Weft feeding through an accumulator without substantial twist

摘要

A process and apparatus for the on-demand, low tension feeding of a filling member for weft insertion in a loom without substantial twist. The filling member is supplied without substantial twist at an average rate equal to the process speed take-up rate of the loom. The supplied filling member is advanced into a filling member accumulator from which the filling member is withdrawn by the loom. As the filling member is advanced into the accumulator, it is formed into serpentine folds. The supplying of the filling member is controlled in response to the filling member being taken up by the loom and a sufficient amount of the filling member is caused to accumulate in the accumulator to meet the high demand for the filling member when the loom accelerates to process speed operation.