Title of Invention

IMPROVED YARN FEEDER FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE

Abstract An improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting needle located below the yarn feeder, comprises a body (11) mounted to the circular knitting machine, and a yarn feeding section (12) extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture (13) for threading atleast one first yarn (5) above the knitting needle, guide roller means (3) for guiding an additional yarn (6, 7) above the knitting needle, and a jutting section (14) located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having additional yarn directing means comprising a yarn directing surface (15) for positioning the additional yarn relative to the guide roller so as to allow the additional yarn to slide over the jutting section, without forming floss or, if floss is present, for retaining the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle.
Full Text FIELD OF THE TNVENTTON
The present invention relates to an improved yarn feeder for circular knitting machine and particularly a yarn feeder that has a jutting strut to facilitate delivering a yarn to a knitting needle for knitting fabrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A lot of clothing people wearing these days is made from knitting fabrics produced by circular knitting machines. When a circular knitting machine proceeds knitting operations, there arc yarn feeders feed yarns continuously to knitting needles. The knitting needles stitch or tuck the yarns to loops for forming the fabrics desired. When knitting knitted or stretch fabrics, an additional stretch yarn will be provided to go through the yarn feeder to blend with other yarns to produce the stretch or knitted fabrics (such as for making underwear). However conventional yarn feeders have a lot of problems when feeding the stretch yam.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional yarn feeder 1 which includes a body 1 I and a yarn feeding section 12 extending from a lower end of the body 1 1. The yarn feeding section 12 has at least one aperture 13,

