuous filament of textured polyester.

[0012] As discussed above, the continuous filaments of textured polyester and elastomultiester fibre are supplied in a different bobbin format that requires a different unwinding system. For example, continuous filament of textured polyester is supplied with a bobbin format whose tube length exceeds 150 mm requiring the bobbins to be placed on a creel ("overhead creel") of the machine from which the filament must be unwound "in défilé". Conversely, elastomultiester fibre bobbins have a tube length which allows them to be unwound "in déroulé" using devices which actuate the rotary motion of the bobbins.

[0013] The system incorporates an accessory tool configured to actuate the dragging of the textured polyester filament from the creel when a bobbin of elastomultiester fibre is not present. Thus, when the accessory tool is being used, the continuous filament of textured polyester on the bobbins of the creel is unwound "in défilé" using for this purpose the same actuator (pair of rotating cylinders) used for unwinding "in déroulé" the elastomultiester fibre filament. Thus is obtained a spinning machine that provides great versatility to "Core Spun" yarn manufacturers, as the spinning process is not conditioned by the bobbin format used for filament supply.

[0014] Moreover, the tool claimed has the advantage of being configured to actuate the simultaneous dragging of two continuous filaments which may be individually fed to two adjacent spinning positions. As a result, when the accessory tool is being used, the other actuator (another pair of rotating cylinders) of the machine located at the upper position is left free. Thus, this device can be used to actuate the unwinding of a third filament "Core Spun" yarn.

[0015] Based on the system claimed, a versatile machine is obtained that adapts to different bobbin formats and is able to produce different types of "Core spun" yarn with a single feed system. The machine claimed is suitable for manufacturing "Core Spun" yarn with a core that can combine up to three continuous filaments.

[0016] Preferably, said accessory tool comprises at least two bodies to drag two continuous filaments coming from bobbins located on a creel on the machine frame, one of the system devices being capable of actuating the movement of both dragging bodies when a bobbin is not present in order to feed both filaments to two adjacent spinning positions.

[0017] Preferably, said devices each comprise rotating cylinders arranged extending in parallel on the machine frame to actuate the motion of an accessory body or of a bobbin when the body or bobbin rests on these cylinders.

[0018] Advantageously, said cylinders have a rolling surface provided with grooves or ridges to facilitate gripping the non-elastomeric filament and again advantageously the cylinders are dimensioned to actuate the motion of a bobbin of more than 250 mm in diameter, such as for example, a bobbin of continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre T-400^® Brand by INVISTA.

[0019] Preferably, said system comprises a processing and control unit programmed to change the speed of the rotating cylinders of the devices depending on the type of continuous filament being unwound.

[0020] So, for example, when the continuous filament is coming from an overhead creel and is unwound via an accessory dragging body, the processing and control unit programs itself to change the speed of the rotating cylinders depending on the type of filament, adapting it to the speed of the drafting system output roller to provide adequate drafting ratio.

[0021] Advantageously, said accessory dragging bodies are cylindrical bodies dimensioned to drag the continuous filament over the rotating cylinders by such rotating cylinders actuating the movement of said cylindrical bodies.

[0022] Each of the accessory cylindrical bodies drags the continuous filament from a spinning position over the cylinders allowing the filament coming from the creel to smoothly unwind with a suitable output tension.

[0023] Again advantageously, the system comprises a bobbin support creel provided with a plurality of tubes to deliver the continuous filament coming from the bobbins to the device which actuates the movement of the accessory filament-dragging bodies.

[0024] Preferably such creel is an overhead creel dimensioned to support bobbins of up to 290 mm in length, said creel including a plurality of individual tubes through which the filament of each of the bobbins runs from an inlet to an outlet.

[0025] Advantageously, the outlet of each of these individual tubes is arranged in correspondence with the rotating cylinders of the device that actuates the accessory filament-dragging bodies when the bobbins are not present.

[0026] Preferably, said second means comprise a plurality of supports dimensioned to hold the dragging bodies or the bobbins on the rotating cylinders, each support being pivotally attached to a machine frame in order to raise said bodies or bobbins onto the cylinders in order to perform a replacement or to repair a filament breakage.

