Yarn handling system

Abstract

A system for handling yarn packages and empty cores. The system includes a winder, a creel and a gripper assembly. The winder is configured to receive an empty core and to wind a predetermined length of yarn onto the empty core to create a yarn package. The creel is configured to provide an array of creel positions for receiving a yarn package. The gripper assembly is configured to be moveable between the winder and the creel. The gripper assembly has a jaw adapted to grip a yarn package when delivering the yarn package from the winder to the creel and to grip an empty core when removing the empty core from the creel and delivering the empty core to the winder. Devices, systems and methods for controlling a yarn tail, loading a yarn spool into a creel, and feeding the yarn through the creel, are also disclosed.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A yarn control device for controlling a yarn tail of a yarn, comprising:
 a moveable body configured to capture the yarn and guide the yarn to an operative region of the body;   an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body; a first fluid outlet located in proximity to the operative region of the body, and oriented to expel the first fluid in a first fluid flow; and   a first moveable member within the body that moves between an operative configuration to clamp the yarn and an inoperative configuration to release the yarn;   wherein in the operative configuration the yarn is retained in the operative region of the body such that the first fluid flow captures the yarn tail and orients the yarn tail coaxially with the first fluid flow, whereby movement of the movable body adjusts the direction of the first fluid flow and yarn tail entrained therein to control orientation of the yarn tail.   
     
     
         25 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , further comprising a second moveable member with the body, configured to operate in conjunction with the first moveable member to provide a feed configuration, wherein the yarn tail is retained in the operative region of the body, and drawn through the operative region by the first fluid flow thereby varying a length of the yarn tail. 
     
     
         26 . The yarn control device of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second movable members are a pair of reciprocating pistons. 
     
     
         27 . The yarn control device of  claim 26 , wherein each of the first and second pistons comprises independent operative and inoperative configurations. 
     
     
         28 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein the first moveable member has a head for clamping and securing the yarn to the body. 
     
     
         29 . The yarn control device of  claim 25 , wherein the second movable member has a head which forms an aperture when brought into contact with the operative region of the body, restraining the yarn within the operative region and allowing the yarn to be drawn through the aperture. 
     
     
         30 . The yarn control device of  claim 29 , wherein each of the first moveable member and the second moveable member comprise at least one seal respectively, to control flow of the working fluid within the respective bores. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein a series of fluid inlet and outlet valves are located within the body to control flow of a working fluid into and out of respective first and second bores, in which the first and second moveable members are located. 
     
     
         33 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein the body has a wedge-shaped cross-section providing a pair of angled jaws for capturing a yarn and guiding the yarn towards the operative region. 
     
     
         34 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , the first moveable member is activated to clamp the yarn once in the operative region of the body by supplying working fluid to the activation supply port to allow the working fluid to enter the bore in which the first moveable member is located. 
     
     
         35 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , the first moveable member is deactivated to release the yarn from the operative region of the body by supplying working fluid to the deactivation supply port to allow the working fluid to escape the bore in which the first moveable member is located. 
     
     
         36 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein the first fluid outlet is located in close proximity to the operative region and directed away from the body. 
     
     
         37 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein the first fluid outlet is on a surface of the body. 
     
     
         38 . The yarn control device of  claim 24 , wherein the first fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet via a bore within the body. 
     
     
         39 . The yarn control device of  claim 38 , wherein the bore is oriented to expel the first fluid flow perpendicularly to the body. 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The yarn control device of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the first fluid, the second fluid and the working fluid is air. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A yarn control system for delivering a yarn tail of a yarn to a receiver, comprising:
 a moveable body configured to capture the yarn and guide the yarn to an operative region of the body;   an inlet for introducing a first fluid into the body; a first fluid outlet located in proximity to the operative region of the body, and oriented to expel the first fluid in a first fluid flow; and   a moveable member within the body that moves between an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration; and   a nozzle having a second fluid outlet that expels a second fluid in a second fluid flow towards the receiver;   wherein in the operative configuration the yarn is fixedly held in the operative region of the body such that the first fluid flow captures the yarn tail and orients the yarn tail coaxially with the first fluid flow as the body is moved the first fluid flow is reoriented to intersect the second fluid flow, such that the second fluid flow expels the entrained yarn tail from the first fluid flow thereby delivering the yarn tail to the receiver.   
     
     
         44 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The yarn control system of  claim 43 , wherein the receiver is selected from any one of the following: a conduit, a central yarn tube, an eye, an eyelet, a needle, a yarn feed tube or the like. 
     
     
         48 . The yarn control system of  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the first fluid, the second fluid and the working fluid is air. 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A spool handling device comprising the yarn control device according to  claim 24 . 
     
     
         51 - 79 . (canceled)