Adjustable air shield for skewed godet rolls

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable air shield for skewed godet rolls. The air shield can be any blocking type plate with or without perforations. Furthermore, these air shields may be placed in close proximity to the pair of skewed, relax rolls in the relax zone of a fiber producing process. The plates are positioned on the inside of the threadline so that the airflow is substantially reduced around the threadline on the skewed rolls. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is one or more skewed godet rolls in the relax area of the fiber production process with air shields positioned on the inside of the fiber string up (threadline) between the pair of skewed rolls, such that the gap between any roll and any air shield is uniform and constant.

1 . In a yarn making process having at least one pair of skewed rolls, comprising: providing an adjustable air shield adjacent at least one skewed roll to reduce air buffeting the yarn on the skewed rolls. 
     
     
         2 . In the yarn process of  claim 1 , said adjustable air shield is positioned between said pair of skewed rolls and one edge of said air shield is from about 1 to about 3 cm from said at least one skewed roll. 
     
     
         3 . In the yarn process of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable air shield includes a swivel joint. 
     
     
         4 . In the yarn making process of  claim 1 , wherein said yarn is polyester and said polyester yarn is wrapped about each of said skewed rolls multiple times. 
     
     
         5 . In the yarn making process of  claim 1 , said process comprising: spin drawing, draw-twisting, draw-winding, or draw-bulking process. 
     
     
         6 . In the yarn making process of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable air shield comprises a pair of plates. 
     
     
         7 . In the yarn making process of  claim 6 , wherein said plates are positioned between said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for use in a yarn making process, comprising: a pair of spaced apart skewed rolls, and at least one adjustable air shield positioned between said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said adjustable air shield comprises a pair of plates positioned between said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said plates are positioned from about 1 to 5 mm. from said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said plates are positioned from about 1 to 5 mm. from one of said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a third adjustable air shield plate is positioned adjacent the other skewed roll. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said plates are spaced apart, positioned between said rolls and are within each tangent line connecting the outer surface of each roll. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of said plates is securely fastened to a bar. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said bar includes a swivel joint positioned on one end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein one end of said bar is adjustably secured to structural framework. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said bar includes a swivel joint positioned on said one end thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said structural framework includes an elongated slot in which said swivel joint is positioned. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus for use in a yarn making process, comprising: a pair of spaced apart skewed rolls, and two pair of adjustable air shields positioned between said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein one pair of said adjustable air shields is positioned adjacent each of said skewed rolls. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each of said plates is securely fastened to a bar. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein one end of each of said bars is adjustably secured to structural framework.