[0027] The system claimed has the advantage of greatly facilitating production operations related to the handling of continuous filament from the bobbins located in the creel. Indeed, the system claimed can instantaneously stop or interrupt the filament feeding in order to perform a replacement or repair, by simply raising the dragging bodies on the cylinders, preventing the filament from unthreading inside the creel tubes, or from momentarily accumulating. Moreover, this lifting support makes it possible to easily start up the bobbins one by one, when starting on a production lot.

[0028] Advantageously, each one of said supports comprises a grip handle which is configured as a guide for the unwinding filaments.

[0029] Again advantageously, each of said supports is dimensioned to hold two cylindrical dragging bodies arranged adjacent on the rotary cylinders, while the same support grip handle acts as guide for the filaments unwound by both dragging bodies.

[0030] Preferably, the first means for feeding the elastane elastomer filament comprise rotating cylinders arranged extending in parallel under the device which actuates the dragging bodies or the bobbins of the second and third filament. These rotating cylinders are dimensioned to actuate the motion of a bobbin of 180 mm in diameter, such as a bobbin of elastomer filament of elastane or spandex fibre, Lycra ® brand.

[0031] According to one system embodiment particularly adapted to the production of "Core Spun" yarn having a core of up to three continuous filaments, said system comprises separate sensors integrated in a single circuit to detect breakage of one of the filaments when the filaments are fed to the same drafting system of the machine, said sensors being arranged in a support of the machine frame located below the first means which continuously feed the elastomeric filament (elastane or spandex fibre, Lycra^®. Brand).

[0032] Advantageously the support on the frame in which the sensors are arranged comprises a part that acts as a guide and is provided with holes to insert the filaments.

[0033] Again advantageously, the support on the frame in which the sensors are arranged comprises a second part which acts as a guide and is provided with at least one hole to insert a roving fibre bundle fed to the same drafting system of the machine.

[0034] In the system claimed, some independent sensors integrated in a single circuit control the feeding of continuous filaments that make up the core of the "Core Spun" yarn, since these filaments converge in a part that acts as a guide and is arranged in the same support on which the sensors are located. Furthermore, this support also has a part that acts as a guide for the roving fibre bundle. These details facilitate handling and maintenance operations for machine operators.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a ring-spinning machine which spins "Core spun" yarn combining one, two or three continuous filaments with coating roving fibres, characterized by the fact that it incorporates the claimed feeding system. This machine incorporates at least one drafting train which is provided at each spinning position with a pair of rollers to feed a roving fibre bundle, and a pair of rollers to feed one or more continuous filaments.

[0036] Preferably, the spinning positions of the machine are placed 80 mm or less away from each other in order not to reduce the output.

[0037] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for spinning "core spun" yarn using the claimed system, comprising the following steps;

a Feeding into a drafting train a first continuous elastomer filament of elastane from a bobbin arranged to be unwound "in déroulé"

b Feeding into the same drafting train a second continuous non-elastane filament from bobbins located in an overhead creel, using for this purpose an accessory tool configured to actuate the dragging of said filament by means of a device which can actuate the motion of bobbins arranged to be unwound "in déroulé"

c Optionally, feeding to the same drafting train a third continuous filament coming from other bobbins arranged to be unwound "in déroulé", and the stage of;

d Feeding a coating roving fibre bundle into the same drafting train to produce a "Core Spun" yarn with a core of two filaments or optionally to produce a "Core Spun" yarn having a core of three filaments.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, in step b), said filament is a continuous filament having elastic properties of textured polyester and in step c) said filament is a continuous filament not made of elastane, for example, a filament selected from between a PBT polyester filament or a polyamide filament, or a similar synthetic filament other than elastane.

[0039] Herein;
"Déroulé" unwinding means unwinding the filament keeping the bobbin moving on its own axis.
"Défilé" unwinding means unwinding the filament keeping the bobbin static.

[0040] Continuous filament means a textile fibre filament of indefinite length, preferably a length of synthetic fibre obtained by extrusion.