13' for yarns to pass through. The body 11 further has a slot 16 engaging with an adjusting element 2 for supporting a yarn roller 3 The yarn roller 3 guides the stretch yarn above the knitting needle to facilitate the knitting needle to pickup the yarn. However the yarn passing the roller tends to tremble and may cause the knitting needle missing or not completely picking the yarn. The resulting fabrics could have rough surface or voids, and have lower fabric quality.
To remedy the problems, some producers design the yarn feeding section 12 with a guide slot 17 as shown in FIG 2. The yarn leaving the roller 3 is directed to the guide slot 17 which may eliminate yarn trembling But the yarn tends to incur floss when sliding and scraping in the guide slot 17 for a long period of time The floss will accumulate in the guide slot 17 and could eventually block the slot and make yarn difficult to pass through the slot, and could result in yarn broken, or the floss will be carried along the yarn and knitted in the fabric and form snarls on the fabric surface. This also will result in poor fabric quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to resolve the foregoing disadvantages. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting needle located below the yarn feeder, comprising a body mounted to the circular knitting machine; and a yarn feeding section extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture for threading atleast one first yarn above the knitting needle, guide roller means for guiding an additional yarn above the knitting needle, and a jutting section located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having
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additional yarn directing means comprising a yarn directing surface for positioning the additional yarn relative to the guide roller so as to allow the additional yarn to slide over the jutting section without forming floss or, if floss is present, for retaining the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, and thereby facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle.
The present invention also provides an improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting needle located below the yarn feeder, comprising
a body mounted to the circular knitting machine , and a yarn feeding section extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture for threading a yarn above the knitting needle, and a jutting section located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having a yarn directing surface arranged to either allow the yarn to slide over the jutting section without forming floss or to retain the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, and thereby facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle, said jutting section comprising a strut with a curved yarn directing surface, and said strut having a fastening section formed at one end thereof to engage with a fastening aperture formed on the yarn feeding section
The present invention aims to provide an improved yarn feeder which has a jutting section located at one end of the yarn feeder The jutting section has a yarn directing surface to allow the third yarn sliding over in a friction contact without producing floss or having the floss retained on the jutting section so that the yarn may be fed smoothly to the knitting needle without rupturing and the knitting operation can be carried-out smoothly.
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The present invention also aims to provide for replacement of the jutting section with a strut which may be integrally formed with the yarn feeding section The strut has a curved yarn directing surface to allow the third yarn sliding over in a friction contact without producing floss or having the floss retained on the strut so that the yarn may be fed smoothly without rupturing
Another aim of the invention is to provide a fastening section at one end of the strut while the yarn feeding section has a fastening aperture formed at one end thereof. The fastening aperture has a fastening surface to engage with the fastening section Or the fastening section may run through the fastening aperture and fastened by a screw nut for anchoring the strut on the yarn feeding section. The strut has the curved yarn directing surface to allow the third yarn
sliding over in a friction contact without producing floss or having the floss retained on the strut so that the yarn may be fed smoothly without rupturing
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings -
FIG 1 is a perspective view of a conventional yarn feeder
FIG 2 is a perspective view of another conventional yarn feeder
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FIG 3A is a perspective view of a yarn feeder of the invention
FIG 3B is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG 3A
FIG 4 is a front view of the yarn feeder according to FIG 3 A
FIG 5 is a side view of the yarn feeder according to FIG 3A
FIG 6 is a fragmentary schematic view of another embodiment of the invention
FIG 7 is a fragmentary schematic view of yet another embodiment of the invention
FIG 8 is a fragmentary schematic view of still another embodiment of the invention
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS 3A and 3B, the yarn feeder 1 of the invention is mounted to a circular knitting machine above knitting needles (not shown in the drawings) for holding a plurality of yarns to be picked up by the rising knitting needles
The yarn feeder 1 includes at least a body 11 and a yarn feeding section 12 extending from a lower end of the body 11 The yarn
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feeding section 12 has at least one aperture 13, 13' for a yarn to pass through. Another end of the yarn feeding section 12 has a jutting section 14 which has a curvy yarn directing surface 15 to facilitate the yarn passing. The body 11 further has a slot 16 formed at a selected location to engage with an adjustment element 2. There is a yarn roller 3 mounting on the adjustment element 2 for directing a knitting yarn below the jutting section 14 to feed the yarn for the circular knitting machine to use in the knitting operations.
There is an anchor member 4, which has a mounting section 41 for fastening to the circular knitting machine. The mounting section 41 has one end extended to form a support section 42 which has a sliding slot (not shown in the drawing) formed thereon. The body 1 1 of the yarn feeder 1 is pivolally mounted to the sliding slot of the support section 42. Hence the elevation of the yarn feeder 1 may be changed and adjusted on the anchor member 4.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when in use, the yarn feeder 1 is mounted to the circular knitting machine through the anchor member 4. The first yarn 5 and the second yarn 6 are threaded respectively through the apertures 13 and 13'. The stretch third yarn 7 runs over the yarn roller 3, sliding over the yarn directing surface 15 of the jutting section 14.
During knitting operations, the first, the second and the third yarn 5, 6, 7 are moved respectively above the knitting needles. Then the knitting needles may be raised upwards to pick up the first yam,
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the second yarn and the third yarn 5, 6, 7 for knitting the fabric. When the third yarn 7 slides over the yarn directing surface 15 of the jutting section 14, the third yarn 7 maintains a friction contact with the yarn directing surface 15. The third yarn 7 thus will be prevented from forming floss, or the floss will be retained on the jutting section 14. Hence rupturing of the third yarn 7 during feeding process can be prevented or minimized. The third yarn 7 thus may be delivered effectively above the knitting needle to facilitate smooth knitting operation and achieve better quality of the knitting fabric.
