APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TENSION ON A YARN BUNDLE WITHDRAWN FROM A MASS OF COMPACTED YARN

摘要

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TENSION ON A YARN BUNDLE WITHDRAWN FROM A MASS OF COMPACTED YARN Apparatus and method are disclosed for varying the tension applied to a yarn bundle withdrawn from a yarn mass retained within a confined space. Initially a compacted yarn mass is introduced into a confined space that is defined by a tubular element having a cylindrical wall portion and an elongated slot provided in the cylindrical wall portion. A yarn bundle is then withdrawn from the end of the yarn mass in the confined space through the elongated slot. Tension is applied to the yarn being so withdrawn by providing the slot with a width which retains the yarn mass within the confined space. The tension applied to the yarn bundle is varied as the end of the yarn mass moves from one end to the other end of the confined space. Such variation can be achieved by arranging the slot to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical wall portion and by providing the slot with a width that increases from one end to the other. Alternatively, it can be achieved by arranging the slot in the form of a helical passage within the cylindrical wall portion and by causing the yarn withdrawn through the helical passage to wrap around an outside portion of the cylindrical wall portion. As a further alternative, the variation can be achieved by arranging a front portion of the slot in the form of a helix and a rear portion of the slot to be linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element. The yarn bundle is withdrawn initially through the linear portion and then through the helical portion, the yarn wrapping around the outside portion of the cylindrical wall portion after the yarn exits through the helical portion.