[0041] Continuous elastomer filament of elastane means a continuous fibre filament, generically named elastane or spandex whose elongation at break is equal to or over 100% and is capable of recovering its original length when no longer stretched. This continuous elastomer filament may be, for example, an elastane or spandex fibre filament such as that sold under the Lycra ® trademark, or a continuous elastomer filament having elastic properties similar to those of elastane.

[0042] Continuous filament other tan elastane means a continuous filament having an elongation at break lower than 100%, for example, a filament having elastic properties with an elongation at break under 50%, and that is capable of recovering its original length when no longer stretched. This continuous filament may be, for example, an elastomultiester fibre filament, a polyamide filament or a textured polyester filament.

[0043] Continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre (generic name according to Directive 2006/3 / EC, OJ L5,10.1.2006, p.14, adding this new fibre to the list of fibre names) means a continuous filament obtained by extrusion of a fibre with elastic properties made from a combination of different polymers, preferably a bi-component fibre filament, T-400^® brand by INVISTA, particularly a fibre filament comprising 40% polyester (Type 3-GT) and 60% polyester (Type 2-GT). This fibre is capable of stretching up to 50% and recovering its original length when no longer stretched. It is supplied on bobbins with less than 150 mm in tube length, for example 115 mm in length and 275 mm in diameter. Elastomultiester fibre filaments can be directly used for weaving without having to be previously textured.

[0044] "Core Spun" yarn means a yarn that combines a core of one, two or even three continuous filaments with a roving fibre bundle for filament coating.

[0045] "Duo Core Spun" yarn means a thread or yarn that combines a core of two continuous filaments with a coating roving fibre bundle, wherein the two continuous filaments have a different modulus of elasticity. A "Duo Core Spun" yarn may be, for example, a yarn with a core of an elastomeric filament of Lycra^® brand elastane and a continuous elastomultiester fibre filament. Alternatively, a "Duo Core Spun" yarn may be a yarn with a core of an elastomeric filament of elastane and a continuous filament with elastic properties of textured polyester.

[0046] Roving fibre bundle means a bundle of staple fibres of cotton, wool, viscose, or other similar natural or artificial staple fibres, intended for coating one or more continuous filaments in the "Core spun or" Duo Core Spun "yarn spinning.

Brief description of the figures

[0047] For a better understanding of what has been outlined, drawings are attached which schematically and solely by way of example without limiting the scope of this inventions show a practical case of embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a schematic elevation view of a "Core Spun" yarn spinning machine incorporating the claimed feeding system to work with different bobbin formats and to manufacture on the one hand, a three-filament core yarn and on the other hand, a two-filament core yarn. This figure shows the feeding of a continuous filament other than elastane from an overhead creel using the accessory tool that enables dragging the filament over the rotating cylinders.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the "Core Spun" yarn spinning machine of Figure 1. This figure shows the feeding of three continuous filaments and a roving fibre bundle using the accessory tool of the system.

Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2 depicting the route of the continuous filament located in the creel to the cylinders which drive the accessory dragging bodies of the tool.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 spinning a yarn with a core of two continuous filaments. One of the filaments of the "Core" is a filament other than elastane which is supplied from the creel by means of the accessory tool.

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the "Duo Core" yarn spinning machine of figure 1 showing an alternative operation to Figure 4 of spinning yarn with a core of two filaments, such as an elastomultiester fibre filament T-400 Lycra^® brand by INVISTA and an elastomeric filament of elastane or spandex.

Figure 6 shows a detail of the sensors that control the feeding of continuous filaments of "Duo Core Spun" yarn during the spinning process.

Description of a preferred embodiment

[0048] Described below is an embodiment of the feeding system 1 of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 6. These figures depict different views of a ring-spinning machine 2 for continuous yarn spinning included in the claimed system 1. This system 1 adapts to different bobbin formats, enabling the production of different types of "Core Spun" yarn on the same machine 2 without needing to perform modifications.