Referring to FIG. 6 for another embodiment of the invention, the jutting section 14 may be substituted by a strut 8, which may be integrally formed with the yarn feeding section 12. The strut 8 has a curvy yarn directing surface 81. When the third yarn 7 slides over the yarn directing surface 81 of the strut 8, the third yarn 7 maintains a friction contact with the yarn directing surface 81 and prevents the yarn from forming floss, or the floss will be retained on the strut 8. Hence rupturing of the third yarn 7 during feeding process can be prevented or minimized.
Referring to FIG. 7 for yet another embodiment of the invention which is largely constructed like one shown in FIG. 6. The main difference is the construction of the strut 8. -In this embodiment, the strut 8 has one end formed a fastening section 82 with screw threads. The yarn feeding section 12 has a fastening aperture 121 formed at one end with a screw thread fastening surface 122 to
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engage with the fastening section 82. Another alternative is to have the fastening section 82 running through the fastening aperture 121 and engaging with a screw nut (not shown in the drawing) for fastening the strut 8 to the yarn feeding section 12. When the third yarn 7 slides over the yarn directing surface 81 of the strut 8, the third yarn 7 maintains a friction contact with the yarn directing surface 81 and prevents the yam from forming (loss, or the floss will be retained on the strut 8. Hence rupturing of the third yarn 7 during feeding process can be prevented or minimized.
Referring to FIG. 8 for still another embodiment of the invention, the jutting section 14' located on the yarn feeding section 12 is thinner than the jutting section 14 set forth in the previous embodiments. The jutting section 14' has a normal yarn directing surface 15' formed on one side thereof. The third yarn 7 may form a friction contact with the yarn directing surface 15' and prevent the yarn from forming floss, or the floss may be retained on the jutting section 14'. Hence rupturing of the third yarn 7 during feeding process can be prevented or minimized.
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WE CLAIM
1 An improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting
needle located below the yarn feeder, comprising :
a body mounted to the circular knitting machine, and
a yarn feeding section extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture for threading atleast one first yarn above the knitting needle, guide roller means for guiding an additional yarn above the knitting needle, and
a jutting section located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having additional yarn directing means comprising a yarn directing surface for positioning the additional yarn relative to the guide roller so as to allow the additional yarn to slide over the jutting section without forming floss or, if floss is present, for retaining the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, and thereby facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle
2 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the yarn directing surface is
selected from a curved surface, a slant surface and a normal surface
3. The improved yarn feeder as claimed claim 1, wherein the jutting section comprises a strut with a curved yarn directing surface
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4 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the strut is integrally formed with the yarn feeding section
5. An improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting needle located below the yarn feeder, comprising :
a body mounted to the circular knitting machine , and
a yarn feeding section extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture for threading a yarn above the knitting needle, and a jutting section located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having a yarn directing surface arranged to either allow the yarn to slide over the jutting section without forming floss or to retain the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, and thereby facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle, said jutting section comprising a strut with a curved yarn directing surface, and said strut having a fastening section formed at one end thereof to engage with a fastening aperture formed on the yarn feeding section.
6 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening section comprises a screw
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7 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening aperture has a screw fastening surface
8. The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening section runs through the fastening aperture to engage with a screw nut
9 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a slot formed at
a selected location to engage with an adjustment element, the adjustment element having
a yarn roller mounted thereon for directing the yarn to pass under the jutting section
10 The improved yarn feeder as claimed in claim 1, having an anchor member fastened to
the circular knitting machine, the anchor member having a mounting section, the mounting
section having one end extended to form a support section which has a sliding slot formed
thereon for fastening the body of the yarn feeder and allowing the yarn feeder to move on the
anchor member for adjusting the elevation of the yarn feeder
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11 An improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine, substantially as herein described,
particularly with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
12 A circular knitting machine incorporating an improved yarn feeder as claimed in any of
claims 1 to 10.
An improved yarn feeder for a circular knitting machine for supplying a yarn to a knitting needle located below the yarn feeder, comprises a body (11) mounted to the circular knitting machine, and a yarn feeding section (12) extending from a lower end of the body having at least one aperture (13) for threading atleast one first yarn (5) above the knitting needle, guide roller means (3) for guiding an additional yarn (6, 7) above the knitting needle, and a jutting section (14) located at one end of the yarn feeding section, the jutting section having additional yarn directing means comprising a yarn directing surface (15) for positioning the additional yarn relative to the guide roller so as to allow the additional yarn to slide over the jutting section, without forming floss or, if floss is present, for retaining the floss on the jutting section, thereby preventing the yarn from rupturing during feeding to the knitting needle, facilitating a knitting operation by the knitting needle.

Documents:

00487-cal-2001 abstract.pdf

00487-cal-2001 assignment.pdf

00487-cal-2001 claims.pdf

00487-cal-2001 correspondence.pdf

00487-cal-2001 description(complete).pdf

00487-cal-2001 drawings.pdf

00487-cal-2001 form-1.pdf

00487-cal-2001 form-18.pdf

00487-cal-2001 form-2.pdf

00487-cal-2001 form-3.pdf

00487-cal-2001 g.p.a.pdf

00487-cal-2001 letters patent.pdf

00487-cal-2001 reply f.e.r.pdf


Patent Number 203609
Indian Patent Application Number 487/CAL/2001
PG Journal Number 10/2007
Publication Date 09-Mar-2007
Grant Date 09-Mar-2007
Date of Filing 29-Aug-2001
Name of Patentee PAILUNG MACHINERY MILL CO. LTD
Applicant Address 8,TINGPING RD, JUI-FANG, TAIPEI HSIEN TAIWAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 WANG PING SHIH 8,TINGPING RD, JUI-FANG, TAIPEI HSIEN TAIWAN
PCT International Classification Number D 04 B 09/34
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA