APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SPLICED YARN

摘要

Apparatus for forming a spliced yarn includes a yarn conduction member with an intermingling jet disposed forwardly thereof. The yarn conduction member has respective yarn conduction channels through which the first and second yarns are conveyed to the intermingling jet. The axis of each yarn conduction channel from the inlet to the outlet of the member is a straight line, with no bends or deviations. The yarn conduction member has a knife blade disposed adjacent to a respective yarn conduction channel. Each knife blade has a passage defining a cutting edge and a solid portion disposed between the passage and the tip of the blade. The first and second knives are insertable into and retractable from the channel to which they are adjacent. In the inserted position the passage in the knife aligns with the channel into which it is inserted, while in the retracted position the solid portion of the blade interdicts the passage to prevent movement of a yarn therethrough. A first and a second holding cap is disposed adjacent to one of the yarn conduction channels and proximal to a respective one of the knives. Each cap is retractable from and insertable into the channel adjacent thereto in correspondence with the respective insertion and retraction of the proximal knife. When inserted into a channel the cap is disposed into abutting contact with the yarn conduction member and serves to hold a yarn extending through a channel against the yarn conduction member. The yarn conduction member is preferably formed from conjoined first and second housing members, one of which is fabricated from a transparent material.