[0049] Figures 1 to 6 show different views of the machine 2 and of the feeding system 1 in operation. In particular, Figure 1 shows an elevation view of a machine 2 with two fibre drafting rollers and a distance between adjacent spinning positions 30, 31 of 80 mm. The same Figure 1 depicts on the one hand, the production of "Core Spun" yarn 3a which incorporates a core of three continuous filaments, and on the other hand, the production of a "Duo Core Spun" yarn 3b that incorporates a core of only two continuous filaments.

[0050] The following describes in detail the fibres composing the two types of yarns 3a, 3b which can be manufactured by the same machine 2 without any modifications.

"Core Spun" yarn 3a with a core of three continuous filaments:

[0051] 

• A first continuous filament 9 of elastane fibre. In the embodiment described this elastomeric filament 9 is an elastane filament, Lycra® brand (see in the Figures filament 9 coming from the bobbins 10 that are disposed on rotary cylinders 11 for "déroulé" unwinding),
• A second continuous filament 4a other than elastane, for example a continuous elastic filament of textured polyester (see in Figures 1 to 4 filament 4a coming from bobbins 5 of 290 mm in length and 210 mm in diameter which are arranged in an overhead creel 6 so that the machine 2 does not reduce its output.) To unwind this filament 4a, the accessory tool 15 is used.
• A third continuous filament 29 (see in Figures 1 to 3 filament 29 coming from bobbins 28 that are disposed on rotary cylinders 26 for "déroulé" unwinding without the machine 2 reducing its output),
• A coating roving fibre bundle 12, i.e., a bundle 12 of staple fibres suitable for the continuous spinning process, such as cotton (see in Figure 1 the roving fibre bundle 12 coming from the bobbins 13 hanging from the roving holder 14). For the sake of clarity, figures 2 to 4 do not show the roving bundle of yarn 3a.

"Duo Core Spun" yarn 3b with a core of two continuous filaments:

[0052] 

• A first continuous filament 9 of elastane fibre. In the embodiment described this elastomer filament 9 is a filament of elastane, Lycra® brand (see in Figures 1 and 5 filament 9 coming from bobbins 10 that are disposed on rotating cylinders 11 for "déroulé" unwinding)
• A second filament 4b other than elastane, for example a continuous filament of elastomultiester fibre T-400® brand by INVISTA (see in Figures 1 and 5 filament 4b coming from bobbins 7 of 115 mm in length and 275 mm in diameter, which are arranged on rotating cylinders 8, 26 for "déroulé" unwinding without machine 2 reducing its output,
• A coating roving fibre bundle 12, i.e., a bundle 12 of staple fibres suitable for the continuous spinning process, such as cotton (see in Figure 1 and 5, the roving fibre bundle 12 coming from the bobbins 13 hanging from the roving holder 14).

[0053] Although not shown in the figures, the system 1 claimed also allows producing any other "Core Spun" yarn other than those described, without needing to modify the machine 2. For example, the system 1 could produce a " single Core Spun" yarn consisting of a core of single continuous filament 4a of textured polyester coated with a roving fibre bundle 12, or a filament 4b of elastomultiester fibre (polyester bi-component fibre, T-400® Lycra® brand) also coated with a roving fibre bundle 12. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the system 1 feeding "Duo Core Spun" yarn with a core of two filaments in which one of the filaments 4a of each yarn is supplied from the creel 6.

[0054] In fact, depending on customer requirements, the continuous filament of the single "Core Spun" yarn can be any filament from a bobbin of any length or diameter. This is thanks to the fact that with the system 1 claimed, a continuous filament other than elastane can always be unwound either "in déroulé" or "in défilé" using a single actuator device (the same rotating cylinders 8), irrespective of the bobbin format, using, where necessary, an accessory tool 15, as described below.

[0055] The feeding system 1 of the present invention is incorporated in a continuous yarn spinning machine 2 combining on a common frame 16, some first means for feeding a first continuous elastomer filament 9 of elastane, and some second means for feeding onto the same drafting train 17 a second continuous filament 4a, 4b other than elastane coming either from bobbins 7 arranged for "déroulé" unwinding or from bobbins 5 located in a creel 6 ("défilé" unwinding).

[0056] The second means feeding the second continuous filament 4a, 4b comprise;

• A first pair of rotating cylinders 8 arranged extending in parallel on the frame 16 of the machine 2 to actuate the movement of said bobbins 7, or alternatively, the movement of the dragging bodies 18 of an accessory tool 15 which is arranged on the above rotary cylinders 8 when the bobbins 7 are not present. This first pair of cylinders 8 allows feeding the second filament 4a, 4b to first spinning positions 30 of the machine 2, and
• A second pair of rotating cylinders 26 arranged extending in parallel on the machine frame 16 to actuate the movement of second bobbins 7 capable of feeding the second filament 4a, 4b to adjacent spinning positions 31. As will be described later, this second pair of cylinders 26 may optionally be used to feed a third filament 29 to first spinning positions 30 when the accessory tool 15 of the system 1 is in operation.

[0057] In the embodiment described, the tool 15 used for unwinding the filaments 4a of the creel 6 comprises two cylindrical bodies 18 dimensioned so as to be placed on the rotating cylinders 8 when the bobbin 7 of the other elastomultiester fibre filament 4b is not present. These cylindrical bodies 18 are actuated simultaneously by the cylinders 8 in order to drag to the drafting train 17 the filament 4a coming from the bobbins 5 of the creel 6 (see schematic representation in Figure 1).

[0058] The creel 6 includes a plurality of tubes 19 to deliver the filament 4a of each bobbin 5 to the cylinders 8 that actuates the movement of the dragging bodies 18 of each filament 4a. Figure 4 shows a detail of the feeding system 1 of the machine 2 showing the route of the continuous filament 4a of textured polyester running inside the tubes 19 from an inlet 19a to an outlet 19b.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, the outlet 19b of each pipe 19 is arranged in correspondence with a dragging body 18 of the tool 15 resting on the rotating cylinders 8. At each spinning position 30, 31, an accessory body 18 drags the continuous filament 4a and actuates the smooth "défilé" unwinding of the filament 4a located on bobbins 5 of the overhead creel 6 of the machine 2. The length of the accessory body 18 can be very short, similar to the approximate distance of 80 mm between the spinning positions of the machine 2. Thus, the accessory bodies 18 corresponding to the different spinning positions 30, 31 of the machine 2 can be arranged adjacent on the rotating cylinders 8, which greatly facilitates handling operations.

[0060] To make handling operations easier still the feeding system 1 claimed also comprises a plurality of supports 20 that each holds the bobbins 7, 28 or the accessory dragging bodies 18 on the rotating cylinders 8. These supports 20 are pivotally attached to the frame 16 of the machine 2 in order to raise the accessory bodies 18 over the cylinders 8 when wishing to stop or interrupt the filament 4a feeding for the purpose of carrying out a replacement or repair due to filament breakage. As a result, production operations related to handling the filament 4a which unwinds at height (from the creel 6) are much easier for operators, since these lifting supports 20 minimize incidents related to the unthreading of filaments inside the tubes 19.

[0061] As can be seen in the figures, each of the supports 20 has a grip handle 21 which is configured as a guide for the filaments 4a, 29 which unwind by the action of the movement of accessory dragging bodies 18 or of the bobbins 7, 28.

[0062] Figure 5 shows the alternative operation of the machine 2 adapted to manufacture "Duo Spun Core" yarn 3b with a filament 4b of elastomultiester fibre (polyester bi-component, T-400 Lycra^® by INVISTA). The "Duo Core Spun" yarn 3b obtained with these fibres is a high quality yarn 3b being ideal for the manufacture of high elasticity and high recovery fabric.

[0063] As mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, in this case the second filament is a filament 4b from a 115-mm-long bobbin 7, which is arranged on the rotating cylinders 8 for "déroulé" unwinding. In this mode of operation of the machine 2 it is not necessary to use the accessory tool 15 to unwind the second filament 4b of the "Duo Core Spun" yarn 3b, since this filament 4b is unwound "in déroulé" by actuating a bobbin 7 located on the rotary cylinders 8. However, it should be noted that in this case, in order to maintain the less-than-80-mm distance between spinning positions 30, 31, another bobbin 7 needs to be provided on the additional rotating cylinders 26 which extend in a higher position over the pair of existing rotating cylinders 8. Each pair of cylinders 8, 26 actuates a bobbin 7 of filament 4b which feeds a different spinning position (see Figure 5).

[0064] Figures 2 and 3 show two details of the operation of the machine 2 adapted to manufacture "Core Spun" yarn 3a with a core of three continuous filaments 9, 4a, 29. The first filament 9 is an elastomeric filament of elastane or the like coming from a bobbin 10 disposed on the rotary cylinders 11 for "déroulé" unwinding. The second filament 4a is a continuous filament other than elastane that unwinds "in défilé" from the creel 6 by means of the accessory tool 15 which actuates the dragging of the filament 4a over the rotary cylinders 8. The third filament 29 is a continuous filament that unwinds "in déroulé" from a bobbin 28 disposed on the rotary cylinders 26 of an actuator device which is situated on an upper floor.

[0065] As discussed in the description of the invention, the accessory tool 15 is configured to actuate the simultaneous dragging over the same rotary cylinders 8 of two filaments 4a which are fed to two different adjacent spinning positions 30, 31. Thus, the rotating cylinders 26 of the actuator of the upper floor are left free to actuate the unwinding of the third continuous filament 29.

[0066] The feeding system 1 claimed comprises a processing and control unit programmed to change the speed of the rotating cylinders 8, 26 depending on the type of continuous filament 4a, 4b, 29 being unwound. For example, when the continuous filament 4a comes from an overhead creel 6 and this filament 4a is unwound by means of the accessory dragging bodies 18, the processing and control unit programs itself to change the speed of the rotating cylinders 8 and to adapt it to the speed of the output roller 27 of the drafting train 17 to provide suitable drafting to the filament 4a unwinding from the creel 6.

[0067] Figure 6 shows a detail of the sensors 22 that control the feeding of the first filament 9 and the second filament 3b of "Duo Core Spun" yarn 4b during the spinning process. Figure 2 also shows the sensors 22 that control, in this case, the first filament 9, the second filament 4a, and the third filament 29 of the "core spun" yarn 3a during the spinning process.

[0068] As shown in detail in Figure 6, sensors 22 are arranged on a support 23 of the frame 16 comprising a part 24 provided with holes which acts as a guide for the first 9 and second 4b filament. This part 24 gathers the two filaments 4b and 9 so that they can be read by independent sensors 22 integrated in a single circuit housed in the support 23. Each sensor 22 is adapted to detect the presence of a different type of filament. The support 23 incorporates a second part 25 provided with holes which also acts as a guide for the roving fibre bundle 12. The existence of the sensors 22 that detect all the filaments gathered in a single support 23 greatly facilitates the production operations of the machine 2

[0069] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the system 1 described may be subject to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced with other being technically equivalent without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Feeding system (1) for a "Core Spun" yarn (3a, 3b) ring-spinning machine (2), comprising;

- first means configured for feeding a continuous first filament (9) of elastane from a bobbin (10) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding,

- second means configured for feeding a second continuous filament (4) other than elastane from bobbins (7) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding,

characterized in that;

- said second means comprise a first device (8) to actuate the movement of a first bobbin (7) and to feed a filament (4b) to a first spinning position (30), and a second device (26) to actuate the movement of a second bobbin (7) and to feed the filament (4b) to a second spinning position (31) adjacent to the first spinning position,

and in that;

- said second means comprise an accessory tool (15) configured to actuate the simultaneous dragging of two different continuous filaments (4a) when the first or second bobbin (7) is not present, said different filaments (4a) coming from different bobbins (5) located in a creel (6) of the frame (16) of the machine (2), said accessory tool (15) making it possible to feed said two filaments (4a) to two adjacent spinning positions (30,31) with only one of the devices (8), so that the other device (26) is left free to optionally actuate the unwinding of a third continuous filament (29) of a "Core Spun" yarn (3a).

2. Feeding system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said accessory tool (15) comprises at least two bodies (18) to drag two filaments (4a) from bobbins (5) located in a creel (6) of the frame (16) of the machine (2), one of the devices (8) of the system (1) being capable of actuating the movement of both dragging bodies (18) when the bobbin (7) is not present, in order to feed both filaments (4a) to two adjacent spinning positions (30,31).

3. Feeding system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said devices each comprise rotating cylinders (8,26) arranged extending in parallel on the frame (16) of the machine (2) to actuate the movement of the accessory bodies (18) or of the bobbins (7,28) when said bodies (18) or bobbins (7,28) rest on these cylinders (8,26).

4. System (1) according to any of claims 2-3, wherein said two accessory dragging bodies are cylindrical bodies (18) dimensioned to drag the continuous filament (4a) other than elastane over the rotating cylinders (8) by said rotating cylinders (8) actuating the movement of said cylindrical bodies (18).

5. System (1) according to claim 1, comprising a creel (6) to support bobbins (5) which is provided with a plurality of tubes (19) to deliver the continuous filament (4a) coming from the bobbins (5) to the device that actuates the accessory tool (15).

6. System (1) according to claim 5, wherein said creel is an overhead creel (6) dimensioned to support bobbins of up to 290 mm in length, the said creel (6) having a plurality of individual tubes (19) through which the filament (4a) of each of the bobbins (5) runs from an inlet (19a) to an outlet (19b).

7. System (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the outlet (19a) of each of these individual tubes (19) is arranged in correspondence with an accessory tool (15) which actuates the filament (4a) dragging.

8. System (1) according to claim 3, wherein said second means comprise a plurality of supports (20) dimensioned to hold on the rotating cylinders (8,26) the dragging bodies (18) or the bobbins (7, 28), each one of said supports (20) being pivotally attached to a frame (16) of the machine (2) to raise said bodies (18) or bobbins (7,28) over the cylinders (8,26) in order to perform a replacement or to repair a filament breakage.

9. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein each of said supports (2) comprises a grip handle (21) that is configured to act as a guide for the filaments (4a) unwound by the action of the dragging bodies (18) or by the action of the bobbins (7,28).

10. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein said means for feeding the first filament (9) comprise rotating cylinders (11) arranged extending in parallel under the devices (8,26) that actuates the dragging of the second filament (4) or of the third filament (29).

11. System (1) according to any of claims 3 to 10, comprising a processing and control unit programmed to change the speed of the rotating cylinders (8,26) of the devices depending on the type of filament (4a, 4b 29) being unwound.

12. Feeding system (1) according to claim 10 for a "Core Spun" yarn (3a, 3b) continuous spinning machine (2) comprising sensors (22) to detect breakage of the filaments (4,29 9) when all the filaments (4,9,29) are fed into the same drafting train (17) of the machine (2), said sensors (22) being disposed on a support (23) of the machine (2) frame located under the means (8,11,26) continuously feeding the filaments (4,9,29), and said support (23) having parts (24,25) acting as a guide for the filaments (4, 9.29) and the roving fibre bundle (12).

13. A method of spinning "Core Spun" yarn (3a, 3b) using the system of any of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of;

a) feeding into a drafting train (17) a first continuous filament (9) of elastane from bobbins (10) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding,

b) feeding into the same drafting train (17) a second continuous filament (4a) other than elastane from bobbins (5) located in an overhead creel (6) using for this purpose an accessory tool (15) configured to drive the dragging of said filament (4a) by means of a device (8) capable of actuating the movement of bobbins (7) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding,

c) optionally, feeding into the same drafting train (17) a third continuous filament (29) from other bobbins (28) arranged for "déroulé" unwinding, and the stage of;

d) feeding a coating roving fibre bundle (12) into the same drafting train to produce a "Core Spun" yarn (3b) with a core of two continuous filaments (9,4,29) or, optionally, to produce a yarn (3a) with a core of three filaments.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in step b) said filament (4a) other than elastane is a filament of textured polyester and in step c) said filament (29) is any type of a continuous filament.

15. Continuous "Core Spun" yarn (3) spinning machine (2) comprising the feeding system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12.

Drawing